Thanksgiving

My sister Lisa is the family photographer and offered to take a few family shots at our Thanksgiving celebration.  Parker and Lark took a quick snapshot since their kids were done with pictures.

 Emily and Kyle's cute family.  I had to take quick snapshots so I didn't mess up the real shots.

 Lisa had us take a few of her family but none of us did a very good job but with such a beautiful family, it is hard to mess up too bad.

 Benjamin and April and their four boys, what a family.

 This was my favorite "OUTTAKE"  Everyone kept trying to get Amelia to look at the camera.  My little brother was so proud of himself cuz he got her to look at him...just not the same direction as everyone else.  It makes me laugh every time I see it because he did get the best shot of her.  I didn't get any of his family since I was taking them with his camera for him. 

 My sweet Nathan

Cousins and buddies Clara and Annie

 Amelia is quite smitten with her Grandpa...and pretty much anyone that will shower her with attention.

 What a great brother.

Thanksgiving dinner anyone...

I just had to document what my very difficult eater had for Thanksgiving dinner.  Cookie crisp anyone?  At least it was a food product.

Halloween dance

I taught dance on Halloween so we decided to have a little dress up party.  They are too cute for words.

My little ones had a hard time sitting still, especially when we threw all the babies in with them.

 such fun costumes.  Happy Halloween

Halloween...I know a few months behind.

My camera broke right after I took pictures of Halloween and I didn't get it back until a couple days before Thanksgiving.  So, not only did I not blog any pictures, I didn't take many.  Then, when I got it back I was out of the swing of things so I am trying to get back ont rack.  Amelia had two costumes this year.  She started out as Dorothy because I got this costume for about 5 dollars.  I thought she was pretty adorable.

Pumpkin carving at Grandma and Grandpa Fillmores.  My girls are pretty serious about it.   Dad is always the lucky helper.

 Clara dressed up like a nerd and Susanna was a grandma.  She got a nightgown she wouldn't take off she loved so much, so we worked around it. 

 some of the grandkids with their creations.

 Grandma and Grandpa with Jacob.  It's good to have them home.

 Then, Amelia's real costume...a little flapper.  It is my favorite put together costume ever.  Eliza wore the same thing when she was this age.

On Halloween the neighborhood has a little chili dinner and kids parade.  Justin came over after swim practice.  His hair does crazy things after swimming in chlorine all afternoon so he dressed as a surfer.

Clara decided to dress up like a nerd this year.  I think it was partly because I told her I wouldn't buy any costumes and partly because her cousin (who she kind of worships) Annie was a nerd the year before.  I think she was almost still too cute to pull it off.

 Eliza was Goldilocks and the three bears which would never stay in her pockets.  It was such a cute costume.

 Some of the cute neighborhood kids.

 Eliza and princess Avery, our neighbor across the street.

We love Our Grandma

For 3 weeks this year, we were all so spoiled and lucky to have our Grandma come visit. Last year we got her even longer but we will take what we can get. For 3 weeks she watched us do tricks and play outside, read us pop up books non stop and was just fun to have around. She is so easygoing and a gentle calming spirit in our home. This last week and its craziness made this mom really miss all the help she always is when she comes. Come back Grandma, we can't wait until next year.

SAY CHEESE

The other night I was busy making dinner. Eliza told me she wanted some cheese as I was getting it out to grate. A few minutes later I looked over to see that she indeed had wanted some cheese. She just took the big block and dug right in. Gross.

City Champs

It's hard to believe I have a boy this big and old. He swam in the City swim meet for Mt. View and did a great job. In backstroke, he improved his time by 2 seconds and got a 58.97 in the qualifying round. In the finals, he came in fifth. He also swam in 2 relays. He got his best score on his 100 freestyle and is waiting to hear if any of his times qualify for state. He has had such a great time being on this team, with such a super group of boys that have treated him like a little brother. I have been so impressed with how good they are to him and always look out for him. He is hoping to swim year round and really improve for next season. Way to go Justin.

He is in the blue cap.

Mt. View girls and Boys teams both won City champs...by like several hundred points. It was kind of funny. It will be harder at state as they go against Brophy. Good luck boys.