Family pictures are sooo fun!

You might think that by looking at the smiling angelic faces of the kids that this was a pleasant, joyous experience.  But the following 2 pictures of Dane capture the true spirit of the occasion. 

In fact, while sitting in Primary that Sunday and listening to the children sing "Stars Were Gleaming," I jotted some lines down to the tune of that song that really fit the experience.

 

Kids were screaming

Feet were fleeing

and the morn was cold and chill.

Mom's the crazy cam' ra lady

and the kids had had their fill.

 

Ahh the crying

and the Sighing

Kids were dying

Parents trying

Not to pull out all their hair. . . not to pull out all their hair.

...And the next party begins! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIELLE!!

Brielle's birthday falls two days after Wyatt's (not the best planning on our part, but we try to make it fun for both of them). Even though our house is full of boys Brielle has managed to maintain a girly-girl side and wanted a beauty shop party.  We played beauty shop bingo, and pin the bow on dad. We then had Aunt Loren come help with fingernail painting, eyshadow, and lipgloss.  The girls ate their cupcakes beforehand as to not mess up their lovely lipgloss.  The fingernail stickers on top of the polish was the icing on the cake.  They were definitely the most glamorous five year olds around and they seemed to love every bit of it. 

Each year December kicks off one full month of partying and baking ... Starting with Wyatt's birthday!

Being that Wyatt loves sports, it was only fitting that he had a sports themed birthday party.  We went up to the church and played kickball,  conquered an obstacle course ( shooting a basketball, eluding a very large tackler {dad}, throwing a football through a tire,  and finally, dribbling a soccer ball through some cones and scoring a goal).  Next they enthusiastically demolished a pinata and finished by eating cupcakes. I think the first party was a success.  I was tired anyway.

Thanksgiving Family fun with the Gilberts

This year mom and dad rented a cabin in Cle Elum for the whole family.   It was loads of good fun and food.  The kids enjoyed the hot tub, playing football, making turkeys out of little pumpkins and other crafts, karaoké, and playing with the cousins.  After all the cooking was done the adults enjoyed some much needed down time.  It was great that the whole family could be there.

More Thanksgiving Family Fun with the Bowmans

After leaving Cle Elum, we headed over to Quincy for a few days with the Bowmans.  The kids had fun riding four wheelers, building forts, searching for cats, shooting dart guns and expending lots of energy while the dads watched football and went to the gun club for some male bonding time.  The moms enjoyed playing cards and catching up on family life. 

Halloween Night!!

Dane really liked his red hair and surprisingly cooperated with the somewhat lengthy process. I did hear a few "ows" while trying to create the spikes.

He was pretty excited to be a clown. He kept saying, "Dane has red lips and red nose."

He loved saying "Trick or Treat" and made it his quest to say "hi" to everyone.

Mr. Motocross.

Although Breydon would have preferred a real motorcycle, he had to settle for Brielle's pink bike.

Wyatt really wanted to be Indiana Jones.

Coming up with the different parts of this costume was difficult, but was worth it in the end. . . as you can see by the smile on his face.

Brielle loved the mask we made for her costume.

She really enjoyed the pampering - a complete makeover: curling her hair for the 1st time, mascara, blush and especially the lipstick and lip gloss.

Dad joins the fun as Fred Flintstone.

Another successful Halloween.