Let your hearts prepare Him room!

Slowest December I've had in this little spot, probably because it's been one of the busiest for our family!

I'll be back afresh and renewed. I sure do love keeping records and memories for my family, but also sharing what's going on in life and in my heart with you all!

So until then, here's what's been going on! We've been enjoying our Christmas traditions. . .

From decorating our live tree . . .

to decorating our gum drop tree!

From Alpine Village and Starry Nights . . .

to days happy with hot chocolate!!

 And now on this Christmas Eve, when I've done all I can do and remember that Christmas is so much more than the buying and doing, I'm wishing and praying that all of you. . .

Let your hearts prepare Him room!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

FYI Friday: Christmas Card Flops 2013!

A couple of months ago, my parents were over at our house and when they arrived, my dad handed me our mail and said, "I don't know how you don't check your mail everyday!" I'm sure I rolled my eyes and made a smarty pants comment, but I  know I said, "You better believe I do during the Christmas season!"

And here we are!! It's the Christmas season and our window and door trims are filling up with family and friends' Christmas cards! I just love getting these in the mail and seeing all of these faces smiling and sending warm Christmas wishes! (And Lauren, I know you feel me on this--here's to another week of fun mail)!

But do you ever look at those amazing cards and wonder what it took to get that wonderful shot? Well, if you are my sister and bro-in-law, you just sit down, look gorgeous, take a pic and your done. But just wait until you have kiddos, Biffer, then Christmas card photos are on!! Because this is what really goes on behind the perfect shot. . .and these are only a few of the flops!

Christmas card flops 2013

First things first. . . we may be in trouble later in his life. I mean, look at Miles' mischievous smile!!

 

Next in line, Ummmm, someone grab hold of your baby bro! Way is falling over and Miles looks scared or in mid, "Mommy can I see the picture?"

And then, there's the one when Luke looks slightly bored or jealous, Miles is hyped up on something, Charlie's had a little too much of something and Way has every right to be terrified!

So when you think it's just not going to happen, press on friends, it just might. . .

Thanks to my friend, Kelly, at Libbylu Designs for once again making card magic happen!

Merry Mail Season!

2012 Christmas card flops

One of our favorite things about the Christmas season, and I know I've mentioned it before, and I know I'll mention it again, is mail time!!! We LOVE going to get the mail to see the faces of our friends and family! In fact, it's almost a fight over who gets to actually open the mailbox!!

Anyway, this year, our card was of just our boys. We managed to secure a time to head out to the Botanical Gardens and I got to snap away! "They" say that in order to get 1 good photo, you have to take 100 shots! Well, I pretty much had to do just that! I do love the 1 shot that turned out, but I had to share several of the flops, because they are just too funny! I'm sure that behind every delicious Christmas photo card we got this year, this was going on too! If not, do share your secret!!!

Christmas card flops 2012 

Hee hee

First up, we have praying Charlie! I'm thinking he's praying he doesn't drop Way. That, or he's praying for his crazy big brother! Yikes!

 Next, we have a decent . . .oh wait, what's wrong, Miles?

 This one, we attempted the 4 boy stack. But for various reasons, (Miles) it wasn't going to work either.

 Here, Luke looks a tad disinterested, but more concerning would be Miles about to eat baby Way! Don't worry, he was really going in for a kiss!

 And finally, well, you take your pick on this one!

 

Always so much fun getting the pics, but even more  fun when we find the winner!!!

Merry Christmas to all!!!! And thanks to my good friend, Kelly, who put our card together! Check her out at LibbyLu Designs if you need cards done for next year!

 

Christmas snail mail

One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is checking the mail! I even keep a mental record about what day in December we receive the most cards. Last year, it was the 10th--which is why this post is today! Going to our mailbox has become quite an exciting event for our boys too! We love to open cards from family and friends, to see who we know and to hear stories about families and friends who live out of town. It's so much fun to see so many faces hanging on our cabinets and to be thankful for everyone who has touched our lives! It's also a treat just to see the creativity and life behind each card---what the pictures involved, the colors, the designs and how families have changed in a year.

Last year, I remember how stressful it was to get a good Christmas card picture. I remember someone not wanting to sit still and having to resort to using a picture from the beach (which turned out great, but wasn't what I had planned). This year, we got our picture right before Thanksgiving and I was thrilled! Because I had it in advance, I toyed with the idea of making our own Christmas cards. It would save money and it was a way to get some creative energy out! So, I started the process. Once into this project, I realized how absolutely crazy I was to attempt this with a 2 month old, 2 other kiddos and the chaos, that is our new normal. And, I became overwhelmed. Really overwhelmed. However, since I was already into it, timewise and moneywise, I forged ahead--scratch that--I am forging ahead. I still have several more to make, envelopes to stuff and stamps to put on. But, now that I am over halfway done, I am feeling better. Maybe I won't make ours next year. Or maybe I will, because I will be in a different place. Who knows? What I do know, is that Christmas cards are really important to me and our family. We love sharing our family with you and even more, we are delighted to receive yours! If you feel or have ever felt that it's not worth the hassle of getting your Christmas card together----be confident, it is not lost on us. We ADORE your cards--but most importantly, your family!

as Christmas approaches. . .

The past couple of weeks have been full of cookie baking. . .

Christmas program cheering. . .

peppermint candy making . . .

and spending time with family and friends.

As we get ready to head to our candlelight service at church, we want to wish you ALL a very Merry Christmas!! We pray that you will enjoy time with loved ones and remember the most important gift of the season. . .the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!!

Christmas card flops

I absolutely LOVE this time of year for many different reasons! One of those reasons is the excitement I get from going to the mailbox everyday. I cannot wait to open the Christmas cards we recieve, talk about the families who sent them and the memories we share with them! And over the past few years, it seems that most people are including pictures on or in their cards. It's so much fun to see these faces (even the faces of friends we see everyday)!

I always wonder too, the events that took place when capturing those pictures. Was everyone around filled with joy and did they ALL have smiling faces? Or, was there anyone there with a grumpy attitude? Were there 1000 pictures taken just to get the perfect one for the card? Who had a better attitude, the subjects of the picture or the photographer?

Well, let me tell you, the attitude in my heart when attempting to get our Christmas card picture this year was not pretty! I was annoyed with my camera and frustrated that one of our children wouldn't stay still (I'm not naming names, just wondering if you can figure it out from the pics below). And now, I'm removed from those photo moments and can laugh while looking at our "Christmas card flops." So I decided to share some of the many flops with you! Don't worry, we did decide on a picture for our card, but it looks NOTHING like these. We had to go a different route!

Again, not naming names, but someone is a little fussy. . .

that same someone, doesn't want to sit still . . .

again. . .

almost cute, but you might have thought we were giving alcohol to our little one

and even if the little guy wasn't fussy again, the shadow in the background was terrible

Ahhhh the joys of taking Christmas card photos!!!!!