New Look for 2014

I figured it was about time to get Avery on the blog header. Only took me 5 months! The family picture is courtesy of Glorrie Photos from our shoot in Sept.

 

At first glance this picture only reminded me of how frustrated I was b/c Owen was running and dragging his brothers along. I really wanted a shot like this and they were not cooperating. I love the composition and only wish we could see Ryan and Avery's face a little better. But as I studied it more, I realized that this picture sums up so much of our family's dynamics. It is a much better glimpse of our family this way :)

2013

2011-2012

 2009 updated- 2010

2009 2008

I think I am missing one. argh!

Pre-Game Celebration

We've done a lot of hosting in the past 2 weeks! It has been fun having our house even more full, but it was great having this weekend, just the 6 of us. Especially with school starting tomorrow. Before the Eagles game on Saturday we had Philly cheese steaks (not even close to the real deal)! The kids were decked out in their jerseys. Good thing we have 1 in every size ;) I wish you could hear them singing the fight song. Oh my word! They weren't singing this morning :(

 He watched the whole thing and was just as devastated as his Dad.

There is always next season!

Friendship

 They may be Cowboys (Joshua) vs Eagles (Owen) but at least there is always JMU :)

 They don't seem to skip a beat even with the miles between them.

And their youngest brothers are following in their footsteps.So stinkin cute!

Love her! Even though 10 children may come between us, we still manage to maintain a friendship rooted in Him and filled with grace and love and encouragement. Blessed!

Ringing it In

Our seventh year ringing in the New Year with these dear friends.

 I didn't take many pictures. I was too busy chatting. Courtney has a few more here.

We alternate locations. I am so glad I chose the kid's portion b/c Leah knows how to throw a gorgeous dinner! My hosting skills have drastically gone down hill. The dinner was SO yummy too. If only it could have lasted a little longer. We did manage to stay awake til midnight :)

I love starting the New Year with these friends. We may not see each other enough, but we do have this yearly tradition and I am so grateful.Their personalities may be very different, but each of these ladies inspire me and their marriages inspire me and they ALL point me closer to Him. So Thankful. Blessed!

The Kids' New Year's Eve

Thanks to Mim's amazing countdown of activities, the kid's (12 of them) had a blast ringing in the new year together.

 

Avery warmed up to Rebekah which hasn't really happened in previous visits.

 

Avery just wandered around happily.

This girl loves shoes. We are in trouble.

Their toast was 7ish, right before the parent's left (with 6 of the kids) for a much quieter evening :)

Mim took this picture right before Ryan headed up to bed. The big kids got to stay up til 10.

Such a fun visit, but it went by way to quickly.