Matt and I had our 2nd anniversary a few weeks ago (October 10th. Hooray for us!!!). We went out for Thai food, which is our tradition because on our first date he cooked Thai food for me. A few weeks later he had a conference in Las Vegas so we used that as an anniversary getaway, with Aubriella along with us so I had someone to hang out with while Matt was at all his meethings. But as for a gift I really wanted to get our family pictures taken. Mindy Dahmer's (our next door neighbor) sister, Cassie, does photography on the side. She's taken the Dahmer's and the Gilmore's family pictures which turned out darling. And her price was fantastic! The earliest time that would work for us all was November 10.
It was fun to go shopping with the kids and find a few things they liked that would work for the pictures. Turns out Tyler likes flannel shirts. Emily found a darling blue sweater dress an a skinny orange belt - very much her style. Amy didn't find anything she loved so I shopped around and found a few things and let her pick what she liked. Matt and I both had things that worked already.
So, remember how our wedding colors were fall colors? And how I'd hoped to get some lovely fall family pictures? Well, the day before our session, winter decided to blow through. There were 5-6 inches of snow on the ground. I talked to Cassie, the photographer, and she said if it is clear the next morning then the snow can actually be a great backdrop and provide wonderful lighting. So we went ahead with our plans.
We had arranged to get our pictures in Caroline's neighbor's yard. They bought the lot next to their house and have it landscaped really cute. It was perfect to be able to run in and out of Care's as we needed to.
Along with some of my favorites, I thought I'd write about each person. Here goes...
Emily Rebecca. She'll be 16 in just a few months and is super excited. I'm excited for her. I think she'll love the opportunities that come with this milestone. She's been practicing driving for a few months already. She still has things to learn, but is doing great. She's got a lot of friends and they really seem like good kids. They've gotten together several times to do photo shoots. Emily has a natural talent to capture details in a unique way. I love getting the camera after she's gone for a walk just to see all her pictures. I look forward more and more to see what Emily will do and be. The teenage years can really be rough. There were some challenges getting settled as a family (we're still settling... maybe a better word to describe it is
growing, and that never stops). She is so talented and has so much to give. I also love that she is willing to try so many different things. I can get so caught up in knowing what and how and when to do something that sometimes I don't actually get to the
doing. Emily jumps into things she wants to learn and makes things work. She will do great things. I'm sure of it. I'm grateful I get to be a little part of her life.
Tyler Jared. I can hardly believe how much this kid has changed in the last year. He came walking in one weekend and I literally did a double take because he was a different kid. He must have grown six inches in a week and simply looked more like a young man than a little kid. And to compare these pictures to those of our wedding, or even just the Christmas before (not even a year before) it is crazy to see how much he is growing up. Tyler is quiet in general. But not always. He's got a funny sense of humor and usually jumps in to play board games or come up with some random activity using something he finds around the house, like milk jug lids. I've always loved how he treated his sisters. One of my most favorite things is when he comes and sits at the counter and just chats while I'm making dinner. He continues to work hard in baseball and really is fun to watch. I have to keep reminding him to tell people that I taught him everything he knows about baseball. More and more I picture him as a missionary. There will be challenges, but I have so much confidence in him.
Amy Elizabeth. When Matt and I first got married, every once in a while Amy would hold my hand as we walked into a store or she would slip and call me "Mom." It would take me off guard a little just because I was surprised she was comfortable enough with me, but it made me feel so at ease with her. She has that influence in our home, bringing a sweetness that puts others at ease. She has been excited since we got married about the idea of being a big sister. And what a wonderful big sister she is! It is a joy to see her with Kate. She's always looking for ways to help, getting Kate dressed or watching while she is in her swing. I'm sure they'll have a special bond, these two sisters. Amy has been in gymnastics for a few months now and loving it. It's been so fun to see how much she improves. There are constant handstands and back walkovers and cartwheels going on in the living room. I love watching Amy and Matt. She's still his little girl. It is going to be so fun to watch her grow. What a joy she is to have in our family.
Kathryn Elaine. She's only been here for 3 months, and yet I feel like she's been in my heart forever. In the weeks before she was born I panicked a little that life would never be the same. I would always need to plan for Kate, what she would eat, when she would sleep, was she safe, who would be watching her? It all seemed a little overwhelming, like she would be taking over our lives. And now she's here and it has been some of the sweetest, most happy times in my life. She is changing, right before our eyes, and getting more and more of a personality. She's started giggling a few weeks ago. Truly, there is nothing cuter than the sight of her little face grinning and the sound of her giggle. Matt has a few songs that he sings to her that she recognizes now. She smiles as soon as he starts singing, "Horsey, Horsey" or "This is the Way a Lady Rides." Sometimes it still seems unreal to watch my Matt holding our Kate. I do think about what she'll be like when she's a toddler, and a little girl, and a tweener. But mostly I'm happy just watching her now.
Matthew Jared and Victoria Jane. It's crazy to think we've been married for two years. Truthfully, it feels like we've been together a lot longer than that. Matt stays busy with work and his Elders Quorum responsibilities and plenty of jobs around the house. He used to come home from work and it would startle me when he'd walk into the room I was in. So, now, every day when he finishes work he sends me a text that says, "On my way." I have come to love those words. He is such a good dad, always giving extra effort to support the kids and help out at home. He is a wonderful husband, supportive and kind and happy. I sure love that he's mine forever!
So it actually wasn't terribly cold while we were getting the pictures taken, but after a little while out in the snow, with wet feet, we were sure glad that Matt had thought to bring the propane heater. Kate did really well... until she was done. We warmed her up in front of the heater a few times, but after about 45 minutes Amy took her inside while we did the individual shots.
The boys. I love these pictures of Matt and Tyler. In the first one Tyler looks like a teenager (and Matt looks like he's a dad trying to look cool with his teenage son). In the second, Tyler looks like a boy with his dad. I sure like these two.
The girls. I love this picture.
The kids. Good lookin' group, if you ask me!
These next two are my favorite of them all.
Since we were coming up on Thanksgiving we wanted to take a picture for out Thanksgiving Tree. I think it turned out cute :)
We took some jumping pictures at out wedding that turned out so fun. We thought it would be fun to do one each year. Here's this one:
There we are, the Cornishes.
This year was the second year that Matt and I hosted the gathering. About a week before we were talking about the logistics when a new family tradition was born. Matt wanted to put the Christmas Tree up as part of the decorations. I was opposed, not wanting to skip over Thanksgiving. So he suggested that we have a Thanksgiving Tree. Emily and I both immediately agreed that could be a lot of fun! It wasn't long after that Emily was dragging our tree in. She was the primary decorator, using fall leaves, stuffed crows, tying rafia bows on the branches, little stuffed pumpkins, and a wooden 'Thanks' down the center. We got everyone's family pictures and put those on the tree. It turned out darling. I'm looking forward to this tradition in years to come. 
