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 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 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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All Things Back in the Pool.

Fall, for us, signals the start of swim lessons. The girls swim during the school year and I, frankly, look forward to a relatively peaceful 30 minutes of reading time.

After the hot, hurried days of summer, it feels good to be back in our routine and swim lessons always signals the start of that.

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All Things Family Camp

Alex's boy scout troop does a family camp every year and although the girls and I elected not to stay overnight, I think next year we just may. Look at their sweet faces when Ken and Alex put up the tent. My resistence to NOT CAMPING EVER may be caving in.

Boy Scouts are handy creatures. They set up things like swings so little sisters and brothers will have something to do. Bella didn't want to let go or to leave for that matter.

Alex recieved his Tenderfoot rank. Not bad considering that he's been in scouts for a little over 8 months.

And here's a picture of Alex proudly pinning Ken with the rank pin. I made Ken go up and participate mostly because he truly earned it by attending Boy Scout Summer camp with the troop this year. I still haven't gotten over the sheer volume of dust they brought back with them from Camp Fleishmann.

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All Things Roll On You Bears

Such a fun day for Alex and Ken -- they got to see Cal play UNR. And Alex wore his Cal shirt proudly when the band called him over to get a pic. Gotta love my alum mater's band. Everyone remember The Play? Yeah, I was there. Coming back home to the dorm after getting my haircut in San Francisco and wondering what all the hubbub was about. No, Ken cannot forgive me for that. Well, not entirely.

 Of course, UNR's mascot was a good guy.

But in the end...the winner was clear. Roll on you bears. I'd love to take Alex to a Cal home game. Perhaps, one of these days we'll make it a priority.

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