Fall Pictures 2009

Brandy Stone held a photo fundraiser for someone in their ward who has health problems. She took black and white photos this time. The kids had a good time posing. Here are just a few of the better pictures.

Christmas Tree Decorating

Traditionally we put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. We miss the smell of a real tree but not all the needles and bugs that come with it. Our tree is in four parts so it takes a few of us to assemble it together. The kids had fun putting on all the decorations. I let them put on whatever they wanted so it has a variety of ornaments. Some are handmade and some are not. Chris and Courtney argued over who would put the angel on the top. I think Adam had to do it because the tree is so tall.

Thanksgiving Birthdays

Mom and Sundance
Zach opening birthday gifts
Chris relaxes in the rocker
Zach loves his Bakugan toys

Zach's birthday is on December 4th and my Dad's is on November 29th, so usually we celebrate the two on Thanksgiving Day.

Jennifer is getting her teeth ready.
Chris give us the peace sign.
Courtney is an 80's Diva.
Zach is going commando squad.

First Day of School Fall '09

Chris did not want his picture taken. He leaves a lot earlier than Courtney and Zach.

Zach and Courtney in their new duds. Both chose orange shirts for the first day.

"Peace Out!"

Our new bus stop is way around the corner at the entrance to the development.

That may change. Courtney is in the black sweater jacket.

Zach was not super excited for the first day of school. He seemed ok getting on the bus.
How strange to see them get on the bus for Graham Elementary. The first day of school is always hard for mom.

Fun on the Four Wheelers

The family finally found time to take the quads out. We went to Blue Lake ORV Park up by Mt. St. Helens. The kids had a good time and the weather was just right. Adam brought two tents along so the kids had their own space. We were able to snag this really nice camp site next to a stream, with trails leading from it. Our little quad kept dying on us but Adam and Chris figured out the problem. Then the Dune Buggy died, luckily at the camp site. Zach and Courtney had some close calls with their reckless driving but all in all we had fun. We left Sundance at home so we were all anxious to get back home and see her.

Courtney on the 150
Chris on the 150 at night - We had a few problems with the 90
so we stopped to try and fix it.

The Sleeping Giant - Mt. St. Helens

Chris on mom's 250 - He loves mine too much.

We had to tow the Buggy up this steep hill with Adam's quad. It didn't have enough HP.

Zach and the Dune Buggy
Chris on the 150
Courtney on the 90
Courtney and Dad making faces
Courtney is trying to be modelesque with her food

Fourth of July at the lake

Kids had alot of fun playing in the water

July 5th Playing in the Mountains

Went up to the mountains to get out of the house. We went up with our neighbors and took some guns. The kids shot at targets and the adults shot at clay pigeons. Chris really liked throwing them up in the air. Courtney and her friend wandered off exploring, playing in the snow. Chris and Zach had a lot of fun shooting guns. Chris does pretty good with the bigger guns. Zach likes the little .22 that I have. Courtney and Brittney had fun just wandering around playing in the snow. Sundance loved the snow too. This was as far as we could go as the road right around the corner had a three foot snow drift covering it.

Our New Puppy, Sundance

Zach and Sundance
Lauren, Courtney, Sundance & Annie
Sundance and Ozzy the hamster meet.
What a Muttley Crew!

Our new baby, Sundance.

The Banks Family has grown. We bought a Golden Retriever puppy who was born March 15th, 2009. She is so sweet and playful. The kids are loving every minute of it. She really likes Adam the best, though. When he leaves or shuts the door Sundance whines for him. It's like having another baby in the family without the crying and screaming. Sundance will never tell me she wants a cell phone or a laptop computer. We are enjoying her immensely.