Holiday Wonder and Cheer

I think I pinned about 15 different tutorials on camera settings for photographing Christmas trees on my Pinterest account...

I didn't read a single one.

But my lack of photography skills didn't make bringing out the Christmas decorations any less fun.

And of course a visit to Santa was in order. We actually went to see him twice. I was bound and determined for my children to be wearing something that coordinated and looked 'Christmasey'.

And somehow Noble still managed to wear: ripped jeans, a hand-me-down sweatshirt that had to be at least 7 yrs. old and orange and brown tennis shoes.

But by golly, they are both wearing red.

A new tradition we started last year was going to Bradley Fair to ride around the shopping center in a horse drawn carriage.

And stand in front of the biggest Christmas tree in the state of Kansas.

And to perfect the 'hold still for the picture' little brother choke hold.

Now I'm thankful for the whole 'I don't know how to use my camera in low light with bright lights' situation. It makes the sibling abuse harder to make out.

London was all about getting her picture taken this year. It was "Over here, by these ornaments, now here-get one of me walking through the bushes looking over my shoulder, and

over here looking unaware and adorable."

And let's not forget the, 'walking down the stairs overcome with joy for the holiday season' moment.

The weather was perfect, and London of course fell instantly in love with our draft horse, which she named Hazel.
Love that girl, and this season-it brings out the best in all of us.

My Grandmother's 80th

I love anything that brings my family all together;

there's laughter, silliness, consumption of large amounts of purple frosting (or something that contains an equally unmeasurable amount of sugar),

sweet moments,

and lots and lots of love.

My New Year's Resolution for 2012......

Posting pics from the month (or season) in which they took place.

I felt slightly defeated when I realized I hadn't even posted pics from Halloween, come'on-it's January for heaven's sake.

And I can completely forget about remembering anything noteworthy that happened back in October thanks to the holiday haze.

So I'll just have to rely on these few photographs taken of my children on what they believe to be the most amazing day of the year (other than Christmas, but we'll get to that sometime in March-oh wait-New year's resolution-later this week then).

Fall 2011

If this weren't the method by which I record all of our family's pics, this post would seem incredibly obnoxious

And maybe it still is, but that's my disclaimer. All that you'll find here is an absurd amount of family pictures, which I am incredibly grateful to have, thanks to the combined efforts of good friends.
























These are the type of moments I hope to remember when looking back on London and Noble's childhood, a big thanks to those who helped us capture them on film.