January Photo a Day

Most of you know what Instagram is, or have at least seen people post pictures from it on Facebook.  It's a picture app for any iDevice to make your really crappy iPhone pictures look somewhat presentable. And for those who take really great pictures already, they can add an effect to make it look cooler. Some hate it because they think it makes a crappy picture look even crappier, but it actually does the opposite.  You also have a newsfeed where you "follow" people who use the app as well.  You can only post pictures and then you can comment or "Like" your friends' pictures and they can do the same to yours.  I've found I've kept in touch with more people from out of town with this program than even blogs, Facebook or online games (like Scramble with friends or Words with Friends).  It is much more personal, and I seriously love it.  If you have any iDevice, I suggest you sign up. I actually love it more than Facebook and it doesn't take up as much time as Pinterest (even though I'm not on Pinterest, I've heard it sucks you in).  

A fun thing a bunch of us participated in during January was something called "A Photo A Day Challenge." It's continued through March, but it seems like most of my friends and family were doing the January one. It was a bit hard for me because I traveled on January 10 so I missed a few days here and there.  

I thought it would be fun to post them all in order here.  Like I said, there were some I missed, but I actually took the pictures.  And a few have one or two extras, even though the rules said only one a day. I found other ones that would work too.  So I've posted them below and for the most part posted my original "caption" that I used for that day. For those of you who think this post is gonna be "old news", think again! You may see a few surprises. :)  

Last thing-On someone's post I explained why I thought this whole concept of Photo A Day was fun.  Someone had criticized and told us they didn't want us to... that we should be more creative.  Here's what I wrote to them-- I actually think its a cool concept to get people seeing the world around them that don't normally do.  Not everyone stops to look for these things.  And for those who do see creative things everyday, I love being able to see the same topic, but thru everyone's different eyes and surroundings. 

So there you go!

Day 1- YOU
(originally posted on March 14, but I hadn't started the January Photo-a-day so I thought this would be a fun one.)
Blast from the past! I was sorting through pics and came across this.  Anyone remember me when I had a tiny ounce of "cool" (or at least I thought so.) :) woooow...

Day 2- BREAKFAST #1
Spanish Eggs and Rice - A Family Favorite

Day 2- BREAKFAST #2
Found Spencer eating a chocolate St. Niklaus for breakfast. Unwrapped it himself and was just goin to town on it.(Side Comment-this was actually after Day 2 but an old Instagram picture I posted on January 18... I thought it would fit with this day too!)

Day 2- BREAKFAST #3
Breakfast of champions-French toast with butter syrup
#inevermakehotbreakfastduringtheweek #kidsonbusat655 #mustbetestingweek(This was something I just posted on March 14 but thought it would be to post here too.)

Day 3-SOMETHING I ADORE
Seriously, how can you not?

Day 4-LETTERBOXING
Google it.  aka "geocaching"
This subject was somewhat interpretive.  Some people posted pictures of mailboxes, a sign with an actual "letter F" in a painted box, and the photo letterboxing where there is a black line above and below.  I thought I'd take it a step further and feature Geocaching letterboxing.

Day 5-SOMETHING I WORE
Nothing special. I stole it from my mom's drawer (I was still in California) and I love it. Don't worry I gave it back.

Day 6-MAKES ME SMILE
Finding a whole box of my favorite fancy pastries in my dad's catering fridge in his home garage. It makes me smile cuz what normal family has a) a catering fridge, and b) fancy expensive pastries just "kickin it" in there.  Just don't worry about where the two missing ones went at the bottom left. I already know. They "might" be in my own stomach.

Day 7-FAVOURITE #1Cafe Rio- in California! Sweet Pork Salad.  Be still my heart.

Day 7- FAVOURITE #2
This is sheer heaven on a plate.  I literally swoon and faint by the mere thought of this dessert.

Day 8 - YOUR SKY
Typical California palm trees. Gonna miss 'em.

Day 9-DAILY ROUTINE
Watching YouTube videos of Thomas the Tank Engine. He would do this for hours if I let him. Thank goodness for the iPad so he can choose them himself.

Day 10 - CHILDHOOD
Nighttime shenanigans with Spencer while we jetlag. 12:32 a.m. We won't be going to bed soon. Spencer just slept for 10 hours. Couldn't wake him. When I tried, he told me "leave mommy! Close door!"we'll be up for awhile. :)

Day 11- WHERE YOU SLEEP
Bottom Pic- Mine & Brian's Master Bedroom on top floor
Top Pic- Guest Bedroom #1 2 floors down but also where I sleep when Spencer ISN'T sleeping and Brian is taking over.  I get to sleep uninterrupted. 2 Advil PM's later and I'm a new person.

Day 12-CLOSEUP
 As much as I hate waking Spencer from the depths of sleep, he is super cuddly when he's sleepy (well all the time actually)

Day 13-IN YOUR BAG

I promise I literally just took everything out of my purse.  How did I accumulate so much when I was only in California for a little while? My mom lent me this awesome purse she got as a gift from the Emmy's and then gifted it to me.  Yes, I have 3 wallets (one for credit cards and ID I can take on the army base, 1 for coupons and American cash, the other for Euro cash).  And a glue stick? Really?

DAY 14- SOMETHING YOU'RE READING #1
One of my favorite sights-both girls enthralled in reading. Wanna know what the girl in the front seat was reading? See next picture.

DAY 14- SOMETHING YOU'RE READING #2
Yup. That's a National Geographic thank you very much! She already read the twins article and was on to deep sea diving discoveries.  And yes, this is something "I'm" reading.  She happened to find it in the car and was consumed.

Day 15-HAPPINESS #1
Happiness is when we're on the mend with sleeping thru the night (jetlagging). 10 hours last night!

Day 15-HAPPINESS #2
Double ear infection for this little boy. The dr said it was a bad one and must've been in a lot of pain. I figured he deserved an ice-cream outing.  He was happy as can be with medicine in him and two bowls of ice cream. (He stole mine. Can you tell which one?)

Day 16- MORNING #1
Spencer's bus comes at 7:05 a.m. Tuesday-Friday.  He's on it for an hour picking up other kids.  He used to hate it but now he likes it.

Day 16- MORNING #2
Picking his seat on the bus and saying goodbye.

Day 17- WATER
I found this gem on the side of the house when I came home from the states.  First thought, "Oh, THAT'S the thing I knew I was forgetting something when I left."

Day 18- SOMETHING YOU BOUGHT
All new MAC makeup on an excursion with my sisters in California!

Day 19- SWEET
My favorite everyday German candies

Day 20- SOMEONE YOU LOVE
Spencer's early development teacher Ms.Markeson. You have no idea how much this woman has done for us and Spencer. She is a godsend and has a special place in our hearts. 

Day 21-REFLECTION
My date for tonight 
(Actually posted on Valentine's Day)

Day 22- SHOES
My black boots Nikki Schultz gave me for Christmas. I seriously wear them so much. Thank you!

Day 23- SOMETHING OLD
Brian's parents' upright piano from 1812 that never goes out of tune.
#januaryphotoaday #ohthequalityoftheoldendays

Day 24-GUILTY PLEASURE
Gossip Girl

Day 25- SOMETHING YOU MADE #1
Quilt for Baby Harlow DeRoest

Day 25- SOMETHING YOU MADE #2
Yo Gabba Gabba Pajama Pants for Grandpa
(this was a picture in the unfinished stages)

26- COLOUR
Spencer's first day of playtime, aka Occupational Therapy.  He LOVES the ball pit.

Day 27- LUNCH
Bruschetta Burgers and Italian Pasta Salad

Day 28-LIGHT
(Originally posted on Jan. 12 while we were jetlagging)
1:45 am and everyone is in bed! This is a miracle!

Day 29- INSIDE YOUR FRIDGE #1
Fridges here are small. Shop at both German stores and American

Day 29- INSIDE YOUR FRIDGE #2
My freezer is the top picture.  The one on left is a whole picture so you can see the size. The bottom starts at my knees. So of course, being American, we gotta have a big one so the picture on the right is the big one downstairs. Most of my produce, extra milk boxes, and frozen foods go in the big one. I didn't get a pic of the inside but it's pretty empty. 

Day 30-NATURE
Need I say more? Although, it only snowed 2 or 3 times this winter. I can't complain. I just don't like driving in this kind of weather.

Day 31- NO TOPIC GIVEN
(Originally posted on January 12)
Loves when my husband picks up the mail and comes home with these babies! They'll be gone in no time.