Family Pictures

My friend, Becky Goins, recently took our family pictures. She is amazing and SO patient. I LOVE the results and can't wait to design my Christmas cards. This first one is my favorite, but I love all of them.

Keller wasn't so happy to take pictures. We settled for at least not screaming...

Seriously my hubby is a stud!

Thanks again Becky. You're the best!!!

Petersen Pictures

I took the Petersen's family pictures a couple of weeks ago. Brittany is Chad's cousin and she and her husband, Ryan, have the cutest little family. Ezra is almost 3 and then she has 1 year old twins - Lucy and Levi. Let's just say we had our work cut out for us! Here are some of the best ones.

This smile is going to cause trouble for sure!

Mom & Lucy

This is what the kids wanted to do the entire time. They had fun exploring between poses.

Isn't she one hott mama?!

The best family photo. All three kids looking - check. Cute smile on mom and dad - check!

Where it all started -

Thanks Britt for letting me get some more practice on my camera. PS - Your chocolate chip cookies were too die for ;)

Gratitude

It's the time of year to sit down and think of the many things I am grateful for. This year I'm only listing things that are new - things that I may not have realized I was blessed with last year or things that happened between last year and this year.

First on my list - sweet baby KELLER. I just love, love, love him! He has been the perfect addition to our family. I could love on him all day long. Holding him never gets old and I love the way we are able to bond when I nurse him. Vance adores his baby brother and is beyond sweet with him. He even "gave" (more like lends) Keller his green blanket. Our family feels content (for at least a couple of years) and we are so blessed to have two healthy boys.

I'm grateful for Chad's job. Since last year he got a PROMOTION which has made life financially much easier. It's so nice to know we make enough to live modestly and still save and have money for life's little emergencies. I know sometimes he gets sick of it, but I am glad he is such a hard worker.

Next up is my job. I'm working LESS DAYS than before I had Keller and it's the perfect schedule. I usually work two 6-8 hour days and one 3-4 hour day. It's just the right amount of work. It gives me some alone time which makes me a more patient and loving mom. It also gives me a little play money which is always appreciated.

Vance goes to PRESCHOOL. This has been great for both me and Vance. It gives me a little break and gives Vance something to do. Obviously all the learning that is going on is great too! He is one smart cookie. I'm constantly amazed with how much he is absorbing so quickly. The homework and reading gives us some purposeful activities to do during the week too.

I feel like I've gotten CLOSER to some amazing friends this year. They aren't necessarily new friends, but we've definitely gotten closer. It's so nice to have somebody to call on a rough day or to go grab some frozen yogurt and chat.

I'm grateful for my HEALTH. I finally really got motivated to diet. It has needed to happen for quite a few years now, but I just couldn't commit for some reason. I still have more to lose, but I feel healthy at least. I'm starting to get in shape and it feels great. I'm grateful that I can run a couple miles without wanting to die!

One last thing because I feel too guilty having a gratitude list without Vance and Chad on it. I was grateful for them last year, but if it's possible every year I am more and more thankful for them. I can't imagine life without Chad. He is truly my everything! I also can't imagine life without Vance's bubbling personality. He always makes me laugh with his spunky, witty, charming attitude.

I am definitely one blessed woman. I have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving and ALWAYS!

Aviation Nation

My dad took all the grandsons to Aviation Nation at Nellis Air Force Base on Veteran's Day (whew that's a lot of caps). The boys had so much fun and Vance won't stop talking about it.

I have to say how impressed I am with all of the pictures my dad took. Normally when you send a guy with a camera you get maybe 3 pictures of random stuff. My dad took so many good pictures!

This is one of my faves!

Grandpa even splurged for some ridiculously priced pizza for the boys to share. After the air show they went to McDonalds for a little more to eat. My dad had the kids from like 10-4. It was heavenly to have a little break.

Vance won't stop talking about how he got to wear a parachute.

Thunderbirds in the background -

Inside a helicopter -

Thanks dad for taking the boys. You're the best grandpa!

Photography Practice

I have been trying to play around with the manual settings on my camera lately. It is beyond overwhelming, but I feel like I am starting to get a little better. My favorite subjects are Vance and Keller! They definitely get sick of the camera, but I don't care.

Keller's favorite pose - rub the head and suck the fingers.

Top Shot

Chad planned our 2nd annual top shot. It was SO fun and he did a great job putting it together.
He made trophies for the champ of each weapon: rifle, pistol, and shotgun.

He gave this old BB gun to the "young gun champ."

It is quite a production to get everyone out there and shooting. We lined up the cars, started a fire, set up a couple of tables and chairs, and a cooker to make hot chocolate.

Chad was busy setting up the events. On the left is one of the rifle events. It is 5 clay pigeons. You used a 22 rifle and had 5 shots. Each pigeon was worth 5 points for a total possible 25 points. The balloons and bottles were for the 22 pistol. You got 5 shots to hit your targets and each target was worth 5 points. There was also another 22 rifle event where you got 5 shots at a bullseye target and then you added up your points.

Colton and Vance thought the best part was just running around (far behind the shooters of course).

Uncle Chad explained the events and gave a quick gun safety lesson.

My mom, Leslie, me and Amy. Looking fabulous as always...

The kids got to shoot first.

The dads helped Vance and Colton but everyone else did it by themselves. Everyone thought it was so funny when the bottles broke. One advantage of your husband working for an alcohol distributor is access to lots of beer bottles.

Vance ready for the rifle event.

Luckily Grandpa hurried over to help him. The gun looks bigger than he is!

Next up were the women. Leslie was determined to be the women's champ so she thought some light stretching was in order. haha

Chad and I showing off my target. You'll notice 3 holes in the red - I believe those are bulleyes folks! That event made me the official women's champ. Woohoo! Chad was pretty proud ;)

Thank heaven for iPads. The little boys got bored and a little cold so we took their shoes off and sent them in the car to watch Cars 2 on the iPad. They stayed in there the rest of the afternoon.

The guys were last. They all shot good, but Chad tore it up on the shotgun and was the men's champ.

The women didn't compete in the shotgun because the gun kicks a little and not everyone wanted to. I tried 5 times and hit 2 pigeons. Not too shabby, but definitely need a little more practice.

The final scoreboard. The top three scores participated in the top shot. It was Chad, my dad, and me. We each got to pick a weapon, a target, and a distance. After each of our three shots the one with the most points was THE top shot.

Amy sat in the car and watched Keller so Chad and I could both participate in the top shot event. (luckily Keller slept the whole time in the car before that)

My dad and I both made the 1st shot, but Chad missed. We all missed the 2nd shot. The last shot was Chad's choice that he had to make to stay in the running. He said you had to throw your own clay pigeon and shoot it with the shotgun. Dad missed. Chad got it. I was next and if I got it I won. The problem is I can't throw a pigeon. Seriously can't. throw. a pigeon. We agreed that Chad could throw from behind me. I had to hold the gun in my left hand only and when he said "pull" I could bring the gun up to shoot. Let's just say I made the LUCKIEST shot in the world. My gun got stuck on my hoodie so I didn't even sight in the target and shot from my him, but I hit the clay pigeon and became the 2011 TOP SHOT!!!

Chad and the kid's champ - Carson.

The women's and men's champ - Me and Chad.

The weapons champs: David - rifle, Chad - pistol and shotgun.

Top shot - ME!!!

Joe was the 2010 top shot so he was in charge of making the trophy for this year's winner. He made this amazing wooden plaque. We are going to get metal plates to record all the winners.

Thanks Chad for planning such a fun afternoon for our family. Til next year...