Embrace the Camera

One of the blogs that I like to read gave a challenge to all their readers.  She told the true story about a young mother who realized she was never in any pictures with her daughter.  So she decided to "embrace the camera" and get in the pictures with her.  Shortly after that, she was tragically killed.  She then challenged us to get in front of the camera with our kids so they will remember that we were part of their childhood, not just the picture taker.  The following pictures were posted on my Instagram every day for five days. They gave us a new theme everyday.

Day 1: Smiles

Day 2: Making Memories

Day 3: Everyday Moments (always in my car)

Day 4: Creative

Day 5: Faces

It was fun (and a little alarming-I don't like these pictures of me) and I'm glad I did it.  I hope my kids remember me as an active part of their childhood when they grow up.  I love them so much!

Ally is 14!!

Ally turned 14 on September 28. It was quite a weekend for the birthday girl!

This is the collage I made for Instagram.  So fun to see her change through the years!  I swear she was just placed in my arms for the first time.

It was a friend party year, and Ally is such a sweet girl, she didn't want anyone to feel left out.  So we ended up with 20 girls over for a party!!! (insert your comments about my sanity here)

We all walked up to Grandma June's for a game of Annie-I-Over in her yard.  Her house works perfectly for the game and is a family tradition that was reintroduced this year.  Ally was excited to teach her friends how to play.

Catch it Carolyn!!

Then we headed back to our house for pizza, cake and pumpkin painting.  The girls were all so creative and had fun.

The birthday girl and her (bright pink) cake.  That pink frosting became face paint for some of the girls later.  And it didn't come off.  Oops!  Silly girls!

Opening presents.  They were all so generous!

Look Mom, I got a skirt just like yours.  We can be twins!

Then they headed upstairs for some fun party games. And then the best part...their parents came and got them!  JK.  It really was a lot of fun.  Loud, crazy, teenage girl fun!

The next day was actually her birthday so she and I got to celebrate with breakfast at Kneaders and a day of shopping!  Then the boys came home (they decided to hide at the cabin during the party-smart) and we had dinner with the Grandparents at Chilis. Wow!  What a spoiled birthday girl!

We love you, Ally!  But would you please stop growing up!