Family Pictures 2012

While we were on vacation we had our friend Whitney take our family pictures.  She's very good and affordable and is great with kids.  Her website is http://whitneyphotography.blogspot.com/ .  We are happy with the shots she got of us (we have some funny smilers and non lookers in our group)

 

 Our family for 2012 (Evelyn's picture is in my heart locket so that she wouldn't be left out either.)

 

 Whitney even included black and white and sepia colored pictures for a variety.

 

 It started to get dark as we were ending our session.

 

 Dan and I

 

 Donovan, age 8

 

 Elliott, age 6

 

 Roswell, age 4

 

 Avery, age 2 - she was very active and wouldn't stay still.  I'm amazed that Whitney got some good shots and not just blurry Avery.

 

 The Elliotts - my whole family!  It's been 4 years since we've all been together.

 

 Being goofy.

 

 My mom and dad.

 

 The original 5 Elliotts

 

 My parents with the grandkids

 

 Cousins!

In age order: Grant-9, Donovan-8, Zowie-6, Zoe-6, Elliott-6, Roswell-4, Avery-2

 

 Trying to get one of those in the air jump shots - never got the timing just right... but it made for a funny picture!

 

 My sister Alisa, Jake, and Zowie

 

 My sister Vanessa, Conrad, Grant, and Zoe

 

The sisters!  I think it's funny that our age order is the opposite of our height, except I continue to be in the middle. :)

We had fun taking pictures and we liked the variety of backgrounds that the art center provided.  Thank you Whitney!



Merry Christmas!

Christmas has been a lot of fun this year.  The kids have been so excited and understand the real reason for Christmas - the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  They have been less focused on presents and have had lots of fun doing service and giving of themselves to others instead.

 

Avery loves shoes, even my fluffy slippers.

 

Dan is a leader at Church over the 12-18 year old young men.  I got to teach them all how to make and stuff a pillow that they could give as a present for Christmas.  Dan showed them that no matter how old or young you are, a boy can sew.  They had lots of fun!  They were all eager to learn and no one grumbled or said that this was 'girly'.  Some even made things on their own with a machine once they got home!

 

 Of course they wouldn't be boys if there wasn't a pillow fight involved...

 

 We made a fort, got some popcorn, and had a movie night watching "Joy to the World" -about the birth of the Savior.

 

 Someone got hold of my camera...

 

 Purple zebra feet... I wonder who it could be...  :)  She certainly loves to snitch my things and push buttons.

 The kids helped me make goodies for our friends and neighbors.  Avery amused herself by getting some toe jam to put on her pretzels.  Ew!  At least her feet were clean!

 

This year Nama and Papa Earl got the kids matching clothes to wear for church on Sunday.  I love matching them, and so far they think it's still pretty awesome!

We had some friends over to share Christmas Eve dinner with us.  We liked having it on the Eve last year and decided to make it a tradition.  It's nice to not be rushed on Christmas day.

 



What a cute group of kids to wake up to on Christmas morning! (Again the matching pjs!  Avery and I both had the red polka dots.)  It was a great day!  We stayed in pjs all day long, even to go visit Evelyn's grave. 

Merry Christmas!  May the joy of our Savior bring blessings into your life this coming year.

Brotherly Love

As I was cleaning up the kitchen/dining room a few days ago I found this note.

 

At first I didn't know if it was from Donovan or Elliott but it made me so happy to be their mom!  We try and try to help our kids to show love for each other and those around us, but a lot of the time we just hear the arguing and fighting.  I found out later that Elliott made it for Donovan.  What special or should I say "speshel" brothers!  And it was totally from his own ambition, he was not asked or told to make the note.  Maybe we are doing something right as parents after all.

Tis the Season!

Going from 80 degrees in AZ to low 30's in MI was expected but we were not looking forward to it.  The great thing about the season though is that it feels like Christmas!  We decorated the house and the tree and it feels great!  We are so excited to share and help others feel the Spirit of our Savior Jesus Christ!