Trick-or-Treat!...2013

We won best overall costume at our neighborhood Halloween party.  We were all so excited about it!  I think this years costume selection was totally awesome!  All night we had people enthusiastically complimenting the kids.  And if they saw Gru and came to him to get candy, the always asked where his minions were.  Then Jason would point the kids out (who were usually a house or two ahead).  :)  What a fun night!

We decided to go trick-or-treating as a family.  So we left this note on the front door.  All the kiddos loved it!  They had fun looking for us. 

                                                   Boy!  What a boat load of candy!! 

Gideon's 1 yr. pictures

3x's a charm, right?

So, Jason and I purchased a great camera 2 yrs. ago.  Our Disney trip motivated us to get it.  And being able to do our own family portraits justified it.  I mean we would be saving a TON of money on sitting fees, photographer fees, and etc.  It truly has saved us a lot of money.  But time on the other hand is a different story.  The very first time we attempted to take our own pictures we literally took dozens maybe even hundreds of pictures.  And had to try it two days in a row.  We could NEVER get all of us to look at the camera at the same time and do it smiling.  (without cheesy smiles)  I would have to get up and down to restart the timer and hit the shutter release button. Then run like a crazy back into position before it snapped a few pictures.  Honestly it was exhausting and frustrating.  We did finally get one.  just one.  (you may remember, it was last year's Christmas card.)  I was so happy, no relieved, well maybe both, with the result. 

Fast forward to this year and we have attempted it 3 x's.  Yes people, 3 x's.  Once in August, once in September, and again just recently here in October.  Whew!!  It wasn't until this last time that we realized we could purchase remotes for the camera.  How smart is that?!?!  Golly I wish I had one.  We still don't.  But guess who is asking Santa for one? 

Below are some of the simply hilarious pictures the camera caught. 

 

 

August attempt.  Bomb! 

The sun was so bright the kids could hardly open their eyes!  I'm cracking up just thinking about it!  lol!

 

September attempt.  Doh!

I just barely made it in the picture in time.  And there's awful shadows.  And, I'm not sure, but Jason looks like I'm pinching him or something!  HAHAHA!!

 

Almost perfect, except Emma turned at the last second and Gideon looks scared.  The lighting here is my favorite.  (and let me just say, That is one fine looking man!)  I think we may have a winner somewhere in this grouping.  Be on the lookout for this year's Christmas card. 

I hope you enjoyed this little bit of Craziness! 

That's all folks! 

 

Dinner help

Gage is my helper in the Kitchen.  He loves it.  Seriously, I can see him being a chef one day.  But he still has a few things to learn.  Like, weeds really aren't tasty in curry chicken.  Little stinker added this green "herb" from some random plant in the back yard when my back was turned!  It made us laugh so hard though!  ha! ha! ha!

just some thoughts...

I haven't been using my blog much.  I've had conflicting feelings about it.  I've had conversations with some great ladies about the blogging/FB/twitter, etc. world.  I've come to the conclusion that the world of internet is sort of a deception.  I mean, we see our dear friends only posting the most perfect pictures, and blogging about the sweet, tender things in their lives.  (which I am not knocking!)  But, it can start to give the appearance that they or their families are perfect.  And then you start to feel down about yourself/family.  Why?  Because you DO have problems and you feel like some kind of failure or something.  You know that feeling...it comes when you start scrolling down the page of the most recent Pinterest pins and you say to yourself how lousy you are because you didn't sew a vintage hat for your kid's teachers.  Yeah, that feeling. 

So, I've tried to avoid being that kind of person.  I don't want to think that others are perfect, and I really don't want others to think that way about us.  But, I've also noticed that people can use these websites to bully and be mean.  I just read an article about it today in the August Ensign. 

A few months ago I posted about a lady (a complete stranger) and my very upset feelings about her.  I used this blog to vent...I mean no one reads it anyway.  Yes, it's true, she was not very nice.  But, I found myself asking today if I was any better of a person by ranting on my blog?  Yes, I came up with the conclusion that if I had to ask myself that question, I already knew the answer.  I would be heart broken if I ever found out that someone did that to me.  As I'm sure she would feel if she ever came across my post.  We're human, we make mistakes.  So, I'm chalking it up to that.  Forgiving and forgetting.  And I have deleted my post, and now apologize for subjecting her to such treatment and to you for making it so public. 

To whomever reads this...all my love. 

Easter 2013

I made the boy's bow ties and Emma's skirt.  (Thank you sweetheart for the sewing machine!) 

Boy am I lucky.  Such good-looking people I get to love and live with!

Gunner's 7th birthday party

We did a lego theme.  Of course all the boys loved it.  And I think Jason had a lot of fun running it.  It was the first time he was in charge of a party.  Gunner received many lego gifts and was thrilled.  Right after everyone headed home, we filed into the van, and headed to Ohio.  I can't believe how quickly time flies.  He is such a fun loving little man.  And his smile is a heart breaker. 

Emma's yearly pictures

A bit late I know, but here is my beautiful Emma.  Age 10.  She is already one dynamite girl.  She's going to make one dynamite woman someday. 

The Glover's visit to Georgia!

We went to Chuck-e-cheese for Izzie's birthday.  Of course, the kids loved it, and the parents left feeling over stimulated and exhausted!  hahaha!

Now where did Uncle Sean go??

These two 3 yr. olds are super cute with eachother. 

We went to P.F. Changs on a double date to celebrate our 12th anniversary.  Lots of laughs and good food. 

Family Photo 2012

So much has changed since 2011. New job, new home, new ward, new school, new baby (who by the way has stolen all of our hearts!), new everything.  Some find change and new things exciting, we have discovered that us Staleys, don't.  But, our Heavenly Father has brought us here and we will do the best we can.  And love Him and eachother all the greater for it.

Arise and go forth...

This is bread dough that I left on the counter while I ran to the school to pick up the kids.  I was gone about 25 minutes.  Holy cow!  I will NEVER leave my dough unsupervised, again!  You just never know what it's going to do! 

Thanksgiving 2012, again.

We went for a walk and put the babies together in the stroller. 

They are so darn cute!

Johnny let me take his picture because he was holding such a sweet baby.  This is a rarity.  Yes, we should treasure this shot.  Most are of the back of his head, as he turns it the last minute before the flash!  little stinker!

Addysen and Grandma Vicki meeting Gideon for the first time.  Addysen was very giddy, it was really cute! 

Thanksgiving 2012

We celebrated Emma and Johnny's birthdays. 

We saved one of her presents to give to her at Nana and Papa's.  It's a nightgown that she's been wanting for a long time. 

Johnny got some camo and hunting stuff.  And a new tie.

 

And of course, they had to squeeze in a ride with Papa on the motorcycle.

Emma's 10 birthday

Emma turned 10! 

This was her favorite gift, a hair straightener.  Love that expression!

All the kids sang kereoke, and were super cute while "performing"!

Emma's room

We painted and added the wainscoting.  We also repainted her furniture.  There are lots more ideas, but this is starting to look pretty good.