Utah!

the day after Christmas we got to head up to Utah with the Earl clan to hang out at the cabin and even spend a couple days skiing!!! (and snowboarding for Jason) it was so much fun.  the first day the girls spent the morning in ski school so mom and dad had a little date, snow style!

all three came out of ski school fantastic skiers! so we spent the last hour or so on the slopes with our 3 big girls!  it was so much fun seeing what they had learned and capturing it all on the GoPro.  

by day two, the girls were speeding down the mountain so well, it was tough keeping up.  (especially this post-partum momma).  what a fun way to ring in the new year!  ( thanks to grandma and grandpa for watching the little kids while we played!)

it's christmas time, again!

this Christmas was the first we shared as a complete family.  these cuties looked cute in their Christmas jammies as they slumbered in anticipation of a fun morning!

Santa did not disappoint.  each child received just what they were hoping for, and we got to capture it all with Daddy's gift, a GoPro.  

American Girls were at the top of everyone's lists this year.  In our family, if you would like to ask Santa for an American Girl doll, you first have to read the books and give the family a report on the time period.  Anna can take on a whole series no problem.  But for the younger readers (or non readers in Avery's case) we settle for 1 book.  So these are the smiles of girls who truly earned their dolls.  

Anna gave me these awesome glasses, and Dad gave all his girls golf hats for their one on one golf dates.  

Zoe received her Daddy Bear, a special bear we make for each child on their first Christmas.  Each bear has a loving message recorded by Dad. 

earl family blog book 2013

every year we "surprise" our parents with a year in review book:

Click here to view this photo book larger

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looks can be deceiving

this may look like an old water heater, but i bet you didn't know it was a bucking bronco.  

these kids were having a blast "helping" Jason!  on a side note: we know have hot water again!  win-win!

student of the month!

Madeline was chosen student of the month for the attribute of Gratitude.  We couldn't be prouder. 

Mrs. Casey wrote, "Maddie is a respectful, polite and kind girl.  She helps her peers whenever it is necessary and Maddie is a role model to our class."

it's is always so wonderful to see others see the great qualities in our kids that we see.  

zoe 5 months

'nuff said!

thanksgiving

these are the only photos i got from our amazing Thanksgiving in California. 

everything was gorgeous, everything was delicious, and we had an amazing time with family and friends!

november fun

our November was unusually slow thanks to this little monkey. she keeps us up and keeps us on our toes all day.  there is very little photographic evidence of this.  

zoe 4 months

our little caboose is 4 months

this is halloween - 3 superheros, a princess, and a future butterfly

i have a slight obsession with halloween. it's always been so alluring, the costumes, the makeup, the candy! taking halloween portraits is a fun way for me to capture the costumes these cuties chose.  

this year we had 3 superheros and a princess.  

the caterpillar made her appearance later in the day! 

as usual, the festivities brought a crowd. 

 love, love, love these faces!

happy halloween!

soccer

fall soccer season was new to us this year.  in the past we have been scared off by the heat.  but Madeline and Avery are dedicated soccer players.  this year Avery had dad as a coach.  Go Blue Robins!  (yeah, you read that right, BLUE robins)

Madeline was happy to be back with Coach Hal and her pals.  this season these cuties were the watermelons!

another 5 year old? happy birthday to Avery!

year 5 is such a milestone.  five year olds and learning, growing, stretching their imaginations, and gaining independence.  Avery is one inquisitive little girl, and the beach was the perfect place to celebrate this milestone birthday.  

we brought a beautiful dress for her portraits and grandma added a fun floral wreath and we ventured out to the sand and the sunset.  

 Avery was in heaven exploring the sand to find new treasures.

 and turning new treasures into jewelry.

 and then home again.  welcome to age five little A.

portraits on the beach - extended family style

when you take a vacation to the beach, with your entire extended family, you better plan on taking some formal portraits.  Autumn and I texted wardrobe ideas back and forth until we felt the cousins were perfectly coordinated. 

 we think the photos were Christmas card worthy.  

 grandma and grandpa went for a collage that captured the fun and beauty of our entire week!

it was a wonderful vacation, and i'm so happy we took the time out for formal beach family photos!

zoe 3 months

it's hard to believe 3 months have gone by since this little girl made her debut.  for the occasion we broke out one of the fun outfits from aunt Lori.  

 since she was feeling like being photographed, we went for it.  

 this is the best stage to get those sweet little new smiles.  

 you can't forget the tush on this little number!

we are loving this little bundle, even while she's keeping us on our toes!