Family

But the long trip was so worth it to see all of these guys. 

And to see grandma and grandpa with 6 of 8 grandkids at once. 

They even let us sit in for a picture or two. 

And these guys didn't miss a beat of being cousins after not seeing each other for a very long time. 

And, of course, the other reason to make that trip is to fish. 

Perspective may make that one look bigger than the about three inches he really was. 

And even though there weren't a lot of bites in the heat of the summer, the quiet of morning could usually kick up a fight with a Northern. 

Even the girl caught a little one. 

But just riding in the boat and spending time together is good too. 

Flashback Friday

Man, I barely recall getting everyone together for this photo. 

I take it back--I don't remember at all. 

Elmore County Living

 

Not quite on the cover....

 

But there was a full page spread in there on how we seek stability.

Ha.  A family can dream. On the day the woman came out to take our photo, we had raced home to meet her from a soccer game following her the whole way to our house, sandwiched in a photo shoot, and then took off for an afternoon outing of some sort.

 

Can't tell you how many people approached us about this and we didn't even know it had been published--at the school, at the grocery store, at church, at the hair salon.  One of the girls finally brought a copy home from school.  There were two other families in there too--well dressed, color-coordinated, standing together perfectly families.  It must have been the dog (or the sheer number of us) that earned the full page picture.

 

So much for disappearing into the woods.

And yes, I did consider taking a picture of the picture to use for Christmas cards...

Family Photos

 

Ha--this one will be published in the church directory.

It was the best of this bunch...

 

We became a little more comfortable.

The boys tell me later they thought their teeth were dirty, so they wouldn't smile without their lips tightly pursed.

 

 

The photographer got them though, once mom and dad were removed from the picture.

Handsome crew.

Coming Soon

 

 

Stuber family photos...

Happy Thanksgiving

Boys! Where are the boys?!
Alida, thank you for bringing five items to hold back your hair, and then not using a single one of them.

Boys! Why are you horizontal?
Come on. Elaine, dear this is not American Gothic.

Okay, let me just run in here. I think the, oh, argh, never mind. Just a minute.
Wait, Patric are you wearing a hat?

Oh, that'll do kids. That'll do.
Happy Thanksgiving!

You Two

Ben and Alida July 2012

Ben and Alida June 2011

I love it.

Here Comes Santa Claus

 We bundled up the night after Thanksgiving to see Santa arive in Lawrence...from on top of the department store and down a fire truck.

 We arrived early, bundled and ready.

 And you forget sometimes what a simple time together can do for smiles.

 And wonder.

 Ha--a family photo.

And, being Texans now, we just wrap up in blankets since our weightiest coats are hoodies...

Randomness: November

When Patric had to work one Saturday last month, I put them to work cleaning.

They loved it, and then they blew through four different bottles of cleaning supplies.

By the time Patric came home, I had a raging migraine.

They'll wear pigtails sometimes now, which is cute.

Then they'll insist on having four or five put in their hair--whatever.

I went out and bought non-toxic cleaning supplies after that day.


She was really making a stand.

Until she got hit.

Ben building castles.

We let them decorate the tree this year and they did a great job.

Sisters--breaking into spontaneous, loving hugs every now and again.

And then, the first night when we came down from tucking everyone in, the tree had fallen over.

Whoops.

My brother and nieces came to visit over Thanksgiving weekend. It was great to see them. Nicholas was a little ramped up though.

This wig has seen better days.

Playing doctor at our house involves sawing and clamping with the tools.

This Picture

Is a first for me.

Halloween costumes in all family photos from here on out.

My Task Today

Find a family picture for the boys' family tree at daycare.

Goodness, easier said than done.

And Now That We've Said Farewell

We look forward to a repeat of this picture at your pick-up.

Well, maybe Alida will lift her head next time...

Even The Finest Camera

Can't fix some things.