Family Pictures Part 2

I realize most people who read this blog have probably already seen the family pictures in their entirety on facebook, but just so that one day I have all the family pictures on the blog, for the blog book....here's the rest of them.

Family Pictures 2012 Part 1

We were really lucky the past couple of years to have a ward friend take our family pictures for ridiculously cheap. (Hi Kelly!) I was bummed that being here in Utah, I didn't know anyone that would be as good, or as reasonably priced. Luckily we found a gal in our ward who is very talented and is also very low priced. Thank goodness! It seems like in ID, we'd have pretty fall colors for a week, and then it would snow, or get so cold, all the leaves would fall off. I'm loving this Northern Utah Fall and all the leaf eye candy. I've always wanted to have family pictures with all the beautiful leaves. We attempted it last year around this time, but like I said, the leaves were pretty much non-existent. So this year, I knew I had to get them done quickly! I thought the hiking paths up by the Draper temple that I've blogged about before were perfect for the occasion.
I'm posting ALL of the pictures, so be prepared for lots! Knowing our kids' personalities and ages, we know it's impossible to do lots of posing and holding still. So I've been trying to bring along a prop or activity that will allow the photographer to get lots of candid shots. Right now, our kids love reading and blowing bubbles, so Janelle (our photographer) let me incorporate those ideas into the shoot.

*There are more pictures but I can't get them to load at the moment. I'll post them later.

Babies in a basket

One of the things we were most excited about when we went home searching was land. We've been waiting a long time to put in our very own garden and work OUR land. We definitely couldn't afford multiple acres for cows, chickens, bees, a garden etc etc etc. But we were able to afford a decent plot of land, and this past weekend we started turning our dream into a reality! Cue loads and loads of manure! Richie's brother Jacob helped Richie haul loads upon loads of manure/compost/mulch. Have you heard of the "Back to Eden" gardening technique? It's they way we've decided to garden, Youtube it if you're interested. The only logical spot for a garden on our property just happened to be right where the nicest, most lush, weed free grass was, of course. So we put the newspaper down, covered it with mulch and said goodbye to the pretty lawn. The next step is to cover it all with wood chips and then wait all winter while the nutrients sink deep into the ground. In spring, we should have optimal soil for the food we want to grow! Yipee! We also put in 4 new fruit trees; 2 apple, 1 more pear and 1 more peach. We couldn't find any nectarine trees, so I'm still holding out for 2 of those. Hopefully in the next 3-5 years we should have 9 producing fruit trees on our property! 2 apple, 2 peach, 2 pear, 2 nectarine, and 1 cherry. My mouth is watering already! These pictures don't show how big the garden will be since they are just starting the process, but once it's all prepped, I'll document the size more accurately. According to Richie's vision, this is only phase one. He wants lots more producing plants in our landscaping, but that will all take time and money. One thing at a time right?

The kids and I "helped" putting the garden in a little. But mostly, I worked on laundry while the kids played in the empty baskets, and I have some pretty cute pictures to prove it.

Gwen's fake laugh

Miles' fake cry

Miles practicing his "I'm too cute for you to punish me" face.

Mr. and Mrs. Crosby go to Riverton

My dad had training for his work up in SLC, so he and my mom made a little trip out of it. We were so glad to see them and spend time with them, one on one. Dad's bustin' bronco is still a hit and Miles loved it. He see's these pictures and says, "Miles wrestle Grandpa!!" While the menfolk were at work, Grandma and the rest of the crew had a few fun outings. We hit up the nearest DI and found some treasures, the kids were treated to their first happy meal, we attended my cousin's bridal shower (sans kids), took Grandma to see the pretty leaves up in the mountains, and she helped me with the kid's Christmas present. Can you guess what it's going to be? When Grandpa got off work on Friday, they took us to Olive Garden before taking off. It was a treat and Richie and I were both shocked at how well the kids behaved. Till next time!