Christmas Day

What a perfect day it was! The snow was softly falling, the kids slept till 8:30, really, what more could I ask for? Here are a couple photos from the morning at our house where we opened Santa presents and our stockings, then went over to join the extended family at Geoff's parent's house for the rest of the day.

Note: I recently committed myself to put down my technical/perfection hat and just CAPTURE THE MOMENTS!! I had become so worried about lighting etc. since doing photography professionally, that I started missing the everyday moments, which are what I will really care about in years to come. So, while these pictures may not be the very best, they're of my family, and for that reason, to me they are absolutely perfect and priceless. Here's to New Year's Resolutions!

Santa got Isaac this race car track. Santa forgot to note the measurements of the track, because when he set it up, it took up our front room and into the next. Santa has now returned that track for a smaller one. Santa will "ok" gifts with Mrs. Claus in the future.

This picture was Lucy to a "T" on Christmas day. Every single present she opened she would say "WOOOOOWWWW!" It was just about the cutest thing ever. She also consumed more candy that day than I care to think about.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Geoff's eldest sister, Elise's house. They have a beautiful home that's large enough to accomidate everyone when we're all in town. We had the traditional "Favorites Smorgasborg", where we cook everyone's most favorite item. I made eggrolls, because really, they're everyone's favorite.

Love this picture for a couple reasons. #1, I'm actually in it, #2, Geoff's mom looks like just about the sweetest grandma ever with those puckered lips, #3 Lucy's face after eating a pickle.

And really, it wouldn't be a family picture unless Elise is blinking.

Isaac, the Shepard, waiting his turn to come out in the nativity play.

Geoff playing Away in a Manger and Rudolf for the family talent show. Please note that Geoff doesn't have a musical bone in his body and he learned how to play these songs for me as my Christmas present. How sweet is that!

Isaac and Lucy in their Christmas Eve pjs. I asked Santa to make my youngest smile for the camera for Christmas. Apparently I needed to specify because although she now does a wonderful job smiling on cue, she looks like Sloth.

Isaac, writing his letter to Santa to go with the peanut-butter and honey sandwich we left him and carrots for the reindeer.

Snow day

We've had and are still having some serious snow today. Geoff and Isaac went out to build a snow fort and this is what I came out to:

More pictures of the fort to come after it has been Geoff-approved.

And here's our snowbaby who, I realized today, has no snow gear.

Isaac and his favorite stuffed animal...

for the week. He has several on rotation.

Santa

Santa made an appearance at our Ward Christmas Party tonight. Lucy was less than thrilled about it, but don't worry I let her sit there and scream while I got a picture. It was payback for standing in my toilet.

I will now pretend this is someone else's child

Daddy came home early...

so we built a massive fort and read books.

Wenatchee-Andertons

Two months ago, this little family welcomed these two babies into their home after years of trying for them. They are just perfect! Thank you for making my trip possible, and for letting me get caught up on the Office!







Oooh, the dimples on this spunky kid are so scrumptious!















We had all sorts of plans for these two to sleepily canoodle together. They had other plans. When one would fall asleep, the other would wake up, and then came the punching and kicking.

Anderton Family

I'm back from a WHIRLWIND trip to Washington where I did two photoshoots and managed to squeeze in some time with my older sister and family. It was a great trip despite all the driving, where I listened to CD after CD of Christmas music and got thoroughly in the Christmas spirit. (as a side note: we purchased Hotel Cafe last night and it is a MUST HAVE. Seriously, my new favorite Christmas compilation next to Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton).

And where were my children during this you might ask? With my fabulous husband who winded and dined them on a variety of sugar cereals, trips to Kangaroo Zoo, loads of Christmas crafts and ended it all with a ship-shape house. Am I the luckiest girl alive or what?

And now for the Seattle-Andertons:







Totally started raining here, but how dreamy and stormy is it?









For all the camera techies out there, this image is SOOC (straight out of camera). Absolutely nothing done it. Three cheers for the 24-70mm on a 5D.



Jade walls and lime green grass, yes please!






And now I need to go ice my camera trigger finger.

18 months

These pictures are fairly unfortunate, but it's the best I can do with my child who hates the camera. But, in celebration of her year and a half mark, I had to post a picture, because what kind of a mother would I be if I didn't? This little one (and I do mean little after getting her weighed at her checkup), is the snuggliest baby girl. She loves, loves, loves getting books read to her and eating anything sweet. She added "cracker" and "shoe" to her very minimal word list this last week. And as you can see from previous posts, she defiantly keeps me on my toes. We love our Lulu!

the George family

In town from MY home town in Oregon, this family is full of personality and has most gorgeous eyes you've ever seen. There's a lot of pictures here, couldn't help myself. Thank you Georges for sticking it out in the BITTER cold!

Uh Oh

I thought we had skipped over the climbing stage, apparently not. We found Lucy in the upstairs bathroom, in the sink, brushing her teeth. This involved some serious maneuvering. We seem to be finding her in similar precarious positions every since. Thanks be praised she can't open doors yet!

the Cromwells

Geoff's sister and her family were in town for the big wedding and I got to take some pictures of them. We love every second that we get with them. Isaac and Lucy miss their cousins!