Elizabeth -- "Smile"

Had to take a picture of this pretty girl all ready for church.

The soles fell off her last boots, so we got her a new set this week.  

Should have known she'd need to wear them to church!

This is the real smile we love!

I tried to have the sun be right behind her...blocked by her head in these shots.  

Can you do that and still get "catch lights" or do you have to choose one or the other?

Photo Challenge: "Play"

Well, I hope to catch my blog up sometime soon of this last month's happenings.  But, for now want to post a couple photos from today.

I'm trying to improve my photography knowledge/skills a little this year, and have started a photo challenge with my sisters based on this list we found here:

(Bethany or anyone else want to join?)  Not sure how long we'll last, but this week is "Play"!  Here are a few fun ones.

Wishing Aaron was playing with a different toy than a weapon.  But, still kind of cute and the background is blurred without editing which is totally exciting for me!

Pulled out the Slot Cars today for the first time in a long time.  Cute picture of family "play".

My "cool effect" achievement is that by using a tripod and "Night Mode" on my camera we were able to capture several seconds of trail of the lit cars at night!  You can even see where they cross each other to switch lanes on the track!  

Gifts from the Heart

The most rewarding part of Christmas for me is watching the kids' desire grow to give to each other.  Nathan asked me to buy a special card stock so that he could make some special origami for Joshua.  Nathan and Joshua do so much Pokemon trading (that Elizabeth feels left out of) that this morning they each took some of their own cards and put them in a gift bag for Elizabeth for Christmas.  It is these small acts that help me in the stressed-out moments to remember the real spirit that this is all about.

Christmas Cards

So fun to hear from friends and family we're missing at this time of year!

Writing a Letter Next Year...

  

Went to the Ward Christmas Breakfast...complete with opportunity to see Santa.  By then Greg and Joshua were already off to a basketball game.  Aaron took one look at Santa and cried.  Repeating over and over, "Scary Santa!"  Nathan was only willing to be in the picture because that was the ticket for getting the free candy canes...and said, "Thanks, I'm o.k." when Santa asked him if he wanted something for Christmas.  Next year, we're skipping the long line and writing letters! 

Just a couple treasures Nathan took.  Nothing says "Christmas Cheer" like waiting in line for Santa.

Spontaneous Sledding

3 bales of hay (from a summer activity) + 1 awesome dad + Just enough snow = A fun weekend of sledding in the backyard ... It's the small, spontaneous things that make the season!

Egg Nog and Elf

I'm at that time of year when I feel the Christmas season drifting by and I'm paniced we're not making the most of it!  I think if I'll document a little of what we are doing I'll feel better.  :)  We've been loving watching Christmas movies...especially this year "Arthur Christmas", "Polar Express", and "Elf".  This is having treats after laughing our heads off at "Elf".  :)

Visit from Family!

My brother, John, and his wife, Valerie, and their cute kids are here for the holidays.  We got to have Elodie and Andrew here for part of the day while John and Valerie went to a Voice Male performance together.  It was on of the most fun days I've had in a long time ... to give myself a day that wasn't trying to "get things done" ... but just try to be a "fun mom" and a "fun aunt".  I wish I had more picture of what we did, but I think I was too in the thick of a good time to remember that!  :) 

Thanksgiving!

Had the BEST TIME with our Franson family at our place for Thanksgiving!

Music...somewhere I've got to find and post our dance party moment...

 

Football...

Thankful Tree

The Feast

 

 

BB-Gun Shooting

 

Puzzle

Naps

 

Drawing mustaches on faces during naps...

Lightning

 

 

 

 

A little photo shoot with Lexi and Livi and Bethany's awesome camera!  All of these pictures are from Bethany and her camera!!  Thanks for documenting our day!

 

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

 

 

A morning of holiday baking and dancing to princess music with my cuties!