New Family Pictures

Despite my past as a photographer, I just cannot bring myself to pay someone else to take our family pictures. **Hangs head in shame**

But we persist. We usually go one of two routes:
1. Self timer
or
2. Trade

The first is self-explanatory but the second just means that I take pictures for someone and they take pictures for me. This year we chose the latter.

Without further ado.

 This is the picture we sent out in our Christmas cards. We apologize if you didn't receive one or didn't receive one yet.

 Lucas. Skeptical as always.

 Libby. Need I say more?

 Thick as thieves, these two.

 *Sigh* Abbie is well on her way to being a sullen teenager. We still like her though.

 In truth, all Lucas wants is all of your attention all of the time. I'm not sure why this is a problem.

 Love this guy. Lots. P.S. Today is his 35th Birthday.

 An excellent shot of all the kids together. Gonna order this one larger.

 I really love their expressions in this one. Perfection.

 Um. Yah. Daddy's girl, much?

 Gah! I just can't take her cuteness!!!

 I will not admit that she is our favorite. I will not. I just won't.

 I have big hair.

 Such a handsome dude. I'm a little worried about the girls as he gets older, but then I remember that he's completely physically uncoordinated and I worry less.

And finally, besties! I hope they stay that way. So far, mostly very little fighting. And yes, we're in big trouble with such gorgeous ladies!

And Finally: Where I'm All Caught Up

We received the amazing blessing of a free piano a couple of weeks ago. We've been wanting one for years but just don't have the money. Fortunately, we have an amazing friend who kept her ear to the ground for us. Having music fill my home is fantastic: the husband plays, I do not.

Maybe one of these days, Miles will put on a shirt for group pictures but I wouldn't count on it.

Sad Filled With Happy

 On August 15, 2012 my paternal Grandmother, Lillian Beatrice Solter, passed away. She was 91 years old.  And while we were sad that we won't get to spend any more time with her in this life, we were so relieved that she was freed from her body. It was really weighing her spirit down! To show support for my father, I flew to Pennsylvania for her Memorial Service. It was a really nice service followed by an awesome family reunion. Granted not everyone could be there (my sister and I were the only two of my nine brothers and sisters present), but it was great to get to see my cousins that I've not seen in YEARS.

 This is my Grandfather (on the left) and my Dad (his shirt says, "Grandfather means Been there Done that.")

And admittedly, seeing my sister Jenny was the highlight of my trip!

 Dangit! I miss her!

This is one of Jenny's brood. Benny. Don't tell anyone but he's my favorite.

 And Tab. He and Miles are two peas in a pod. 

 I'm including this picture because I didn't get shots of Paisley or Hobbes (Jenny's other kids). Deal with it. 

 My grandfather with all four of his children. That handsome guy all the way on the right? That's my daddy. 

And my personal favorite. My grandfather with some of his 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren (and counting!). Oh Look! Just kidding, I did get a picture of Hobbes and Paisley! Not a total fail, Jenny!

We'll miss Grandma but as my grandfather said, "She's having a good laugh about this somewhere!"

Random Scenes

 Uh. Those superheroes be mine.

 Grocery shopping is exhausting.

 Grapefruit be growing.

 Everyday LEGO battles are a necessity.

 O. My. Word. The cutes.

 We go on dates and eat tiny cones of gelato.

 My family.

 13 years since we started dating. We still like each other very much. 

 To celebrate, I bought myself four new pair of shoes.

Libby loves to brush my hair. I let her. We both win.

I hope you enjoyed this installment of randomness.

On The Trail

 Rather than cheat and drag these pictures out into 5 different posts (which I would totally do), I am opting to just dump them all here. 

He doesn't find us nearly as humorous as we find him.

 Oy. Growing up way too fast there, Abbie.

 Bahahahaha! Also not amused.

Despite being the skinniest child possibly in the history of ever, he's so freaking cute. And devilish.  

 No words. Just love.

I'm channeling my inner fashionista. Apparently.

 No, she doesn't ever want to hold my hand. I spend most of my time chasing her. 

 I have a feeling he is going to be a powerful force someday. For good or evil... it is yet to be determined. 

We really should have put this one in modeling.

Thanks for taking that walk with us!

What I Got For Mother's Day...

 Well, I asked for a LOT of things for Mother's Day.  To be specific: These and maybe one of these. Or perhaps something perhaps maybe a little bit like this. I could go on.  But ya know, sometimes the money just isn't there. Which is fine. Really. Especially since we just booked a cruise (I know!!!) for June.

So in the end, what I told the husband I would like was some pictures of me with the kids. Simple enough, right? Ha. Ha. Haa...

Uh, Libby... over here. At the camera. Not the squirrels. Also, I require children to cover up my roly poly midsection, thanks.

 Um. Miles? Dude. And really Abbie? The book???

 Can we just pretend I only have four kids and Photoshop Abbie out of this one? Matt wondered if she might be turning into one of those weird EMO kids with their Harry Potter and non-showering. We can't let this happen.

 So, we let loose a little. Make a funny face. Sure. Great. According to the husband I look Nazi deathcamp skinny in this one (so I went and ate some cookies).

 I finally took Abbie's book away and made her actually join the rest of us (she looks thrilled). Shout out to Anna for looking perfectly posed in every picture. She gets it from me.

Then Lucas decided to stick his hand down my shirt and tickle me in the er... cleavage? Yeah, photoshoot over.

P.S. Check out my hair!!!?!?!

On Wealth

 I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about wealth. And riches.

 The husband has a good job. He works very hard and provides well for our "little" family. All of our needs are met. And quite a lot of our wants. Of course, we always wish for more, right? I mean, would it be too much to ask that my children have actual beds to sleep on? (Some of them sleep on mattresses on the floor because they BROKE their bed by jumping on it... ahem.) (And if we're being honest, the husband believes he is going to build us two sets of bunkbeds. I'm just impatient.)

 But when it comes right down to it, I know that having things like fancy furniture (anything without marker on it), and extravagant vacations (qualifies as anyplace overnight without the kids) aren't important. Truly. I mean, look! We are wealthy. We are rich beyond measure.  

I wouldn't trade it for the world.