Christmas : Part Two

Christmas Day

We had a fabulous Christmas!

We looked in our stockings . . .



I tend to buy at least one kinda girly thing for one of my boys every Christmas.

I can't help it.
I get sick of cars, trucks, robots, dragons, etc.

Andy was the victim this year.

He got a glow worm.


I think his reaction says it all :)


These are Andrew's steps to opening presents-


Step 1 : push the box over to the couch.


Step 2: Stand on the box to reach Brother's toy


Step 3: Only show interest in the actual present when Brother is opening it for you.



Christopher's steps are much more quick and efficient-


Step 1: Open the present in one whirlwind move


Step 2: Get annoyed that Baby Brother has to come see it too.



Davin and I don't really get each other a lot of presents for Christmas.

But, you can bet a few BYU labeled attire will be opened.



We also opened presents with my Mom and Dad and siblings and their wives.

Too much fun.
My parents got us all huge 72 hour kits with each item individually wrapped. We had some good laughs as we would cheer on the person opening their supply of toilet paper or cooking oil.
Good times!!
We loved it.

The boys got to play a little rock band,

which they looooved.


Andy got a ball pounder


and he carried that hammer menacingly around the house whacking our knees any chance he got.

Ouch.


A secret Santa (hem hem - Shawn and maybe a certain girlfriend of his) got Christopher the dreaded Spongebob Squarepants.


Next year Shawn.
Next year.
Watch out.

Oh, what a great day!
We loved every minute.
Hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as we did!

Christmas : Part One

Christmas Eve

Oh my goodness!
I cannot believe Christmas is over.
I already miss it.
We had so much fun!

On Christmas Eve,

The stockings were hung by the bookshelf? with care



The presents were tucked beneath the tree



We made (and ate) cookies for Santa Claus



We wrote a very lovely letter to Santa Claus


where Christopher asked for a Percy train, a dragon castle, and a toy for Baby's stocking.


We had a warm Christmas Eve bath



where we made Christmas hats out of cups




We ended with a story


and little boy squeals (as he ran to his bed)

We love Christmas Eve

Santa Claus is coming to town . . .

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

Surprise!

Happy Birthday to my delightful Christopher!

4 years old TODAY!

The time has flown by.

We had a surprise party (notice the pic of him walking in the door - so funny!) for him yesterday night at Great Grandma's house and he was in little boy heaven.

His uncle made him a Disney's "UP" cake (So cute) and he, of course, was spoiled rotten by everyone.

We love this little guy! or should I say BIG guy.

Christmas wishes

Have you ever wanted something silly?

Something that you know may be weird, funny, or a little corny, but you can't help but love it?

Mine is called Kohler's Pig.

I have always loved this painting.

It's just a landscape from far away . . . . but when you look closer . . . .



There's a flying pig!!!

What's not to love?

I am determined that someday this painting will have a place in my home :)

I wanna hear about the silly things you want?

Pretty please.

The Mystery Box

She made it.

She's here!
But, now that she is here there are a few things that will have to go.




My elves worked feverishly in the basement putting her together.


Thank you!



I love her :)

Things We Love Lately . . . .

We love that this little one cannot sit down for anything.


He has to be standing and he is getting pretty beat up from falling. Poor guy.


I love that he had little rosy cheeks

after helping Daddy shovel the driveway.


We love our Christmas merry go round and it's fun Christmas songs (even if it is old and falling apart).



I love that after almost 6 years of wishing, hoping, dreaming, and maybe a little begging SHE will be here on Friday . . . . .

"giggle"

An early Christmas message . . . .

It's December and I am having a hard time feeling that Christmas excitement.
I know.
ME!
Having a hard time getting into it?
(If you really do know me you know that I am as giddy as a school girl at Christmas time)

I have felt a little down.

I've had a grumpy, teething Andy.
This is a close up of what his expression was

in EVERY one of our family pictures we took over Thanksgiving.
Gruuummmpppy Pants!
(It does make me laugh a little though :) )


This boy

has been scouring every toy add telling us what he definitely NEEDS for Christmas, including a Spongebob Squarepants Laptop. Eck! He's seen that show once (by accident) and already knows the theme song.
Yuck and yuck (sorry to those who are fans).
I'm pretty sure Santa agrees with me.

However, as I sat here today watching the horrible things on the news, I started to look around my house.

There were my Grandma's Christmas ornaments on our little tree.


My grandma's handmade wreaths


and odds and ends.


My grandma's hand painted Santa Claus winking at me.


My Grandma Elkins loved Christmas more than anything. She gave that love to my Mom who passed it on to me. My Grandma passed away the day after Christmas (many years ago) with her Christmas things surrounding her. Including the most important one - the manger scene.

How soon did all those sad feelings vanish as I looked at those "pieces" of my grandma.
Those things made by her hands.

How blessed I feel that He was born

so that I can feel that peace from knowing I will see her again and all my loved ones.

Because of Him, I will hold my Grumpy Pants and my overeager 4 year old and I will be happy this Christmas.

I love the Christmas season!

I'm back . . . . .

I had such a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was made up of crazy children, OUTSTANDING football games (Go Cougars!), yummy food, funny conversation, and great family bonding.


Love you all!

I'm Here To Help . . .

The next idea on the list is a HOW TO.

Oh my.

I am by no means the most talented of photographers, but a couple of you have asked for some photography hints, so HERE WE GO! (If you graduated with me you must promise not to laugh your head off).

1. Get close!!!!



Most of the time we don't need a full body shot. The face and eyes are the window to the soul, correct? If you want a picture to have some emotion, get up in their face (literally). If your camera will allow -try to turn off your flash as much as possible. Harsh shadows aren't always so flattering.

With children - get on their level.

It should become automatic. You see a child, you get on your knees or on the floor with a baby. We don't want to see the top of their head. It makes their head look huge and their face tiny. And, especially with my huge headed baby, this is not a good look. Also, don't be afraid to take pictures of your children even if they are not in a very good mood.

You will love having memories of that grumpy face.

2. Move it from the middle!

Sometimes having someone smack in the middle can be bold and impressive.


However, most of the time, it is best to take someone or something out of the middle. It makes your picture far more interesting.

Pictures have what we call "sweet spots" where the eye is automatically drawn. Draw an imaginary graph on your picture and where the lines intersect are where you should place the main subjects of your photograph.

They make for some more interesting pictures.

3. Experiment with backgrounds!

Backgrounds with a lot of clutter are distracting. Plain backgrounds are best,


but plain does not have to boring.

Find old buildings, an interestingly textured wall, a fence, etc. to liven up a background.

4. Play with color.

If you want a dramatic picture use colors opposite on the color wheel.




My favorite is blue and yellow.

For a softer look try colors close to each other.

Another way to show emotion in your images is to make it black and white. Then, people aren't distracted by the color.

5. Use leading lines.

Find lines in your picture to lead the eye to your subject.



I hope this little how to helped spark some interest in taking more pictures! Get out there and have fun! I know I do :)

See you after Thanksgiving! Hope it's a great one!