Barney Family Pictures by April

April and Tawny convinced me to get the family together for a picture. We haven't done this for quite a while. Probably because Linda lives in California and we are here. Also, I really, really don't like taking family pictures. It has been an excruciating experience for many years. The husband and kids just don't like it, and the Barney stubbornness kicks in until I am wanting to pull my hair out. But Tawny wanted family pictures for the calendar, not just collages. I dreaded it, and considered backing out even the night before. I don't know why this was such a big deal for me. It's basically snapping a few shots before we go to church. I didn't buy any special clothes. I didn't get them haircuts, which all the boys needed. Anyway, April took the pictures at her house while her boys performed various poses to make us smile. Lincoln was dancing around like a maniac, and I remember that Preston pooping a pine cone got especially good smiles. You know, that hilarious kid stuff. ;) 

I thought these turned out cute. I keep my expectation very low, so when I saw the pictures I was very pleased. We may even try this again sometime. Thanks for the push, Tawny and April! 

We had some squinting since it was already getting sunny. For some reason I thought a December morning in St. Louis would be overcast. Then again, I never know what to expect here!

Balancing on the backyard stumps

We all thought this was so pretty.

Too sunny for Trevor. Who would have expected 65 degrees on a December morning?

November pictures

We took the kids to the Museum of Transportation.
Surprisingly, Annalisa liked it the most, and Alec was ready to go home after 20 minutes. Later we found out that Anna wanted to stay at the museum until Santa got there. I'm not sure why she thought Santa would be coming to the museum, but it took some convincing to get her to leave. Meanwhile, Alec was driving me crazy until I finally let him wait in the car. I thought little boys were supposed to love all this stuff.

Exploring the trains

Maren had to make a nice dinner for us as part of her Foods and Nutrition class. She served us Chicken Scallopini, baked potatoes, salad, biscuits, and chocolate cake. It was delicious, and even the boys had to admit that they were impressed. Compliments are a rare thing among the siblings, so this was fun to see. The missionaries got to experience Maren's cooking too. Good job, Maren!

Christmas Calli

pretty toes

It was so fun to get pedicures after our trail race last Saturday.
Thanks Tawny and April! What a great day!

Fall Events

Alex opens a birthday present

He turned 7 on October 20. My baby boy is not so baby anymore.

Call me "Mr. Alec" 

Preston and Alec at McDonalds Playland on his birthday

Alec in his Halloween costume

Another costume

Cute cousins at the Pumpkin Patch

Mitchell

Mitchell found his way into the water and was loving it. Everyone turned to watch and admire Mitchell's adventurous  spirit. Then he fell. Maybe I shouldn't have been taking pictures... We were in charge while Tawny took Aubree to the bathroom. Oops. (April would tell this story much better. It was pretty funny.)

Mitchell had a rough week. Tawny tries her best to protect this guy, but he has a knack for getting hurt. He goes for what he wants, throwing caution to the wind. I can't remember all the stories behind these bruises, but I know he fell out of the car once and on this outing he took a direct hit in the face from a small pumpkin. I won't say who was swinging. Tawny tried to lay low until some of these owies faded away.

Fun on a giant pipe

They are making cobra faces. Do you see them?

Sweetest little witch ever

The preschoolers perform for moms. They were adorable. Anna of course refused to sing her solo. I just have to accept that my kids will never sing for me. They are the anti-performers. Even my gregarious Alec never would sing at moments like these.

Aubree sang beautifully of course. She's was a darling fairy princess.

Annalisa, not singing, but looking awfully cute

Lincoln was a super star :) He rose to the challenge and sang about two colors of pumpkins, red and blue. He tried to sing about a green pumpkin too, but didn't have enough hands to hold that bean bag.

Pals

The boys have enjoyed playing soccer together this fall.

Halloween night, featuring a pirate, a dementor, Ducktape girl, Luigi, Spiderman, SWAT guy, Mario, a giraffe, a fairy, and a witch

At the truck-or-treat

These kids have candy coming out of their ears.