Our Life In Pictures

Always a million things going on around here, and never time to blog . . .

I'll just post some photos and maybe a little information about what we have been up to lately.

In scrumptious baby news:

Joseph LOVES playing the piano. If anyone is playing, he immediately zooms over and demands access to the keyboard.

What? Is there a problem?

Jammin' Jerry Lee Lewis style.

I really want to chow down on this foot!

Conked out in the chair.

The kids have started helping out with the laundry -- glorious. Here they are working hard.

Really getting into it.

I don't get raking leaves; I'm from the south, and this is, thankfully, not an activity we had to do. The beautiful trees are evergreen, thank goodness, and we never had to rake anything except the occasional pinestraw.

Anyway, we got outside with the kids a couple of weeks ago and had a pretty good time working together.

Here's Nathaniel giving out orders.

One of Bradley's many talents is the ability to get out of work.

Lindsey's turn to be bossy.

We piled up all the leaves and made an awesome leaf fort. The kids were super excited.

Joseph looking handsome in his Carhartt overalls.

Joseph batted Chris' hand as he was feeding him some oatmeal and fruit -- this is the result.

One of Nathaniel's Scout requirements was to plant a tree. He and I went to the nursery, and he chose a young dogwood, which he planted in the yard.

He's really proud of his tree.

Speaking of Scouts, the boy completed his requirements and received his Bear Award last week. We are crazy proud of him.

Busy times these days. Busy and fun. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Me, Me, Me

So I have to catch up on a couple of "Tags" I have received lately. I hate writing about myself, but I guess I'll do it anyway.

From Emily --

I am: a woman, wife, mother
I know: I have a lot of learning to do
I want: my children to be truly happy and know I love them
I have: a headache
I dislike: selfishness
I miss: Adam
I feel: tired
I hear: the sound of the rain outside
I smell: peanut butter
I crave: a big, ice cold Coca Cola
I cry: when I think about the kids growing up and leaving home
I search: the Holy Scriptures
I wonder: if Chris will buy me a ticket to see Wicked
I regret: lots of things
I love: my family
I worry: about the outcome of Tuesday's election
I remember: half of what I wish I remembered
I dance: with my kids in the living room
I don't: like bananas
I argue: too much
I write: in my journal more lately than ever
I win: when I play Mario Kart against Mel
I lose: when I play Mario Kart against Nathaniel
I wish: my house were cleaner
I listen: to my kids when they talk, but not well enough sometimes
I can usually be found: right here, at home
I am scared: of public school
I need: a big, ice cold Coca Cola
I forget: a lot of stuff
I tag: Heather, Bec, Becca, Nanci, Nancee

And from Nancee --

10 years ago I . . .
1. was about 3 months pregnant with Nathaniel . . . and very ill.
2. had recently graduated from Augusta State with a degree in English
3. was living in Appling, Georgia
4. was a whole lot thinner
5. had a lot less to do everyday

5 things on my "To-Do" list . . .
1. laundry (of course)
2. clean out the van
3. make Joseph's scrapbook
4. go to the Temple
5. write letters to friends

5 snacks I enjoy . . .
1. oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
2. wheat crackers
3. apples with caramel
4. granola bars
5. edamame

5 things I'd do if I were a millionaire . . .
1. pay all our bills
2. invest, invest, invest
3. buy a house large enough for our family (but no larger!)
4. help make all my extended family as comfortable as possible
5. make charitable donations

5 places I've lived . . .
1. Augusta, Georgia
2. Orlando, Florida
3. Martinez, Georgia
4. Appling, Georgia
5. Provo, Utah

5 jobs I've had . . .
1. cashier at Food Lion grocery store
2. crew leader at Chick-Fil-A
3. tutor at the ASU Writing Center
4. editor for Thacker & Co.
5. mom

I tag . . .
1. Jessica
2. Lisa
3. Kylee
4. Jen
5. Emily

1. Friends
2. Memories
3. Some time to ponder

Halloween Was A LONG Day

It started off with a couple of handsome boys going to school in their costumes . . .

Indiana Jones:

Looking quite tough. (Love that 5 o'clock shadow.)

And a very cute ghost . . .

I mean, scary ghost!

This picture cracks me up.



Lindsey, of course, was Snow White.

We all went to our ward "Trunk-or-Treat" and had tons of fun.

Manda the Cowgirl, with the world's cutest baby dinosaur.

Dr. Jones, closely guarded by Batman.

Ready for some candy!

Chris' spooky effects always draw a crowd.

Baby Dino watches the action.

Oh no, Snow has bitten into the poison apple!

The whole gang (Mel is a banshee).

BOO!!!



Hope everyone had a fun, safe Halloween.

1. Cute costumed kids

2. Mel's talent at making costumes

3. Candy, baby!

The Princess Has A Birthday

Our little girl is another year older . . . it's the big FOUR! She had, what else, a Princess party. It was so much fun, especially since her aunt Amanda made the trip from Seattle to be here for her birthday. Here's what happened:



Her highness, the beautiful Snow White.



A courtsey to reveal her pretty red shoes, once belonging to her cousin, the Princess Kaitlyn.

Let's get to down to business here.

A Pretty Pretty Princess dress-up game from Marmee.

Princess PJs.

She tries to hide her absolute joy -- Prince and Princess dolls!!!! Courtesy of aunt Mel. Hooray!

Chris and I bought her what we thought was a beautiful coat. When she opened it, she said, "It's just a plain old coat." Funny and spoiled rotten.

A little cash from Katie.

A cool hopscotch game from aunt Shannon.

Princess jewelry.

Princess golf clubs from uncle Josh and aunt Karol. And right behind her on the piano is the DVD of "Sleeping Beauty" from Two-E and Pa and the crown from aunt Mel.

Posing with her immense stash of gifts. She got an awesome Princess Art set from uncle Matt, several Princess dolls from aunt Manda, and (boring) clothes from her parents. She is one blessed little girl, very grateful to her wonderful family and friends.

The beautiful decorations.

Can you believe this cake! Uncle Matt baked it, and Mel decorated it. Aunt Manda dipped the chocolate-covered strawberries. It was a beautiful piece of art . . . and it was delicious!

Blowing out the candles.

It was a truly wonderful birthday, with so much Princess stuff it was almost unbelievable. My little girl was happy, so it was a smashing success.

Lindsey, you bring so much joy to our family. How perfect these last four years have been! I hope you don't mind that I put down in words, how wonderful life is now you're in the world. I love you eternally, with all my heart, and I'm so proud to be your mom!

1. Lindsey Adora Black

2. Family birthday parties

3. Another year together