{ santa dear } ~ austin area photographer

Christmas time is here and all around I face reminders that there is shopping to be done. regrettably, shopping for gifts is almost always something I have to do last minute because I can't restrain myself from giving something right away. I love gift giving, from what I can recall of years past I also love receiving gifts (especially cash). I am also a firm believer in giving gifts that people truly want and ask for rather than trying to surprise them with something I "thought they would love!" That being my motto, I always ask my girls for their Christmas wish list. I find them greatly entertaining so I thought I would share them with you friends as I share our photo shoot for the holiday season, I love these beauties so much and had a ball taking all the pictures you are about to see.




A little game we call "Everyone Kiss Avery!"

















Avery's list:

Beats

Shoes

Clothes

Nice journals (that's my girl!)



Masyn's list:

A laptop (still wishing from last year)

A cell phone

New athletic style tennis shoes (because all she has now are Converse)



Evelyn's list:

Everything same as Masyn with these additions...

A wooden doll house, with all the pieces and accessories (I'm not making this up, those were her exact words)

An American Girl doll

Perfume

Now my list:

A vacuum cleaner

Max and Chloe gold necklace

More Prada "Candy" perfume

Lulu Lemon gift card(s)

Journals/books/papers

Incense and candles


I'm pretty content but a girl can always have a wish list :)



Happy Holidays to each of you and I'll be posting an update soon so you can follow along the exciting journey I have jumped into!!

{ our wonderland } ~ austin area child photographer

Our Christmas...

This year I didn't have to work retail hours, something to celebrate! Also it afforded me a full day and evening with my girls to enjoy our Christmas traditions.

We started with a game of charades, hot chocolate, and then a movie/rest. I cooked eggs and bacon for the big girls, but Evelyn wanted oatmeal (she's so like her mama). She was anxious for them to finish so we could get in our jammies and drive around looking at lights while we played Christmas music and sing along and get excited over the really good decorations.

Once home, we dove into gift opening and they were all super happy this year. Honorable mention goes to Masyn, who asked for a laptop and printer, and received a printer, with which she was THRILLED. It was amazing.

Stocking were last, lots of yummy candy and some fun goods. Highlight from that was Evelyn in her giant sunglasses! I love this top picture of her in her glamorous frames. I will leave you with the pictures from our night of love, fun, and utter silliness. As I sit here I am all smiles, these truly are the best days I've lived, full heart.

out takes - {austin area child photographer}

Not all shoots go peaches and cream smooth. My own girls are often my biggest challenges when it comes to taking pictures. They do pretty good individually, but all three can be quite a daunting task.

Here is one that didn't make it in the Christmas email...



Just another fun one to share with them when they grow up. :o)

Love this catchy new song from Eric Hutchinson ~ "Rock & Roll."

it's almost here

I can't believe Christmas is over, the New Year is just a couple hours away.... O - M - G, it's almost 2009!

The past couple weeks have been non-stop here. I've burned the road between here and my old town, washed more laundry than I even knew we owned, and watched the pile of dishes in my sink rise to ungodly heights. Tonight, I handled it with a family party and lots of fattening food. My girls are all still awake, running wild through the house, and waiting for the big ball to drop!

Reflections will probably happen soon, I just can't think right now, I am so physically and mentally worn down. From Christmas until now I have been really worn down by all that has been going on, I'm ready for a rest. Maybe one day I will get to take a vacation..... it's a lovely thought. I feel very ready for memory lane, a run-down of 2008 if you will. Tomorrow I will goal to make just such a list, in fact I'm wishing I had enough energy to do it now, but even if I had enough stamina to stay put and type it out, my girls are literally clambering for me to shut the laptop and rejoin the party!

May you all have a fantastic 2009! I can't wait to hear any resolutions and ideas you each have. Please comment with what the New Year promises you and what you promise to bring to the New Year!

christmas post

Since we will be out tomorrow with family celebrations and late night drives... I am posting this Christmas message today, second post in one day. Sorry!



There are my lovelies, my three little blessings all ready for their Christmas to begin. We have our own little thing here at home before attending both sets of grandparents on Christmas Day, so the girls were all anxious to finish pictures and get busy tearing into gifts!

Tomorrow is the beginning of mad rush of driving and events for me, I will probably not be able to compose a post for several days. I wanted to share a little Christmas letter before all that ensues though.

2008 has been a wild. emotional, wonderful year. Adonis and I moved halfway through 2008 and are now living near Austin and loving it. He has a job that is very demanding, but extremely rewarding and I'm so glad to see him enjoy work. I am working in downtown Austin and my favorite store and each day brings me new entertainment. I have the most amazing coworkers and the products continually make me drool.

Avery is now in 4th grade, she is loving her new school and has landed herself a spot on the jump rope team. Over the Christmas holiday she is putting together her won routine to perform! She is an amazing student and growing into such a young lady. In fact, she is getting shaving cream in her stocking, Santa told me so. ;o)

Masyn, who believes that she is turning 5 the day after Christmas, is super! She keeps me laughing all the time with her stories from school and her antics here at home. Tonight as we drove around looking at Christmas lights all we heard was her chattering the entire way, and when she didn't have a comment to make she would just begin to sing "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer."

Little Evelyn, she is still in a rough phase with her obedience, but she is the kindest and cuddliest child. I treasure her so much. I spoil her way too much. Evelyn was given a fun haircut last month by my awesome big sis Lisa. Everyone at her school and anywhere we go just loves her "big girl" haircut. So Aunt Lisa, be proud... you are the biggest news in Evelyn's life right now. :o)

That's pretty much it, I think if you are reading this now, you must read my blog fairly regular and probably have known all along what has been going on in our lives. Thanks for being here with me through 2008 and helping me through my move and supporting me as I endeavor to start a business in a new place. I am grateful for you all, more than you will ever know!

ridiculous cold

For the last 3 days I have been freezing. In a state of perpetual ice-statue like living, I can't seem to warm up. I'm not complaining totally, I mean, it is December and I realize that 30* isn't that cold to everyone. Forgive my whining. I'm merely crying about the fact that I personally can't seem to stay warm. I think I am broken, or at least my internal heater is.

The bright side (I wish that I could see the sun outside shining bright.... oh sorry distraction) is that it feels more like "Christmas" than ever. I'm baking today for a party at work and for teacher's gifts. Burning a yummy candle as well and I feel like I could just stay inside forever....and hopefully warm up. Nope...I will be out in the freezing weather in a couple hours to drop off the banana bread and visit the store with my girls. Their first time to Antho and I confess, I'm SO worried they might break something. *Blush*

Well, here is a favorite version of "Baby It's Cold Outside" by Zooey Deschanel and Leon RedBone.

it's beginning to look a lo... a little like christmas

Well perhaps the Barbie tank and lime green shorts don't really look like Christmas, but it is looking a bit more festive here in my abode. As a family this Saturday we pulled out the Christmas tree and decorations and started getting things ready for the holidays!



Masyn seems to believe that Summer is never ending, and dressed herself in shorts and a tank top.... I found that terribly endearing. I was shivering in pj pants and a long sleeve tee, but I do run a normal body temp of 94.5* so I guess maybe I am not the best weather gauge.



Evelyn was all grabby and rearing to go. Though she had some interesting ideas about where to place the fake snow tree skirt....



...over all she did quite well. However it is incumbent upon me to report that Mary and one shepherd are now missing from the nativity and Evelyn is prime suspect because she enjoys "creatively placing" all the Christmas decorations.



This year our tree is hosting ALL the ornaments.... not just the color coordinated ones. My OCD was in overdrive and I had a very freeing day by allowing the girls to use even the mismatching tree embellishments. My confession though, is that I have always preferred homemade ornaments. So now I am making a goal to create handmade ornaments for next years tree that will all be fun and festive, but still look good together (semi-matching). Yes, I am trying to live the cliche of "have my cake and eat it too."

Lastly, I am opening myself to ridicule, sympathy, homogeneity, or potential demise of my blog altogether. I am sharing a self portrait that includes my messy living room. At least it's a fun picture, I can take the heat (in all honesty, I'm so cold lately that all heat is welcome).



Don't you love Colbie Caillat singing "Mistletoe?" I love her music.