The Trauma That is Family Pictures

We went and got family pictures today and it was quite the experience. Neither of the girls wanted to be there (heck, I didn't really want to be there) and Keira was mad that we weren't getting her Christmas ornament now! We had promised that she would get to pick one out after, but that wasn't soon enough. So we managed to get a couple cute pictures and Rick and I even got a couple together. That hasn't happened in YEARS! 

Halloween

We had a fun Halloween at our house. I am not really a huge fan, minus the candy but I try to be excited for the kids. Keira has been so excited for it. This year she was talking about trick or treating and dressing up so I knew it couldn't be avoided any longer. Darn. She dressed up as a fairy princess and Elaina dressed up as a kid on Christmas morning (she took her nap right before we went to the mall to trick or treat so it worked well!) and we went off to trick or treat. I had little expectations for the mall other than it was inside on a very yucky day. It was PACKED but they got a bunch of candy and were really excited. Keira loved the whole thing. She loved seeing all the kids in costumes just like her, and loved that everyone was so nice to give her lots of candy. She even bowled over two big boys to get to a bag of M&M's that she really wanted. Too funny! Then we came home and my mom and dad joined us for pizza and then we watched The Nightmare Before Christmas. I am not a huge fan of that movie but we had easy access to it on Netflix instant on the Xbox so it worked. Keira really liked it, I think.

Next up is Andrea coming home and I am so excited! I love this time of year and Rick PROMISED to get all of my Christmas music off of the old hard-drive today. He has been holding it hostage so I wouldn't listen to it before Halloween. RUDE!

Fun with Daddy

Rick was entertaining the girls this morning with carving pumpkins (more of that to come later) and playing his new racing game on the XBox that he got for his birthday. I was running some errands and came home to find the baby passed out on the floor. Apparently, she had started out really excited to help Daddy play the game but the sounds of cars put her to sleep and Rick had to put her on the floor because he was afraid she would fall off his lap. She was so passed out she didn't even know I was taking pictures. Too funny. 

Portraits

Here are some cute pictures that were taken yesterday at JCPenney. I have never taken the girls to get pictures taken by myself at a studio before and I remembered why! Actually Keira was great. She smiled big for every picture and did exactly what we told her to do. Elaina wasn't having any of it and didn't finally warm up until the very end. She still was trying to run away but at least we got some semi-smiles. I have learned some things about ordering and such but we are going again in a couple weeks for family pics so hopefully it will go well too!

Countdown

I just wanted to point out that we are into the days in my countdown clock for Andrea coming home. I am so excited! I am so proud of all that she is doing while she is gone but I will be so glad to have her back home. I can't wait for her to see (and meet) her nieces. There is so much to catch up on the letters and emails can't make up for. The countdown is on!

Netty Jabbers Revived!

I have finally written a new post on Netty Jabbers so go check it out! I am going to try to go back to writing once a week so keep checking back. Thanks for the support.

Hermana Inman

We just got this picture of Andrea with her new companion yesterday. We are always excited to get a picture of Andrea because it rarely happens. Her companion is fresh from the MTC and Andrea gets to train her during her last transfer before she comes home. I am so proud of all she is doing and I can't wait to see her next month. Time is really flying. Keira is really excited to see Aunt Andrea even though she doesn't really remember her. I told her that Aunt Andrea will be able to teach her more Spanish like Dora speaks and she thinks that is really cool. Maybe we will have a bilingual child. :)