You Capture - Doors

There are  a lot of cute doors in my neighborhood, but I didn't capture any of them.  There's not a lot to work with at my house, but here's the sometimes problematic latch on my gate.

And the other door problem I have - this crazy cat always trying to sneak out.   

Click here for more doors.

Snow day = sew day

Friday, March 4


Last week we had our first and probably last snow day for this winter.  Kyla decided she had to have a messenger bag.  Well, I wasn't just going to drive to the store and buy her one, but I remembered that we had cut out fabric for one months ago.  We dug it out of the closet and Sydney found some old quilting fabric and we made messenger bags with this awesome free pattern from mmmcrafts.

Happy Friday!

Barf pails and slug trails

Tuesday, October 26


What crazy weather this weekend.  Luckily we stayed fairly dry during soccer games.  Kyla had a full social schedule which included sleepovers, parties and too much sugar.  She stayed home from school yesterday, but bounced back quickly and seems to be back to normal today.  Note to self:  If your kid complains of a stomach ache in the middle of the night, even if it doesn't seem very bad, it's always a good idea to leave them with a towel or a barf bag, just in case.   Kevin got the middle of the night surprise and preliminary clean up and I got the detail work the next morning.  She didn't quite make it to the bathroom.  So glad we didn't get new carpet this year.


Hopefully this story will make the following picture seem pleasant even though it's related to slugs.  

Can you see the heart?  Stay healthy everyone.

Hello, Goodbye

Wednesday,  October 20

What a day!  Surprise!  We got a new car.  I've been wishing for one for a while, but we didn't really decide to bite the bullet until last weekend.  No one makes the car I want, an affordable hybrid that can hold six people.  So, we got a Mazda5.  At first the girls were sad about getting rid of the Subaru, but they love the new car.  Now they can each bring a friend and everyone gets their own seat.  Yay!  Now that soccer season is almost over, have I finally become a legit soccer mom?   Is it really a minivan?  I think they call it a microvan. 

Buying a car is a crazy thing.  I thought for sure we were going to leave the dealership empty handed.  They were trying to charge us way too much, but Kevin held strong and I made a call to another dealership while we were there and reported that they would find us the same car for $1000 lower than invoice.  Finally when we said we were in no hurry and would just drive across town later that week for the good deal, they gave us the price we wanted which was $2000 lower than the number we first gave them.  What a team!  And Kevin, you are awesome!


Dear Forester, We really loved you for 13 good years.  You gave us a little scare last weekend when we thought one of your tires was going to fly off the car when we were an hour away from our destination at 9pm.  Luckily we just needed to balance, rotate and eventually get new tires.  Then we realized you were about to become a little too high maintenance.  Sorry for the surprise break up.  We will always remember you.  Love, The Cantrells

A new year and a new decade

Hellooooo?  Anybody out there?


Wow, I really fell off the blogging wagon if there is such a thing.  I haven't even been reading any blogs lately.  So I'm pretty behind on keeping family and whoever else is still reading up to date.   Now that school has started I have a little more free time, but a lot of it seems to get used up just keep the routine of school, lunches, dinner, soccer  and bedtime going smoothly.

So the girls started school last week.  Sydney is in first grade and reports that so far it is awesome.  First grade at our school is rather awesome as both teachers are wonderful and they get to do music and yoga.  We also have a part time music teacher this year at school.  


Kyla is really excited about 4th grade and is really happy with her teacher.  She gets to be a self manager this year.  I'm not sure what that is yet, but it involves perks like going to lunch 5 minutes early and stuff like that.  She also gets to start taking Spanish - yay!    We have forgotten so much since living in Spain two years ago.  


Both girls are doing soccer this fall and Kevin is the assistant coach for Kyla's team.  They had their first game last weekend.   Sometimes they overlap, so we don't get to watch both girls every weekend, but at least most of Kyla's games are within walking distance so that's pretty convenient for only having one car.


What's this new year, new dedade I'm talking about?   I know it's not January, but it feels more like the start of a new year when school starts.  I find myself wanting to make new resolutions about all the things I will get done after having a fun and lazy summer.   Mostly this includes excercising and cleaning up a bunch of junk around the house.  I also started my fifth decade a few weeks ago.  Yes, it was the big four - oh.   I don't feel much different, actually right now it feel like my head might explode, but I think that's my sinus headache from catching a cold from the girls.   It didn't seem to slow them down much.  Maybe getting older is harder than it sounds.   Anyway, I'm looking forward to the forties - the thirties was very much dedicated to the kids, which was fun, but tiring and messy.  I'm hoping the forties will be a more organized and cleaner kind of fun.  Yes, just as soon as I teach the girls to pick up their clothes, shoes, art supplies and dishes.  Ha!    


This summer I did a lot of photography  (over 5200 shots taken) and I still need to edit some photos.  I worked on some projects for friends and practiced doing some portraits.  I'll try to show some photos soon.   I haven't done the weekly photo challenge for at least a month, but look for some flowers next week.   OK, hope you all have a great weekend, 'm heading out the door for a soccer game.    


Here's a bonus for getting to the end.  Sydney's self portrait.

I've created a monster

Saturday, July 3

A blogging monster that is.  When Kyla found out that her cousin started a blog she immediately decided that she wanted a blog too.   I think it never really crossed her mind that a kid would be allowed to have a blog.   She has published four posts since she started it after dinner last night.  I tried to explain about pacing herself at one per day.  I still need to talk to her about giving credit to other photographers that she features on her blog. She has taken all but one photo herself. 

Click here to go to Kyla's blog.

I almost forgot to let you know that Sydney lost her second tooth last week while we were at the beach.   Please note that she has finally stopped begging for a pillow pet, we were all so excited that it was waiting for her at the post office when we got home.  And it's a lamb - surprise!

Finally lost!

Tuesday, June 8

Sydney's loose tooth had been driving her crazy for days.   She prayed every night that it would fall out now!   She said she didn't care how much it hurt or bled, that I should pull it out.   Well I tried several times, trust me, it just wasn't ready.  Here is what it looked like yesterday. 

Finally this morning I could tell it was ready.  I pulled it out on the first try and tried to keep a blank expression on my face.   She was so surprised and happy that she lost her first tooth!

Calypso Cat!

Friday, May 21

Yes, we now have a cat!   She's been here for over a week already and is totally adjusted to her new home and being a part of the family.   The girls only had to beg for two years before we ran out of excuses and finally gave in.  I was telling the receptionist at the vet about that and she said I that was just mean.  Well, you can't say I'm mean anymore, because look, I finally let them adopt the cutest kitty.

We weren't going to adopt until we returned from our vacation to the Carolinas in July, but this kitty was a stray found by a friend of a friend and she needed a home.  She loves attention and she is very playful so the girls are having a great time.  I think I need to get her some kitty tennis shoes.  The way she slides around on our laminate flooring is comical, but it must be frustrating for her have such furry paws.  The girls were supposed to have this long period of "cat training" to prepare, but that only lasted a week.  Kyla did clean her room along with all the cat supplies.  She was very concerned about finding a proper name.

It was a bit of a challenge to find a name that everyone liked.   Everyone had veto power, so after we were tired of saying, "I veto your veto!", we finally agreed on Calypso.  Only a couple of times have we called her Clutzo. 

I would like to officially apologize to Susan for slacking off on the whole blogging thing lately, especially when it comes to the topic of cats.  Here is a photo of Susan's beautiful cat, Whipped Cream, who we went to see at a cat show a couple months back.  Oh, and that is her son, holding the cat. 

 

Happy Friday everyone! 

Spring break fevers

Wednesday, March 26

Yes, there is a beautiful blue sky with the forcast predicting a high of 68 degrees today and my kids have fevers!  Actually Sydney is mostly better already, but now it's Kyla's turn.  I should have posted this yesterday for Syd.   

Why do I have a stack a tissues with no box?

Because Miss Ducky needed some shoes of course.  Her feet are so big, no one else's shoes would fit.

I love it when my kids get inspired to do art projects that grow and take a long time.  She started with this girl...

and decided to add the rest of her body and some scenery.

I found this story and drawing in Syd's newly cleaned out closet, where there is a shelf that looks like a little desk.  I guess she is a closet writer now.   I think Kyla finished the story for her.

Translation:   Once upon a time there was a little girl.  And her name is Aria.  She was picking flowers in a garden by a tree.  And she loved the tree and it was her favorite tree. 

I hope we get to go play outside soon, before it starts to rain again.

I survived!

Friday, March 12

The last five weeks have been hectic as I knew they would be. I signed the girls up for swimming lessons 2x/week in an effort to get them and myself away from the screens in our life and get more exercise. The only bad part is that Monday through Thursday we had something scheduled until 5:30 or 6pm, which really cut into being able to cook a decent dinner. I think being able to get dinner from my personal chef twice a week really made it possible. (I love you Elizabeth!)


The good part is that the girls didn't even realize they had not watched TV, played Wii or their Nintendo during the week until just this week. It’s 4pm on Friday as I'm writing this and no one has even asked to turn on the TV.

I've been exercising at the gym at least 3 days a week, riding the bike and going to Zumba! I think I'll go celebrate by taking my hubby out to McMenamin's Mission Theater & Pub for a burger and a movie. (Thanks Maria!)

Have a great weekend everyone!


If you need a laugh, please visit Daddy Scratches.

GPOYW & OSDS & other stuff

Wednesday, February 24

I wasn't sure when I would ever post this photo, then I saw GPOYW (Gratuitous Picture of Yourself Wednesday) over at Views Infinitum.   Perfect!  I sometimes like to take pictures from the car especially when I'm the passenger, but not usually of myself. 

I wish I had curly hair.  See the fluff and the curls?  I recently rediscovered my electric rollers - I only had to dig through five boxes in my garage to find them.  My hair is driving me crazy lately.  I really need a haircut.  The first time my kids saw my foofy hair they screamed.  Thanks guys.

What is OSDS?  It's Olympic Sleep Deprivation Syndrome!  I keep getting sucked in to the Olympics and staying up way too late.  Why do they wait until 10:30 to even start the figure skating?  I'm getting tired!  Last night I even got hubby to set up the DVR and then I still stayed up to watch.   Oh well, not much longer.  

I've been wanting to blog more, but it has been crazy busy here lately.  I usually try not to over schedule the kids and I for too many activities, but as part of lent I decided we could all handle it for one session of swimming lessons - 5 weeks.  My goal was to get the girls and I away from the screens and out exercising during the cold & rainy part of the year.   We have something every weekday afternoon except Friday: swimming, piano, drama, and gymnastics.  We almost skipped swimming today and it would have been a good idea since Syd was only in the pool for 5 min when then had to clear the place out and cancel lessons for the day after someone threw up in the pool.   Eeeew!
Well, the girls got our showers taken care of and now they are doing a Bindi Fitness video.  

I've been having some chronic back pain, but it's doing better and I've made it to the gym several times last week.   I went to this Zumba (Latin dance exercise) class, which was pretty fun and probably really good for my back, but my hips were challenged! 

That's all for now - I'm half way through our five weeks! 

You Capture - Kisses

Thursday, February 18

This week's photo challenge was kisses!   There is one person in our family who is all about kisses, can you guess which one?

When I told the girls the topic for the week, Kyla said, "I bet your going to let Syd kiss me everyday and you'll take a whole bunch of picures to see if you can get a good one!".   Hey, good idea.

Here is a blue butterfly kiss - that's what happens when you forget to adjust your white balance.

The one thing they agreed to kiss in hopes of getting to eat it was a huge chocolate kiss.  I had never seen one of these before. 

Here is my valentine from youngest daughter Sydney.

It said:

If I could hug you every time I think about you ... you'd be smooshed!
That got her some kisses.


Visit Beth's blog to see more Kisses.

only if you bring back doughnuts!

Wednesday, February 3


This weekend Sydney had a friend sleep over, a first for both of the girls.  They were sooo excited.  First we went to Bingo for Books at school - what could be better than free books and root beer floats?  The girls didn't get to sleep until about 9pm with all the excitement and the big kids playing downstairs.  They even slept through the night until 5:50am that is.  I found myself struggling to comprehend why two 5 year olds were asking me for the car keys.  huh!? 


girls:   "We need the car keys - we left a book in the car and we neeeeed it.  We can reach the keys, can we go get it?   


me:  It's not even light outside yet, no you can't go out to the car!   Wait a minute let me think....   (I'm trying to remember while still half asleep - did we bring in the bag holding the very important Tinkerbell Color Wonder coloring book?)   


girls:  We really need that book, can we get it?


me:   Wait ... I'm trying to think... (it's not happening very fast though)  I think it's downstairs in the dining room in a black bag.


girls: but where?!


So I got up and found the black bag hiding in a dining room chair.  Thank goodness I didn't have to go outside.   I'm also thankful that those two smart and independent Kindergartners didn't attempt to go outside on their own (at least the car was parked in the garage and not on the street).    Disaster averted!

You Capture - Love around your home

Thursday, January 21

This weeks challenge was to photograph things you love at home. We recently had the downstairs painted, so a lot of stuff is still packed away. Here is a view rarely seen at my house - no stuff and no mess. What you can't see is all the normal kitchen items hiding just on the other side of the bar and in the floor.
Here is something that we couldn't pack up, our piano. I love that we have a real piano ...

and both my girls are learning to play.

I also love the monkey pjs.

Here are my tea drawers and my favorite bear mug that I use every morning.

To see the other loved things from home click here.

Merry Christmas 2009

Friday, December 25

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family!

It's been a busy week, but yesterday we made cookies for Santa and went to the early candle light service before coming home to feed the reindeer and play a couple games before heading to bed. As far as we can tell, Santa enjoyed his cookies and left the girls exactly what they asked for. New Webkinz of course, a Harry Potter game for Kyla and a little sewing machine for Sydney. I never got my Christmas email sent out, so it may be a New Years update. We're headed to my Grandma's house for the day and on Sunday we go to Seattle to help cousin Josh celebrate his 8th birthday, then we're off to the Carolina's to visit Kevin's family.

Click here to see Kyla and Syd as hip hopping elves!

You Capture - Holiday Decor

Thursday, December 17


I can't believe how this month is flying by! Santa had better get busy. We got our decorations up last weekend, which is pretty good for us. I really wanted to get out and take some shots of Christmas lights, but that would involve remembering to bring the camera when I'm driving around in the evening. Oh well. Here are the stockings that I made for the family, they still need loops for hanging, we just anchor them with some books in the bookcase.

Kyla directed her younger sister and friend in decorating the tree. I barely did anything, they even strung all the popcorn and cranberries. It was fantastic, they are finally old enough to be helpful sometimes. Can you see the red and green bands on her braces?

I did have to help with the angel. I love this sweet little angel, looks like she is singing.

Little sister made some decorations of her own.
I don't consider myself holiday decor, but look - there I am (with the Santa hat)!
For more Holiday Decor photos click here!

Resisting winter.

Friday, November 13

It's hailing and cold outside now. I was even motivated to go to the gym I was feeling so cold. I tried the Aquamed massage table - warm and dry - ahhh. Let's look at a few shots from warmer and dryer days of October. My maple tree before it shed it's leaves.

Kyla was on the cross-country team for about 2 weeks due to a late start and a short season. I didn't do very good with the action shots, but here is a nice afternoon sun flare.

Hope you all stay warm and dry this weekend.

We're off to see the Wizard!

Monday, November 2

No time to write, but we had a great Halloween with perfect weather! Kevin got home just in time for a bowl of soup and trick-or-treating.

Just for the record, Kyla was dressed up as a regular witch, NOT the Wicked Witch of the West, but we had to try a scene. Dorothy did not like it!

What's better that trick-or-treating with one Dorothy? How about two!