Beautiful Photos by JillBee

I'm so excited about these photos. Jill did such an amazing job capturing our family. The one of the four kids is my favorite. I will be using a few of these for our Christmas card (designed by JillBee as well) so stay tuned!

We took all of the shots at Bull Creek Park

I think the background is really interesting and pretty in all of the shots

At this point I am thinking "There is no way we are going to get any good shots"

And then. . .

She sends me. . . 

These precious shots of the children!

Sigh. . . Oh my goodness that face. . . that head. . . those cheeks. 

Will found a frog while we were there!

I cannot believe she got ALL of them to look at the camera!

This is my favorite family shot. . .if only John wasn't looking like a crazy man!

Matthew's 9 Month Appointment

All went well. He charmed the pants off the nurse when he did not cry or even yell when she gave him his Hepatitis B shot. Amazing.

Here are his stats:
Height: 28.5 inches (50%)
Weight: 22 pounds (70%)
Head Circumference: 46 cm (70%)

We need a bigger tub

Halloween 2012

We gathered at our house for the traditional Papa Murphy's pizza. Aunt Emily was in Cuba this year so her dad was in town to help out.

Alivia as the American Girl Doll, Felicity, from Colonial times. And Avery as a tiger.

Still not sure what this gal was. . . something from YoGabbaGabba? 

Will as Luke Skywalker from Star Wars

This stinker refused to wear his costume

Sigh. . .this cutie went to bed too early to even fool with a costume

Proof that Loye (aka Papa) was present on Halloween at my house!

Grandpa and Matthew

Matthew is almost 9 months old! 

Laity Lodge Family Camp 2012

I think each year just keeps getting more and more fun. Probably because we keep convincing more and more people to come with us. This year we went to Echo Valley with the Schoolers, the Trusses, the Zimels and the Frenches. All in all, there were 24 of us! We all stayed in cabins near one another which made it great. The kids are all about the same age and we all live within walking distance to one another in Balcones Woods. That is amazing. Oh, and we all go to the same church! So we are living life together in one big community. God has really blessed us.

We left the littles (John and Matthew) with my mom (my dad ditched her to go hunting - grrrr. . . . ). Although we really missed having the littles along, it is so much easier when the kids that come can sleep in big kid beds and can go without naps. Next year we are excited to take John along with us.

Sigh. . . the weekend was SO fun. It was really really really hard to go back to work today and jump back into reality. Did I mention there is no cell serve in the Canyon? I hope they never get it there!

If anyone reading this is looking for a great way to re-connect with family, friends and most of all God, go to Leakey, TX and spend a weekend along the Rio Frio. It will be an experience you will treasure.

Now for the pics!

Our entire group!

Just as we arrived to Echo Valley

Will and his buddy, Grayson Truss

The beautiful waterfront

We carved pumpkins for one family activity!

Sara French

Aggie Schoolers

Grayson and Will heading off to mischief

Our first activity was riflery

Rob, Michael, and Sara enjoying the weather

Then we moved to Archery

The porch there is amazing - the kids can ride scooters all around the Dining Hall

Amber-Rose and Christy

The girls! Kim, me, Amber-Rose, Christy and Sara

The guys participating in a skit where they had to shove dum dums into their mouths.  I think they got up to around 15!

I don't think I had ever canoed before! This was a great way to learn - the water is so clear.

Funky shot that Will took of the riverfront

Dance Party with Avery

Alivia went to a cute fundraiser for some middle school girls who are raising money for their dance program. The party was at Dancer's Workshop from 5-10 pm last Saturday night. Alivia and Avery were bursting with excitement. I was a little worried that Alivia might not make it until 10 pm, but she did fine. The face painting was a little much b/c it meant we had to come home and take a full bath! Alivia loved being with her cousin and going around to all the stations that included: face painting, t-shirt design, mani/pedi, hip hop dance class, games and a movie while their nails dried. Cute!