Family pictures...take 2

So my cousin Rachelle (her website here) & I did a little family photo swap (I did hers, she did mine). I told her- I just want one where the kids are at least looking in the direction of the camera (I swear my kids are the worst I've ever seen when it comes to family pictures!)...and she was awesome!  To my surprise she got more than one (not that I was doubting her abilities...just my kids! haha).  Maybe next year I'll have trained my children to actually smile.  Thanks Rachelle! We love them!
And these were a few I snapped while the kids were playing around after our pictures (minus the ones where they are sitting by each other.  Those I threatened & bribed to get them to sit still!).

Sister Burt & Sister Torres

Once upon a time (10 years ago if I'm counting right), I was a young twenty-something walking the streets of Spain, stopping strangers on the street to invite them to hear a message about Jesus Christ. I was young. The land & language were foreign. It was hard...so hard. So much rejection. Many times I felt inadequate. But I was willing and I so much wanted to be an instrument in the hands of God. Like all heart felt service, I can sincerely say that I gained much more than I ever gave.

In the area in which I live (Bolivar, MO area), there are 4 missionaries- two boys (or elders) & two girls (or sisters). I have a soft spot in my heart for them. I love them & I want to remember every one of them & their examples of selfless service. They uplift me & my family when we invite them into our home.  I wish everyone could get to know them & see their quiet examples of good! They are true disciples of Christ & examples of charity to me. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Sooo...in an effort to do so, I thought it'd be fun to document the different missionaries that serve in our area. So here we go...
Sister Burt (left) & Sister Torres (right)

Sister Torres
From- Gulroy, California

Before the mission- she graduated from Gilroy High School

Hobbies- drawing & running

After the mission plans- go to the LDS Business College for an associates in Medical Assisting.

Family- consists of her mom & dad & 2 brothers & a sister (also serving a mission- Salt Lake City spanish speaking).

Testimony- "The gospel was introduced to my family when my mother was about 15 years old. They accepted it into their lives and because of that I now have the gospel in my life and have felt the joy and peace that comes from it. I know that this gospel is true and I know the blessings that come from it and that is part of the reason why I decided to come on a mission- to share the truthfulness of this gospel with others, so they can feel the blessings that I have felt from it."

Favorite scripture- 1 Nephi 8:12- "And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."

Sister Burt
From- Rigby, Idaho

Before the mission- studied Early Childhood Care & Education at Idaho State University

Hobbies- Flute, Crafts

After the mission plans- I want to work in a preschool and some day I want to have mine own.

Family- an older sister, younger sister & younger brother

Testimony- "I know this church is true.  Going out every day and teaching people about it, my testimony has grown so much.  I can't imagine my life without this gospel.  It has brought me so much peace and comfort.  We are so blessed to have a prophet who leads us in these days.  I know he is a prophet of God.  I love bringing people this happiness that I have, and to see their lives change and to see them come closer to Christ."

Favorite scripture- Moroni 7:33- "And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me."

My sympathetic little guy

October General Conference pictures...kinda

So remember our family tradition of taking general conference pictures (quick tangent- general conference was awesome!  My favorite talks were probably Uchtdorf & Richard G. Scott...gosh, I know I'm forgetting some.  And truth be told, I fell asleep & need to relisten to some of the talks! haha)  every april & october? Well, this year I wasn't feeling very good around conference time, so we postponed pictures. And then we thought, might as well wait for the fall leaves.

So last Sunday we met my sister at the park. I took pictures of her family & then I handed off my camera to her & she took pictures of our family. Sheena got some really good pictures of the tree...behind us...nevermind us in the foreground. But she did capture this gem. Isn't this how pictures with kids typically go?
After Sheena's lovely "scenery" pictures, we decided Bradley might be a little better with a camera. To his credit, he got some nice pictures of me & Chad (although, Chad's in trouble for one of his half hearted smiles- while I, on the other hand, look so in love & happy to be with him! haha).
Bradley also got one nice family shot where both kids were actually looking in the direction of the camera...but sadly, I handed the camera over to him with the settings slightly overexposed. Hard to recover a picture that's overexposed. The best way I know how...black & white! So here you go!
We're going to attempt these family pictures one more time. This time I've traded pictures with my cousin Rachelle. She's awesome. If the pictures don't turn out, it won't be her fault, but ours!

Halloween 2013

Now that I'm seeing everyone's cute halloween pictures (to name a few, my sister...my sister in law...my cousin), I halfway wish I would've...

#1- dressed up my kids (yes, this is their pajama top)
&
#2- get decent shot of them together.

Chad & me were just kinda like, 'Okay, let's do this thing!'.  So I snapped a few on-the-run sort of shots, we hit up 4 houses in the neighborhood, & then we (meaning Chad & me) decided to call it a night.

Oh well. I'm sure next year with Liam being a little older, we will have no choice but to make a bigger deal out of halloween. :)
Max was like this until Chad gave him a tootsie roll...& then he decided he likes halloween.
Our cute little neighbor girl that Liam adores.
The 1st house...& then it got too dark to get any decent picture :)