Wishing for a Good Family Picture

It is impossible to get all five kids smiling and posing for a picture. There is always one kid missing...
looking the wrong way... or screaming...

I'm hoping the next time I try, it will be more successful.

Wish me luck in the pursuit of a picture for my Christmas card.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

On Black Friday, we decided to avoid the shopping crowds and go to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. The weather was perfect.

The house of pumpkins was amazing. I loved the detail of the horses made out of straw.

There were 14 Storybook Houses located throughout the Arboretum. I loved the unique houses designed by architects.
This house is "The Lorax." The tube phone went from one side to the other of the house and worked really well. The house also had a slide Rachel had a hard time leaving.
The Gardens were beautiful and I saw tons of people taking family photos there. I don't think you could take a bad picture there.
With Rachel's hair getting longer, I sometimes give her ponies. Isn't she cute?
The Koi Fish Ponds were a favorite of the kids. The colorful fish were fascinating to watch. Allan would put his hand over the water or his foot and the fish would surface. These fish had distinctive personalities.

White Rock Lake is located next to the Water Gardens in the Arboretum. It was beautiful, a huge expanse of water.
The Fall leaves were gorgeous and there were tons of little hidden garden crannies the kids loved finding.
Rachel has learned that Dad = adventure. Throughout most of the day, Rachel would grab Jacob's finger pulling him around so she could see the things she wanted.
In the Texas Pioneer Section, the kids played in the teepee, and the pioneer model houses.
The Arboretum is one of the most beautiful places in Dallas.

Happy Thanksgiving

How was your Thanksgiving break? I enjoyed every little bit of mine. I was so busy I forgot to take any pictures. The food was delicious as always. I cooked the turkey in a bag and used a compound butter method I saw on the CBS show. The boys played their annual Turkey Bowl but this year Allan and Nathan beat Jacob and Joshua. There was a lot of celebrating!

Of course I can't post without a picture. This was taken on the Suncreek Trails a couple days before. We went there to finish up Allan's last Activity Badge for Webelos.