Christmas Card Photo Shoot

Our Christmas card photo shoot didn't start out very promising because all we were getting from Hyrum was this:

 And I was reminded of the year that Isaac was about Hyrum's age and this is what we sent out as a Christmas card.  I thought it was funny and ironic.  And it was better than this:
  In the end though, we ended up with a few keepers. 

I even got a decent one of each one of the boys.  Hyrum wouldn't look at the camera for his individual shots.  I do love his profile though.  These boys are the best work I've ever done.  

Christmas around the house

My Christmas decor was really minimal this year.  I have a toddler-  'nuff said.  I love my nativity, the little people nativity and our Christmas books.  I also made a paper chain countdown to Christmas.  That was enough for this year.

 We also managed to pull off the Elf on the Shelf.  Isaac named him Richie when he joined the family last year.  We even remembered to move him most days.  The boys loved it. 

Thanksgiving 2012

I failed at documenting Thanksgiving this year.  

Here are the things that I failed to capture: 

The whole family did an early morning Turkey Trot.  There was a five mile race and a two mile run/walk.  I ran the five mile and the rest of the family did the two mile.  Nat, my sainted husband, pushed kids in the stroller.  Luke ran the whole two miles with my mom and came in 7th overall.  He was so proud of himself.  The race itself was really neat.  It was put on by Ogden Regional hospital.  Entrance fee was taken care of with a canned good item or a monetary donation.  I loved watching each one of the big boys turn their cans in as they had the chance to think of the less fortunate on Thanksgiving.  There was a wonderful community feeling and as far as I'm concerned a new family tradition  has been born.  I'll push the stroller next year and Nat can run the race.  

I REALLY wish I'd taken a picture of all the sparking juices.  There were twelve bottles when all was said and done.  We got our wires crossed about who was bringing what and we all brought too much.  We managed to polish it off though.  

I didn't take a picture of the cousins and their creative play while the adults prepared the meal.  It's a sweet, sweet blessing to be so close to family.  

I didn't take a picture of the finished spread.  It was a traditional Thanksgiving with all the family favorites.  Yum!

Here's what I got instead: 

I'm on the phone with Ashley who spent the holiday with Caleb's family.  We missed her and her family.  I spent the whole day chopping and slicing.  I love cooking.  I love it even more with my momma around.    Thanksgiving is really one of my very favorite days of the year.  I think I might like the prepping even better than the eating.  I love the smells, conversation and warmth of being with family.  

I did manage to document the cheese course.  We set it out late morning and munch while we prep.  We.  Love.  Cheese.  We've recently discovered this little ginger marmalade.  It's a brilliant addition to the cheese course. 

 

Thanks to instagram and my iPhone I got a picture of my traditional day after Thanksgiving breakfast.  I love pie for breakfast.  

Thanks to instagram and my best friend my iPhone I captured my traditional morning after Thanksgiving breakfast.  I love pie for breakfast. 

Isaac turns four

This blog has been sorely neglected and I'm here to resolve that because one of these days I'm going to make the rest of my blog books.  We'll get there, I have hope.  It won't be anytime soon though because I have a very busy little toddler and his brothers who love to leave bathroom and pantry doors open so he can unroll toilet paper, throw things in the toilet and unload all the contents of the pantry onto the floor.  I digress.  

Isaac Lee turned four years old the day before Thanksgiving.  We did a little dinner, cupcakes and presents.  The cupcakes were lame, according to my standards and perfect according to Isaac.  That's where we're at with so many fall birthdays.  There were cousins to play with and grandparents to dote on him.  Our family tradition is for the giver to hold the present over the receiver's head, chant the little saying,  "Heavy, heavy hangover thy poor head, what do you wish this person with a bump (giver bumps the receiver with the gift at this point) on your head" and then the birthday boy wishes something wonderful for whoever is giving the gift.  Isaac was slow and thoughtful about his wishes.  That's just the kind of guy he is.  Love this little man.