And Simeon Blessed them...

Photoshop Magic

I combined these two images to get rid of the cell talker (although she does make Talyn look great in comparison.) Kevin suggested it, it took a while, but I think it was worth it.

Why I Mother

Photo a Day Blog

I've decided to take my talents a little more seriously. I had a few motivators for this decision; some of them completely rooted in pride, others rooted in greed, but more importantly in gratitude. So, I am starting a photography blog. This will remain "my slice of life," "random thoughts," "family update," and "everything else" blog. I don't want to loose any of you readers, but if you are one who checks my blog for my amazing photography skills you may enjoy this new one a little more.

Please, add it to your rss feeds, google reader, or bookmarks, link to it, tell your friends.

http://breckenrcook.wordpress.com/

Photo a Day: May 7th

Photo a Day: May 8th

Beautiful Day

The beautiful day was oh, so refreshing and inspiring. It felt good to upload a good looking photo... its been a while.

Reuben is still telling people the baby is a girl. But he has started saying that he is going to be the BIG brother, so we are one step closer.

He started saying "This is the best *fill in blank* of MY LIFE!" This is the best book of my life. The best movie of my life. The best color of my life. The best game of my life. Its pretty funny because of the way he emphasizes "my life," like there has been so much of his life that to be the best thing of it is pretty darn important.

We had naptime today, and I got to join in on the fun. Hopefully laundry, a quick trip to the park, and last minute apartment clean-up will be enough to wear him out because that is what is on the docket for tomorrow.

Christmas Eve New Mexico Style: New Mexican Spread, Caroling, and more Luminarias

There may not be snow, but at least there was a fire.

Christmas Eve tradition states that there is a New Mexican spread at the Petersons, with Caroling to follow.

Yeah, that is Papa S. on the roof lighting MORE luminarias. Their neighborhood goes all out, lining ever fence, street, driveway, roof top. The rules are they have to black out the windows once it gets dark so all you see is the luminarias. The cars turn off their headlights to enjoy the glow.

Christmas Eve New Mexico Style: Luminarias

All the boys went out to help Pappie set up the Luminarias.

Step one: Fold tops of bags open
Step two: Get some dirt
Step three: Put dirt in bags
Step four: Level ground
Step five: Place bag
Step six: Place candle in bag, nestled in dirt
Step seven: Wait until sundown

Rockefeller Center

Red Doors

Walk in the Leaves

The scaffolding is down from our building, and the north side of Riverside Church. Reuben and I had a nice walk in the cool breeze enjoying our favorite place. We counted squirrels, we played with leaves, we shuffled through piles of gold.