Some catching up to do...

So as I mentioned earlier, I have WAAAY too many photos and I am not afraid to use 'em.

So here is a visual "walk" through some of the moments in the Hurtado casa this past year....and oh, I am still working on resizing these HUGE pictures. I will get there soon...but for now, bear with the assorted photo sizes.

I thought it would be good to start with something that consumed pretty much ALL of the latter part of summer and early fall:  soccer. Katie, Ryan, and Ethan all played this year, and we had so much fun watching them and rooting each of them on. When our entire family was able to be there, they had quite a cheering squad. Granted, there was a point where we were doing something soccer related SIX days of the week- be it a game or practice- and it did get hectic at times I wouldn't have traded these times for anything.

On this particular day Ethan had an awesome support group including Cristine and her clan, as well as Cory, who we absolutely adore and have adopted into our family. Anyone who will bear the Dixon heat in the summertime to watch a 5 year old "play" soccer is a keeper. Speaking of Ethans soccer playing skills, it was his first year playing (disclaimer), and it appears he was more smitten by a certain female teammate, who would rub her fingers through his hair during the times they sat out. Oh dear.....



and finally, before we wrap up the soccer season photos, I have to give a GIANT shout-out and thanks to my sweet sweet Owen, who racked up a gazillion hours sitting in his stroller on the sidelines, learning to clap and keeping a grin on his precious face the entire time. I owe you big time buddy...or at least your siblings do.

Ryan demonstrates his super soccer kick. Thanks to the wonderful people in the Davis VIP soccer league, Ryan had the same opportunity to play soccer as his siblings, he just got to have a buddy with him.

And even Ampy was able to take in a soccer game while he was visiting us from Washington.
Ok, so I guess that is enough soccer stuff. Before we know it, the next season will be knocking...

When you have four cute children, you take alot of photos. But when you are a photographer and have four children..yikes.
We took the kids to the Davis Arboretum when Summer had just about ended to snap a few photos. We realized we didnt have any decent shots that included Owen. Oops...poor number four!
Here are a couple from that day....not too shabby!

...and without even asking permission, Katie turned 11 on us. I can not believe my little girl is a pre-teen. I am relishing in EVERY moment with her, and am still looking for the "pause" button. She celebrated her birthday with girlfriends, dancing in the living room to "Just Dance" on the Wii. I realized that as they get older, kids birthday parties become much simpler. Amen! Because I do have FOUR of these little ones...

Katie came home from school one day and mentioned that she felt "dorky" because she is small and wears glasses. Thankfully, Dave was home from work and I was able to sweep her into the car with me and take her off....we went to the salon and she got a new haircut, then I took her out to take pictures of her...and we ended it all with an early dinner...just the two of us. Dorky? I think not! This girl is beautiful!!

Ooops, I went a bit off track here...let me go back to summer just a bit. See, new blogger.

The expression on his face in the photo below shows that Owen could not believe he turned ONE in September. Here are a couple from his 1 yr photo shoot...

he was a tad TOO happy for the first few photos...

but we finally got him with his eyes open..

look at that! He must have just wanted that birthday shirt before giving us the shot we wanted :-)

If I said that Owen is our happy baby, that would be an understatement. Not that the others are not and have not always been happy children, but Owen is REALLY happy....alot. So many people remark on how joyful he is, and we are so grateful.

So if Owen is the happy one...Ethan is our comedian. He is a complete crack up, always coming up with the funniest things, and so sweet...most of the time. Today he told me he loves me from one to "600 infinity". Do you realize how much that is? Whoa! Here are a couple from a typical photo session with that dude...

And yes, we did have every intention of putting a shirt OVER that white tank undershirt. Yes, it was cute, and sitting right there, NEXT to him. Why? Because mom has four kids, and sometimes...every once in awhile, things get forgotten. Like shirts. But...he just looked so cute I kept these anyways. We put the shirt on eventually.

In the blink of an eye, Ethan turned five in October and celebrated with a bowling party with friends, family, and a Darth Vader cake.

Thank goodness for Tita, who is always there to help with the little ones who are all over the place!
More catching up to do for sure, but for now...its the end of Owens nap and off the computer for mom.