Family Pics. . .need I say more?!

I once got all my kids (back when I just had three) to Kiddie Kandids for pictures and by time we were called the kids were tired. . .I remember thinking, "this girl better be able to get a good picture because it was so hard getting here." When she couldn't easily, she just looked at me and calmly said, "maybe you should just come back tomorrow." I knew immediately that she didn't have kids. . .and I wanted to strangle her! It is nearly impossible to get all of the kids PLUS me AND Dave dressed somewhat similar, in clean clothes, with hair done, make-up on, faces/noses clean AND everyone happy at the same time. . .I decided the ONLY time that ever even ALMOST happens is on Sunday RIGHT before church! So, luckily I have a sister who could come over at that time and take a few pics for us last week. Then there's the big decision of WHERE to have the pic taken. This time we chose the center of our home. . .in front of the fireplace. Turned out you can see the pic of the temple in the back too--very cool! :) Anyway, YAY, we got a pretty good one, plus one of Dave and his boys and me with my girls. . .why do we do that? I don't know, I guess just because we can:

My sister Chrissy had the funniest post a couple years ago where she posted all the "out-takes" it took before getting a good picture. It made me laugh so hard, so I figured I'd copy her if I ever could. . .too bad I didn't remember until now because I've already gone through and deleted all the "bad" ones. But, believe me, we had Kaleb with his WHOLE fist in his mouth, Mark pouting with a frown because we made him take off his glasses (glare), Darci with a forced fake smile because we were yelling at her to "look at the CAMERA and SMILE", Kyra scrunching her face and looking away because Kaleb had her hair in his fist (and, yes, the one that was all the way in his mouth), and of course, me sweating to death because I've been running around trying to have everyone ready at the same time. Dave got to just get himself dressed, stand in for a few pics, and being the "guy" that he is, got to announce after about 10 snaps "we better have a good one, because this is the last one I'm standing here for!" :)

Weekend with my SISTERS!

I just LOVE sister time, friend time, family time, neighbor time. . .any time I can be with those I love and get to know them better, build connections, and engage in bonding time! In all reality, I think that IS what life is about! Well, ok, that AND proving ourselves, but our relationships we build and the help we give to one another is a major part of what we'll take with us to the next life! Can't you just imagine that someday we'll be looking back on our lives on Earth and wonder why we didn't spend more time helping others? I think you need to really know people to really be able to help them, and to really know people you have to really spend some time with them! Anyway, since I'm already all over the place, I'll just throw this in too: I was just telling Kyra this morning that we must've been such great friends in Heaven that we actually got to share our time on Earth together and in such a close way as mother and daughter! How blessed we are to have families, neighbors, wards, friends, etc. to help us through our time here and to make the ride so enjoyable! :):):) I know that where we are is no accident and we shouldn’t take anyone around us for granted! I understand there must be opposition in all things. . .for us to completely understand what we have, we must first go without. I've never been without my sisters and therefore have probably taken for granted their presence for much of my life. But, my SIL Michelle who has no sisters (although she gained 7+ when she married my brother!) reminded me once of how blessed I am and I've never forgotten it. I truly am blessed, and even more so that I actually get to live VERY close to many of them, in this way my children are blessed also to be able to grow up with their cousins! :) Anyway, to get to my point, I had the best weekend with my sisters and my moms! We got to spend two full days together talking, laughing (of course), playing games, going out, and pampering ourselves. Here are some pics: Oh, but first I want to write “anyway” one more time: Anyway, I think I have now achieved my goal of never making sense when I blog!

Zumba baby!

Trip to the temple

Out to lunch

Witches night at Gardner Village

Back massages!

Our new hair colors/styles, freshly manicured/pedicured nails, AND waxed brows/faces! hee hee