Family Photos

We are blessed to have some great photographers in the family! Dustin is great and I love that we don't have to pay for portraits for Rachel. The problem occurs when we want pictures with him in them. Most of you know that my dad is an excellent photographer, who has taken photos (they're photos to photographers- pics to everyone else!) for years. From weddings to family portraits, to candid events as well. Anyway, we went out with Dad on Saturday and had him take some family portraits for us.

My favorite!

She was trying to escape!

All better, wrapped up with Mommy!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Here are some pictures of the family during the weekend. Rachel always seems to pick up on something from Blake during our visits. Last time it was climbing the steps... this time- walking! She's been taking a few steps at a time every day since her birthday weekend. This weekend she would just walk across the room, Blake leading the way, calling "C'mon Washel, let's go!" (Somehow I don't have a picture of that-oops!)

Poppy gave Rachel a flying lesson one afternoon!

Such a big girl!

Mommy couldn't (wouldn't even if I could!) get her as high as Poppy did!

Zoe and Rachel- my two kids!

Poppy and his favorite granddaughter (at least until Alli comes in the next few weeks- then she'll be his favorite oldest granddaughter!)

Reading books together!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year for Thanksgiving, we traveled to Chesapeake for the weekend. We spent Thanksgiving Day at the Maggiore's house. (My sister-in-law's, brother-in-law's parents!) They are extended family, but don't feel very extended! Nearly every holiday is spent with the whole group, and it's a great time of fellowship and catching up! It was great to have (almost) all the kids together too. Kim's brother and his kids were actually up in Roanoke visiting his wife's family for the weekend- I'm sure we passed them on the road!

Blake was really feeling the music that Erin was playing!

Megan and Rachel playing together. (Thanks for sharing your toys!)

The guys (and Kim) watching some football.

Barbara and Joe have a lot of granddaughters, so they have a playhouse in their backyard complete with a kid sized kitchen and dining room set!

Blake and Rachel having fun in the house!

Mommy, Rachel and Mimi!

My big brother and our kids (for the moment- his daughter is due to arrive in the next few weeks!)

My little family!

My Mom and Dad!

Leaves!

We have been blowing leaves for the past 4 days straight, it seems! (And I can't see the grass again!) Rachel had more fun than we did during the process. She thought it was great watching the leaves blow all over the place, but it was even better falling into them!

Help me up!

Benji and Katie's Wedding!

Last weekend we traveled to South Carolina for Dustin's brother's wedding. It was wonderful to see the family and the wedding was beautiful. Katie and Benji are a wonderful couple and I am so excited to have Katie as a new sister. We are so happy for the new Husband and Wife!

The happy Bride and Groom "leaving" (They really just drove away, waving, then swung around to the back of the church and took some more photos in a field!)

At the rehearsal trying to keep busy.

Dustin's mom made the groom's cake. (He's an EMT and drives an ambulance- almost finished with paramedic school!)

The mom's!

Benji and Mom, with Katie and her Dad in the background.

Rachel was a little tired by the time the reception got came around... she had a busy weekend!

Cutting the cake!

Brothers!

Someone loves his granddaughter- and someone loves her Papa!

This is how they were the whole weekend!

By the way, Rachel did awesome the whole weekend. We left Roanoke after school on Thursday thinking that she would sleep in the car on the way down- boy were we wrong! She slept for 1 hour, the first hour! She really didn't get many naps in, there was too much going on- too many people to entertain (or so she thought).

I was slightly nervous during the ceremony, sitting in the third pew! I slipped in at the last minute before the processional started, prepared with a paci (something Rachel usually only gets when she's sleeping), and a snack trap full of cheerios and puffs! Those were all fine, but she did prefer the tithing envelope from the pew in front of us. So Rachel was silent at first, then Daddy walked in- Dada! No, Cheerios! She made a few other sounds during the ceremony, but she wasn't upset, and people said it was fine, and Benji said he didn't even notice... I think he was concentrating on his beautiful bride!

Halloween

This year for Halloween we went to the mall to trick or treat. It was slightly crazy there, so we left and went to a local church for a little while. (The 1st floor was completely packed- just a line that went around the entire level. This picture was taken when we were trying to get away from the crowd on the 2nd floor)

The little duck was a little warm so she took her hood off.

My little duckling!

Ready for some candy!

On the Blue Ridge Parkway

We are so blessed to live so close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a gorgeous stretch of road, especially in the Fall. This year the leaves weren't as bright as they usually are- up until 2 days ago the temperatures were in the 80's! It was also a pretty dry season, so a lot of leaves had fallen already and most other ones were already turning brown. It was still wonderful to drive to the Peaks of Otter and enjoy some desperately needed family time.

I love my family!

Playing in the leaves with Mommy

Daddy and his little girl

Mommy and her little girl

She doesn't look so little here!