52 Week Photo Challenge Week 43

I quit.

Yup, 43 weeks into the the 52 week project and I quit.  When Emily began this it was to encourage her (and anyone who followed) to take more pictures of their family.  It motivated me to start a blog.  I have learned over these past 11 months that I do take a lot of pictures and blogging has become an incredibly manageable way for me to record my families memories.  I truly am loving it.

The photo challenge though has become awkward for me.  Awkward deciding what pictures to call the "challenge" and which to title on their own.  Truthfully nothing makes these photo challenge pictures any different than any other post.  So I'm done.  I am a 52 week photo project drop out.  And I am ok with it.

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 42

Colton LOVES playing pretend and being someone/something else so dressing up for candy is his cup tea.  Yeah well apparently his cup of tea only lasts for about 4 houses.  Yep, Colton and Daddy came home pretty quick from our trick or treating.  Jadyn and Rylee are quickly outgrowing this whole thing.  They wanted to hang out with their friends and cared very little for the whole dressing up for candy (with their parents) thing.    All this to explain the lack of pictures.  Yep, only 1 picture the whole night.

All in all it was a pleasant, low key evening that reminded me of how big my girls are getting and how much of a homebody my boy is.  Now with Halloween behind us, the real holiday fun can kick in!  Christmas and Thanksgiving kind of merge into a 9 (ish) week long fantastic holiday season in the Burress home!

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 41

This week isn't a fun or cute memory.  J was diagnosed with scoliosis.  First suspected by the school nurse, then pediatrician confirmed it, and an ortho explained it and our plan to monitor it.  For now, her degree (22) is low enough to monitor by xray every 5 months to make sure if it increases, we can change our treatment as necessary.

We truly aren't fearful or worried about this, there are MUCH worse things we could be facing right now instead.  Just a reminder of how blessed we are for healthy children!

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 40

Operation catch up this belong begins now.

Fall has arrived in the Burress home!

Our little fall mantel complete with ADORABLE glitter pumpkins purchased at an after season clearance sell last year and a fun THANKFUL pinwheel banner I made following this tutorial from Little Door On The Sound. Possibly my favorite paper craft ever!  Already planning a Christmas one for the photo ledge above our pew in the entry way.

It's sad I am just now posting these pictures when I am contemplating starting Christmas decor within the next week or so!

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 39

A kid free night!  

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 38

For the first time since May, we took a quick weekend to head out to Noonie and Poppie's in Cibilo.  Pizza at Catalano's, an absolute must, some picture taking as seen here, mani's and pedi's, and lots of relaxing!  Very sad it was so quick, but sometimes quick forces you to slow down to enjoy it more!

Here are a couple pictures snapped of my cute kiddos!

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 37

My son's self portraits.  This is what happens when the 3 year old has your phone on the way to San Antonio.  Well, this and apparently adding ALL your music onto your running play list.


No big deal you think....you try running 6 miles to "Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel".

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 36

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) has kicked off it's 2012-2013 year.  I am co-coordinating this year and am pretty excited about this year and next!

Our first meeting was Friday, and we started off with a craft.  We learned how to make the very trendy deco mesh wreathes.  So easy (once you figured it out!) and so cute!  I am getting a jump start on my Christmas decorations!

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 35

All free moments are being spent with my new friends Harry, Ron and Hermione.

I am officially hooked.  Sorry it took so long.  I am also hooked on instagram.  Yeah, late to that party too.  I still don't tweet.  Maybe I should finally join that one too...

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 33

Call me the crazy cat lady.  I am fine with it.  They are in the same family as lions and tigers.  Sounds cool to me :)

After we lost Lancelot, I realized I don't take many photos of our pets.  I know they will be huge memories for our kids one day, and I want them to be able to look back on pictures.  I am hoping to remedy that and snap a few Raja pictures more often.

She is certainly a pain in the butt cat.  Poor girl spends more time on everyone's nerves than not, but now that she has lost her best friend, she has seemed to need a bit more love and playtime with me than ever.

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 32

I spent 4 days and 3 nights with these girls at the Gaylord Texan for the 2012 MOPS Convention.  SO very many laughs (and maybe a few tears- mostly from me :)  The weekend reminded me of how very good our God is.  How far He has brought me in my life, and of the amazing friends He has provided me along the way.

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 31

More cousin fun this summer.

My sister's kiddos, Kenzie (almost 7), Ayden (almost 4), and Addy (almost 2) spent several days with us this week.  I have such a special place in my heart for these 3.  I hope they always know how much we love them and pray for them!

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 30

This little photo represents 2 things.

First thing is obvious.  Having 2 girls and a boy, we get the best of both worlds.  I get to be a girl mom and a boy mom.  Having a boy and a girl means the doll house can be seized by the SWAT Team at anytime.

Second thing is less obvious.  I am cleaning in the playroom today because I have no children.  All day.  All night.  It is trade off time with Aunt Wendi.  Quiet time for mommy.

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 29

We spent this week getting Zapped at Vacation Bible School with our church.  WONDERFUL FUN EXHAUSTING week!

Kids had a great time!  Up on time every morning, dressed, breakfast, ready to go everyday.  They came home from VBS in the best moods everyday.  I am truly sad that it is over!

My heart overflowed this week watching the kids worship our God and serving others through letters and care packages to soldiers.  Amazed and grateful this week.

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 28

The excitement for me about this picture is not that we could see this firework show from our campsite in Destin or that this was EVERY night (it wasn't even July 4th yet).  No, the excitement for me was that I could not wait to try out full manual settings for the fireworks this year.  I typically shot in A/V mode with autofocus on, but I had read so many tutorials about shooting them in manual so I gave it a shot.  I am certainly pleased with my first attempt!  I set the shutter speed, ISO and aperture myself as well manually focusing and I shot it in RAW.  I am not aspiring to be a pro by any means but love taking an amazing picture of my amazing kids and surroundings.  This is me learning!

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 27

This is how our summer vacation to Destin begins.

More details to come.

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 26

Fathers Day at the beach celebrating the best daddy we know.  You are the best babe.  We love you.

52 Week Photo Challenge Week 26

Camp time!  Jadyn was thrilled this year to return to Trinity Pines with our church for camp, and Rylee was thrilled to be old enough to go this year!

I was a bit more worried about Rylee's first year than I was for Jadyn's first year last year.  Rylee hasn't developed any strong friendships at church so I was concerned that she wouldn't know anyone when she got there.  Yeah, I'm done worrying about this kid.  We show up to drop her off and meet her group.  We knew 'em all (except the little girl in the pink hat).  I even know the mother of her counselor.  I teared up I was so relived.  Honestly, if I had chosen the girls myself for her cabin, this would have been it.  And, it went great!  She had a blast!

Jadyn, being the old camp pro she is, there were no concerns.  One of her closest friends Halle Hargrave was going along with her so she was set.  Her counselor is also one of her Sunday School teachers so that was even better.

And they are off.....

Looking forward to developing their film and seeing and hearing all the stories that come home with them!

52 Week Photo Project Week 25

Best buds.

52 Week Photo Project Week 24

This week's photo memory I can't wait to forget.  

This NOT SWEET picture of Colton sleeping ON MY BED is a reminder of the nightmare that has become our nights the last 2 weeks.  My boy has been a champion sleeper since 6 months old.  12 solid hours a night, never a fight for bed, asking to go to bed most nights.  Approx 2 weeks ago, timed perfectly with the arrival of my sister in law and her kids traveling from Colorado to stay with us for 2 weeks, my son started waking up approx 2 am screaming and beating on his door wanting to sleep with us.  And I mean SCREAMING!  FOR 2 HOURS!  This has never, ever been an option aside from camping/hotels on trips so I was shocked he decided to start asking.  Repeatedly, mom or dad tucking him back in his bed, reassuring him he is ok, and him getting up 10 mins later and starting again.  He is so not a strong willed child at all so we are floored by this behavior.  He isn't sick, he doesn't appear scared, and we do not think night terrors at all.  He is calm within seconds of us walking in the door.  In order to keep some quiet in the wee hours of the nights for our guests, who were sleeping in the room right next door,  he won this battle for a couple weeks.  What makes it worse, is that he doesn't even sleep well in our bed.  He is constantly tossing, turning, and sitting up.  Tonight is Operation Sleep Train The Preschooler.   We all need sleep.  Pray for us.


Update- as of June 22 he has slept the last 2 nights in his bed.  The first night he slept until 5 am, cried for a few mins and then slept until 6:30am.  Last night, he had a perfectly normal night.  Thank you God!  Slept from 8:30-8:30 uninterrupted!