Family Pictures!

I talked Big Amber into taking our family pictures a couple of weeks ago.  She was very nervous, but didn't she do a great job?  I foresee a fabulous career in her future. :)

Two handsome boys. Wouldn't you know our kids would get old enough so that we don't have to work miracles to get the youngest to smile, but now Aaron is the hold out.  Teenagers!

 Chad in his last official pose with braces (we hope).

 Sweet Miranda!

 These girls love to pose.

 Sisters and friends.

Bethany thought she got the raw end of the deal on this picture because she didn't get to be on anyone's back.

 Spunky Little Amber!

 Look at that smile.

 Aaron looking not totally pained.  I guess that's all we could hope for.

 Bethany does love to be photographed.

We took this under an arch of trees by the Rio Grande.  The colors were fabulous and this arch was custom made for picture taking. 

Take a look at how the boys have gotten since our last photo to the side. I'm going to change that picture, but I wanted to leave it for a week or so for comparison's sake.

 We had to take a picture in the tree!

 By the river.  Amber took one with us looking at the river from behind, but I will have to photoshop my derriere before I make that available for general viewing. :)

This is one of my favorites.   Bethany insisted on taking a picture on this log which she calls the murder log because she scraped her knee really badly one time when we went hiking here and she tried to climb on it.

 Mom and Dad.

I can't decide which of the next two pictures I like better.  One of them will go out with Christmas cards.  I am taking votes.

 
Almost the same, but Aaron is actually smiling.

Happy Fall everyone!

Halloween 2011!

It's time to post Halloween pictures in a completely non-chronological order because apparently my camera has lost its mind and I'm too lazy to organize the pictures manually.  Maybe the camera is  haunted.  Spooky!

So, another Day of ghosts and goblins has passed successfully at the Smith house.  Pumpkin carving was a hit as always.  Chad's pumpkin had a quite intricate carving of the Red Sox Emblem.  If you are his Facebook friend, you can see a close-up picture of it.  If you are not, you are one of only six people left in the country who Chad does not now count among his Facebook Friends.  (Not to make you feel bad or anything.)

 The lighting of the Jack-O-Lanterns, a time-honored tradition!

 Aunt Strawberry Shortcake, the best aunt in the world taking pictures of her cosmetic handiwork.

Aunt Becca and baby Chance.  Isn't he delicious?

What a scary little spider our Amber is.

On the way to the ward Halloween Carnival.  Bethany's quite obviously mad about something that I can't now recall, but that pretty much goes with the territory.

Chance in costume #2.  I guess when you're this cute, one just won't suffice.

Aunt Emily, Amber, Miranda and Collin getting ready for the big haul.  Bethany was with her bestest friend Alia on this night as always and we didn't see her until trick-or-treating was complete.

Mom and the girls at the ward Halloween carnival.  The boys were otherwise occupied with the fanciest and scariest spook alley in the history of La Cueva Ward.  The young men worked on it for weeks and Chad & Aaron didn't get home until 10:30 that night taking it down and cleaning up.

And so we're on to Thanksgiving.  We had a great October, complete with Halloween parties galore (including one at our house complete with 19 little girls and nineteen pillows that were supposed to be used for sitting but ended in being used in one big pillow fight) and all the ding-dong booing we could possibly want.  Good times!