Flash Back Friday

Edward's 21st

This is what happens when the tripod goes crooked. We all slanted our heads and Maria acted as a counter balance. We did get it right the second time.

Happy Birthday Edward!

Love Thursday

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

We are headed to Celeryville for Christmas!!!

Christmas Vacation Starts Here

Bridget invited her friends over after school to start their vacation off with a celebration. Such beautiful girls... they had a wonderful time! Cookie making, movie watching, pizza eating, game playing, bubble blowing...

and of course, part of the entertainment was a photoshoot!

Meowy Christmas

from Leo.

Love Thursday

Bridget told me I wasn't being very sentimental this year since I didn't put all the mish mash ornaments on the tree. As I was looking at the tree this afternoon though, this one popped out - one of my favorites - bought by my sister-in-law Susan 21 years ago on the day after Christmas since Edward had just been born.

Heart Warmers

A couple of weeks ago, I took photos of the two little brothers, and I went back this past Sunday to take a few of the whole family. It was challenging, but we managed to get a few! It was so heart-warming to see the little boys all decked out by the Christmas tree and fireplace.

And another heart warmer...


Happy 49th anniversary Mom & Dad!

Christmas Kitty

I finally put the felt under the tree and Leo immediately began to lay on it.

The Four Sisters Pic

I just realized I forgot to blog this. Kinda toothy!
Julia, Marianna, Andrea, Paula; Christmas 2009

Cousin Love

Edward Maria and Bridget get to see their cousins about twice a year - in the summer and at Christmas time. So, it's kind of amazing how much they love to be together when they finally are!

Maria, Allie, Bridget, Paige and Tiffany

Trey, Hunter, Edward and Sammy

Laura & boyfriend Clark, Michelle, Mara, Brian, Edward, German exchange student Chiara, and Bridget; the oldest, Stephen wasn't here yet

A View of Edward's Birthday from the Chandeleir

Two Decades Old

Edward's 20th Birthday Party

Yesterday, we celebrated Christmas and Edward's birthday. Since this was the 20th year of doing this, we have become pros at gathering round the red velvet cake and singing happy birthday for a photo while I run in from my camera set on the tripod. Some things are just tradition! This year however, my sister Andrea's family joined us -usually it is Paula's family. He is always well celebrated on this day.

Happy Birthday Jesus...

... and Edward. 20 years ago today.

Merry Christmas to All

The Christmas Elves...

...have been a great help this year!!!

Listen

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. ~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby

A Shining Thing

Whatever else be lost among the years,
Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing:
Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,
Let us hold close one day, remembering
Its touching meaning for the hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike faith again.
-Grace Crowell

Flash Back Friday 144

Maria & Bridget, December 1998

Winter Wonderland

Ok, I am finally getting with the program here, accepting the fact that winter has arrived. We had our first official snow this past Thursday night and most of the local schools were closed on Friday - not for our kids though! I had a quiet Friday to catch up on some photo things I needed to do - edits, ordering, taking winter time pix, getting into the season, etc. - just what my soul needed! I LOVE the first snow, it is so, so beautiful, but I admit, it gets old sometime in the vicinity of January/February.

And just in case you can't get enough of winter, here is my December 09 Snow Set.

Deck the Halls '09

A friendly Christmas ghost came to set up our tree this weekend!

We had such a fun weekend with Edward home from Calvin and time spent with John's family. The kids and I actually put up the tree and John did the outdoor lights.

And then I got such a kick out of Bridget when she got the Christmas angels out. These angels, one made by Maria and the other made by Bridget, sit on top of the posts on the railing by the stairs.

She said to Maria, "Let the games begin!" When I asked her about that comment, she told me that she and Maria switch the posts that their angels sit on when the other isn't looking since one of the posts is kind of behind the Christmas tree and doesn't get the best view from all angles. I had no idea of their angelic competition.