Sign

We got our lighted/LED sign up last week, and I finally took pictures of it. It looks nice, and Jay loves that we can see it from our house. It flashes different messages, pictures and advertisements throughout the day.

Brook's Chin

Luckily this one was fine with a band-aid, although Dermabond would've come in handy.

Trip to Mesa

Cole

Rachel and Lilly

Abbey

Brook

We went to Mesa for the day Saturday. My Lunt Grandparents arrived home from their mission that day, and my cousin Sarah, along with her husband Tamir and son Joseph were in town from the Chicago area. It was fun to visit with cousins and family that I haven't seen in a LONG time. I didn't feel up to being the photographer that night, so I passed the duty on to my children. These are a few of the random shots they took. Don't even know who to give the credit to, although Emma started with the camera.

James and Potatoes

This is what happens when I let James feed himself- which he insists on most of the time. He gets his ear tubes tomorrow in Tucson. Fun.

Two Peas in a Pod

Cami didn't want to feel left out, so she went and hurt herself too. She fell on the stairs at her house. She came over during her lunch break today so she could take a picture with Lilly. These two belong together. Have I ever mentioned that they're both really LOUD too?

Merry Main Street

Two of Joe's kids.

The annual lighting of the town hall Christmas tree was also Friday night. With a lot of planning, preparation and hard work, we put a display together. The guys put out a propane fire pit, barbecue grills, jacuzzis, etc. It turned out nice, other than the fact that we were way at one end instead of in the middle. It started to rain toward the end, so I think the night ended early for most. The girls had fun with Cami decorating cookies and shopping at some of the stores that were open.

Bob's Birthday

Bob celebrated his 6th birthday on the day after Thanksgiving- the 28th. I took him shopping on the worst day of the year to get a new pair of tennis shoes- that's the only thing he asked for. I was thrilled when he found a pair he liked right away. I was less thrilled when we got home from the store and he busted open a can of diesel with an axe, and that wonderful fuel coated his clothes and new shoes. He said the girls told him to do it. I've washed his laundry 3 times, and it still smells. We had Merry Main Street that night, but left early to go eat his Transformers cake. He did not want to pose for any pictures all day. I told him it was my right to get pictures of him on his birthday, but that didn't fly.

Thankgiving

We had the quietest and dirtiest Thanksgiving we've ever had. Jay's family went to Utah and mine went to California, and we stayed here. We had some neighbor friends over for an untraditional dinner. We put a rib-eye roast on the rotisserie, and I made mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and PIE! This is the best picture I could get of the pies since Jay wouldn't wait to dig in. I gave 3 away, and we're still eating pie every day. It was a dirty day because it rained all night the night before, and then all morning. Gratefully our eating time was warmer and drier. The kids couldn't resist the mud.

It's That Time of Year

Christmas trees are here again. Although it generally isn't very profitable, we sell Christmas trees to keep our nursery in business through December. We got our tree delivery last week, and have sold more than I expected already. The "Die-Harders" as Jay calls them have already been out to get their trees and get them decorated. This is Dustin and Joe unloading the truck.

Pavers

Jay, Dustin and crew installed a paver display at our yard so people could see the different colors and varieties laid out. We've had a favorable response so far. Right now they're working oin some raised planter bed/display areas for the annual color to be displayed. It's looking beautiful.

Lilly's Life

is a rough one. Okay, she's just really active, not scared, clumsy or all of the above. Her injuries in chronological order:

January 29, 2004: Born

January 8, 2005: Knocked out a tooth falling down 2 steps

April 29, 2005: Black eye after falling off the counter

November 17, 2005: Stitches after hitting forehead on a bench

December 2, 2005: Broke her left arm when she fell off the couch and hit the door

December 9, 2006: Broke her left foot after pulling a bench on top of it

These were the only 2 I could find with Lilly's cast barely in the picture.

November 22, 2008: Broke her leg after pulling the TV on top of her (broke the TV too)

Along with all the other little bumps and bruises I don't have pictures of. She was sad about her broken leg, but is much happier now that the cast is on and she's mobile again.

A Couple More

A couple more from the family photo shoot. It was great weather that day.

Can you believe it?

I know you love the "engagement"-type picture... It's for posterity.

My first new header and family pictures. Here are a couple of my favorites from our photo shoot. I just got the CD back today, and I'm a little excited.

My Mornings

This is what my mornings are like if I'm lucky. The 3 youngest drink their Ovaltine while I get breakfast and the 4 oldest ready for school. Then Brook helps James play the piano. Sorry about blurry Lilly. I'm working on steady shots.

Halloween- The Boys

Jay and James were landscapers

Jay Jr. (We better get used to it) was Batman. I never got a picture of him in his costume. I might make him dress up again since there's no makeup involved.

I forgot to mention that Janna had a haircut. You can see her short hair in her Halloween picture.

Halloween- The Girls

Brook- A Princess

Lilly- A Princess

Janna- A Drama Witch

Emma- A Pirate

Abbey- A Chearleader

Can you tell I let them do their own makeup?