Halloween 2008

Just a quick post to show the costumes for Halloween 2008.

They are posing with the pumpkins that they carved.

Thomas as The Ghost Rider

Black Cat Sadie...Meow
Medieval Rachel
This outfit was made by Amy only a couple of years ago for Ashley.
She is growing up fast!
Daniel as the web-slinging black spiderman.
Makes sense because he already climbs all over everything.
Ashley as "Pirate Girl" ready to duel with Captain Jack Sparrow.
If anybody has connections, she suddenly wants to be an actress.

Leah & Daniel's Wedding - Yosemite Park November 1, 2008

A panoramic shot of of the valley of Yosemite Park stitched together from three photos. This is one of the most common photographic spots in the park. Yosemite is very majestic and breathtaking.

Amy's sister Leah with future hubby Daniel in front of the little church in the Yosemite valley. The church was built in the 1880's and is the oldest man-made structure in Yosemite. This was the church they chose for their wedding.
The Mettmanns - 2008
Daniel and Leah Mettmann on their wedding day at the reception, held at Tenaya Lodge. November 1, 2008
Leah's daughter Tiffany being goofy....or maybe bored.

Good thing the champagne was non-alcoholic.
Brittany is a senior this year and has grown up fast.

Aunt Myrtle Dell and Uncle Larry smiling and aging beautifully together!

This may be the last time Bud (father of the bride) has to wear a tux since he no longer has any daughter's to give away.

Helen, the mother of the bride, looking lovely as ever and happy for Daniel and Leah.

This is me, not quite over the jetlag but super happy to have been able to attend.

The Newlyweds

Leah and Daniel Mettmann

May your life together be filled with joy and happiness. Welcome to the family Daniel.

The not so newlyweds (17 years)

Aaron and Amy Parker
By the way, the backdrop is really Yosemite Park and not a poster. We just pulled off to the side of the road and took a couple of quick pictures.

Same scene, but Yosemite doesn't do justice to Amy's beauty! :-) She sewed the black bolero jacket herself. I think it really made the dress more beautiful.

Amy's brother Nathan and his wife Carolina and son Kyle. We were able to attend Nathan and Carolina's wedding in December of 2006. This is the first time we've met their new son Kyle. He's a very handsome boy.

Leah's daughter Tiffany ready with the flowers.

Brandy and her boyfriend Ryan. Um...I feel a wedding coming on. :-)

Amy, as the bride's maid, helps to organize the flower girls. Exchanging rings

Daniel and Leah just married by their Ward Bishop.

The day was overcast and rainy, perfect for wedding gowns with long trains. Bud, posing for the camera before the wedding ceremony.

Amy is such a lovely woman with a radiant smile. It's been an honor to be married to her for 17 years. Looking forward to the next 1 trillion.

Gathered in the lobby of the Tenaya Lodge at the mouth of Yosemite Park.

Let the primping begin. Amy gets her hair done...this is gonna take hours.

Brandy doing Tiffany's nails. The guys were ready in three minutes.

Family Update - November 2008

Buddies, ready to head off to their first day of school.

Daniel is ready for his 1st day of pre-school. He is in uniform (notice the cowboy boots) attending the same private school as Sadie. He loves school and Sadie loves having some comraderie with her little brother everyday.
The finished product of the 2008 pumpkin carving session. All pumpkins were carved by the children.
Ashley used a template to carve this one.
Cleaning out the pumpkin is slimy work! Good job Rachel.
Danny seems to relish in the slime and the whole pumpkin carving process.

Sadie uses her imagination to carve the face.

Thomas takes a more analytical approach.

Ashley likes cleaning out pumpkins about as much as she likes changing diapers, or cleaning bathrooms. Eeww gross!

Danny just dives right in.

Thomas (#9) tackles the ball carrier. He plays cornerback on defense for the 8th grade team and does a pretty good job. He loves to play the game.

Another tackle.

Fright Night at Seaworld. Ho hum for Thomas and Danny doesn't appear to be scared.

Sadie, in the back, pulls out the ole-rabbit ears on the "Pumkin King." She's a sly one.

Thomas moves the chains.

Thomas plays most of the percussion instruments and xylophones in his junior high school band.

Danny in the stands at one of Thomas' games. Always decked out in his cowboy boots. He's worn out two pairs since we've lived in Texas.

Thomas (#9) in on the tackle.

Turn to the right, chin up, smile for mommy, and show your "hornet" tattoo. Rachel, Daniel and Sadie attending the high school game.

Sweetie Rachel heading out for her 1st day of 4th grade. I love the split between her two front teeth. We call it the "Foster" split as her Grandma Ohio has it and some of her other "Foster" relatives.

Full pose on the porch with flip flops!

Thomas and and his team mate bringing down the runner. Thomas loves to tackle and play rough.

Danny at the San Antonio Zoo feeding the parrots. Or should I say, the parrots are helping themselves to the food...much to his delight.

Sadie has also found the birds don't seem to be shy when you are carrying food.

No food up there Paulie. Please don't poop on my head!

A cute shot of Danny in his daily wear of swim trunks and cowboy boots brushing a goat.

Ashley plays her saxophone in the East Central High School marching band. She's a sophomore this year.

Thomas shows his muscles. If he keeps it up, he'll be playing under the "Friday night lights" soon.

Daniel (again in cowboy boots) cheers very loud for Thomas to play well. Sadie and Rachel also love to cheer.

Under the stadium lights at the football games, the crickets and the moths hover high above the crowd. Like most boys, Daniel likes to catch them.

Thomas lines up to make a play.

Sadie runs out onto the field ahead of the high school football team.

Amy and her good friend Dinah Johnson sewed some thematic covers for the band props this year. With some leftover fabric, Amy had a great idea and sewed some tuba covers which have garnered a lot of attention. The musical program is a "cars" theme and they've played and scored well during competition.

Rachel is again caught in mid-flight coming out of the tunnel ahead of the football team.

Sherriff Woody and Jessie ready for the roundup.

"Gidget" Sadie rolls into the house with her new presents. Amy made her feel special, shopping all day with her, so she could spend her birthday money. Amy is a good money manager and was able to teach Sadie how to stretch her money into many fun presents.

Best buds!

Thomas cooked one of Amy's favorite dishes for her birthday, a big pot of shrimp pasta. Way to go Thomas.....you made your mom feel special on her birthday.

Sadie rolls...er... tosses, the ball down the lane. Nice form!?

Danny (sans bowling shoes) prefers the overhand toss. I'm sure the lane needed some wood filler and resurfacing after the game was over.

Is he a lefty or righty? Looks like he's got the footwork nailed down. Ha Ha!

Open mouths is a indication of, "we love it!"

Amy makes the best cakes! Tinkerbell is timeless when you're seven.

Sadie in her uniform heading off to her first day of 2nd grade. Ashley made a doll cake for Amy's 38th birthday. Looks like she has learned some skills from her mother over the years. Way to go Ashley! I heard the doll hair caught on fire from all the lit candles.