Family Photos

While we were at our lake place this past weekend, we had some family photos taken. It's hard getting everyone to cooperate at the same time, but we came away with some great shots! Thanks to Niki for giving up her Saturday morning to snap some shots for us!
http://www.faithdesignphotography.com/

Here is a sampling of our photo session...

Photo Editing

Thanks for the comments on the picture of William! It was taken at our lake place, next to the tool shed. I've always thought that wall would make a cool background. The last time we were down there I was able to get William to stand still for 2 or 3 minutes (minor miracle) so I could snap a few pics. I'd prefer that he'd worn solid color shirt or something without writing for better effect, but they still turned out pretty well.

I read about picnik on a couple of other blogs and I finally decided to try it. It's pretty easy to use, and the best part? It's FREE! The skeptic in me says this will change as more people get wind of it, but for now it's a fun thing to do without any monetary investment.

And to those of you who asked when he grew up, I wish I knew. It's happened over night. He's suddenly a little man. It seems like he looks different - and taller - every day!

Here are some more photos from that weekend: some edited, some not.

The Year in Pictures

January: We celebrated our first full month home! We had our first family portraits made.

February: Our Sunday School class had a 'shower' for us. They gave us a huge basket of gifts and a very generous Target gift card. In addition to many necessities purchased, William was also able to buy a guitar! He started soccer this month. My grandmother's friends also had a shower for us. We were blessed with so many nice things!

March: Soccer kicked into full swing. We celebrated St. Patricks Day and Easter.

April: We dedicated William at our church's parent/child dedication service - a very special evening! William had a small outpatient procedure and did great. He also got to see his half-brother again after more than 2 years apart. He participated in his first school play, Noah's Ark.

May: The 24th brought his birthday, but we seemed to celebrate all month long! He also went golfing with us.

June: William's first beach trip was in June, to Myrtle Beach. We had a great time! We also did some hiking in North Georgia.

July: William got to see the Dark Knight, our first (but definitely not last) parenting boo-boo. We saw the previews and told him we'd take him to see it, not knowing what it was rated. But he did great (we covered his eyes at points we thought might be too scary or graphic). He also took swim lessons and did great. He got to meet his newest cousin, Drew. At the lake, he went tubing ALL BY HIMSELF!

August: We prepared for school to start back. He met a great new friend, Samuel, who was recently adopted from Russia and would be in his kindergarten class.

September: We went to the World of Coke, the Stone Mountain Laser Show, the Duluth Fall Festival, and a UGA football game. William started kindergarten and loved it!

October: Lots of time spent with family. William really enjoyed dressing up as Batman for his first Halloween. We took him camping for the first time ever, and he really enjoyed it.

November: We had so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! Our little "Pilgrim Minister" did great in his class program. We enjoyed getting the house ready for Christmas and spending lots of time with family and friends.

December: William totally got into Christmas. We were back home with him last year but everything was so new and he didn't really understand what was happening. This year he was quick to tell everyone that "Christmas is really about Jesus' birth".