How to make a Bayblade stadium Part 1

Matthew has been really into these new toys called Bayblades. They are basically glorified tops. They spin and battle just like the ones from years back. The cool thing is that you can take them apart and build them differently. Each one has different speeds, and attacks..etc. 

Well the tops cost as much as the cheap plastic stadium to battle them in?????There was no way I was going to pay $10.00 for a cheap plastic tub. Seriously? So I asked Mike to make something with Matthew. Lucky for Matt he has a crafty dad.

 Mike and Matt started it right after school. Oh, I should mention that Mike also loves Bayblades. He and Matt have been battling each other. Mike even had to get his own Bayblade.

 This is the secret of the stadium. The center has to be sloped down so the tops will eventually battle. Mom scoured the store searching for any ideas and I finally found this plastic Christmas plate.

The boys have a good start on the stadium. I will post more pictures to come. I will even post pictures of them battling once it is all done.

A weekend with friends

 Most of you know that I became pretty close to Matt's second grade teacher. I could never put in words how much I adore her. She is one of the many women who make me stop and think "why couldn't I have a mom like that". If you think that she is special you should meet her adoring husband. Mike and Steve have a lot in common. Becky and Steve invited us up for a weekend at their cabin. This was the view from the house when we got there. 

 Becky asked Matt to bring a friend from school so he would not be alone. Matt was super excited about teaching his new friend John how to fly fish...Mike was worried that this was a pretty high hope going into winter.

 Saturday morning bright and early he set out with the boys to give it a try...just as the temperature decided to drop. 

 Matt was really excited to share his favorite hobby with his friend.

 John, like Matt was a very quick learner. 

 forward...back..pause..forward...

 John was actually picking it up quite fast

 Then I looked over at Matt..Can I just pause to tell you that he has inherited his dad's cast. It was poetic. I was so impressed. I actually decided to run up to the cabin and get a different lens to film it for all of you to see...

Problem with fly fishing in the cold is that your hands get wet and you start to shiver. Mom returned just in time for them to be walking back up to the cabin. 

 Mike and Steve got a little work done too. I think this leaf business is never ending. Becky and I went out to razz them but just as we did...the weather really changed and we flew back inside to sit by the fire. 

 Yep, the first snow storm of the season! Just to get out of the cabin we took the boys to the bait shop in town. 

 The lady laughed at us when we asked were the flies were. Um...it is winter???Everyone here is deer hunting until the ice freezes enough to haul the ice fishing huts out. HA! 

This was the view this morning before we left. Amazing still right!

Okay, the cabin was wonderful and being able to relax was great. However, I think I would enjoy being in a cardboard box with this family. 

Thank you so much Steve and Becky for inviting us. We are so greatful. The boys had a blast and they did not want to leave this morning. 

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! 

I just have to share...

 I had the pleasure of photographing this little girl a few weeks ago. How lucky am I!!! She is the cutest thing. I had to share my favorite 3 photos of her.

 She loved to crawl right up to my camera. I thought that was fantastic. Just look at her eyelashes! 

This might be one of my all time favorite photos. Those are her eyes folks! I did not do much to these photos at all. 

Hope they make you smile as much as they do me. 

Where are we?

You know it is bad when I get an email today from Jenny asking..."Are you OK?" 

It took me back for a second...hmmm....why would she think I am not okay? Oh, that is right, for months and months she got to hear me cry about my lonely life. Now, Mike is here and we are working from the time the sun comes up until the sun goes down and then in between I have done photo shoot after photo shoot.

It suddenly occured to me that I have not had any time at all to do anything else. I have not been able to read a magazine, be on Pinterest(an amazing website), or even call my BFF. 

Maybe part of it is that I work for an evil dictator that pushed me to get going at 7:30 in the morning when Matt walks out the door. Maybe part of it is that our new frames are starting to take off and be a hit. They are so darn beautiful too!! Maybe it is just having more energy again now that my life does not feel so sucky. Maybe it is just working beside my amazing husband. 

Whatever it is, it is nice.

I am almost caught up with my photo shoots. I will share more of them in the days to come. I know most of you prefer to see pictures of our family and not strangers. However, I want you to see who I am becoming as a photographer. I am finally liking her:-)I know that sounds strange but Jenny and Shana can attest to the fact that I have a hard time owning my own style. 

These photos are from a family shoot I did for a friend. Truth be told it was to prove to them that I was not the worst photographer in the world after I had failed(my words btw) at an earlier shoot over last winter. Some of these photos will probably be lifetime favorites of mine. The best part of this shoot was the thank you's I received from Brian and Betsy. 

Yes, I am finding my style...between 3:00 and 3:15 when I get my one and only coffee break. 

I have to say that I am very thankful that I married someone so incredibly driven. 

Dear Mark McCutcheon, Please borrow my husband on Friday to build your table. I could really really use a day off.  ~Monica