Family Pictures 2012

We couldn't be more pleased with the way our family photos turned out. Keri always does an amazing job.  Family pictures are always a challenge, but oh so worth it!  I LOVE my family!

 

Family Picture Time

Family picture time is always a mix of stress, anxiety and a little bit of excitement. What will everyone wear? Where will we take the pictures? Will everyone cooperate? Will we get at least one good family shot to use on our Christmas card?  I keep thinking it will get less stressful as the kid get older, but I can honestly say, it hasn't!  I love the tradition of taking a family picture every year and also pictures of the kids.  I don't buy the cheesy school pictures, so I think it is especially important to get some good individual pictures at the time of our photo shoot. 

This year, we decided to do our pictures on the ground of the Sacramento Temple.  This has been a year of the temple for the Sly family.  We were able to do Scotty's temple work and Chris' family was finally sealed together forever.  Such a sacred year and we wanted to remember the temple this year.  I love the temple grounds and so do the kids so we decided we would go there.  The temple never disappoints.  The kids were fairly cooperative, for a time and I think we got some great shots.  I took a few candids myself, but the real ones from our amazing photographer are much, much better!

And sometimes, taking pictures with the kids can be downright entertaining.  Loren was really into making strange faces, while Grant sat still with an almost fake smile plastered on his face.  Oh the joys of trying to get "natural" looking shots!  Even Daddy couldn't help getting in on the cheesy grin look.  Family picture taking is so much fun.

Highway 65 - Lincoln Bypass

The long awaited Lincoln Highway 65 Bypass was set to open in early October 2012.  When we moved to Lincoln in 2001, the bypass was still in the planning phases.  We weren't sure it would ever happen, but the time had finally come.  Our little city had endured years of construction, road closures and various detours as the bypass was being constructed.  The Bypass was set to open and the day before, the City had a special ceremony and then opened up the bypass to pedestrians.  This would be the only time that we could walk, ride scooters or bikes on the bypass.  We weren't going to pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity.  Who can actually say they pushed their baby stroller on a freeway or rode a scooter?  We invited our friends, The Vegas, to join us after the kids were out of school.  We met over at the Holiday Inn Express which is right near the freeway off ramp to Ferrari Ranch road and that is where we began our journey. 

The kids were beyond thrilled and just kept running ahead.  It was hard for Kristine and I to keep up with the kiddos.  It was definitely a community event.  We saw lots of friends sharing this same unique experience.  It is something I know my kids will never forget.  The next morning, very early, the road was opened to cars and we now enjoy the easy access on and off of Highway 65.  It has definitely shortened our commute time to Roseville and has made it quicker for Daddy to get to work too.