double the fun

when two sisters have six children in five years, the logistics of getting the families together can get a little hairy.  we've tried the eating-out-together-after-church thing, but we're pretty limited on where our crew can agree on and/or fit.  chipotle (also referred to in our family as heaven) worked well during the summer when we could eat outside, but apparently the person in charge of restaurant design has two kids or less because he thought it was a good idea to bolt all of the four-top tables indoors to the floor.  jason's deli is always an option, but then bethany finds herself forced into eating green things like lettuce and broccoli, and she's just not into that.  we've tried sit-down mexican restaurants as well, but i just can't justify paying $30 for our family to eat greasy cheese. 
so recently we've been on the domino's take-out plan.  we take turns picking up a couple of $5.99 pizzas, and then our families are free to eat, chat, run, and play in the privacy of our own home.  (and besides, at what restaurant can you settle in for a little post-meal guitar lesson?)

bethany and i have also settled into a nice routine lately that lets us get the kids together during the week to play.  on wednesdays, bethany drives her crew to our house for playtime and lunch.  we chat, the kids play, and after we eat, our group heads to ballet, and she runs to publix to steal her weekly groceries (i've officially been replaced as the "coupon queen".  publix actually paid her $.53 to buy her groceries not long ago!)  here are a few shots i got the other day of the girls when they were all cuddling on the couch...

 

then, of course, i really wanted to get a few of jack and brayden.  notice how all the girls sat perfectly still and made pretty faces at the camera?  now check out the boys (too bad you can't hear the laughing and craziness that was going on in these shots)...

the boys may have won the "wild" contest, but emma certainly won the "precious" one.

 

both of our families were able to get together with our parents this past weekend to enjoy some time visiting and eating (of course!).  i'm in the process of revamping how i shoot, so i brought my camera along to get some practice in with the kiddies before my next session.  much to my surprise, the boys were playing quietly with the cars, trucks, and trains.

but i found a lot more action happening with the girls.  things are always more exciting when ice cream is involved...

  

  

 

what's that, bethany?  wish you could see some more photos of your girls?  well you're in luck!!  click here to check out some sweetness from our visit with mom and dad over the weekend.  ;-)