Finally a Family Photo

Finally, everyone in the family was home and at the same time too. It was Saturday morning, Karl had plans to cut the grass and Zach had to leave at noon for a practice with One Accord at his college...I only had a small window of time...so I had to get cracking. So, I told my hubby that it was now or never...let's get the cameras and the kids and head to the azaela bush and barn for some photos. He said, "who's going to take the pictures?" I said, You said something about bringing the tripod!" So I sent everyone off to get dressed. I said wear something pink or purple so that we can color coordinate. I got the baby ready and me ready, ironed Shek's shirt and finally went upstairs after hearing the shower run for 30 mins to tell the oldest that he had better hurry because my window of time was quickly closing.

My family hates gathering for the family photo. I usually only make them do this right before Christmas for the card...and then after Church on Easter Sunday to record in time their Easter duds for the year. So, Shek says to me...If we do this today do we have to do it on Easter...I said no, not in your dressy clothes but you'll still have to have some Easter egg hunting photos...

So...we load up the pickup and drive up to the front of Billy's old house where all the mature flowers are  blooming and up near the barns...it's just a photo op waiting to happen if only the people would participate with good attitudes....

So after a zillion photos...here's what we came out with.

Karl with the trusty tripod. I think we have had this our whole married life. Honey bought it to hold up the video camera at our wedding. 

My oldest and youngest. Jolie has decided that Zach is really A-ok!

Here's one of those leg shots with the baby...I don't think it has the look I was wanting!

It's photos like these that make me say I think I will just take a photo of a barn or a flower or something...

And photos like these that make me say Praise the Lord for photographers like Daniel Stancil 

Can someone just call and book us a time with him, but in the meantime enjoy the following photos ...some are outtakes, but some turned out pretty good!

Jolie enjoying a ride on Zach's shoulders.

I thought our color coordination turned out pretty nice...we kind of have that Easter egg-springy look here. Now if Shek and Jolie could work on their expressions...we would have it!

Maybe we have a winner!

I like this one of my 4 kiddos. 

Here's me and my sweet boy. He said he thought he looked old and fat in this photo....I thought he looked pretty good...but hey maybe he was talking about me...Nah! He better not have been! LOL

Another Berry blooper!

Here's a photo for the stairwell. We have baby photos of each of the children with either mom or dad on the stairwell wall. The other day, Jolie looked up at the wall...I could almost tell that she knew her photo was missing. So here's the one I want to enlarge for that spot. We have several photos of her around the house, but those are of her when she was younger and in China. I really need to get some now photos of her framed. She gets excited to see her photo on the computer. And one of her new English words sounds like Cheese and then she smiles one of those big cheesy grins. I don't think she had the opportunity to see too many photos of herself while she lived in China.

I like this one...I like the scenery...makes it seem like we live on a big ole farm...

"That's all folks!" Jolie says, "Y'all come on back now, ya hear?"

Until next time....go check out my son Zach's project .

Zach's Kickstarter Project!

My oldest, Zach, recorded a 3 song cd last year. In the year that has passed he has grown musically, as well as spiritually. He has written 10 new songs and longs to get them recorded. In fact he has plans to get this project started this summer. He is saving his money and selling some of his musical gear to get this recording done.

 He has teamed up with Kickstarter to get some help. It is a fundraiser that allows friends, family and fans to help support his project. There's even rewards along the way for those who give funds toward his project. So take a moment and check it out. He has 30 days to raise the money he needs...and as kickstarter states...it's all or none. He has to raise the amount needed within 30 days or he receives none (all pledged funds under the goal would be returned to the giver)...so please check him out! He has a heart for God and a love for music. Your support both financially and prayerfully are greatly appreciated.

CHECK IT OUT!

Sunday Snapshot~Rite of passage

My youngest son always wants to ride on the lawn mower. Being the protective mom that I am I have always said ok you can ride on it with dad as long as the blade is not engaged. I knew he couldn't actually mow the grass until he was heavy enough to sit on the seat and keep the motor running. So far, the motor has always died because he did not weigh enough. I thought we've got plenty of time for that!!!

 Well, this year he is big enough...and he is thrilled...cause Dad says when the kids are old enough  to keep the motor engaged they are old enough to cut grass!

Is that my baby? IS he really old enough to cut the grass?

He has the shades, Billy's old cap that was given to  Zach before Billy died. It's the official grass cutting hat.

Dad cuts a pattern...and Shek cuts all the grass inside the box. 

My Hard workin' Man!

 I think Dad is glad that he has another grass-cuttin' trainee! Karl grew up on a farm and I had a childhood spent at Honey's and The Woods...so we are used to wide open spaces...but in the summer, that grass cutting can be time consuming! And  with Zach's busy schedule...Karl needs another grass cutter!

There he goes! Cutting grass into the horizon...I hope the new doesn't wear off of his new found-chore...the one he has waited his whole life for!

Cooking with friends

On Fridays, my kids go to Fine Arts School. It is an all day affair with many classes in all areas of the fine arts. My kids take choir, keyboard, dance, violin, art, sign language and P.E. Since we are there from 830 am till 330 in the afternoon...I help out with the lunches there. I work with Shannon. She is an events planner, wedding planner, caterer, teacher and cook extra-ordinare.

Shannon has a wonderful meal planned each week for our students, parents and teachers all for less than the cost of a fast food meal just down the road. Many folks want her recipes...I know I have come home and tried out a few on my family and the recipes have all reached the status of "keepers" with my crew! One of our favorites is Poppy Seed Chicken. Yesterday, she made a wonderful dessert and folks were requesting seconds...we even ran out, but I came home and made it for my family. I didn't take photos of each step to post here, but it is a yummy dessert. It's called Chocolate Eclaire Dessert and is very easy to make.

Here's a snapshot of Shannon welcoming us and Jolie home from China. I don't have any photos of us cooking on Fridays though.

Someone asked her for yesterday's recipe and I listened closely.  I came home and made a smaller version of it at home. I may not have gotten the correct portions, but it was still yummy.

Dessert Recipe

2 small boxes of French vanilla pudding

1 small container of cool whip

1 can of Chocolate Icing

Graham crackers

Make pudding, fold in coolwhip. Layer graham crackers on bottom of dish. top with pudding mixture layer graham crackers on top of that then add pudding mixture top with graham crackers. Melt Chocolate icing and pour on top of crackers.... Refrigerate over night. Eat the following day.

Yummy in your tummy!