Finally, A New Family Picture

Well, in the course of taking family pictures for everyone, we managed a few shots of our family as well.  It was much needed as well...it has been almost 3 years since we've had one.  I'm not sure why, but as a photographer it always seems harder to get your own family together to sit still and smile.  Anyway, here are a few shots.

Curt's Wedding

On November, 14, 2008, my older brother got remarried to Ralynne.  It was a nice little ceremony with family and friends.  I have not known Ralynne long but she seems like a wonderful person.  They appear to be very happy and I wish them all the best.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Well, I know I'm way behind.  I guess I've been too busy or we've been having too much fun for me to keep up with the blog.  Anyway, just before Thanksgiving I was real busy taking family/individual pictures for everyone.  That's always fun, but it also keeps me real busy afterwards.  In addition, my older brother got married around there so that added to the busy time.   So we'll see if we can recap and remember all the festivities.

School Days

Wow!  The first quarter of the year is already over for school.  Ethan is a 1st grader this year and Alys is in pre-school.  We just had our parent-teacher conference with Ethan's teacher, Ms. Kistler.  He is doing really well.  His teacher had nothing but good to say about him and I know he enjoys school.  I have the opportunity to go help out once a month for a few hours in his class.  It's fun to see what he does at school, see him interact with the other kids and also the fact that I can tell he's excited when Mom is there.  We're proud of his hard work and know he will continue to do well and make many friends.

Alys is also doing very well.  She is learning to read and very fast.  She is very eager to learn and her teacher, Ms. Katie, says there are days where Alys keeps her very busy.  She goes twice a week for 3 hrs.  She also loves school and is always asking me what day it is and if it's a school day.  We're proud of her as well and enjoy watching her grow.

Benjamin, well he's in Mom school.  He's my little tag-a-long.  I enjoy being able to spend time with him and hear him play and learn new things as well.  His big brother and sister are a great help with that.  He likes to sing the ABC song and counts pretty well.  Soon he'll be entering Potty Training?!  He's fun to have in our home as well.

Recently, I had the chance to take some updated pictures of them, so here's our little clan.  They're growing like weeds!

Pure Joy!

Last Sunday, our Primary children had their Sacrament Meeting program, titled "I am a Child of God."  They sing, give talks and the different class recite a sentence or two.  Ethan and Alys are both now old enough to participate.  Benjamin still has a year or two to go.  Anyway, for me it is always pure joy to sit and listen to the children, especially when they sing.  This year, Ethan also gave a talk and was able to read it all by himself.  I was so proud of him.  I have to admit that they brought me to tears.  Two songs in particular got to me, "I am a Child of God" and "Called to Serve".  Hearing about 100 or more children singing those songs was touching, not to mention the fact that during the chorus of "Called to Serve" Ethan couldn't help but yell "Forward, pressing forward".  I love our little children and am thankful for the things that they have learned and continue to learn.  I am grateful for their primary teachers that love them and teach them each week and for all the time that it put into the program so that we are able to enjoy it every year.  I can't wait for Benjamin to join them.

Fun Times with Dad

The kids love to rough house with Dad!  One day I caught them as they were all trying to get a horse ride...all at the same time.  I think even the horse was tired!  I'm so grateful my kids have a dad that will do those things and enjoy it even when it hurts!

Halloween and the Corn Maze

This year the kids were definitely looking forward to Halloween.  Ethan definitely knew he wanted to be a policeman.  Alys started off by wanting to be a princess and use her dress up clothes.  However, that changed from a princess to a fairy with wings and ended up being a ladybug.  Benjamin, well he was going to be a fireman, but we ran into a little resistance when it came time to wear his costume.  So, I think he got away with a fire hat.  I'm glad it was a combination of small items and not a fancy costume!

It had also been a long day.  We decided to visit a place called Linder Farms and do some fun activities there.  We got there shortly after it opened and it was great.  Because it was Halloween day, it was not very busy so it was nice and relaxing.  They had bounce houses, a cow train ride, straw maze, corn maze, food, etc.  The kids had a lot of fun as did we.

 After a little fun at the farm, we rushed home to have a snack and head off to church for our chili cook-off/trunk-or-treat.  Unfortunately, by the time we got there we were about 45minutes late and they were almost done!  So we rushed the kids around.

 Since we missed most of it, Woody took Ethan and Alys around the neighborhood a little once we got home.  Benjamin and I handed out candy since he was still being a pickle and very tired!  I had also made some chili for the cook-off the night before and that didn't make it either.  Woody was great and said it was fabulous though.  After a long day the kids were still excited and probably would've eaten at least half of their candy if we would've let them.  I think they had a great day!