One of my New Years goals this year was to learn to use our Canon camera in manual mode. I've had the camera for years and it takes gorgeous photos, but I know it can take even better ones if I get myself off of auto. I've tried reading and learning that way but it just doesn't stick. I've also tried using the "P" mode (I'm such a novice I don't even know what that stands for, haha) where one aspect of the settings is set and you manipulate the others yourself, but even then I felt I wasn't learning well. So I'm going cold turkey. Full Manual Mode (with auto-focus). I realize that the key to learning is to practice so I'm trying to be cognoscente to grab my camera more often rather than relying on my iPhone. 

While I won't make promises to publish pics weekly I am hoping to also record my process. I think the "pressure" of posting pics online will help me stick with it. 

Here's a few from my first week:

Wedgie!

 Clearly I have a long way to go but at least not every pic I took was fuzzy! It definitely easier on things that are still -- hence less pics of our littlest member! I'm really hope I stick with this goal and see progress throughout the year.

Portraits 32/52

Looks like, I'm going to have to play a little catch-up in order to have all 52 weeks of portraits for my kids.

Last week we were mostly on the road home and I didn't really take any photos. But I did snap a few our last day in Yellowstone.

Parker looking out the window and up to his big brother at the Old Faithful Inn

Landon proudly showing off his newly acquired Yellowstone Junior Ranger Badge

Most National Parks have a Junior Ranger program. It's a great way to help your kids experience the park. Usually you grab a JR Ranger booklet at any ranger station in the park. They typically cost a few dollars (the Yellowstone one is $3, but not always). Then, depending on their age, they have to fill out certain pages in their book and do various activities: observe the wildflowers, go on a hike, read about glaciers and answer the following questions, etc. Once they fill out their book (we carried Landon's book around for five days slowly working on different pages but it could have easily been done in an afternoon too) then you head back to a ranger station. The ranger leads your child in an oath to protect the park and it's natural resources and then awards him with a rocking' badge. It's quite cute and really fun too.

Linking up with Practicing Simplicity for The 52 Project. 

We are HOME!

It's so nice to be in my own bed again!

I love being on the road with my kids.

Travel is my absolute most favorite thing to do. 

But it definitely has it's challenges when your husband is working and you have a two year old and five year old.

We had some really high highs...and some pretty low lows.

But overall an excellent adventure that I am incredibly thankful to have experienced.

Here are a my top 21 favorite photos. (I just could not round it out to an even twenty!):

(btw - trying to cut down 1500 photos to your top 21, and that's not including some 500+ epic iPhone photos, is soooo hard.)

And one more, lest you think ever moment was awesome.

Portraits 26/52

A portrait of my boys, once a week, every week for a year.

baby buns, dirty feet, daydreaming through the window

growing-up way too quick: playing b.ball outside with Dad

Simple Moments Capture the Heart

We had a quiet weekend.

On Saturday we planned on going to the beach. Got the car packed up with beach gear and changed into our suits, only to find the beach cool and windy. 

Instead of heading home we decided to just drive around town; and we ended up at one of our favorite grassy parks with spectacular views.

A surprise, spur-of-the-moment decision to stop and play ended up being the highlight of my weekend.

There was hugs and kisses and wrestle-mania.

Daddy's are the best climbing gyms.

We ran races.

And got inspired to attempt cartwheels.

Mana about to attempt a cartwheel for the first time in forever. The children looks frightened. I don't blame them. Look at how short my beach shorts are. 

 Many attempts at cartwheels.

 And even a little yoga.

To stretch out the muscles pulled from attempting cartwheels.

Often it's the quiet family moments that mean the most.

Portraits 24/52

A portrait of my boys, once a week, for a year.

running races at the park yesterday; someone was determined to win

this isn't Parker's most flattering photo but I absolutely love it. The smirk on his face is so "him". It's a look I see a 100 times a day. 

Linking up with The 52 Project at Practising Simplicity 

Portraits 23/52

Where did last week go???

We were busy with school field trips, doctor appointments, dinners with friends, weddings, etc. etc. 

The calendar looks about half as full this upcoming week so you should see more of me.

thank goodness.

i'm exhausted. 

Meanwhile, I'l leave you with this adorableness:

even super-heroes get tired sometimes

someone wanted his haircut "just like Daddy"

I'm linking up with Practicing Simplicity for The 52 Project.

Portraits 22/52

A portrait of my boys once a week every week for a year.

 So many things to love in this photo:

ill-fitting beach hat, red licorice mouth, Bob Marley shirt, reading at the beach

love him so much

my sweet boy

bad hair day, school Art Show, obviously just finished crying moment earlier

so proud of my eldest son

Linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project

21/52 Portraits

A portrait of my boys once a week for a year.

Floating wooden boats down the creek at the Museum of Natural History

Add caption

Snack crumbs on his sweet baby lips

Liking up with Practicing Simplicity for The 52 Project. 

Portraits 18/52 and 19/52

camping//brother photo//Landon always loops her arm around Parker's neck and I melt from the cuteness

a snack, his "puppy" that goes everywhere with him and jammies

early morning eyes

Parker and his baby//tousled morning hair//an "ouchie" under his nose from a fall

And speaking of photos FASHION ON THE 15th is just 3 days away!