Octobering

Stop the insanity! It cant possibly be November already...can it? In reality this November has taken a smidge longer to get here just based on the number of political ads, debates, phone calls, junk mail, heated arguments...etc. All I can say is thank goodness today is election day! And lets hope it turns out in our favor, or Im moving to Canada! Ill let you interpret that any way you want because Im so over politics! Actually never liked it to begin with.

But lets not get too distracted. We still have to talk about the blur that flashed before our eyes, known as October. Soccer wrapped up until next year, and just in time for my parents arrived for an 11 day visit.  Even though they were lucky enough to make it to a couple of last freezing cold games, they just missed the ever going, chauffeur style, soccer mom life I had been leading. So we had plenty of time to relax and catch up. I attempted to take advantage of my Dads photography skills and have him take our family pictures for us. Unfortunately, we didnt have very many nice weather, work free days; so we got stuck with the windiest day of the week. Windblown hair is totally in right?

This picture was courtesy of Madi.

You see what Im talking about with the wind here...

And then of course, there always has to be at least one kid making a weird face...or in Brylee's case, not looking at all...ever! For that reason, Photoshop has become one of my very best friends. But you'll have to wait to see the final result, since I need it for the Christmas card, and I like you to be surprised! (: In the meantime, here are a couple of previews...untouched, obviously.

 You see what Im saying right? Photoshop....a lifesaver!

Well enough of that fun. Onto the next adventure...

the adventures of pumpkin carving!

Ta Da!

You dont need any other explanations than that right?

Next up: Halloween Costume reveal!

Isnt this exciting for you!?

First we have Zack, disguised as Captain America, and ready to defend against the forces of evil!

Brylee grew her hair out for months in preparation to play the part of Rapunzel. Oh, and its blond now too.

Twisted Madi.

Alissa is assuming the title of a "Sweetheart Bat". Isnt she cute?

And dont let Katelins smile fool you...she is Angry!

And who is this who has arrived to support his dear friend, Captain America? Why its Thorn! Yes thats right, Thorn! The wannabe Thor of today. Actually a member of The Offenders, but the Avengers and The Offenders are tight. You'll meet another one of its members later...General USA.

Oh, and lets not forget the Hot Dog. Not recommended for human consumption.

All together now!

And theres General USA now, standing next to Thorn! Dont you wish you had those two offending you? Dont worry, Captain America isnt going anywhere!

Well, hopefully my parents werent "offended" too much. I think they are relieved to be home at a quieter, less crazy place of residence.

Baptism

Well, another one of our children has reached the age of accountability. Alissa now has to take responsibility for her own choices and cant blame things on bad parenting skills. I could be totally wrong there, but either way...the decision to be baptized was all hers. Im amazed by how blessed we got to have 5 responsible, faithful, level headed children. (Well, mostly) I have no idea where that stems from! Must be Dad. Anyway, Here are a few of my favorite shots from her baptism photo shoot.

I like this one, because its just so her...when shes in her happy place, that is. Posing with a leaf...silliness!

Haha...this one makes me laugh because she really had to use the restroom at this point. I loved the background, but couldnt get a good smile under the circumstances! (:

We weren't planning on taking shots by the lake because we have so done that over...and over, but as we were driving back home I saw this sunset and couldn't resist. So we hurried and parked the car and ran to the lake before we missed it. I think its pretty perfect for not being planned.

Then the big day arrived. Grandma and Grandpa even drove in for the occasion. Shes pretty smiley and calm at this point, but she quickly got sick of pictures.

Alissa stayed true to her form when she started feeling uncomfortable by all the attention. She was so nervous and stated afterwards that "it didnt feel like the times when she watched other people get baptized (meaning it wasnt embarrassing then)...it was wetter than I thought it would be (?)....and when are people going to stop treating me different!? I just want things to go back to the way they were before I was baptized!" Not that she regretted her decision, just that she really hated all the attention and comments she kept getting. I do know where she gets that one from. Of course she inherits my flaws!

Also traumatizing to her was the fact that she had to walk through the mens restroom to get to the font, then after the baptism, the womens side was locked and there was apparently no key to open it, so she had to walk back through the mens side again to get changed. To add to her stress, we also forgot to pack a change of underwear (think I would have that down by the 3rd time!). So of course she was panicking about that while I was attempting to fan the wet ones out the best I could. She went from being okay wearing them a little damp, to deciding not to and just going commando with her tights...but that felt weird, so we changed back into the damp undies, and then cried because what if the water shows through her dress and she looks like she peed her pants!!!....meltdown...meltdown...meltdown, then more attention and an invitation to sit on the stand the next day with her Dad, which she was okay with before, but now it was freaking her out...Ahhh! I hope she is recovered from all of it by now otherwise, there could be some large psychiatric bills coming our way. She seems fine, but you never know. What was that I was mentioning about level headed children?  *Sigh*

Hopefully when she looks back on this day, she will have some good memories...or at least a good laugh! I know we will have both! We are still proud of her and love our little stress case!