I went here when I was a kid. My mom taught me to bowl here. I do the same cute little skip that she did.  Difference is, I suck.  She was actually a good player.

We brought our kiddos here so they could bask in the greatness of Country Club Bowl.

Lots of memories came flooding back as soon as we drove into the parking lot.

It totally was exactly as I remembered it.  Same orange and white lockers.  Same water fountain.  Same vending machines.  Same arcade. I do think the bowling balls have better colors now.  I seem to remember they were mostly black when I was a kid.

Let’s get started!

The kids started with the tried and true roll-the-ball-between-your-legs technique.

My nephew tried out the ramp.  Pretty slick.  Just put the ball on it, aim the ramp, and push!

I really enjoyed watching the moments after the ball was released but before the pins got hit.  My little dude did some funky things with his hands.

My nephew is just a little bit cute.  He gave up on that ramp pretty dang fast.  If his cousins didn’t need it, he most certainly didn’t.  I loved how he squatted down to watch the action.

My daughter held her ball just like that the entire time.  Not sure if she was just really eager to have her turn or if she was keeping that ball all to herself. 

Love this.

And OMG, how is he so devastatingly cute?

My serious bowlers.

Guess who won.

After two games, we stepped outside into the bright sunlight.

Time to load into the car.  But wait!  HOW is she just standing there looking like that?  Le sigh…..  My beauty….

Next up is the wonderfully talented Kel Ward of Kel Ward Photography!  Click on her link to see her Life Story, and then find the link at the end of her post.  Go through the circle and find yourself right back here. 

Thanks so much for looking!  You can follow me on Facebook, if you’d like!…

Looks like I’m going to try to keep this Life Stories project going another year!  We’ll see how it goes.  Briefly, my amazing photographer friends and I decided to do a monthly project documenting our own lives.  Our everyday boring lives.  Could we make it look magic?  Because, ya know, it is.  Our everyday boring lives ARE magic because they are filled with love for our families.  And so we embarked on this photographic journey that we named “Life Stories.”  It’s been a year since we started and many of us wanted to continue because it’s been nothing short of amazing.  So proud to be part of this group.

It’s been a year since I posted images from our trip to the Pumpkin Patch.  It was my first Life Story.  You can see those images RIGHT HERE if you’d like to take a walk down memory lane.  And now it’s that time of year again.  My kids are really into pumpkins and really, what’s not to love?  Brightly orange colored pumpkins littered all around the ground.  So many to choose from and only ONE that is right for you.  My daughter, especially, takes her pumpkin finding responsibilities very seriously.  We found our way back to Joan’s Farm and Pumpkin Patch. 

It was a bright and sunny day.

They quickly got to the tasks of choosing their pumpkins.The little guy dropped his pumpkin and the stem scratched his knee.  He wasn’t happy about that.  I went to get him a bandaid from my camera bag and simply couldn’t stop myself from taking some shots of him sitting amid all those pumpkins.

Can you blame me?  Look at him!

He was a bit annoyed with his crazy mom who takes pictures of sad boys.  He refused to smile for me.

But I worked my mama magic.  Look at him pretending he isn’t listening to my hilarity.

My little guy.  I love him.  I love his toothless smile.  I love his personality.  I love loving him.

And look at this sweetie.

She has this thing about baby pumpkins.  Ever since she was a cute little toddler, she’s just loved baby pumpkins.  When she was little, she would carry a little pumpkin around with her all.day.long and put it right at her bedside when she slept.  It cracks me up.  She treats it likes it’s a baby.

My kids are goofy.

I have no idea from whence this goofiness comes.

Total mystery.

I adore my kids.

Now all we needed to do is ride those pumpkins to the car and head home.  Another great visit to the patch.

I’m already looking forward to next year.

Next up is the amazing Northern Illinois photographer behind Heather Wilson Photography.  She never disappoints! Head on over for some beautiful images and then click your way through all the links to find your way back here!…

There’s not much better than vacation, but now that school is in full swing, we have to cram our entertainment into our weekends.  Admittedly, some weekends are spent just chillin’ in the house, but not this last weekend.  This past weekend was a busy one for the kids.

Our daughter has gotten very interested in tennis.  She was excited to try out her new tennis skirt. 

Tennis is serious business.

The dude isn’t really into tennis, though.  As you can see, he’s sporting his bike helmet.  Not because we’re afraid he’ll get whacked by a rogue tennis ball, but because, for the most part, he was ridin’.

And she was playing and practicing.

She worked up a sweat.  Can you see the beads on her cute nose?

Daddy needed a turn on the bike.

And then the little guy contemplated how on earth he was gonna get up those stairs.

That was Saturday.

Then Sunday rolled around, and I somehow got conned into taking them to the park on a hot day at noon.

Glad I did.  We had fun.

Biking was a serious adventure that day.

At least my daughter could manage a giggle.

Maybe we should try the swings to see if we can get the little guy to lighten up….

I’m not sure it’s possible for my kids to be unhappy on swings.

Poor guy.  He looks so miserable….

Time to leave the park, and gosh, they gave me quite a gift at the end of our park adventure.  I’ll show you in a bit.  But first, I’ll show you the reward I got them for being so nice to their mama.

Cold Stone Creamery.

And because my car was dirty, and my kids love the car wash….

And why did they get ice cream?  This is why.  Look at this.  I haven’t gotten a picture of the two of them smiling AND looking at the camera AND holding each other in a long while.

So there you have it.  Our weekend.  This Life Story was the last of the series.  We started last October and have made it full circle.  In case you don’t know what this Life Stories thing is about, I’ve been participating in a blog circle with other amazing photographers from around the globe for the past year.  Every month, we share images about our own family.  It’s a chance to be sure we’re taking the time to capture our own moments. I have LOVED this year.  Loved it.  I have learned how to capture my family doing what we do without forcing them to pose for me.  I have practiced shooting in less than ideal portrait lighting.  All the pictures shared in this Life Story were shot from around noon to 2pm.  Not the best light, as most photographers prefer to shoot in either morning or evening light, but still, it feels good to know I can shoot in it and still create images that I love.

I’m not sure I’m going to continue this project.  I want to.  We’ll see if I can find the time….  Do you think I should?

Next up, from down under, is Liat Biderovsky of Lee Bird Photography! Click on her link and see her amazing Life Story and follow the links at the end of each post to make your way full circle.  You’re in for a treat!

You can follow me on Facebook where I’m usually better at posting pictures.  Thanks so much for looking!

 …