The Anderson kids...

I've decided that when you're working with kids as beautiful as these, it's hard NOT to get a good picture. Today I got to visit with a friend from church and her adorable little ones...and while I was there, I snapped a few photos of them! Shannon, it was REALLY good to get a chance to visit....we need to do it again before too long! There are quite a few more in Picasaweb for your enjoyment (click on the link to the left that says "more of our photos in picasaweb").

Oh, Country Life...

As I'm sure lots of you know, we have had quite a problem with flies, insects, and mice in this house, which I believe was built in the 40's.  Well by now we are quite used to it...spiders crawl in Owen's crib and we just flick them away; C.J. gets rid of dead mice by just picking them up bare-handed; and I vacuum up dead flies about 3 times a day.  But for some reason, my experience this morning really got to me.  When I went to take a bath and started my bath water, EIGHT spiders crawled up the drain into the water....EIGHT!  Normally one or two crawl out and I have to fish them out with my hands...but eight?  The first few weren't so bad but by the time I got to #4 and it started squealing around in my hand as I threw it out of the tub, I kinda wanted to scream...and I'm not a wuss.  I have a pretty high tolerance for unwanted creatures, but this morning just put me over the edge.  Don't get me wrong...I LOVE living out here and love the lifestyle that comes with it.  But every once in a while I start to think that living in a NEW house would be awfully appealing.  And then I just remind myself of how awesome it is to raise Owen here and I quickly get over it.  Today, however, I could do without the spiders!

The Linehan Family

So today I got to take my first whack at photographing a family! An old friend of mine from high school who I hadn't seen in WAY too long made the trek to our place with her family...and let me just say, "boy were they ever troopers!" I have officially decided that capturing an entire family is WAY harder than photographing individuals...but, I had a ton of fun! The boys really hung in there and Kim and Aaron were totally awesome in obliging me and my hair-brained ideas. There are a whole bunch more in Picasaweb if you want to see them (have I ever mentioned that the best way to view the photos in Picasaweb is by clicking on the "slideshow" button?). Kim, I know there aren't really any PERFECT shots but I hope you enjoy them just the same! It was super fun to see you...and your family is absolutely beautiful!

Today's Experiments...

I've been trying to figure out how to take indoor shots, so today I decided to play. There are more in Picasaweb for those who want to see. And by the way, I am having a ton of fun taking pictures lately and I'm running out of subjects. Any volunteers?

Grama's boys...

More from this morning in Picasaweb!

Alli's boys...

Happy Monday!

Our boy this morning.

The fruits of Daddy's labor this weekend
(and boy am I ever excited about it!)

I know this isn't the greatest pic, but I had to include it because I thought the mix of Christmas lights and fall foliage was rather unique...or maybe we're jumping the gun a bit...but why not? I mean, if you like Christmas why not enjoy it in November too?

Before we know it, he'll be changing water with the fellas...

We're finally on the mend!!!

The picture above was taken yesterday when Owen was at his sickest. After more than a week of yuck going around our family, I think we've finally started to recover. So, what did I feel like doing once I got my energy back? Taking pictures, of course! Hence, the shots below. What a difference a day makes...the little guy is returning to his normal happy self and let me just say that we are very thankful for that! So here you have a little peak into our cozy fall day:

Lunchtime contentness:

Peaking through the drums:

View from the other side:

This is how he woke up from his nap:

And finally, here is a look at the grossness that has become our yard this fall:

Grandpa St. Hilaire's Burger King Birthday Bash...

The Birthday Boy

Hudson

Grant

Grandpa and his bride

Solomon

Fun in the slide

Jeff and Leah

While I'm having good luck with the internet...

...I thought I'd add another video. This is just a little clip of Owen saying some of the words he knows (plus, he happens to be in the bath). In the past few weeks he has started to attempt to say any word you throw at him. It's so fun to watch his vocabulary expand...although I'm not sure those who aren't around him all the time will understand! But hey, he's trying!!

Our little soccer player in the making...

First of all, you seriously have NO idea how hard it was for me to load this darn video onto our blog. It only took a good dozen attempts before out internet connection FINALLY worked. But you get to see it just the same...even if it is a day late! We took this video of Owen last week (before we all came down with the flu). I'm thinking maybe we should get him on a soccer team in a few years...what do you think?

P.S. Sorry about the poor quality of the video. Our camera has a weird fish-eye lens on it that distorts the picture...and then we have to make the video really small just so that our internet connection will actually upload it. But hey, you get the idea!