THANKSGIVING

Nov 24 - We had the family aver at our house for dinner.  My mom didn't get here till after 4 because she had to work.  Had to set up an extra table or two since there's so many of us now!  Everyone's here except my brother John and sister Sherrill.  It's always nice to spend time with the family!!

 I made sure to get a picture of the family before it got too dark.  The only one missing is Alan because he had to run back to his house to wait for the potatoes to get done cooking (20 lbs of potatoes takes a long time to cook!)  HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!

Thanksgiving Nature Drive

Nov 24 - After we got the food under control for Thanksgiving dinner, we went with my sister, her husband Alan, and their daughter Miranda, for a drive out to the habitat.  We took a right out before you get to Horseshoe Bend.  Stacy was helping me find some more place to do pictures at.  It's really pretty out there and I can tell it would be especially beautiful in the Autumn and summertime.  We walked around the Kane cemetary, too. 

 We found this really pretty road with trees leaning over the top of it...

 Then, we came upon some really old buildings that make great background settings...

 Jaxon wasn't very excited about being there...

 But Kyra was!

Prep for Thanksgiving

Nov 23 - On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Jaxon helped me make the pies.  We made 6 pumpkin, 4 chocolate, 2 apple, and 1 cherry.  Phew!!

Sugar Factory Tour

Nov 19 - For years my kids have wanted a tour of where my mom works:  the Sugar Factory.  So, we were able to finally make that happen.  We had to get suited up with hair nets, hard hats, ear plugs, and goggles.  Then, we were on our way!  She led us through the process of making sugar.  It's been years since I have been through there, so it was fun to do it again.  The kids enjoyed it too, although it was really hard to hear anything because it was so loud.  We agreed that we will never look at sugar the same way again!!

I'm going to do just a little plug for my website and photo blog.  I've been doing a lot of photoshoots lately, so I've been trying to post some pictures from each one that I do.  I absolutely love taking pictures and I appreciate everyone who has the patience to let me "practice" on them.  Everytime I do a photoshoot, I learn something different.  As I work with different lighting, numbers of people and a variety of backgrounds and situations, I am improving in so many ways.  I know all this experience is helping me become a better photographer!  Thanks to everyone who has supported me so far!!!!!!

tjhayesphotography.com

tjhayesphotography.blogspot.com

Getting ready for Halloween

We had so many pumpkins from our garden this year so we carved some of them and put stickers on others.  The rest of them I just used for decoration on my table and front porch.

 Continuing the tradition of making Halloween sugar cookies...

 This is as far as Kyra got on her pumpkin...

 which is more than the Kaitlyn, Rylee, and Jaxon did on theirs!  We never did get around to carving those pumpkins.  There's never enough time anymore!!!  :(

Halloween!!

Kyra in the school costume parade...she never looked at me or posed for a picture.  She said later that she didn't want to look dumb and be embarrassed while posing for a picture.

 Taken right before we went trick or treating.  Jaxon didn't want to be in the picture...

 Rylee decided she would dress up one more year because her friends are going to dress up too...she was kind of worried about overdoing it and looking TOO dressed up!

 Tried to get Jaxon in the picture by restraining him, but it didn't work very well as he wriggled right out...

 he's mad now...and it doesn't help that mom made him put his crocodile costume on; he had no problem wearing it a few days ago.  He even picked it out himself at Kmart and wanted to put it on while we were still in the store!  But as soon as he HAD to wear it, he didn't want to anymore!

 But as soon as we got to the trunk or treat and he started fillling up his bag with lots of candy, he decided it wasn't so bad...

 And here they are after coming home.  Jaxon's totally happy now that he's pumped full of sugar!!!!  But he still wouldn't put his hood on...

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

 After awhile CROCODILE!!!!

So funny!

Oct 20 - Jaxon does this everytime he takes a bath now.  I have to make sure the water doesn't get too deep!  The first time I saw him do this, it scared me to death.  I went to check on him and couldn't see him right away, so when I looked over the side of the tub and saw him laying there, my stomach lurched a little until I saw his blue eyes looking up at me.  Little squirt!

Football Game

Oct 14 - I took the kids to the Burlington football game.  Rylee was here too, but was with her friends.  Kaitlyn was staying the night at Jaime's, so she didn't come.  Had a good time even though we lost!