IT SNOWED!!!

We woke up on the day that my husband was leaving for Afghanistan, and there was a inch of snow on the ground. It snows very little here in Tennessee, so when it does the kids jump at the chance to use there snow gear. It was a great memory to share with Patrick before he left. When Emmalee looked outside in the morning she stated, "Mommy it looks like Frozen, I want to build a snowman." The song from frozen "I want to build a snowman " followed in suit.

And of course they had to build there version of Olaf!

We even used the left over fireworks for decoration.. Happy New Year!
 

Ok a 1 year plus some has past since my last post. It has been a year full of adventures and new additions.  I have been busy with my photography, having a baby and sending my husband off on another deployment. Life has calmed down just enough for me to catch up on some things. I am going to revamp this blog into a blog for me to share my talents and things I do with my family.  But just for a recap of 2013..:0)

Our family grew to 6..

Nathan Wayne Westover joined us August 10, 2013 on my brother Mike's birthday. Happy birthday Bro!

ohh! I forgot we decided to homeschool our children.. It has been an adventure, exhausting most the time but well worth it!

My kids are amazed every time we take them out for school. After taking score for two hours they asked what we were going to do for school. They were in aw when I told them that we had just done school.

Well here is to a new year and new adventures and to documenting it!


 

Hello again!! I feel like it has been forever since I have had a moment to spare to write a post. In the last few months we moved from Baumholder Germany to Clarksville Tennessee. So between work, school, unpacking and well life, it has been very crazy. But among that crazy life our little Emmalee Rose turned 2!! We had a small party and I was able to capture some cute pictures of my little princess.

      These two I love the antique look...

I can never decide what one I like more.. it is always Color vs BW   

                                                                   When I take pictures I really like my subject to fill up the photo. Especially little ones who skin and eyes are just so perfect. So just remember you don't have to be in some exotic location to capture a great shot. These are next to a flowering bush while waiting for the school bus to arrive. 

Noah Michael Ray Westover "Super Hero"

On May 19 my Noah is turning 4 years old. I asked him if he would like to go to the park and take some pictures for his birthday. He was so very excited until we arrived at he park and he realized it involved hanging out with boring ol' mom and her camera, and not his friends. But after the first five minutes we had a great time just the two of us pretending to walk through the jungle, and Noah showing me is impressive Hulk "SMASH". We are celebrating his birthday the Super Hero way, birthday hat and all.

My Noah is an amazingly caring child. He loves to take care of everyone, even thought he might be a bit much, his heart is always in the right place. He is my quick to say sorry, quick to forgive, and quick to anger. That is why "The Incredible Hulk" always comes to mind, because his emotions sometimes get the best of him. (Noah's Hulk Smash, below)

The past four years there has never been a boring moment with my Noah. He is a talented dancer and an impressive singer. He is afraid to grow up, and become the prophet Noah white beard and all oh, and he never wants to leave me. He can talk, and talk and talk,to you until he is blue in the face, but only because he loves being with you. I love my Noah with all his quirkes, they are what make him Noah, my Super Hero who I quote "will never let aleins take me away." I am one lucky Mom!!

Bonjour..

Have you ever said something on the slide, hoping it happens but not expecting it to? About a month ago I did just that to my friend while walking the kids home from school. I said if they would like to do a kid trade over night so we as couples would get a chance to go to Paris "kid free", hey I was game. Living her in Germany away from home and family, makes things difficult when trying to do anything "kid free." Well our wonderful neighbors and friends accepted my mentioning offer. I was ecstatic, and nervous too. In the 5 years of being a mother I have only slept one night away from my children and I was only 20 mins away.
I am so glad we had this wonderful chance. It was amazing at how much you can see in one day without three kids in tow. But at the same time Patrick and I would see parks and sights that our kids would have enjoyed, and briefly wish for them to be with us. I say briefly because the next moment we would see parents dragging there kids up the steps of the nearest tourist sight and be grateful that wasn't us.

We began our day a the Montmartre Cathedral. We took a taxi there expecting it to drop us off at the stair case. But we were lucky and got a ride all the way to the top. It is a beautiful cathedral, I love style of the round domes, I think they are much more beautiful then the Gothic style.

Just around the corner of the Cathedral is where all the artist set up shop. If I could do anything I think sitting there and painting would be a great way to spend my days.
We then walked all the way to the Eiffel Tower, about 8 miles. We just took our time and enjoyed each other. It was great to be able to take pictures and stop whenever we wanted. I usually have my hands full of toys, sippy cups, and sticky hands. So I rarely get the chance to look at things and enjoy them.

This picture is the perfect example of how I feel daily as a mother of three. That is why I took a picture of her, she made me smile.

We didn't sit down to eat we just stop and get something whenever we saw something we wanted to try. It was perfect!!

I really loved being in Paris with my best friend and true love. It was romantic, not because we were in Paris but because I was with my bestie.. My only regret was not bringing my pad lock for the love bridge. .. :0p

Henri-Chapelle Cemetary

"The Battle of the Bulge started on December 16th 1944. Hitler had convinced himself that the alliance between Britain, France and America in the western sector of Europe was not strong and that a major attack and defeat would break up the alliance. Therefore, he ordered a massive attack against what were primarily American forces. The attack is strictly known as the Ardennes Offensive but because the initial attack by the Germans created a bulge in the Allied front line, it has become more commonly known as the Battle of the Bulge." www.historylearningsite.com

Our family took a little trip through Belgium this past weekend. We were blessed with the opportunity to stop at the war memorial of the Battle of the Bulge. It was a very cold day which made the experience even more tender. As I walked with my little family through the Henri-Chapelle Cemetary where 7,992 soldiers were laid to rest, tears filled my eyes. My heart was flooded with sadness and gratitude, for those brave souls who died for my freedom and for thier families they left behind. Being a military wife has made war a very real part of my life, but it does not even compare to what these men did in the dead of winter to protect their family. Frozen, hungery, and terribly home sick after spending christmas in a hole in the ground, they fought until they could fight no more. I love my family and I love my country. I am grateful for the brave men and women who are willing to sacrifice theirs lives for the very freedoms we often take for granted. I am proud to be a wife of a soldier, and I am grateful I can give back by supporting him and my country. Thank you to all who have sacrificed and who are willing to sacrifice. Let us never forget!!