December 20-21, 2010

Homemade Family Pictures

December 20, 2010

We didn't have a chance to get family pictures this year.

I got everything ready in the summer but it didn't turn out.

I decided I had to get some pictures of the kids one morning. I

literally mean in the morning. I woke up today. Got the kids dressed

and cleaned them up and found a place to take some pictures.

Amateur photos at their finest. I posted the pictures in such a fashion as

to demonstrate that for every somewhat decent picture you have there is atleast one that is off for one reason or another. Cracks me up. Not at the time, but now.

Nailed it on the left. Add Marissa, Oliver looks behind him. Note, there is nothing of interest in that direction. Never has been so far as I know.

Luke won't look up, then Luke won't sit still.

Oliver pointing. I'm sure he was pointing at a car. Then success. YEAH!!

Marissa rarely takes a bad picture. So she is

sitting pretty in all her photos.

The best picture I could get with just Luke is on the left. Then we have him looking away.

Luke looking away and Oliver running away on the left. Then Oliver looking innocent and sweet as pie on the right.

Eyes closed on the left. Turned out on the right.

Hand the camera to Andrew to get a picture of Marissa and I. Turns out he is a natural. I should have let him take all the pictures up to this point. I can't believe that we even had any success considering my terrible timing. The kids were hungry and tired as photo prep time took all morning and now its lunch.

DECEMBER 21, 2010

Hotdogs at Sams Club

I should say hotdogs and pizza. Andrew prefers pizza. This has turned in to one of our traditions. I remember getting hotdogs at Sams Club when I was a kid with my Mom and siblings. Now I take advantage of the cheap hotdog meal deal with my kids.

Perhaps it's not considered much of a tradition but we thoroughly enjoy it every time.

See how much fun Marissa is having. She was having fun and then she wasn't. It's a girl thing.

We get really silly. It's really the little things in life. It is for me anyway. Hopefully when my kids are older they will see it that way to.

Playing at the Park

December 20, 2010

Just days before Christmas.

Luke has stood his ground and has made it clear he is to big to sit in the stroller and play spectator at the park. He is going to run and play just like everyone else. Now he just doesn't know where to start.

Here is Oliver and Andrew starting a trench.

I had to take these pictures. It was really strange. Playing in the sand at the park. With the green grass and a breeze. With Christmas right around the corner. Our first Christmas with no snow.

Its almost short weather all the time. Oliver loves pants so he is wearing them this day. They were not necessary by any means.

We bought a lighted Christmas cactus to decorate our desert home. We felt it was appropriate.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

November 13, 2010

The Hangar Cafe with Emma.

We were blessed with a visit from my niece for the weekend.

We couldn't wait to take her to our favorite little restaurant.

The Hangar Cafe is attached to an airplane hangar. Of course its all little planes like this one. This airport is super close to our house. These little planes are frequently flying over the neighborhood we live in.

Oliver loves airplanes. So this is the perfect place for him.

This little plane went by a couple of times. The pilot waved to Oli.

We often see vintage cars in the parking lot here. I love the experience here. It's the only airport you can get this close to without a full body pat down.

First week of December

The first week of December.

I take alot of pictures of the kids. I didn't

realize how much I take until I started doing this blog. I take so many pictures

its hard to pick and choose what to post. It seems they are always doing

funny things that fall in the memorable moment catagory.

Memorable moment #1. Marissa plays dress up with Luke. Hey, when you don't have any sisters, you have to use your resources.

I love this pictures. I had a pile of stuff I had gathered while cleaning up the kitchen. I asked Marissa to go and put it away. A minute later she came back around the corner wearing everything that was in the pile. I suppose that is one way to avoid walking all the way upstairs to put it away.

Oliver won't take a nap. He sneaks a nap. Suddenly I can't find him after

checking all the beds in the house I found him in my bed. It's late afternoon.

The worst time to have Oliver take a nap.

I woke him up by playing a little game with him. I was just glad he woke up happy.

These wake ups can produce a very grumpy boy.

Oliver and Luke. Clean, dressed and cute hair. We had to catch this moment. It never lasts long.

Thanksgiving Weekend November 25-28, 2010

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! We are so excited to spend time with

family. Marissa is excited to spend time with some girls. Starting

with makeup with Kelsey.

Marissa absolutely loves the puppies. She took every chance she could to give them a treat. We combed Luke's long hair to make him look handsome for Thanksgiving.

Luke played so hard he fell asleep sitting up. Luke played with the dog cage alot. He also followed the puppies around.

Andrew bravely ate his first jalapeno. Surprising he didn't go for seconds. He

chugged a big glass of milk after getting through his brave bite.

The Georgeson family had a great suggestion for a family outing in Albuquerque.

We went to see the River of Lights.

There was so much to see. The kids really enjoyed it.

We arrived early and then we were stuck waiting in the dark. There was a news show that wanted to air the light display being turned on for the first time this year. So being stuck in the dark I took a picture. This was the reaction to the flash. I have to admit it was VERY blinding.

Luke was stuck entertaining himself with a camera case.

There was a huge variety of things to see or walk through. Oliver was loving it.

The potty breaks were exhausting. The lines were ridiculous. I spent some serious time in the potty line.

The dinosaur in lights is Olivers absolute favorite. This is a great shot with Dad.

Wow, we are an impressive group of monkeys for sure. Look

at this row of feeding and foraging kids. We had a lot of fun. Sadly it is time for us to

go home. Back to school and work. Thanks Georgesons for letting us party

and play with you. We had a great time.

More sleeping on the drive home.

On our drive home we actually hit snow. Nothing crazy but it was great to see a bit of snow for the year. Now it's time to get ready for Christmas.