Our Life these Days

We recently had our family pictures taken.  There are

18

of us!

Traditionally family pictures have been a lot like going to the dentist or preparing for a final.

Stressful.

Not because I don't like to do them but because four boys men that I raised had a way of complaining and goofing around and complaining until they would succeed in making it, well 

miserable.

I know people who have their pictures taken every year. Their families always seem beautiful, perfect and they have this record of what they looked like every year of their life. 

Not Us.

We have ours done about every three years. We need to turn over a new leaf.  I have to say that my boys didn't complain at all (to me) this time. 

Our photographer, Brittany, was a joy to work with.

Best of all the kids were adorable.

I love how the pictures turned out.  Not only that but there is nothing like us getting our family pictures taken that prompts the almost immediate outdating of that picture.  This time is no exception!

Announcing:

Two new arrivals in September!  Tyler and Bekah are expecting a new baby boy on September 3 and  Todd and Nikki are expecting a new baby girl on September 12!

We will be up to

20

We couldn't be happier!

 

It is almost a shame that no picture was taken of the scene that we were looking at.  My boys were all going crazy trying to get their kids to smile.

Who would have EVER thought the Danielson's would have so many girls?

 

Just a word about my family. There is nothing more important, more precious, more complicated, more enjoyable, breaks your heart faster or that brings greater rewards.  I would be lost without my family. They mean everything to me. Not a single thing I do would bring me an ounce of joy if they weren't all a part of my family. I hope everyone of them understands how much they are loved and how grateful I am for them.

Especially this guy...he is amazing!

Indulge me! I can't help it, they are just so cute!

 

Alyvia

 

June

 

Claire

 

Audrey

 

Ruby

 

Jacob

 

Nathan

 

Luke

 

Just four more pictures...for me!

 

The kids gave us a gift certificate to have our pictures taken with the grandchildren for Christmas. We decided to have the whole family done at the same time.  Anyway, wanted to take pictures in front of the pretty flowers!

 

Obviously I was holding two babies and I was doing O.K. until Claire started crying!

 



 

Immediately Ruby became concerned with Claires tears and started to crawl onto my lap to comfort her. Dennis rescued Audrey, whew! Luke and Nathan were pretty bored, Jacob was watching to get some pointers on babies. June and Lyvi were looking at the same thing as Nathan but I couldn't tell you who or what that was. I had too much help on my lap! Dennis never flinched.  (How does he do that?)

 

 Finally Claire was happy again!  Crisis averted...I love having that probably 30 second moment in time documented because it was so sweet.  Good job Ruby. 
 

 

Epilogue: When we were all finished with our photo shoot we started back to our cars. The park we were in was down in a little ravine with a steep dirt trail that led into it. Ruby had brought a little doll stroller to play with during the photo shoot and had climbed into it (she was WAY too big for that stroller) June pushed her in it around the park a bit and then all the way up the trail. It took them a "while" and it was Arizona so it was warm but June did it the whole way by herself. She loves Ruby and Ruby loves "Noon" right back. They are such cute cousins. And that is just the kind of thing that puts a smile on my face every single time!

So Much Sweetness!