For Today

For Today - December 31, 2010


Outside my window: dark and quiet. I am sure that will change in a few hours


I am thinking: that I wish it were 9:00 and Matt were on his way home


I am thankful for: my family and our health


From the kitchen: 3 new Rachel Ray recipes for dinner this week


I am wearing: jeans and a black shirt


I am creating: nothing at the moment- made Reece a potty chart a couple of days a go


I am going: to try and get some great shots of Reece with a sparkler when Matt gets home


I am reading: anything I can find online about photography


I am hoping: for a wonderful 2011 filled with happiness and adventures


I am hearing: Little Einsteins and the dishwasher


Around the house: toys and Christmas decorations that need to be put away


One of my favorite things: planning our next vacation --- a Disney cruise in September


A few plans for the week ahead: getting back to work--- the real world with an alarm clock


A picture to share: New Year's Eve last year at Bud and Teri's wedding

Merry Christmas

We had a great day yesterday. Matt bought me the camera I had been begging for since May. I took almost 100 pictures yesterday!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Santa Claus

We took Reece to the mall today to see Santa and it could not have gone better. She loved him and told him everything she wants for Christmas. I love this picture. I think it is priceless. We got one of them both looking at the camera but this was my favorite, her talking to him.



After Santa she picked out a Precious Moment Santa ornament to put on her tree in her room.

My Favorite Family Picture

This picture has always been one of my favorite pictures. It is on my desk at work and I love it. I have always loved to glance over at it when I am having "one of those" days and remind myself that everything will be ok once I get home and get to spend time with my family.

Now that we have lost Bella, this picture means more to me than ever before. It is an old picture and we have taken many since then---- this one has just always been special to me.

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas

and I love it!

Dear Reece

This past weekend I was designing my Christmas cards from shutterfly and I came across this code for a free card "CARD4U" (it expires today). The code was for a free card --- one of the more expensive ones, not the ones I ordered to send out. Anyway I started playing around and came across a card that allowed you to add your "Christmas letter" to it. I thought it was really different and I loved it. I decided to change it up a bit and write a little note to Reece. I really liked the way it turned out and can not wait to get it in the mail. I think I am going to scan it and use it as the title page for her 2010 photo book.

What A Year Christmas Card

Make a statement with custom Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

The picture on the bottom is a little sneak peek of our Christmas cards!
I hope to blog again before Thanksgiving but lets face it, I have 2 months of pictures that I have not posted so I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all of you guys.... I really do have the best family and friends!

Happy Halloween

From The Barker Family

and Super Reece!

Sea World

I am so far behind on downloading pictures, scanning Reece's artwork, blogging and a ton of other things. I really hope to get some things done this week and get caught up. Hopefuly there will be a few more posts this week as Reece has been quite busy and is turning into a little girl more and more everyday---- gone is my little baby!

Last Friday we went to Sea World and had so much fun. We had brunch with The Count and all his friends, fed the dolphins, saw some shows and took some silly pictures.

Madison's Birthday

Sunday we went to Madison's 3rd birthday party. She is a friend in Reece's class. The kids had so much fun eating cupcakes and playing with each other.

Reece, Jessica and the birthday girl

Holden and Reece playing with balls. She loves Holden!

The kids playing with chalk.

I love this picture of her in the partyhat!

7 Years Ago Today

7 Years Ago Today

I woke up to a beautiful sunrise with storm clouds rolling in.

7 Years Ago Today

I slipped on a wet sidewalk and almost broke my wrist.

7 Years Ago Today

I took a wonderful romantic walk on a beach.

7 Years Ago Today

He got down on one knee.

7 Years Ago Today

I said YES!

Fall and a Picture

I am ready for cooler weather, warmer clothes, reasons to be outside playing, comfort food and the thought of the holidays! I think it is this rainy weather we have had the last couple of days which I love, just not during rush hour. I went to Starbucks today while running an errand for work expecting to order a vanilla latte when I discovered the pumpkin latte is back----- hello fall-itis!

And my favorite picture right now:

I love these two and can't wait to spend a great fall with them!


Jennifer

Growing Up

Reece moved up into a new room at daycare yesterday----Early Preschool is what they are calling it. She loves it and was so excited. She loves loves loves her new teacher and I do too. Ms. Kathy would sub in the infant room sometimes when Reece was in there so we are both comfortable with her. She came home yesterday singing "Hokie Pokie" and was ready to go back this morning! I can't believe how fast my baby is growing. She really is growing up and I am so proud of her.



Here she is in front of her school. My camera batteries were failing so the quality is not that great.

Ms. Kathy made all these fun drawings of the kids and their birthday's. I thought it was adorable and had to take a picture. Notice the purple bunny sitting by her. She loves her "Lolo baby" A great big thank you to Lolo's mommy for having not 1, but 2 made for her!

Jennifer

Austin Has a Lego Store

Austin has a Lego store! I love Lego stores. I think they are so fun. I love looking at the huge creations. It takes some serious talent! Talent that I do not have. It took 3 guys 5 hours to build Woody! Crazy! I made friends with the greeter at the store today and he told me that they will switch their characters out every few months or so. I plan on making several visits.





Jennifer

Our Adventures on SoCo

Last Sunday we spent a couple of hours on South Congress. It was Reece's first time down there.

We first started our adventure at Hey Cupcake---- so good. Matt had a 24
Carat and Reece and I shared a Michael Jackson (chocolate cupcake with
white frosting.) It was the best chocolate cupcake I have ever had --- so
moist!

She spotted the fire station when we were parking and kept asking to go
see the firetruck.


We were headed to the Big Top, which is an amazing candy store with an old fashion soda fountain in it when she spotted an "R" in the window and wanted to stand by it.



Finally, we headed a little further downtown to see one of the guitars. I would have liked to get some pictures with several of them but it was really hot, I had a headache and it was nap time. But I am happy with the one that I did get of my "Little Rock Star"

Jennifer

Nature Fairy

Tuesday we went on a little nature walk (in our yard) to find some things to make a nature fairy. Reece had fun picking leaves and flowers to put in her cup. I love this picture of her. I think it is adorable. I can't wait until it get cooler and we can go to the park and really get a bunch of things. She is in love with Tinker Bell right now, so it was fitting for a boring afternoon.





I need to find another way besides glue for the wings (leaves) because they came off before I could get it in a frame. Any suggestions?


Jennifer

A Few Pictures

I took Monday and Tuesday off to spend a little time with Matt and Reece. I am so glad she is home. I really missed here while she was with my parents. We have just been hanging out not doing much these last few days.
My mom took a ton of pictures while she had her and I thought I would share a few of my favorites----- sorry mom but you have all of these already. I will down load some new ones for you and post them soon-- I promise! I have not taken very many lately at all.