Take 35

When you have a large family it's very challenging to take a good family picture. Traditionally we always take a family pic at Christmas so we have one to send out with our Christmas letters. This year we took a total of 35 family pictures at different times and in different settings hoping for just one where we were all smiling or at least all looking at the camera. Needless to say the kids are good at their fake smiles and "Cheese"s now. Thought I'd share a couple that just didn't make the cut. This was taken in the evening and Rylan just wasn't his happy self. Lila also looks like she can't believe we would ask her to do such a thing as smile at this time in her life. The next one shows Rylan feeling the same way and Lila going into shock that yes, we are taking ANOTHER picture. This next one you will notice Lila is distracted by the fact that Rylan is holding her cell phone. At least she is smiling. I also look like I am going to fall asleep because we took this shot at about 7:30 a.m. before Emily had to go out to catch the school bus.

Swing Hogs

Just call us the swing hogs. You may be joyfully playing at the park with your little one and see us coming in the distance. That's when you know the fun is over. Might as well just leave. Here is a pic of our kids playing at the park. They take up all the swings! What a bunch of bullies - hogging the swings from all those other little kids! Actually when I took this picture we were the only ones at the playground. There was a dad and his little boy there when we first showed up, but they left pretty quick when they saw us!

Ready, Set, WALK!

Exactly 15 months after the day he was born Rylan started walking. He has been so close for so long and he finally got up the courage to try it and realize yes, he could do it! Now he is ambling all over the house. Ryan and I couldn't help but think he was behind since all three of the girls walked at or before 11 months. We've been told by others that boys are usually slower to accomplish things. Whether that is true or not, its just so amazing to see our little boy walking around!

First Snow

The first winter snow fell this morning. The girls had to go outside and catch some on their tongues as soon as they noticed it out the window. It was pretty fun to watch them running around celebrating God's wonderful creation of SNOW! There wasn't any accumulation on the ground after the little storm, but we are hoping God will send more soon and we will have enough to make a snowman.

Bundle Up and Stay Warm

It was time to get out the scarves, hats and mittens this week. The temperatures dropped to freezing but we stayed warm inside with the wood stove going. John, Amy, and Grace came for Thanksgiving Day and overheated. Sorry about that - guess we've gotten used to having it warm. That wood stove really puts out the heat! We ventured outside Friday night to hang Christmas lights so the girls all were bundled up in their winter wear. Then today we walked over to the neighbors yard to cut down our Christmas tree. Don't worry we had permission from him to take one of the cute noble firs growing over there. The girls also were hoping to go ice skating on the pond. It froze over, but it wasn't quite thick enough to hold them. Maybe later in the season. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

Raise Your Hand if You're Sure

Rylan is growing up quickly. He is already combing his own hair and wearing deodorant. Actually these pictures show him getting ready for church as Daddy combs his hair and he plays with all the toiletries in our bathroom. He keeps us smiling!

Portland Children's Museum

We took a trip to Portland today with Aunt Tami and Grandma Far Away. The last time we were at the Children's Museum, I was pregnant with Lila. All the kids had fun getting their hands (and sleeves) wet in the waterworks, playing with clay, seeing the Arthur exhibit and lots of other fun stuff. Lunch at Red Robin ended our exciting day. That's something we don't get to do very often living out here in the back woods of Cathlamet. Thanks Tami and Grandma for the fun day!