Grandma Tina's Zoo

Okay, it's not really "Grandma Tina's" Zoo. It is the Tautphaus Park Zoo, but try explaining that to a 5 and 4 year old.

Waiting for the cousins to arrive.

Cousins really are the best friend a girl could have.

The ball python was out this morning. Pooh Bear was brave and gave her a couple of pats... 

Drama, also brave, touching the python...

 The Boss bravely taking a turn with one crooked finger...

 And .4 seconds later crying....

The petting zoo, where the girls brushed the goats...

It was a perfect zoo day, overcast, not too hot and most of the animals were out showing off for the kids.

And we had to take a picture with all of the cousins riding the tiger. When the Wisconsin cousins come in a couple of weeks the cousins won't all fit on the tiger's back!

Outstanding

A little while ago Drama received an invitation to the Lehi Council PTA Recognition Luncheon. Awesome. We didn't really know what that ment. The invite said that they were honoring her as a student. Super awesome, right?

with her invite

Today was the luncheon and what I didn't realize was that Drama was choosen out of all the students at her school to be recognized! One student from each of the schools in Lehi was choosen out of the student body to be recognized at the luncheon. There are 1200+ students at Drama's school and she was nominated by her teacher and selected by her principal! Super awesome.

She went to the front of the room to receive her certificate where Mr. Melville, her principal, had a whole bunch of great things to say about her.

with the teacher and librarian, who were also honored by Mr. Melville

We are super proud of this kid that loves to volunteer for everything, help her teachers or anyone else that looks like they might need someone to help. She's a great friend and student and is growing up way to fast!

with Mr. Melville, the principal at her school

Congratulations Drama, you really are an Outstanding Student and now you have a framed certificate to prove it!

Halloween 2012

"Tender lumplings everywhere
Life's no fun without a good scare."

This morning The Boss, Bea, and I went to the school for the annual Halloween Parade through the school halls and classrooms. It takes a while for the parade to get started, so there is some waiting that can be pretty boring. Good thing Princesses and Super Heroes can make their own fun (or watch Garfield on mom's iphone) while they wait.

Then once the kids start by in their costumes it's supper awesome. 

Pooh Bear {aka Kyle Beckerman #5, Captain of RSL} and her/his class paraded by first.

Then Drama, the Hippie Chick, peace marched past. She's in 6th grade this year and it's her last parade. Sigh.

After the parade the babies and I came home and watched the Nightmare Before Christmas, because it is one of my favorite movies and oh so appropriate. Then I threatened to ban anyone who did not take a nap from trick-or-treating this evening. {so mean, I know}

Finally dad came home from work AND we ate dinner. Then it was time to hit the streets. but not before mom made them all pose for a picture.

And dad dressed up in all the left over pieces of each costume: PB's Beckerman wig that was "too heavy and itchy," The Boss's Spider Girl mask that wouldn't stay on her face to her satisfaction so we just drew on some spiderwebs, a princess tiara from the dress up bucket, and a peace button from Drama's costume {that she didn't even want to wear in the first place because she didn't believe that hippies wore buttons!}. And Buddy, who it has been determined, has dressed up as Mark or an Old Man depending on who you ask!

"This is Halloween, everybody make a scene
Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright"

Family Photos ~ 2012

October 11,2012

{{Also know as ... the one were you get to stare at the 4 most adorable and photogenic children on the face of the planet.}}

Family photos generally are not fun for me. I stress about what everyone should wear so we look coordinated but not matchy. This year we took family photos at Grandma Tina's while Matt and Rosanna et al were in town... And I had to find something for us all to wear to that so I scheduled another session shortly after for my own little family. Yes, we are wearing almost the exact same outfits, but I don't care so you shouldn't either!

We went with FotoFly again because they were so awesome the last time. Only this time we went to their outdoor studio, FotoFly Away, located at Thanksgiving Point. If you're in the market for new family photos call them. Now. {Robyn} I'll wait.....

 

Here are a few of my favorites, because it's not cool to post all 80+ images that we got back on two {yes, 2} CD's.

The Fam

Drama

Pooh Bear

The Boss

Bea

And, because we are soooo hip, a photo bomb.

If this wasn't enough peeping on my family {you know who you are} then you can see the rest of the pics at this address... myfotofly.com and use the password: 20123122VanHorn. And if you would like prints of your very own to stare at lovingly for hours {Grandmas}, then email me the photo numbers and sizes, etc. etc. and I will order them for you.

School Photos ~ 2012

School has started, the weather has actually turned cool, and the mornings are becoming (way too) dark. We've also participated in the school photo right of passage. You never really know what you are going to get with a school photo, but I should have learned by now that if someone is taking a picture of my girls, it's gonna be pretty dang cute. {Not over exaggerating here, just stating a truth.}

Pooh Bear - 4th Grade

Drama - 6th {gasp} Grade

Taking a Hike

Today after church we headed up to the canyon. Drama and Pooh Bear are staying at Grandma & Grandpa Van Horn's with their cousin who is in town for a visit. We needed a diversion so we  took the little ones up to Tibblefork Reservoir for a "hike" around the "lake".

  

 Watching the baby ducks and their mommy.

What's that daddy? Part of a dead fish? Ewww.

And finally...