Family pictures

Well, it's that time of the year. It's a sad statement, but the 5 of us are very rarely together in one place at one time -for more than a couple of hours. And it's impossible for me to get any good photos of us all. However, at Thanksgiving every year, I insist that we get a family photo. It's usually a battle, and there are casualties each year - but in the end I get my family photo. Usually, there is maybe 1 good one for me to choose....but I'm happy to get that one. This year, there were battles, and oddly enough - it wasn't from the teenagers - it was from the little one. Kaylin will never be a model - she HATES having her picture taken. She got so mad at me she almost couldn't stand it. I did manage some good shots of her, but not nearly what I wanted. I guess beggars can't be choosers. Anyway, below you will find some of the shots from that day. They were taken in Rowlett at Bryan's parents house.

Here are some that I took - for fun - that I thought were good...

More Halloween fun

Glorianna - Tayler - and Kati (Tayler was a graveyard fairy and Kati - well she was sick so she didn't really dress up)


Part of our haunted porch - as reference in the post below

Keep in mind - it was totally dark - the flash brightened it up (and made it not as scary)

My invisible man waiting to scare the kids

Dry ice doesn't last as long as he had hoped

Halloween fun

Well, another Halloween has come and gone. Luckily this year, Bryan was actually home for his favorite holiday - and didn't have to pretend his Pilot's uniform was a costume. He spent well over 4 hours yesterday fixing up our front porch. He had it all blocked off with black plastic, so you had to enter into the plastic to get your candy. He then changed our porch light bulb to a black light, and added scary music/sounds. For the finishing touch - Dry ice!! It created a nice haze of smoke. Needless to say - I had to chase more than a few frightened little kids down the street to give them their candy. They didn't want to have anything to do with the scary house.

We also, for the first time, had Kaylin this year!! Imagine that - our entire family all together for a fun holiday!! The only little blurp was Kati being sick. She stayed home from school yesterday with a fever and a sore throat. She didn't want to go trick or treating last night, since she didn't feel well. Bryan and I didn't want her to feel left out, so we kept pushing her to go. We finally convinced her to take Kaylin around the block, and since she was going, she might as well put part of her costume on and take her bag too. So, she did get some candy. She didn't seem disappointed though, she loved handing out candy on our scary porch!!

Here are some pictures. Keep in mind - the flash lit up the porch - so you need to envision it totally dark.

In the dark - Bryan's mask appeared black - and made him virtually invisible - until he wanted you to see him. And I didn't realize my black cat costume was scary - until kids screamed.

Our Bat Girl

I' m having a problem getting the other pictures to load. I will keep trying and post them when I can.

More Birthday Fun

All you need is your own imagination

So use it that's what it's for

Go inside, for your finest inspiration

Your dreams will open the door

It makes no difference if you're black or white

If you're a boy or a girl

If the music's pumping it will give you new life

You're a superstar, yes, that's what you are, you know it

Vogue

Birthday fun...

We had a family party for Tayler's birthday this weekend. She had a blast! I admit I didn't take many pictures - however the kids did get a hold of my camera. When I went to download - there were 92 pictures taken. As most of you know - my children love taking pictures of themselves. Here is a sampling of their world....

My Birthday Cheesecake

Did you call my name?

There is Tayler's aunt Tonya trying to smother her daughter

Tayler and Mandie - cousins showing the love

Tayler, Mandie, and Jessica - testing the boundaries of our porch swing

Ok, now we are really pushing it!!

Happy Birthday to Tayler

Today is Tayler's 14th birthday. Can you believe it? It doesn't seem right - she should be just 5 again. Time sure does fly!!!

Tayler at about 2 1/2 years old (incidentally - this is a 5 generations picture. My great-grandmother is in the wheelchair, my gran is standing next to me, my mom is in pink holding Tayler and I'm holding Kati).

Tayler at 6

Tayler in the 4th grade (about 9 years old)

Ok, I'm giving up on ages - but you can see the progession.

Tayler in the Bluebonnets

Tayler's Valentine dance in the 6th grade

A day at the dog park....

On Saturday, Providence had their "Barktoberfest" at our dog park. They had vets, groomers, and pet spa's out there for you to visit with. They also had contests, such as cutest costume, best pet tricks, things like that. We didn't really dress Harley up, although he did have on his t-shirt that says "Proud to be an American" with a flag on it. He also had his Harley bandana on (ok...it's really off of Tayler's biker Build a Bear - but it works) and his Harley leash. It was a blast letting him off the leash to run around the park with the other dogs. And we noticed something - he only plays with the big dogs. He didn't want to have anything to do with the little dogs. That pretty much sums up his attitude with life - If you can't run with the Big Dogs - stay on the porch!

Oh...and set your Tivo to tape Hot On Homes each Sunday morning. They were out there and got several good video shots of our little Harley. You never know when he might pop up on your tv screen!

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet??

C'mon mom - put me down - I wanna run and play!

You look about my size - wanna play??

Oh crap!! You aren't my size anymore!! I don't care - wanna run? Let's go hassle the little dogs.

Do you see any little dogs we can hassle??

Yea Yea - he looks good - he's way smaller than us!! You get him - I've got your back.

Are you talking to me??

This is humiliating - I'm way too big to be associating with you. You are a little dog.