Family Pictures

Jolyn was nice enough to take my family out Monday night and take pictures for us.

She did a wonderful job and I so appreciate her patience with my family of seven.

We are not the easiest bunch to photograph.

Here are a few of my favorite photos.  I think they turned out beautiful.  

Jolyn and I after these pictures have decided that neither of us ever want to be professional photographers.  It's too much work...and stress.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't my own family.  Steve and I were slightly ready to strangle a few of our offspring by the time we were finished.

Jolyn and I wanted to play with the light as the sun set, but my family was done posing.  I have so much to learn when it comes to taking pictures and most of this learning is time behind the camera.  One day maybe my kids will be more vain (ha ha) and want to sit for me longer.  Until that day...these will do just fine.

Thanks again Jolyn!!!!

 (This one has a story.  If you could only hear what I was threatening my kids with as we walked along my parents' front yard.  All smiles are fake and under duress.)

 

Couldn't ask for prettier light than in this picture.

Great job Jolyn!!!

...later I'll post the outtakes.  They show what my family is truly like.

Dad...here's what you missed on Sunday while you were at the hospital.

My dad traveled to Boise on Sunday afternoon to prepare for his Monday morning surgery.

I will admit, yesterday was stressful and emotional all around, but I'm happy to report that my dad came out of his surgery with flying colors.   His surgeon told my mom the procedure went perfect.  We won't find out the pathology results until tomorrow...but for now we are reveling in the happy news.

Love you Dad and we miss you tons!

I figured you'd have a lot of down time in the hospital, so these pictures we took on Sunday are for you.

Here's what we did on Sunday while you were away.

First of all, we got ready for 2 pm church.

Jolyn, Dan and crew met us there and attended our meetings with us.  The three little girls were remarkably good in sacrament meeting.  Sitting still at 2 pm is hard for anyone let alone two three year olds and a five year old.  The only time I thought I would lose it was when Saylor exclaimed very loudly to Leah, "Hey Nancy! Quit your honking."  No more watching Over the Hedge for Saylor...even though I'm secretly proud of her movie quoting skills.  

 After church and dinner we let the kids roast marshmallows like we promised.

I though Sadie would lose her mind with happiness!

We ate a few of those marshmallows too.

We also drank bright red crystal light...

 but not very politely.

The red crystal light left a few red mustaches.

There were also a few tears by those not allowed to drink out of the pitcher.

Lots and lots of tears.

 We even examined Colby's two loose teeth.  They are hanging on by icky threads.

Maybe just maybe they will stay where they are so you can pull them out with floss and the front door when you come back from the hospital.

After marshmallows and red staining punch, Steve cut the boys' hair.

I know it was on the sabbath...but the ox was in the mire....so in the mire.

Jolyn and I spent the rest of the evening taking pictures.

Lots and lots of pictures.

 Pictures of the girls playing

and twirling

and playing and twirling.

 Pictures of spouses.

 Pictures of dangerous baby holds.

 Pictures of photo bombs (Andrews new favorite obnoxious thing to do)

No really he is a photo bomber.

 We figured giving him the camera would keep him from bombing....

and he took this.

The setting sun made for some beautiful light.

The next three pictures are my favorite because of that light...

 except for maybe the underwear showing.

 I'm wondering if the underwear learned its bombing skills from Andrew.

Dad, we miss you and hope you feel better and come home soon!

Stay strong, rest well and recover quickly...Andrew has some bombing skills to teach you!

Grady at 11 weeks

My sister snapped a few pictures of Grady and I yesterday.  I don't get many shots of me and my boy, so I appreciated it.

Here is Grady at 11 weeks...crazy hair and all.  

(Not sure what to do with his hair most days- it sticks up no matter how I comb it or what I put in it.)

Oh man I love this little boy!

For the record...his eyes are still blue. 

Oh so blue.