Top Photos of 2013: 14 & 15

So another catch-up post.  Such is life.

The pictures for Days 14 & 15 both come from July.  From the exact same trip actually.  They may even have been taken on the same day.  Every year we get together with Amy's side of the family for one big family reunion/vacation over the summer.  This past year we traveled to Beaver Lake in Arkansas for the second time.  The first time was 2 years ago, before we had Stella, so this was her first time to go.  It was really her first big road trip and vacation ever.  She did very well, far better than either of the boys ever did for any car ride (long or short) at her age.

Anywho, it is a beautiful place and we love it.  We always have so much fun hanging out at the lake house and at the lake.  Swimming, boating, lounging, laughing.  It is always a fun and relaxing time.  So, I chose 2 photos from her because I couldn't decide which I liked best.

#14

Like I said before, sometimes I like to take pictures of things other than myself, my kids, and food.  This is Beaver Lake.  I always think lakes make such beautiful pictures.  Serene, quiet, picturesque.  This was a photo I posted to Instagram.  I love me some Instagram.  Partially because it is photography, partially because it is social media, and partially because you can quickly and easily tweak and edit photos to enhance them or make them better.  I love this one.

#15

And now we're back to pictures of me.  And my family.  But I love this shot of Amy and I at the lake.  Just relaxing and easy-going.  I think it captures the whole feeling of the vacation.  Plus, I always enjoy having a new picture of the two of us.  

So there.  5 more left to choose, hundreds left to choose from.  Here's to weeding through pictures and attempting to post on-time!

All is well, picture perfect, in Drosche Land.

Top 20 Photos of 2013: 10-12

Well, I got behind again. 

Not really a surprise though.  I had a good streak though. 

But I'm back with another catch-up post though. This will finish up my once-a-month theme I've got going. Starting tomorrow I'll have to go back through all of the pictures again for the final 8. There are some I have in mind already though and I know I have plenty to choose from. But you'll just have to wait. So, on with the catching up.  Oh and sorry for any crazy formatting, I'm blogging via my iPad since I am out of town for a conference.

#10: October

I don't always take pictures of the kids, myself, or food. Sometimes I take pictures of object and scenery. October's photo is just that. I took this picture of mini pumpkins when we took the kids to the. Zoo for Zoo Boo. I love pumpkins and so I had to of course capture them. They totally sum up fall for me and I love having them around the house. 

#11: November

Then again, I take pictures of my kids.  So sue me. This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of them. They were all piled up in our bed, of course, and it was a wonder that I was able to quickly get them all to be still and smile long enough for a picture. Just a wonderful snapshot in time. 

#12: December

So I didn't actually take this picture myself. Amy took it. She got a great shot of the kids and myself bringing the Christmas tree into the house. It was such a fun day and evening so the picture also brings back the memories of hone holiday season for me. Plus, who can resist 3 little kids "hauling" a Christmas tree around?

We'll, there you have it. The first 12 from 2013. 8 more left. The best of the best. No pressure. Just hundreds of pictures to sort through!

All is well, picture perfect, in Drosche Land. 

Top 20 Photos of 2013: 9

Now today's picture is one of my favorites.  Scrolling through September's pictures I saw this and fell in love with it all over again.  I am so lucky to have a wife that is not only an excellent cook, but LOVES doing it.  I eat well.  Breakfast, lunch, or dinner; Amy is skilled in all areas.  Just one of the many reasons why I love her so.

#9: September

This is one of my favorite pictures of Amy and Stella.  Amy was in the kitchen making something delicious and Stella, as she loves to do, was in there with her "helping".  Stella was so happy to have an apron just like Mommy.  My girls.

Whatever it was they were making is long forgotten, but the picture serves as a reminder that I am so blessed.  Also that something new and yummy is just around the corner.  Dear future husband of Stella: you can thank Amy for that meal.

All is well, picture perfect, in Drosche Land.

Top 20 Photos of 2013: 8

August.

Always a busy and rough month here in Drosche Land.  As I am sure it is in the household of any other teacher during the month.  But since we are both teachers, it only enhances the whirlwind.  August 2013 was no different.  Well, with one exception.

#8: August

Yep.  Remember?  August was the month when Jackson broke his arm.  Right before school started nonetheless.  This picture was taken by Amy when she took him to the ER right after it happened.  He had to be put into twilight to set it.  Poor little guy, he was such a trooper though.  The next 8 weeks would see him with 2 different casts to make sure it was healed properly.

The first break in Drosche Land.  Well, not the first.  Technically the first was when Jackson broke his nose when he was about 18 months/2 years.  But it was slight and nothing could be done.  Therefore the arm gets the honor of being the first break, but of course it was Jackson again.  No surprise there.  The casts didn't slow him down one bit though and all turned out well.  Sadly, I doubt it will be the last broken bone we see.  Hopefully we are as lucky the next time as we were this time!

All is well, picture perfect, in Drosche Land.

Top 20 Photos of 2013: 7

Again, on time!
Actually ahead of time since I am scheduling this post.  See, tonight we have our first night adoption training so it will be a late one for all of us here in Drosche Land.  I wanted to be sure I got the post in so I'm writing it now, shortly after I wrote today's, which is now yesterday's.  That's confusing, on with the post.

#7: July

Another picture I knew I would choose since it sums up July perfectly.  This was when we bought out pop up!  Due to life sending us curve balls (Jackson's broken arm and Stella's illness) we have only taken it out a few times.  But we have plenty of future plans for her, namely this coming June when we head to Disney World!  We love it and the kids think it's a blast.  We love camping and this brings a little climate control into the situation.  More is forthcoming as we plan on having an air conditioning unit installed soon!

Ahead.  On time.  Call it what you will, this was #7 on Day 7.  Although it has struck me that I am counting up not counting down.  But oh well, you get the point.  This fits my theme of picking the best of each month anyway.  Hmmmm, still have to think of how to choose #s 13-20?  I have a while.  Enjoy!

All is well, picture perfect, in Drosche Land.

Top 20 Photos of 2013: 6

Here I am.

Right on time.  Day 6, post 6.  Yea me!

So, in keeping with my aforementioned monthly theme, here is Picture #6.

#6: June

Again, June was an easy month.  Stella's 1st birthday.  How could I not have chosen a picture of her for June.  Her first year had flown by and had been quite eventful as we traveled down the food allergy roller coaster.  But on this day it was all about celebrating the amazing gift she has been to us.

There you have it, 6 down and 14 to go.  2013 was full of a lot of good times.  Stay tuned for #7, I already have it in mind!

All is well, picture perfect, in Drosche Land.

Top 20 Photos of 2013: 1-5

Hey!
So, before January even arrived, one of the bloggers I follow (Duncan at The Kuantan Blog) posted about a photo-themed blog hop he was planning for January.  I love me a good blog hop and this one was all about pictures.  For the first 20 days of January I would post my 20 favorite photos from 2013.  Sounded great!  I signed right up.  Sadly, I forgot!  YIKES!

But, better late (only 5 days) than never here I am (thanks to a friendly reminder via Facebook!).  I'll do one big catchup post here for the first 5 and then continue with one a day from there.  

I take so many pictures with both my camera and iPhone all the time.  I make great use of Instagram and Facebook but many still never get posted.  To help with organization and time I have decided to make use of Apples Photostream and go through my pictures month by month.  I'll pick my favorite from each month and then 8 more others that I find along the way.  Sounds like a plan right?  Right!  So, here goes.  Hope you enjoy the visual walk back through 2013 with me.  

#1: January

I love this picture of Stella looking at Lucy.  The expression on her face is priceless.  It is what we call her "stink eye".  No one, human or animal, is impervious to it.  It cracks her and all of us up!

#2: February

Amy says I take way too many selfies.  This is one of my favorite pictures I took of myself.  My sister-in-law gave the boys this Stormtrooper helmet that makes a ton of noise.  I have to admit, it was fun to wear!

#3: March

I also take tons of pictures of my kids.  2013 being the year of firsts for Stella I took many of her, but also of all 3 since it was the boys' first time being a big brother to a little sister.  This picture is from Easter and melted my heart immediately.

#4: April

Another thing I take a lot of pictures of is food.  I love to eat.  2013 was the year Amy and I fell in love with food trucks.  We don't visit them nearly as much as we'd like, waistlines and wallets object, but we do like to get to them when we can.  One of our favorites is Bernie's Burger Bus.  This delicious burger was a splurge that Amy and I split.  It's called The Detention.  Instead of buns it has 2 bacon grilled cheeses.  Then there are two patties, more bacon, more cheese, and other delicious toppings.  YUM!  We loved it but definitely something to split, it was huge!  

#5: May

I knew that May's picture would have to be for Jackson.  True, Braeden's birthday is in this month, but with his graduation from Pre-Kindergarten it was a momentous month for Jackson as well.  He looked so grown up and was so proud of himself, as were we.

There you have it.  The first 5 of my 20 favorite pictures of 2013.  So far, so good!  Let's see what the next 15 have to bring!

All is well, picture perfect, in Drosche Land.

  

Sunday Snapshot - Not Quite

Picture it.  Galveston Beach.  Columbus Day weekend.  2013.

(On a side note, are your totally channeling Sofia and one of her stories from Golden Girls, or is it just me?  Anywho, back to the post)

We finally found the time to take the camper out again for a trip!  This time with the cousins.  However, as is usually the case with us, the trip had it's share of crazy drama.  It was warm, not horrible, but warm.  We also had to camp on the bay side of Galveston State Park, not the beach side as we would have liked.  As we originally planned.  See, this trip was rescheduled from a summer trip we'd planned.  Back when Jackson broke his arm and could not get it wet, much less sandy and sweaty.  So we lost our beach side site.  But how bad could the bay side be?  Well, think mosquitoes.  Giant ones.  In swarms.  Yeah, it was that bad.  Stella ended up getting bites all over, leading to an infection.  But that's a post for another time.  Back to the picture.

I'm always taking pictures.  I always have my iPhone handy.  Posting to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, texting them.  I'm always taking pictures.  But the busyness of life that has kept the posts here few and far between as of late also made for very infrequent photo sessions.  Hence the lack of a Sunday Snapshot in a very long while.

But we were at the beach and I of course had my iPhone.  I love beach pictures.  Who doesn't?  The scenery.  The lighting.  The water.  The fun.  You're bound to get a few good shots right?  At least one stunner.  See, that's what I thought.

So, there we are on one of our escapes from a swarm of mosquitoes jaunts down to the beach and I am following Stella around.  It's late afternoon and she is having a blast.  I'm in total Dad/iPhone photographer mode and am kneeling in the sand behind her as she runs around.  I'm calling to her and trying to get her to look at me, smile, laugh, anything.  Just waiting for the perfect shot.

Then, the moment comes.  The sunlight is behind her, the wind is blowing, she turns around and looks at me with a beautiful smile.  Snap!  Got it!  Woo hoo!  I'm feeling pretty good.  I quickly check it and it's stunning.  Ok, enough playing, I've got my shot and we can get back to having beach fun.

Fast forward to when the trip is over.  We're back home.  The camper is backed into the garage (quite easily this time!).  Laundry is started and we're getting ready to settle back in to our usual routine.  I get out my Macbook and pull up my Photo Stream.  There it is.  I can't wait to view it larger.  Edit it.  Play with lighting.  Black & White?  Sepia?  High Contrast?  Oh the possibilities are endless.  However, when I open the photo I notice something I hadn't that day on the beach.  See below for yourself.

Yep.  That's right readers.  There it is.  Smack in the middle of my "perfect shot".  A big line of slobbery drool flying out of her mouth and blowing in the wind.  Nice.  I laughed, how could you not?  Sure I may be able to edit it out if I tried.  Make the photo into the one I thought I'd snapped.  But why?  This one is so much better.  It has all of the elements I mentioned before.  Lighting, wind, the perfect pose.  And right there in the middle of it all - life.  Happening all the time, whether you expect it or not.

So there you have it.  No matter how you plan for and try to orchestrate things, sometimes it just doesn't go off as hitched.  Sometimes it's amazing and better than you'd hoped for, and sometimes it's not.  Sometimes it's a big string of slobber coming from your toddler's mouth in the "perfect shot".  Ahhhhhh, life.

Below is another "nearly perfect shot" very similar to the slobber pic.  It was taken just moments before.  The only flaw was that Stella wasn't looking at the camera.  It's the one I posted on social media.  But the true gem is this slobber picture that I have been saving for this post!  HA!

All is well, picture perfect, in Drosche Land.

Resolutions for 2013

Let's take a minute to look back a year ago.  Well, a year and 2 days ago to be exact.  What profound resolutions did I make?  What grandiose plans did I have for 2012?  What promises and improvements did I have in store for myself?

1 - Drink more water.  Eh.  I'm going to call it a draw since I didn't actually calculate or record this in any fashion.  I know I drank some.  Should I drink more?  Sure, I'm sure everyone should.  1 point for me!

2 - Take pictures.  Well let's see.  I took tons of pictures.  Just check my iPhone.  Or my Shutterfly account.  Tons I tell you.  I love it!  Especially with Stella here and taking her monthly pictures!  Which reminds me, she's due for a 7 month photo shoot, I'll have to get that done this weekend.  As for the details of this resolution.  Well I didn't finish the Project 365.  In fact, I just tried to check my account and I think it's been disabled for being inactive.  I can't even remember the last time I did this.  Oh well.  It was a lot to do.  Maybe another time.  As for taking a picture of Stella everyday, well I made it a few months.  Again, that was hard.  Of course I took tons of pictures of her, but it just dwindled.  Instead I have focused on her monthly pictures and have been super pleased.  I have done several photoaday challenges on Instagram!  Follow me and check them out.  Overall I think I get a point for this even though the two details fell by the wayside!  I still took a helluva lot of pictures in 2012!  2 points for me!

3 - Read more.  I read.  Lots.  I still want to read more often and, truth be told, it's been awhile since I read.  But this seems to be a great ongoing long-term goal.  3 points for me!

4 - Finish tiling.  1 point for the Resolutions, enough said.  Did you read about the chalkboard wall in yesterday's post?  :)

5 - Eat Healthier.  I ate.  Lots.  I ate healthy.  Lots.  But without significant qualifiers, who can be sure if it was healthier?  I'm sure it was.  I'm still working on getting my holiday 5 off from this past Christmas but who isn't right?  4 points for me!

So there you have it.  A 4/5.  80%.  A "C".  Ok, so it's not an "A" and it's not a "B".  But, it's also not a "D" or an "F"!  4/5 looks a lot better than 80% though doesn't it?  I think I'll stick with that.  4/5 for me!  Woo hoo!  

As for 2013, I'm not sure.  I don't know if I am going to make resolutions.  I always end up confused and unsure of what to say.  Then I always end up making general ones that are similar to the ones from the previous year.  So, I think I'm just going to skip it (gasp!) for this year.  Instead, I think I'll focus on God and my family.  In that order too so the priorities are right.  I think if I can even do moderately well with this, 2013 will be just fine and everything else will fall in line.  

So, what about you?  Did you make resolutions?  Did you not?  Are you tired of resolutions?  They're a lot of pressure.  And for what?  So, God and my family.  That's for me.  Hope you are gearing up for a great 2013!

All is well, resolved once more, in Drosche Land.