Kansas Grandma and Grandpa

It seems like we don't get to see our Grandparents enough. The youngest one always seems to get the most attention. We only had grandpa for two days but we are still soaking up time with Grandma. Here are a few snapshots we captured with them.

First pictures of Amelia and Grandpa. She was having a mellow moment in the morning.

Amelia had already gone to bed for the night but we were happy to get a couple of great pictures with Grandma and Grandpa. We miss you Grandpa.

My girls spend a lot of time on the floor with their dog. It is kind of funny to see.

But this was going a little too far. The other night, Eliza just crawled right in. I loved seeing Nixon look at her like what are you doing in my bed?

Its a little tight Eliza.

Grandmas and Grandpas and GRANDADS

"Grandad" Uncle Jerry, Aunt Barbara, Aunt Georgia, Aunt Joann, GRANDMA, GRANDPA, Uncle Jack. (Eliza's Grandmas, Grandpas, and GRANDAD)

I had to write this down because it was such a fun precious memory. We had a lot of visitors this week and we loved all of it. Clint's dad and most of his dad's siblings drove through town to pick up and move his sister from San Diego back to Kansas. Great Aunts and Great Uncles are just too hard to expain to a 3 year old so I told Eliza lots of Grandmas and Grandpas were coming to stay with her. Her Grandma Garner has been spoiling her here for 2 weeks so she was pretty excited. Well, when they got here, Eliza's friend Bliss came over. She said "I have a Grandad and you only have Grandpas. Eliza really wanted a Grandad like Bliss. So she went to uncle Jerry and asked if he was a grandad. When he said yes, she was over the moon. She couldn't stop talking about her grandad and that he had white hair. They stopped by one more time on their way back home and I had to take a picture of her with all of her Grandmas and Grandpas. She even danced for them and loved the applause. Thanks Grandmas and Grandpas and GRANDAD.

swimming

Justin swam with the high school team this year. He worked really hard and got to be on the team with his cousin Max. He has loved being on a team and making new friends. Monday thru Friday he swims from 2:30 to 5. Every saturday he swims from 8 to 11 and 2 morning a week he swam from 5:15 to 6:45. That is dedication. He had his final meet over fall break. I emberassed him and took a few pictures.

He has horrible swimmer's hair. I can't wait to cut it off. (At least as much as he will let me)

Hanging out with friends between events.

I captured this awesome dive of my nephew. It thought it was pretty great. Plus, I love the little tan lines all the cool boys sport as they wear their speedos.

Fall Break Fun

We were stuck in Mesa for Fall Break this year. We still managed to have tons of fun. We spent lots of time with cousins and even had Grandma Garner come to visit from Kansas. We had a great outing to the zoo with Jones cousins. Here is little Ivy on her little legs. She loved walking everywhere.
I am not really into taking pictures of animals except of the human variety. I got a whole group of crazy animals in this picture.

Little mermaids. Always ready for a pictures. Annie, Clara, and Susanna

Then they included little Betsy and Eliza.

The boys couldn't be left out and all picked their own poses. Charlie loved the oranguntan (did I spell that right)

Nathan is the giant tortoise.

Jack wanted to be the crocodile hunter. He tamed this crocodile no problem.

They have this "little people" park by the farm. Eliza loved it. She actually loved every minute of the zoo (partly because she was with Betsy) and didn't want to go home.

This is Annie and Clara after a sleepover. (and if you ask me and Lisa it will be the last one). These little turkeys who are only 6 and 7 years old stayed up all night. I checked on them at 2:30 but couldn't believe they never slept. They were slightly grumpy the next day.

AND...we got a pool table over fall break. My friend remodeled her kitchen and didn't have room for this pool table anymore. We've never been able to afford one but couldn't resist this price (free, thanks Susan and Scott). Clint and the kids have had so much fun every day and night. I have even had some fun. I don't love that my one room that was always clean is no longer clean all the time but it will make for some happy memories.

Four Months Old

Amelia is FOUR months old. Doesn't she look happy? She is happy sometimes and has the cutest smiles but is really kind of a fussy baby. She gives me a run for my money and likes to be held all the time. I still love pretty much everything about her. I need to post pictures of all the girls so I can compare their looks at this age. Maybe when I get a little more energy. I love the twinkle in this little girl's eye.

Amelia has two little "dolly blankets" I've never had these before but she loves loves loves silky material so we found a little lamb and a bear that are attached to silky blankets. She will hold them forever and I wanted to capture a couple pictures of her holding them for memory.

Love the sideways shots. I don't know why I can't get some to turn. She is getting so big, it makes me sad.

Fall Break Fun

My kids have one favorite toy at our house. It drives Clint and I crazy. They play on them all the time and fight over who gets to use them and leave them all over the house so we trip over them. What fantastic toy is this you ask? CRUTCHES. When Justin was in 7th grade he needed some so we had a pair laying around. For Fall Break we needed a little excitement so...we went to our local GoodWill stores and found pairs for Clara, and Susanna and Clara's friend. First of all, Laine and Clara had to dress the part. I couldn't resist capturing their fun times.

This is how they like to use them. As balancing toys or stilts.

So...if your kids need a little excitement and a new toy...for 3 dollars you can have hours and hours of fun.

Thanks Aunt Emily

I told her to do her best pose.

My little sister is so amazing. She might be super mom with all of her "ideas" and activities. I pretty much stay above water and survive. She is patient with potions and dress ups, and many other messes. A couple days ago we received a care package from her to the kids. Treats, Halloween stickers, and a couple cute shirts for the little girls. It made my day and was super sweet of her. Eliza loved wearing her new shirt yesterday. I took a few pictures before it got very dirty throughout her busy day.