the trouble of trying to get a good picture

Julia's orphanage group is hosting a reunion this summer.  We cannot go due to lack of funds and a scheduling conflict, but they still want pictures of the families who cannot attend for a photo book to be sent to the orphanage.  As I searched through our pictures to pick four or five good ones, I realized that Savannah has changed quite a bit since everyone was last in a picture together last summer.  To remedy this, I decided to take a picture.  Now you see what I have to go through.  Every take is posted here.  Between wandering dogs and stuff in the background, and my least cooperative subject (ZACH!), I thought I would have to just give up.

and the last one wins
This is why I pay people for this stuff.  Really!

Flashback Friday

First vacation, traumatized by the long van ride.  We appeased her with videos , and someone had to keep a hand on her carseat.

Not much has changed, eh?
Actually of all my kids, I see the most change over time in appearance in Julia.

Starry Night -Wyatt style

Wyatt does not like to color, but he can draw for hours on end.  Usually he draws Mario, but today he tackled Starry Night, and I think he did quite well.

Flashback Friday

One of my favorite pictures of Wyatt taken before we met him

Shortly after he got home -still in Ultra-Man mode

Cowboy/Cowgirl Day

Julia had Cowboy/Cowgirl day at school today.  This means they walk to a nearby horse stable and visit the horses, eat beans and campfire food, and dress like cowboys and cowgirls.

I'm really liking her art.  Hmmm, Does Savannah have some competition here?

Tornadoes, Snow, and some talent in between

On Friday night we were scheduled to watch a talent show which is also a fundraiser for Julia's school.  After a sneak peek at the last few acts during Thursday's dress rehearsal, I was pumped for the show.  However, our plans were derailed by weather.  Tornadoes ripped through our region claiming lives, homes, businesses, and causing so much pain and despair. Because Andy and I both had Friday off, we joined Julia for lunch and were urged by the second grade teachers to go ahead and take her home before the onslaught of storms.  We heeded their advice and also brought Lucy with us and made preparations to bunker down in the basement.  Savannah and Zach were released from school early, and we were all glued to the TV awaiting our warning to head to the basement.  Lucy's mom arrived and Julia went home with Lucy for the night.  We were fortunate that we were not hit with any damage, but our neighbors just 45 minutes away faced devastation. 

Andy and Zach joined a long line of volunteers at the Red Cross on Saturday to help with recovery.  They ended up taking phone calls and handing out applications and spent most of the day back and forth between home and a neighboring town.

We enjoyed the talent show on Sunday night.  Julia's group was solid, fun and cute.  We saw courage in action when a third grader started her song, lost her place and ran off the stage.  I hoped and prayed she would return for a do over because I had seen her rehearse, and she was really good.  The crowd rallied behind her, and she did return and wowed us with both her courage and talent.  #8 (The Joy Dare) courage in action displayed by a third grader

The whole show was wonderful and worth the wait.  

As I watched the younger siblings of both Zach's and Savannah's friends, I thought about how we have come full circle with all these years at this school.  We pray that we can see it through for all four of them, and it gets harder every year. 

dress rehearsal

ready for the real deal

Double Dream Feet aka The Funny Feet Dance



Today we awoke to a beautiful blanket of snow, and while calling off school was not necessary, when I saw the snow, I wanted to grab the camera and take pictures.  I wanted the kids to play in the back yard and build a snowman because this snow was perfect for such fun.  We did not get the day off for what may be our only snow this year.  We were robbed!  Imagine tornadoes and then snow just days later.  We had the same scenario in reverse in January.

I called Andy on my way to work and instructed him to grab the camera and take pictures.  Thankfully, he and Savannah obliged with lots of pictures - more than I would have taken.

#9 a fresh, beautiful blanket of snow which I enjoyed as the sun rose

The Joy Dare

Flashback Friday

Zach and Savannah 8/98  -Savannah is wearing the orange onsie that Andy bought when sent to find girl's clothes because she had none.  Only Andy could find Denver Broncos orange in the baby girls' department.