Family Pictures

Well, it's that time again! Time to grab the tripod and head off to take some family pictures. It's cracks me up how much they change in such a short period of time! Even their smiles and facial expressions change drastically.

This time we added a new element. Our 6 month old monster... I mean puppy. Sure he looks gorgeous, sweet and kind, but beneath that exterior lies a puppy trapped in a giant and almost full-grown body.


As usual, I took over 100 but these are a few of my favorites.



His looks are changing SO much! He looks so much more mature here to me. 10 years old.. wow!



Once a toothless grin, she is now growing into her smile. My "baby" is certainly not a baby anymore!



It is absolutely shocking to me that he is now a teenager and in just a few short years he'll be driving, dating, and lots of etc! WHERE does the time go???



Yep that's me! Cheese!


The poor little ducks kept following us thinking we had food I guess.


My sweet little Ruby waiting patiently until it was HER turn for pictures.


We'll just pretend getting this picture was Easy Peasy!


And this one too! My "little" Duncan...



The swans and ducks were so funny. They even followed the dogs out of the water.



Ready to report to work!

WCSD Honor Choir

For the second year, Michael has gotten into the Washoe County School District Honor Choir. It is AMAZING! The three groups are 6th grade, Middle school and High School. Jared is excited to be able to try out next year. Last year it sold out at 1500 people at the Pioneer Center. This year it sold out at 2000 at the Nugget. As I said, they are amazing!



The 6th graders were up first


Then the Junior High schools.


That happens to be Michael's choir teacher playing the French horn. (The lady in red. ;-) )










Then the High Schools



This has been all three of my kids' choir teacher. Cai Lynn is now lucky enough to have her for honor choir. (She also teaches music to all the grades in their elementary school.)


Michael has had her for 2 years now, and hopefully the other two will get her as well!


What a great night! I just LOVE music!

Trick-Or-Treat!!!!!

Happy Halloween to one and all! Even though Halloween is one of my least favorite holidays, (if not THE least favorite) we are always SUPER busy! I know that it can also be so much fun and exciting, and thanks to great friends and family we did just that.

I hate the grossness and gore of the day (and season) and all that it CAN hold. But I also know how fun dress-up and candy gathering, etc is.

We had SO many Halloween parties to attend! With friends, neighbors, ward members etc, we were VERY busy! There was a total of 7 parties we attended and Jared's costume even changed once.

While I would like to be "themed" as a family, I haven't been completely able to talk the kids into it yet. ESPECIALLY the oldest. ;-) So there you have it.



We went trick or treating at my work that morning with the only two of my kids that didn't have school. :-)


My littlest lobster





That night of course out came the candy sacks and off they went...


This is the first year my kids have both been old enough and we know SO many of our neighbors that they were able to go trick or treating by themselves. I stayed home, manned the door and the dogs. :-)



Jessica and the girls came over about 15 minutes after the kids headed out, I told her the route, and she was able to catch up with them.



Tick-Or-Treat!!!!!

Another Round at Apple Hill

Once again we were off to Apple Hill. We absolutely love it! WE have our favorite ranches we visit for various reasons and it is well worth the 2 1/2 hrs once a year to pick apples, pumpkins, and visit with friends.



A view of South Lake Tahoe on the way there. (Michael took this from a moving car. :-) )


One of the little pumpkin patches



They got theirs! Now to get mine...


A quick photo op...


Jared and Ryan


Shawna and me :-)


You can always meet friends at Apple Hill!


One of my former students we happened to see there. This is our favorite place to have some lunch. The boys always get their tri-tip sandwiches.


Off to feed the goats


And pet the calves



And cluck at the chickens


A few of the kids I could round up long enough to pose for a picture.



Another pumpkin photo op


We saw this guy walking down the road with his emu on a leash. We found him again at one of the ranches where he sells his emu products.


Just like "Fisherman's Warf" I take a picture of the kids at this spot each year.


Now off to feed the ducks and fish. (The fish eat right out of your hand.)


Someone wants a pony ride


A couple more stops and then home. This is Tahoe on the way back. We collected some pine-cones and took a couple of pictures.



Another great day with friends and family.