All Things Merry Christmas To All.

I'm hoping over the holidays to play a little catch up on our Family Blog!! But until then, we wish you a safe, warm, happy holiday and we're looking forward to an exciting and adventurous 2011!

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All Things Pickle

Kata had to write about a Holiday Family Tradition. We have many, many traditions. But our very own was started with a Pickle Ornament I found at Tarjay.

I don't hang this ornament until late on Christmas Eve and the first kid to find it on Christmas morning gets to open their present first.

You can imagine the frenzy associated with the search. Here's a link to the origin of the tradition.

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All Things Thankful

Love our traditions like Riggsby Blueberry pie for Thanksgiving. Can't let pumpkin pie be the runaway favorite. And family. We love having Baka and Djedo here to join us on this holiday and remind us of all the things that make us thankful this year.

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All Things Looks Pretty From Far Away

There are things that look gorgeous from far away...like snow.

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All Things Oh No, Not Another Holiday Card Photo Session

It was a relatively mild early afternoon and I thought, ohdearIhavetogetthedarnfamilychristmascardphotodone. This year, I wanted to take the photo myself. So 214 shots later, here are the better ones...kinda.

When shooting three kids, you are almost always doomed because SOMEONE has to laugh...

Or make an awkward face...

Here's the card we sent out...the magic moment where all were looking at the camera at once and not grimacing. Well, almost not grimacing.

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All Things Must Come to an End

Alex and I are so excited to see Harry Potter 7.2. It's sad to think that this will be the very last one. But, before that we have "Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader". You all know how very much we're looking forward to that movie.

Kata and I are also looking forward to Disney Channel's "Avalon High". It's based on Meg Cabot's book and hey, anything with the Arthur legend in it has got to be good, right?

So once again we learn that while one thing may end, there are other things to look forward to in the coming weeks and months.

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All Things First Snowfall.

It's that time of year when amidst the golden colors of autumn, we begin to see white.

And we put on those parkas for the very first time.

That first snowfall is always so full of promise and hope. Promise that it won't stay long and hope that it'll be a mild winter.

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All Things Trendy

There are hairstyles that most women naturally default to. Oh, you know who you are. And let's face it, I'm one of you, too.

I love my bob. I confess. It's practical and always looks good. I've worn variations of it since I was 19 years old. But today, my darling, artistic-souled hairstylist suggested layering it more. My fear of looking like Mrs. Brady was tempered when it actually turned out rather cute.

Here's to boldly moving forward.

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All Things Spooky Oooky.

Apparently our years of "What Disney princess would you like to be, sweetheart?" are gone. The girls are done with my favorite costumes of all time, and I'm absolutely heart-broken that NO ONE was Snow White. I had the perfect plans to create a deliciously wicked poison apple. *sighs*

Instead, I present to you...a Zombie Princess.

A Country Diva. Don't ask that's the description on the package and let's face it my girls inherited my love of All Things Sequined.

And Dr. Who, himself. Blurred because he's a Time Lord. Travelling right now; most likely not even here. Don't blink.

Alex carved the above pumpkin all by himself. Perhaps I can retire my carving knife? Soon, I'm sure.

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All Things Nevada Day Parade.

Alex's Boy Scout Troop participated in the Nevada Day parade in Carson City and Ken being a good photog snapped a picture with Alex and Senator Harry Reid. As I told Alex it's a good thing that this mama wasn't there. The senator would've gotten an ear full from this liberal voting mom. But still, how cool is it to get a picture with one of only 100 elected officials who grace the Senate floor? And the Majority Leader, no less. It's pretty darn cool.

For those of you who wonder if I'll remind the kids that there is a two party system here in the United States, here's a picture taken the same day. The girls with elephants. There you go, I fairly represent both sides now, don't I?? Yes, I'm laughing...but just a little.

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All Things Reminder

We all need a reminder on occassion, don't we? A reminder that after storms there are rainbows. I literally stop whenever I see a rainbow and snap a picture. I need that reminder on a rainy day.

Speaking of reminders, I used up some of my fabric stash to make pillowcases for the kids. Who knows when I'll get to quilting again, but in the mean time, they can enjoy a fun pillowcase. 

Sweet dreams of rainbows to you all.

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All Things Middle School Band.

The sheer size of the sixth grade band is impressive. I adore that music (band, chorus, strings) are a requirement in sixth grade. Music really does feed the soul.

See? A soul being fed. Rock on, dude, rock on. Also, if you sit near our family, be warned...we are loud when it comes to cheering.

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All Things Pumpykins.

Our family has certain rituals that we stick to, no matter what. Like a trip to a pumpkin farm. This year we chose Lattin Farms. Who doesn't love a hay ride?

 Who doesn't love the chance to walk through muddy fields in search of the perfect pumpkin?

Who doesn't love cheesy moments? Like a cow train? Or a posing for a picture when your mom cries out, "Just one more, over here?"

And one more over here...

Oh, please, just one more picture. Here rest your weary, mud cased shoes...okay, ready? 1-2-3....*click*. Memorable moments are captured once again.

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All Things Cut It Off.

Alex's long hair was getting more than a little unmanagable and he'd worn it longer for a year. It was just time to...cut it all off. What emerged underneath all that hair, was a middle school boy that looked vaguely familar.

Change is sometimes a good thing indeed. 

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