Check This Out

It is no big secret to you, my 15 or so faithful followers, that I love to blog, look at blogs, and generally use them as my link to the outside world.

Ever since the birth of the amazing(and now crawling) Miss Violet, followed by my recent surgeries(more on that later), I've been a little out of touch with 3 dimensional people.

Good thing for my inner social butterfly I have the Internet.

"But, why are you carrying on so, Maryann?" you ask.........I'll tell you.

Because today I found this site, because almost everyday I go to this other site.

I instantly fell in love with every single thing on this site. I put a picture of my most favorite shirt here for you to see, in case you want to be like me.

I was so pleased to find Christian shirts that are cool and in line with current trends.

They even have a tee based on one of my most favorite scriptures.

In case you are curious, I like the one above better because spring is dragging it's feet and that color....oohh! Plus, if my stylist could give me that hair.....oohh!

So go check them out. Just click the links here in my post, or the "shop now" on the sidebar.

And then go outside and tell spring to kick in into gear!

Busy Body

Lunch is a production at our house. Violet loves to eat, sing, babble, toss toys, bowls and spoons around, and nearly drown herself with her sippy cup at every meal.

It can be downright exhausting for her.

Just the other day she was having quite the day in her highchair, and started to get dozy.

Unfortunately for her, she is also a spectacular ham. I'm not really sure if she knows she is having her picture taken, or if the sight of my big black clicking and flashing machine thrills her, but when ever I get it out she is all smiles and squeals of utter glee. Which does in fact, make it very hard for me to get a shot of her falling asleep in her highchair.

She started to nod off, and then she spotted me and the Nikon out of the corner of her eye.

So I set it in my lap, out of sight.

Then she nodded again, and when the flash clicked up she roused herself.


Then I let her get a little more to sleep, and quickly lifted the camera to my face, and got this one.

Then she wanted to play "SuperModelBaby"

I amuse her by saying things like, "Let your natural aura fill the room. Give me your best "Blue Steel" rendition."

And you will only understand that reference if you've seen Zoolander.

I love Ben Stiller.

Then she started to fade again......
But after this shot, it was time to get hammy.

Then she wanted to play with me.....or maybe she just wanted my camera.

It was just the camera.

Ever been up close and personal with dried baby food?

A Visit with Friends

My good friend, Windy, was here visiting from Michigan, where she is a prisoner of snow, wind, ice and all things wintry and unpleasant. I'm sure to some degree, visiting Colorado was like a tropical retreat. She has 2 sons, Ethan, who is 5, and Anderson, who is 19 months.

I intend to go more in depth about the history Windy and I share later.

Right now, I want to point out that I took a photo of 3 children and they are all looking at me and smiling. Even Gunner snuck into the shot, though I think he appears to feel a little sheepish about it. Windy, being the veteran Mom, has mastered the skill all parents learn the first time they have family portraits done. Look at the camera, paste a smile on your face, and let the person behind the camera coax smiles out of the children. Luckily, this herd was very easily amused. Except Gunner, who is seldom amused. Unless there is food. And it's headed towards his mouth.

Violet was quite taken with Ethan.

She watched every move he made with great interest.

We talked him into planting a smooch on Violet for photographic purposes.

He was glad to oblige us, as he was quite taken with the camera.

He was taken with Violet as well.

And Anderson........

He just likes to party.

Happy Birthday Jeffie!

"Hey, Jeff, come here! I've got something to tell you!"

"Hey, Jeff, what are you doing? Are you busy right now?"

"What, Mary? Geez, you are so annoying!"
"Sorry, but it's your birthday, and I wanted to tell you to have a Happy one!"

"SWEET!!"

Happy 27th Birthday, Jeffie!!

Rockers, Man

"I'm a Rocker, Man, through and through!"

Uncle Jeff likes to party. I think this is evident in this shot. He's wild. Give him a musical instrument and get out of the way. He really tore it up with Violet's animal sounds, counting guitar. Honestly, I don't know who found the whole jam session more entertaining.
My vote is for Uncle Jeff.
Extra credit to whomever actually knows what movie the quote above is from.
Rock on, people!

I Would Never....

.....post a picture of my baby looking like an obese old man......

but I would do this

....expose my baby, exposing herself.....

but I would expose you to this



....let you see my baby looking indignant.....

but I would let you look at this


...let you see my daughter making a face like this....




...or a face like this.....
but I did like making this face




.....let you see my baby looking like she had a few too many.....
but I will show you when I have

"My Momma is reminiscing and you are all victims!"

"Kinda like me with her camera, and I can't believe she is putting up lots of unattractive shots of me!"

"I think I'll thump her one with this here rattle. Come here, Lady!"

Super Bowl Kisses

Violet at Grammy and Grampy's house for Super Bowl.

Listen to how I predict the future towards the end of the video. Then schedule your hearing test.

Go Cardinals!