Family Picture Time

We have always tried to do a family photo in the fall. We usually use them for Christmas cards and to update the pictures for the grandparents. This year I have to say was pretty challenging. We like to use the timer and for the most part the kids will look at the camera. Well this year we had 2 babies to try to get to look at the camera at the same time. So first we set up the camera by itself and it wasn't working, so then Tony set up his headlamp above the camera and turned the light on, that worked for a minute, so then we turned the sound on the camera so it clicked when it was getting ready to take the picture, and then finally we got one of their toys that had lights and sounds to get their attention. It would work until someone said anything then the babies would look at them. I think we took 100 pictures but we did get a couple of cute ones. Since we have been doing family pictures every year since Tylin was born, I thought it would be fun to see how our family has changed over the last few years. We only missed a couple of years when I was pregnant and refused to be in any photos, but I love to look back through the photos.

September

We have had a busy September. Tylin started 2nd grade. She loves her new teacher and is making lots of friends. She is also in gymnastics and loves it. Her favorite is the bars. Tanner started preschool but he's not too sure about school. He would rather be home, he is doing well in school though and hopefully will gradually warm up to the idea. He also learned how to ride his bike without training wheels. He learned in two days. He was very determined and never gave up until he had it down. Now he zooms all over not much slows him down. He also is in soccer and is pretty good at it. I think he will be our athlete.

The twins are now 8 months and are on the move. Karter is an army crawler and travels all around the house. She has also started to jabber and it is so fun to listen to her. Kinley gets up on all fours and lunges forward, it is a lot of work but effective. She moves pretty good too but she is content to just play. I have to be really careful to keep the floors clean because everything goes in their mouths. Kinley is the screamer. She is happy but she just likes to hear her voice. She can be very loud especially in church.

We have had a lot fires nearby so our valley is filled with smoke. It has been about a month since we have seen the mountains and a couple of days ago we finally saw blue sky. I can't believe how much I have missed a clear sky and the sun. We still have a lot of smoke and are praying for moisture to clear it up. At least the fires are contained. We are looking forward to fall and cooler weather.

Fair Fun

We had our annual county fair and because we live so close to the fair grounds we drive past everyday and see the rides and hear the music so the kids get really excited and beg to go. So I loaded up all four kids and we headed to the fair. We like to look at all the animals and there are some fun activities for the kids. Tylin participated the kids tractor pull. She pulled 100 pounds 21 feet.

There was also a play area where Tanner got to rope some cows. They also had a really good petting zoo with lots of different animals.

Then I let the kids pick a few rides to go on and they each got a treat. They both picked caramel apples. Yum! Then we went home to rest up before the big rodeo. Tony kept the twins and I took the two older kids back for the rodeo. Tanner loved the bucking broncs and Ty loved to watch the girls barrel race. I think I love going to the fair because it reminds me of when I was growing up. It is a fun tradition and I hope we can keep going every year.