the great outdoors

The kids have been fighting over who gets to ride the neighbor's bike, so I figured I better hurry up and get Aiden's bike fixed. It got a flat tire last summer that required replacing the inner tube. I just kept putting it off or forgetting when I was at the store. So last week we took a trip to Kmart and finally bought a replacement tube for it. But while we were there I noticed they had a bike Emma's size on sale for half off! I knew she was ready for a bigger bike, so I bought it since it was such a good deal. Now both of my older kids have bikes and they can ride with their friend Leah and not fight over hers! Here's Emma happily showing off her new ride. I love the colors on the bike, and that it's not all pink or a princess bike (it's Dora the Explorer). I love the yellow. It's so bright and happy.

It was a beautiful day that day so we were outside a lot.

I recently have realized that I've sort of stopped taking pictures this year. I use to take pictures all the time. I got tired of being the photographer instead of just enjoying the moment- what ever that may be. I just wanted to live my life and not just always be behind the lens. I'm trying to get back to that place where I can enjoy taking pictures more frequently. I want to find greater balance in that area of my life. I just have to be better about bringing my camera with me. Once I get that down, maybe I can be better about taking video! Anyway, here's some of the fun shots I got of the kids that day.

Every day there's some kind of booboo on Emma.

That poor girl is so accident prone.

(Although half the time it's the tiniest scratch

that she thinks is bleeding but really isn't!)