Day Eighty-Eight

Day Eighty-Eight

Day 2 - New Zealand

What we were looking at as headed to Mt. Cook for a grocery store (which we didn't find)...but no matter - worth every minute.  Oh, I did I mention this was New Year's Eve?  What a way to end 2011.

Can't say so much for the view anyone from
BEHIND the photographer may have gotten i.e. Crystal/Jim :)

Day Eighty-Seven

Happy New Year!  I'm back!!!  Did you miss me?  Didn't get to keep up with updates (at all) for many reasons, mainly being internet wasn't quite as easy to come by as we expected, but also simply because my focus was elsewhere!  It was exactly as we had hoped, a trip of a lifetime.

I tried to keep in mind, when I captured "the picture of the day", so even if something "better" comes along as I go through them all, I am using what I originally planned.  Over the next week you will be able to visit moecakes.blogspot.com to take a look at the rest of the pictures of this amazing island.

And finally, I am determined to do as little post-editing as possible, to show you the true beauty and look of what we saw day in and day out.  Hope you enjoy looking at the pics as much as I enjoyed taking them...well, almost as much!

Day Eighty-Seven

Day 1 - New Zealand

The first thing that captures your eye when driving through the Canterbury Hills is the FIELDS of lupins that line the highways.  The colors are amazing ranging from purple, to blue, to magenta, to pale pinks and creams.  Who could resist pulling over to "stretch your legs" and play in the fields?  With a crisp breeze it was the perfect start to our road trip, and Moe was there to lead Cakes through the tall grass and blooms reminding Cakes the whole time, "don't worry Lily, there are NO snakes in NZ!"

Hit the Road Jak!!!!

Today, the MoeCakes clan will be Leaving On a Jet Plane, a trip I don't think I believed I would ever be lucky enough to actually take - 12 days in an RV exploring New Zealand.  I can only imagine the beauty and fresh air we are about to experience.  But this also means - 365 will come to another halt.  I will do my best to upload the day's picture when I can, and will surely have MANY to share over the next few weeks, but timing will be a little sporadic...so bear with me.  And thanks as always for following TheArtOfMyLife- 365!

Day Eighty-Six

 

Today I decided to use two pictures taken over the past week that almost made the photo of the day (as all my camera equipment is packed and ready to go!)...

I just love the look on Moe's face in the first shot.  I'm not sure if a girl can ever "outgrow" being picked up by her dad.  Even when it is no longer physically possible, the love between a father and daughter, is enough to pick "her" up whenever it is needed.  I love you, Dad.

And the second shot says it all in Cakes shirt.  Joy - Peace - Love.

Day Eighty-Five

Mom really needs to spend the day packing for vacation tomorrow - so what does that mean for Moe? Harry Potter marathon!!!  Complete with all her HP goods!

Day Eighty-Four

The "Day After" is always a bit depressing to me.  New toys and good to play with, yes, but the excitement and "spirit" the anticipation of Christmas brings is over and it's back to reality.  This year was a bit harder for several reasons:

1. Husband had to go to work.

2. I'm half a world away from home (where the "BIG" Finkel Christmas is actually celebrated on Dec. 26th (forcing Christmas to last a day longer than most!)

3. We leave for vacation in 2 days.  This is exciting, I know, but it means that decor really needs to come down so that upon our return in a couple weeks - all remnants of Christmas are gone.  Christmas until Jan. 1st is typical in my house, but Christmas on Jan. 10th...is a little much.

SO - the process begins.

And how better but to start then by adding some FUN to today's picture...Oh, so opposite to the not so fun task ahead.

Day Eighty-Three: Christmas Day

Moe & Cakes : Christmas 2011

Day Eight-Two

This photo came out exactly like I pictured in my head - and with no post editing!.... Love it when that happens.  There isn't much better than believing in the magic of Christmas.  It's a powerful thing and I absolutely love every minute of it.  Happy Christmas Eve.

Day Eight-One

Ho, Ho, Ho....Merry Christmas!!  

Day Eighty

This was taken while Cakes was telling me the story of how her sister pinched her in the eye and she could no longer see.  It was a Jakarta-kind of day...which means a long-painful-nothing-goes-right-homesick kind of day.   The look on her face matches my day.  UGH.
(Oh, and Mom isn't "purposely" letting her be Shaggy-D.A.....it's that growing out the bangs stage of Cakes life.)

Day Seventy-Nine

Christmas Vacation means finding things to pass the time...today's craft - homemade play-doh.  And it was hours (okay well maybe an hour) of fun.  As with any activity that involves both girls, a difference of personalities is always amazing to watch take life...and capture.

Today's fun also gave me a reason to try out a "new" concept...the storyboard.  Completely intrigued by the multitude of ways to "tell a story", I really enjoyed researching and learning about the different styles that people use.  Today's storyboard is titled:  "Let's Play-Doh", using the 2 x 2 + 1 storyboard.

Day Seventy-Eight

I almost feel like this should have check boxes beneath it to see how many things you can find "funny" about this picture.  Let me give you a few....

- Only Jakarta Expat children would set up spa stations

- Only a 4 year old in today's world would be playing her iPad while receiving her "spa" treatment

- Big sister is the one "treating" her little sister

... A day in the life of Moe & Cakes Christmas vacation.

Day Seventy-Seven

I know it may be a simple shot, but everyone has that one Christmas item that they look forward to taking out of the box every year.  This is mine.  (Well, okay, second to my dancing Santa.)  I love this pair - so elegant and so Christmas....So you can imagine my disappointment this year when I pulled them out and one of the antlers had broken.  Many glues later, the stuff that you can only buy from the man who comes to your window in Jakarta traffic did the trick.  (I'm sure this stuff is highly toxic and completely illegal in the states- but no matter because it worked!)  If you look closely you can see his scar :) --

Day Seventy-Six

Wishing those who give MoeCakes a minute of their day a VERY Merry Christmas!!!

~ Believe in the Spirit of Christmas ~

xoxo

(And a huge thank you for continuing to believe in me.)

Day Seventy-Five

Dear Santa, 

If you could please put some NyQuil in my stocking, I would be very appreciative.  Love, Mom

When 3 out of 4 members of the family are sick with sinus infection or flu, this is what most of your Saturday looks like.  Oh, and when girls are majority poor Daddy is stuck watching things like, Monte Carlo, While You Were Sleeping, and Little Women.  We are thanking him by watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation tonight.

Day Seventy-Four

Mom and Dad are both sick in bed and what does my girl do?  Bring a card, and a "bell" to ring any time we need anything.  THEN, waits right outside our door for us to (figure out a reason) to ring the bell!  "If it takes her more than 30 seconds, then she's probably downstairs or in the bathroom.  So pause and then ring it again."  What an angel.

Day Seventy-Three

And I've finally caught up, back on track with 365!  

What's Christmas without glitter??  and LOTS of it!  Today was a day filled with school Christmas parties, gingerbread houses, and crafts!  Good thing Uncle Matt had a few hours left in Jakarta, so that we could trade classrooms, b/c if you have two kids, somehow their parties will be at the same exact time....Murphy's Law.

Day Seventy-Two

Cheating a bit, this picture wasn't taken by me.  Taken by Uncle Matt, it was one of the few taken this day.  And as I'm not typically in front of the lens - I thought it was a nice change.  

And for those interested to see more from my weekend in Jogjakarta, keep an eye out for more pics to be loaded to http://moecakes.blogspot.com/  - the tab next door to 365:  TheArtOfLife - Sessions and Such.

Coming soon!  

Day Seventy-One

Still working to catch back up!  This picture is Tuesday's pic of the day, but technically taken on Monday.  The last night in Jogja we decided to head back to "town" and stay our last night in the Hyatt.  We were a little desperate for AC to be honest.  And we found a pool and slide that kept us busy for the next 24 hours.  The trip ended with everyone hoping to return again, which must mean it was a good time!

Day Seventy

The Sunrise Tour at Borobudur is the only way to see the gigantic temple.  It's completely different than viewing it during the day; no vendors swooping down for the kill, no crowds, and no heat (or at least not as much!) - all allowing the peace and splendor of the temple to take precedence.  Unfortunately, for my brother and I we also had NO sunrise.  But it was worth the few shots that I did get.

Day Sixty-Nine

I was determined to put my tripod to use on this trip....and proud to report back it was used a fair amount. This picture was taken in the monastery of Mendut Temple.  This stop followed Borobudur, and was a welcomed change....quiet, empty and with a decent breeze.  And when a Buddhist monastery is empty...you just have to pose like Buddah.  The giggles and smiles were sucked in and held for the 10 second count down and then released like air from a balloon after that click went off!

Day Sixty-Eight

And we are back from a short trip into Jogja.  It was a trip of amazing sites, amazing views, amazing conversation and one particularly amazing slide!  Thanks for being patient and letting me upload all at once post-vacation.  But then again, I guess you don't really have choice, as it is my blog :) -- but thanks, nonetheless.

This is what we got to wake up and go to sleep with for the first 2 days.  That's Mt. Merapi ("Fire Mountain") to the right, a year after it's last disastrous and deadly eruption.  Mt. Merbabu sits to the left and behind me you would find Mt. Sumbing.  What a view we had.

Halt!

I'm away for the weekend- visiting Jogjakarta. Believe me when I say a picture will be taken each day! But I don't have my computer to edit and upload... So expect a the daily posts to be post-uploaded on Tuesday. Heading to sunrise over Borobodor in am...so catch ya later!!!

Day Sixty-Seven

AHHHHH!!! IT'S JUSTIN BIEBER!  "Celebrity Day" at school started this Friday off with a lot of laughs...but this guy had the Biebs down!  And just because they all were too cute, here's the rest of our complex crew!  Introducing......

Hannah Montana!!!

Hermione Granger!!!

Daphne (from Scooby-Doo)!!

No autographs please!!!!

Day Sixty-Six

When you live in a country that does not have Christmas dresses available...the one that Grandma sends you is an absolute hit; Therefore, you MUST show it off.  this one is for you Grandma.  We love and miss you TONS.

Day Sixty-Five

Another one bites the dust!  As a parent, I have found that I DO NOT do teeth.  I can do puke, poop and all the other gross things that come with parenthood, but pulling teeth is not one of them.  Good thing they fall out on their own!

Day Sixty-Four

Is it biased to say that this child just KNOWS how to pose?  I guess it is one of the "perks" of being a photographer's child.  "Momma, do you want me to look at the camera or away?  Should I smile or not?" I can lie and say it's completely candid...which bath time basically is, but she knows what questions to ask.  I love this picture.

Day Sixty-Three

There isn't much expats know how to do better than have a themed party that requires dressing up.  My kids even hear the word "party" now and ask what they are going as.  Today's luncheon was the Top of Pops in the UK on Christmas Day.  Our table was "It's Only Make Believe" by Conway Twitty....i.e. a "Santa Vampire".  Merry Christmas!?  

Oh, and it was an iPhone kinda day.

Day Sixty-Two

Meet Taz.

How can you not just love this face?  Youngest member of the family I captured yesterday, he is a very sweet boy.  And as our dog is living the good life in Texas, I eat up every chance I get to love on someone else's puppy!

The shot was taken yesterday, but not looked at until today - so it counts.

Day Sixty-One

I remember these days.  The days of gymnastics meets on Saturday mornings AND the days of being able to sit (comfortably) like this.

Day Sixty

I'm disappointed that I cropped this one short, but I just love the expression on the birthday girl's face.  Must have been a good party!!  "Stilett-ing" go of your 30's isn't all bad!

Day Fifty-Nine

I just couldn't quite decide on this one - so I gave you both.  One of my favorite days of the year... December 1st - Annual viewing of Polar Express with Hot Chocolate and Popcorn.  Marks the start of the countdown to Jolly Old Nick.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Day Fifty-Eight

Writing your letter to Santa is a big deal.  Especially when it goes something like this:  Dear Santa, I want Make-up, I want my own iPad, more headbands, my own TV, and a magic journal.

Day Fifty-Seven

It's the Mrs. two doors down.  Thanks for a great celebration lunch and thanks for letting me snap a few shots while we were chowing down and sipping on some bubbles.  And yes, those are her eyes.

Day Fifty-Six

The abc's of tree decorating with your children.

Age 1 - The lower half has to be bare to stay away from small hands grabbing what they shouldn't

Age 2 - Only non-important ornaments are allowed on lower half.  

Age 3 - Ornaments are hung on same branch by child, ready to fall off if you blow on it.  Excitement is over after 5 ornaments have been hung.

Age 4 - They want to hang everything themselves...all on the same 2 branches all at eye level.

Age 5 - They want to hang everything themselves...all on the same 4 branches all at eye level.

Age 6/7 - They want to hang everything themselves...all on the top half of the tree where they can't reach.

Day Fifty-Five

Wearing Mommy's high heels is a staple in every girl's childhood....Ah, who am I kidding?  I still put on my mom's heels!
The attitude you can see in these two little feet alone is the whole reason I chose this shot.  It's priceless!  Only my Lily Cakes.

Day Fifty-Four

If you have ever wondered what winter in Jakarta is like.....here you go.  Oh, and it is exactly the same as summer in Jakarta, minus the Santa hat.

Day Fifty-Three

Christmas Decor has come out of hiding.  Let the Christmas Season begin.

Day Fifty-Two

You have to have been an Expat in order to appreciate the pure beauty of this picture.  Husband got back from the States yesterday with a suitcase filled with goodness.  It's the little things in life.....
And just because it's Thanksgiving I'm going to show you a few more of the "little things" that I'm so thankful were brought back to the land of Indo.