Kids.

Oh, family photo's how I love you.  This is one thing that I stress out about.....a LOT.  I think that's why it's October and I just barely took our photo's for the year.  I had a whole idea in my head for this shoot, but when we showed up to our location, the building that we were going to use was totally GONE.  Leveled.  We drove by it 2 or three times just to make sure.....yep.  It was gone.  So this was plan B.  I think they turned out pretty good ~ and there are definitely a few that I love, so I'll go ahead and call it a "success."  Mmmm...kay?

Chance was quite the trooper through the whole experience too.  He entertained the kids while I was busy, and even showed them how to make semi's honk as they drive by.  See, we were RIGHT next to the freeway.  That tunnel?  It's underneath all those big trucks.  Lilah wasn't too keen on the location choice either.  Anywho ~ Chance had a whole competition going to see how many semi's each child to coax into honking.  I think Crede won with a score of 9.

Once we ventured out onto the salty shores of the Great Salt Lake, we found an old ball and Chance made a game to see who could roll it in the hole's he dug.  It was great!  The problem was, none of the kids wanted their photo's taken.  They just wanted to play golf the whole time.  Ah, well.  I can't complain.  I do have a wonderful husband who is always so patient with me and loves me even when I act frustrated,  and I love him even though he wouldn't let me take any photo's of him.

Here's our results.  Look at 'em, smile....and enjoy.

Ready...

Set.

GO!

My favorite of the day......

 Another favorite....

 Grace was cracking me up in this one.  Cute little poser.  My other kids?  Not sure what was going on there.

Poor Lilah, all she wants is freedom.  Sweet Freedom.

Free!!!

I'm titling this:  The Smolder.

Morgan's idea.......

Real FC

 This year Morgan has had the opportunity to play with an AYSO "all-star" team.  She had tryouts (which were super stressful for her I think) and is really enjoying playing.  She is able to play with her good friend, Abigale, and they have really enjoyed being on the same team.  

They've played in Brigham City, Mt. Green and Ogden.  Their team tied for 1st place in their fall season...but lost their championship game in the last minute of the game.  Their team has played against 2 (12 year old) older teams too.  For their team to do this well in their very first season says a lot about those girls.  You should see some of the girls on the older teams.  They are SOOO much taller, it's a little intimidating sometimes.  It was so exciting to watch and most games you would find most of the parents standing up on the sidelines cheering as loud as they could.

Here was one game that I actually remembered my camera.....

The thing that impresses me about Morgan is the fact that she isn't scared of the older/taller girls.  Some of the other parents call her a "scrapper" because she gets right in the middle of the battle and usually can get the ball.  She's a tough little player. :)

 

A little pep-talk during half-time...

 

I can't remember why, but I think that Morgan was having a hard time during this game.  Abigale is such a sweet and thoughtful girl ~ she is always giving Morgan little squeezes if she needs it.

 

Go Real FC!

 

Yellow Fire!

 This is the very first year that Grace played soccer.  She was so excited to start, and she has a cute little team that likes to run in clumps around the field. :)  I really like her coach.  She always tells them that the most important thing is to have fun.  Grace is fun to watch because she is always wearing a huge grin as she runs around the field.  She even scored 2 goals in her first season...and during one of her games she even lost a tooth!  It was a pretty exciting start I would say.

Way to go Grace.

Grace enjoying a half-time snack...

 

I'm pretty sure Gage was in time-out....and poor Lilah.  She never is allowed out of her stroller.

 

Go "Yellow Fire!!"

 

Brigham City Temple

  This was a long awaited day in our house.  We reserved tickets to go see the Brigham City Temple during it's open-house.  The kids were so excited to go, and I was way nervous to take all of them because...well...we have a lot of kids. :)

First off, they did GREAT.  SOOO great.  They were patient, reverent, and respectful.  Lilah wasn't the little stinker that we know and love, and Gage stayed right by us the whole time.  We got to ride on a big bus (which was SO exciting for the kids) and the line wasn't TOO bad.  It was the perfect day....and we got some pretty perfect photo's to match. :)

Here's the temple as we were walking up to it:

This is all of us waiting in the underground garage for our turn....

 

After the tour was complete, our kids were FREEEEEEE!  We walked around the temple grounds, and the kids thought it was pretty cool that they could walk right up to the temple and touch it.

 

My attempt at a "group shot" with all the kids.......typical.

 

My beautiful Morgan.  She is sure growing up....and is such a pretty girl.

 

Creder...

 

Gracie....

 

And yes, this is the best close-up I got of Gage.  Stinker.

 

Aren't they cute everyone?

 

Aaaand my awesome attempt at a family photo using our self-timer.  Yay!  I love my family ~ and I am so glad that we were all able to go inside the temple together.  I can't wait to do it again when our kids are actually old enough to do temple work. :)

 

1st day of school....

This year I was so excited.  THREE kids in school at the same time!  And THREE kids in ALL DAY school at the same time.  What could be better?!

Morgan is in 4th grade this year, Grace is in 1st, and Crede is in kindergarten.  All 3 were SO excited to start again.  Morgan LOVES her new teacher, Graces teacher is super nice, and Crede has Grace's old Kindergarten teacher from last year ~ who is awesome.

Of course we had to take a few photo's before we left for school...

Love the goofy faces...

 

Morgan and her good friend, Destiny.....she lives next door. :)

 

Carpool!

Morgan with all her friends at school...