Family Pictures

Is it just me or is getting family pictures taken one of the most stressful things there is? Even when I think I am so prepared, I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off the day of the pictures... Ironing the clothes, making sure we are "perfectly coordinated" (like it really matters), curling Liv's hair, crossing my fingers that we get at least 1 shot where we are all smiling or at least just looking at the camera, running to my friend Tara's at the last minute to get matching flowers for the girls' hair. Despite all of this, our pictures turned out great & we actually had fun getting them taken. I couldn't be happier with them! Here is a sampling of some of our favorites... O.K., a lot of our favorites. I couldn't decide which ones to post.

Tiff's Wedding

One of my best friends, Tiffany, got married the last weekend of August. She has been through a great deal over the past 3 years... More than many of us encounter in a lifetime. I have learned a great deal from her. She has faced each trial that has come her way with amazing faith & grace. She is an incredible woman who married an equally outstanding guy, Ryan. I have no doubt that he will make her very happy. Congratulations to you both! I love you, Tiff! Thank you for your example & for inspiring me to be a better person!

She Crawls!

It's official... We have a crawler at our house. Life has gotten a whole lot busier! Lyla started to crawl at almost 9 months to the date. Even though I am feeling a little crazy, she is a lot happier! She loves her new found freedom. It is so cute to watch her follow Liv & Will all over the house. Her favorite spot to crawl to is in front of the sliding glass door. I tried to keep it clean for the first couple of days but finally resigned to the fact that it was going to be covered with little Lyla hand prints no matter how many times I wiped them off!

First Day(s) of School

Since I have been M.I.A. all summer & haven't blogged, I decided that the first day of school shots were a good place to start again. Both Olivia & Will were so excited to start school. Liv had some "jitters" about being a 1st grader, but she is doing great. All that I can get her to tell me about school is that it's "good"... I guess she's not in tears & is excited to go each day, so all must be well. I think I had a harder time with it than she did! Starting school for Will was a very good thing as he had started to get quite bored with Livi being gone. He loves Super Start School & can't wait to go each day. He has been a little confused as to why he doesn't get to take a lunch like his big sis... We compromised on packing a snack in his lunch box that he can eat when he gets home!