He is officially the Coolest

 

My children have always thought the world of their Dad.  He is the just the best thing since peanut butter and jelly to them.  Well in my families case he is the best thing since peanut butter ice cream.  I am officially throwing in the towel.  There is nothing I can do that will ever compare to their Dad riding a motorcycle.  The night David came home with it, Viggo just put his two little hands on it and said, "this is so cool, this is sooooo cool."  May I add that he was almost shaking from the excitement and his eyes expanded twice the size of their original diameter.  Yup he is officially the coolest parent in the Ettinger home. That's okay David it is 2-1 but you never know.... so don't get too comfortable.  ( I know something is seriously wrong with me.  I love to make anything into a competition.) I think that's why my favorite character on Friends was Monica.  I would laugh so hard because I was like, "that is so me!"

Ariana is usually our timid one.  But she was so excited to ride around on Daddy's bike.  No worries people he was not even going five miles per hour.  He just went up and down the street VERY SLOWLY.

 She's got her game face on.

 Can't wait to print this one! It makes my heart happy.

Love that her pig tails are poking out of the helmet

Off they went!

“Let the beauty that we love be what we do.”

 I was contacted this week about doing a family photo shoot.  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to get to shoot.  I love doing it.  Every time we move I always think what if I don't get to shoot another family our couple again?  But somehow it always works out.  Since this is my blog I am just going to put it out there.  I love shooting pictures but I do not enjoy how nervous I get. I worry about my equipment failing, losing or erasing pics by accident, and just thinking what if I don't get a single good picture. But no matter how nervous I get (which is VERY nervous) I seem to always move past it to be able to do what I love. 

Starting over in Tucson had me a little worried.  One of things that made me worried was being able to find locations to shoot at.  San Diego has so many fun places to shoot, that it makes you think how will anything ever match it.  But it always does.  I love photography because it reminds me of how beautiful the world and life really is.  One of the fun things about taking pictures is that I get to discover new places.  Tucson I think is going to turn out to be one of my favorite places to shoot at.  It has so many little gems.  Yesterday my assistants (my family) went out with me to find some possible locations.  I run up this way all the time and always think I would really like to shoot a family here.  My hubby was kind enough to escort me.  I was too afraid to go down the trail alone.  I have found some snakes as I have gone on my runs, and could not bear to go explore it on my own.  Your probably sick of hearing this.  But I sometimes think I am the luckiest girl in the world.  My husband is so supportive of me living out my dream.  I just love him so much.  I love how much he believes in me.  

Recently Ariana has really gotten in to taking pictures. Lately everywhere she goes she takes her camera.  She is a total Daddy's girl so sharing this with her has been a lot of fun. 

David scoping out the trail for me to see if there are any snakes.  Pretty sad that my kids are so much more braver than me.

She couldn't keep her eyes open because of a pesky fly.  I love that my family comes out with me to find new spots.  

 And this is the road I run every morning.  And every morning I think about how fun it would be to shoot a family out here. I guess there is something to this law of Perpetual Transmutation.  The images you hold in your mind most often materialize in results in your life.

"Let the beauty that we love be what we do." Jalal ad-Din Rumi

He made it home

I never thought I would let him ride a bike.  Yet here I am eight years later, and I am so happy to see him doing something he has always wanted to do.  It looked like so much fun.  Watching him ride as the sun was setting, with all the beautiful clouds, and lightning was absolutely gorgeous.  Not a drop of rain just lightning shooting across the sky by the mountains.  It even made me want to ride ( which I won't! I am way too klutzy!) But I will ride on the back of his!! So excited for date night!!  Once he gets comfortable of course.  It was a fun evening.

Beneath my Feet

Best part of waking up at 4:45 in the morning to go running...... getting an extra half hour of alone time to do this!

Dear ground beneath my feet,

I am so sorry I have been gone a while. I have missed you so much in my life and I didn't even know it.  These shoes have tried to replace you with low impact cycling, fancy high kicking moves, and fast quick stepped latin moves, but nothing has been able to bring me so much pleasure as your sure but steady ability to make my heart race, and push me to limits that I never imagined I would and could face.  I love how you can lead me into desserts, mountains, meadows, golf courses, or even just to a simple green and lush park.  You have always been there right under my feet, beckoning my feet to quicken with each step.  You don't mind if I quit on you because you never do. There is always ample time for me to gather myself and try again, because your roads are endless and you have all the time in the world for me to try again.  I love how you smell after a fresh rain shower.  Your ability to cause pain and elation remind me of how very real I am.  We have been through a lot together.  You have been there for me for some important times in my life.  Break ups, races, stress, injury, per-wedding jitters, post baby work outs, and just for fun sometimes too! I am so glad we have reunited again.

Love,

Me

This Pizza dough is so yummy. I found it again on allrecipes, and added a couple of changes here and there. In case anyone does look at this blog, no this is not a food blog.  I just am doing a little project where I take pics of the food I make with the recipes I have found that I love.  I always seem to loose them, plus having the picture of the actual final product is fun to have next to the recipe. Hope you like this one Naomi!

Just Because

 I got flowers from my hubby yesterday.  It wasn't a special day he just came home with them. And now I can't stop looking at them. Thought I would take a pic before they begin to wilt. One day I hope to have fresh flowers in my yard where I can pick them every morning, and just have vases around my home full of fresh flowers.  They make me happy!

Funny how something so simple can make you smile all day! Did I mentioned we are heading back to S.D for the weekend.  David is taking his last science final before he applies for the P.A program. And we are finally going to get to celebrate our wedding anniversary! Should be a fun weekend.

1,2,3... Ready or Not Here I Come!

My Ariana went to 1st Grade today.  I was so emotional, but her excitement helped me hold back my tears. How could I cry in front of her, when all she felt was glee?  She went on the school bus today for the first time.  She insisted on taking the bus.  We went with her to her open house on Friday, and we walked through the whole thing with her.  And I had David go to school anyways just to make sure she was okay.  I know I'm a "helicopter mom."  I have the tendency to hover. 

I love that she loves school! She is always so thirsty to learn new things.  I am a very proud momma.  I can't wait for her to get back today and tell me about her first day in her new School.  She is officially attending Ironwood Elementry and is now a Coyote.  I think I was mourning my forced break up with Chula Vista Hills.  It was such a wonderful school, and I am so happy she started Kinder there. But the teachers and principal and parents here all seem to be so kind, and thoughtful.  I think we will like this school too.

To my Nanita,

I want you to know how much I love you! I am so proud of you, and only wish that you will be able to achieve all your dreams and goals.  I ask that as you grow up a little more this year that you remember that growing up doesn't mean you have to change the essence of who you are. You will go through a life time trying to figure out what you want to do, live, and be.  But there is one thing that will never change and that is that you are a daughter of our Heavenly Father, and you are so precious. I believe that you were born with a  heart of gold. I could see in your eyes at such a young age that you wanted nothing more than to be happy and make others happy. You are so kind to others.  And you have the ability to light up a room.  You are always the first to give a friendly hello.  I hope you never loose your excitement for life.  You see everyday as a new adventure.  I hope your classmates get too see what a wonderful friend and person you are.  I love you love you! And love you some more! I miss you already and can't wait to have you back in my arms this afternoon.  But as with everything I need to let you take another couple steps on your own in your life's journey this year.  But don't forget I will always be right behind you smiling and cheering you on. 

It seems like just yesterday I was taking her home from the hospital.

Fire Department

Today my kids and I went to visit a fire station with a play group that I am a part of.  I was so excited to take Viggo. I totally thought he would just be on cloud nine.  He liked it but not as much as I imagined he would. First he was confused as to why his Tio Josh wasn't working there. And in the end I think he just didn't find it as exciting as the fire truck show in Legoland. At the end he said, "Mom I just really like the fire truck at Legoland.  Can we go there next time?" Isn't that how it always works with kids.  Ariana on the other hand loved it! It was funny in the beginning the Fire Fighters said to pay attention because they were going to quiz them on everything they learned.  As we were heading out Ariana tells one of the firefighters, "I am ready to take the test."  I have never met anyone who asks much less looks forward to taking a test.  She is so silly sometimes. 

 Sometimes I think being a mom can be very demanding and requires so much patience.  But in the end of the day I can't imagine my life without my kiddos.  One of the things that I love about being a mom is that I get to see and experience the world again through their innocent and inexperienced eyes. It is like getting a second chance to experience life all over again.

 This was one point in the tour that I knew Viggo was truly excited! This is the thing he does with his mouth when he tries to control his excitement.  He did not want to get down from the drivers seat.

 I thought it was so cool that they put red knobs on their stove/oven.  I am easily amused I guess.

 Love her!! She just has such a joy for life.  It is so contagious.

And that was our trip to the Fire Station.