Family Fun: Photo Shoot 2015

Only took me three years, but I managed to schedule a family photo shoot. Last time we had our pictures taken Gavin hadn't even learned to walk yet. We were thankful that the rain held off till after the session, we just had to deal with chilly temps and wind.

This picture seemed like a good idea until I had to spend the rest of the day picking leaves out of my shirt and hair. This was definitely the kid's favorite pose.

All in all the kids did well. Gavin lost his smile toward the end and Ella tripped over a log (who would have guessed Ella, right?) and needed some help getting back in "smile mode", but otherwise the day was a success.

Now I'll take a minute to update anyone who hasn't seen the kids in awhile. Ava is loving third grade and while she struggles with the concept of telling/passing time, overall she is doing really well this year. She finished volleyball and outdoor soccer, dance continues on, indoor soccer has already started, and basketball is getting ready to start. She is one busy girl!!

Ella is also loving school. She adores her teacher and her reading skills are really coming along. Ella's biggest struggle is wanting to be the first one done in her class, so when she does make a mistake it's usually one that could have been avoided if she had just taken her time. Ella's schedule is also quite hectic, outdoor soccer is over, dance continues, indoor soccer is going strong and basketball will start in January. Ella is also participating in a science camp on Wednesday nights that has been a lot of fun. Two weeks ago they made mini robots and last week they made an instrumental band out of fruit and buckets wired with electricity. Ella still has an issue with her two left feet. I don't understand how she can dance and play soccer but something as simple as sitting still in a chair or walking down a hallway can be such a challenge. Maybe I need to get her eyes checked again?? I guess I have a lot of Ella updates…. Last week Dan showed Ella and Ava the movie Dick Tracy, they weren't overly impressed with the movie, but Ella was quite smitten with Dick Tracy. She kept saying"I just really like his face". Even hours later at bedtime she said "Mom, I really like the way that guy looked, I think I want to marry him". Really!? Marriage!? At the age of 6 AND based on looks alone!? Lord help us!!

One more to go… Two weeks ago after school I had this conversation with Ella:

Me: "How did you like your lunch today?"

Ella: "I loved it, but I didn't like the tiny little pack of yogurt"

Me: "There was no yogurt, you mean the mayonnaise? You didn't eat the mayonnaise did you?"

Ella: "I didn't know it was mayonnaise, I can't read that!?"

So gross but SO funny!!

Gavin is still our same stubborn, wild, little superhero. He has so much energy in that little body of his, but when he does finally crash, he crashes hard! School is going well, he thinks he knows WAY more than he does, but he's doing great. He loves anything to do with Ninja turtles, superheroes, and Legos. He too is playing indoor soccer and just two weeks ago he started TaeKwonDo, which he LOVES! What I love most about Gavin right now is his love of singing along with the radio in the car. Listening to him sing 'his version' of whatever song is on always brings a smile to my face.

Here's a few more of my favorite pics, with a few of the pictures I took myself before the photographer got to the park.

Hopefully, it doesn't take another 3 years to get family photos taken!

Side note….A few weekends ago Ava's soccer coach celebrated the end of the season with his annual Daddy vs. Daughter Soccer Game. Her coach surprised the girls dressed up as 'Ray Feree' to ref the game complete with wig and Australian accent. The girls ate it up.