Oh where do I start? The options are endless.....

1. Paris
I would love to visit Paris. The sites, the culture, and the overall experience! Just me and my camera and well we could have a blast. Ok maybe my hubby could come with too

2. London
Another bucket list location for the same reasons as Paris. I would love to see Buckingham Palace, and everything else in London.

3. Disney World
I was never there as a child and I haven't grown up yet so bring on the pictures with every princess. Ok I would have to experience the Star Wars attractions as well because I'm a full blown Star Wars Mom. This is one that will happen before any other for my boys and my inner princess

4. Hawaii
Hawaii at Christmas enough said!

5. Alaska
One of my dreams and bucket list items (it may never happen) is to go moose hunting. Why a moose I have no clue! But I want to visit Alaska and if it means shooting a moose with my Canon I'm in! It's meeting in the middle with the bucket list and shooting that moose ;)

Well lets face it Minnesota winters can be oh so enjoyable, and yet so unbearable. 

Meet my family a great way to understand where I am coming from, and why the need for sleep and coffee ;) 



First my hubby....

Yup this guy he's my rock, my best friend and heck he helps keep our crazy life together as much as we can. He's a super picky eater when it comes to veggies, he loves Dr. Pepper, hates when I ask for computer/electronic help, does a great job with chores for our outside animals that you will meet in just a little while. Not only is he a great dad, but he's a great hubby. We have had our challenges, but yet we still get up next to each other everyday.  

Next up....The kid that gave me the title of mom.

Carter....He is a hockey loving, long hair sporting kiddo that loves to push my buttons, while being the most caring child ever. He's a great big brother, loves electronics, excels so much with school and is always making sure people are included. 

​Then there is the second child.....

Meet Miles. He is the child that was our miracle baby after the loss of numerous pregnancies, numerous questions asking when we were going to have a second child. And lets just say the saying "Second Child" he wears that title with pride. He is the Star Wars freak, raspberry loving, sleep boycotting child that we love. He is the reason I need coffee. 

The fur-baby...

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Izzy, Dizzy Izzy, Dizz....she answers to all. She is our second fur baby and she's sneaky, loves to steal food, toys and anything that anyone else has, but hates when we have the oven on. 

My fury guy outside....

He's the butt of all jokes, the one who snuck out at 5 am one morning to make me go outside in my pjs to get him and his sneaky friend back in. He's the lovable furry donkey I call Rocky. He came with a different name, but my husband said we couldn't call him Jeremy the name he came with.....its my hubby name and he was kind of territorial. Some day I really want horses, and until then I have Rocky(donkey), Kicker(mule), and Zaatti(pony).  

For those of you who know me, you know I love my 365 photo challenge. But why so much? It gives me the opportunity to document the year, to grow in my skills and love for photography, and some of the most random photos bring me such joy. The first year my husband and family was like really another photo. By year two they were ok with it occasionally. End of year two and year three so far they have asked hey did you get your photo today. Last year I ended the year off feeling so accomplished and the start of year 3 has been amazing so far! 

Gives me the push I need to do new things, make new memories and just have fun.

My favorites....just where do I start? I guess the best place would be with setting a limit as to how many favorites because otherwise I will never stop. So here is my top 12 favorites.

​So....in no particular order

1. Donkeys- I have a love for donkeys. Who doesn't love a cute loveable animal that just wants to obey most of the time? When I moved to the farm never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would own animals especially a donkey. But after 10 years I talked my hubby into a donkey and a mule. Then came the pony. Im working on him with horses, but its a slow slow process.

​2. My camera- I take it everywhere, its bag is a Missy bag (fitting right?). It never talks back, it generally listens most of the time and it gives me the opportunity to learn and grow. It is my therapy!

​3. Coffee- I have a love hate relationship with coffee. I need it in the morning but I hate coffee breath after I have my coffee.

​4. Organization- I love organization. Give me a checklist, a calendar or anything that helps to keep our house organized and I am on it.

​5. Pens- I have some favorite pens of all different colors, but the minute I find one that writes awesome its my favorite and I better have it with me always.

​6. No shower Saturdays- I love a day at home in my comfy clothes cleaning house, relaxing, playing with the kids or just reading a book. Dont judge I shower that night ;)

​7. A good book- I am not one to watch TV or movies because I fall asleep all the time.

​8. My job- I have been so lucky to land a job that I love. The people are amazing, the job is rewarding, and the company is a family friendly place so I can't say enough how I love my job!

​9. Amazon- I love amazon.com. It is easy, comes right to my door, and I don't have to leave the house.

10. My phone- I know that this seems weird, because I am starting to really hate social media at times. It is always a who's doing what kinda thing but I love my phone. It holds my kindle app, my calendar, a camera when I dont have mine, and the interenet. I am a google freak! And I love my iPhone

​11.. My 365 photo challenge- I love that I have continued and rocked it to the end for 2 years now. My family and support system looks forward to when my book is done. Yay! Friday it will be delivered. All 525 photos and 100 pages long. I can't wait to get my next book from www.mypublisher.com

​12. Hockey- Who doesn't love Hockey! Not only do I get to watch my favorite Hockey player, but I get to volunteer with a great organziation all for the love of Hockey! And I get to dream about my famous Hockey player boyfriend #MNWild #ZachParise

Last year seemed to be a pretty good year, and I totally rocked the project 366 again last year. Some days had more than 1 photo, but hey I got all 525 photos into a 99 page book. ​Yes, I will do the challenge again, because I feel like I would be pretty down if I didn't do it. And my hubby no longer complains about it anymore....hehehe.  

So why add another challege? Well cause thats me. I am a busy body, my hubby is not. I take on a lot, at times too much. But I am doing these challeges for myself and no one else. So bring on 52 week blog challege. Great way to have structure and fun all in one. 

Week 1.....My Best Friend.

Oh man where do I start. Do I start with coffee, camera, or my few best friends. Every girl has a few best friends they tell everything to. I have the new best friends, the old best friends, the best friend in heaven and the best friend I married.  

He has been there since the beginning as a friend, and it was just friends. Well that soon turned to more than just friends. Dating doing stupid things in a small town, to moving away and him following me. To getting me kicked out of an apartment, a new puppy and moving back to my parents basement. We have come so far since we were just friends and yet I still consider him my best friend. I am married to my best friend who has seen me at my best, and seen me at my worst. He has been down the road of pregnancy with me, called me a fire breathing dragon (probably not his best choice of words), he has been with me during the difficult time of infertility, and with the miracle pregnancy that we never expected. He has accepted the fact that I love my camera, donkeys and a hobby farm, that I have the craziest ideas at times and yet he rarely says no. He has said no to horses at this time, but I am working on him. He has forgotten my birthday and yes I forgave him after a couple long hard weeks ;). 

I honestly do not know where I would be without him even when he tells me that I can't tuck my feet in the blankets at night (I manage to do this everynight though). So thats him. I have so many great photos of him being such the goof that he is, and he would probably hold that against me so instead I will be nice. They say after so many years of marriage you start to dress alike. So heres to my biggest supporter, my biggest fan, the one who helps me keep my cool, and the one who pushes me to the brink. <3

As for next week.....stay tuned for My Favorite Things