Chaston + Benjamin + Madelyn

Well folks... I'm back .
After my brief haitus from regularly positive blogging, I am bringing you more from my neck of the woods.
This afternoon, I took advantage of an opportunity with half way decent weather (a little chilly - but 'tis the season, right?!) and decided to take some pictures of Chaston and his cousins (Benjamin + Madelyn) for their grandma for Christmas.
Since Bekah was with her dad, I didn't want her to feel left out, so today was the perfect day!
We headed out for about an hour and a half of different locations. Despite the brisk wind and chilly air, the kids did a really good job!!
Unfortunately, because it was so chilly, I didn't check my camera after taking the shots and realized that I had my ISO setting a little too high
So, while the pictures aren't the best I've ever taken, they most certainly meet the goal of "one-good-picture-for-grandma's-Christmas-Present". And we had a whole bunch of fun!!
Meet Chaston and his cousin Benjamin. Chaston was born 5 weeks earlier than Benjamin, but you would never be able to tell that now! Benjamin passed Chaston up a LONG time ago . Madelyn came along about 3 years later, and was lucky enough to be the first girl in over 30 years on that side of the family.

We started out at the Railroad Track


...and added a few Christmas presents for effect:



We scouted out the Log Cabin from the Isaacs Family Photos and decided to have a little fun there..



Things were getting a little too serious, so I decided to let them act "normal"


The boys:



I let the boys do this jump and chest-bump a few weeks ago before school, so I told them they could do it again if they insisted.
...and they did.
Madelyn and I were both scared:


Speaking of scared...
I've been trying to set this picture up with kids for a while and haven't been able to get "it".
Ohhhhhhh .... this time I got "IT"
THANK YOU BENJAMIN!!!!


I was so impressed with Ethan's previous idea of "see no evil-hear no evil-speak no evil" that I just had to do it again. (Thanks ETHAN!!! <--- do I owe Royalty fees?!)


After thaaaaaaaat, we headed to the park for some more pictures by the water. The kids wanted water pictures. ...and they were being so good, I couldn't turn them down!!


Inspired by the Faulds Boys (Andrew+Anthony+Taz)





I was so proud of the three kiddos!! I think it's safe to say we were "friggen" cold!!!



HAHA ... can you see me?!


~G

Bekah's Christmas Pictures

When trying to come up with a unique gift for Bekah to give her daddy, I decided on a photobook of the past year in her life. A few years ago, I made a DVD of her 2nd year, so this year - we're going for a photo book. My goal is to get it completed by the end of this week! (here goes nothing, right?!)

Anyway - I organize my photos by month, so it was relatively easy to go back through all of the folders and grab my favorite photos from each month. I love looking back at how big she's gotten this past year. I assume I'll put one together for Chaston as well.

Since the end of this year is Christmas, I needed some Christmasy photos to put at the end of the book so it can be completed.

This evening was FREEEEZING cold .. but we were able to get some quick photos of my little Snow Princess. She was so good! I told her it would be cold, but we WORKED IT OUT!

Here are a few of my faves:









Mailing a letter to Santa!

















Since we're on the subject of Christmas....

This weekend, I did a little more of my Christmas shopping for the kids. I am pretty much done with everyone else, except my kids. I typically wait to shop for them as you never know what is going to be popular by the time Christmas comes around.

After making the decision to get Bekah this really adorable little baby alive type doll - she has informed me that she doesn't want any babies for Christmas. CRAP CRAP CRAP... she must be adopted! Instead, she wants a little brown dog that does tricks and rolls over. I'm pretty sure I know what she's talking about, however this weekend I'm taking the baby back and getting the dog! Geeeez!

Chaston's list keeps getting longer and longer. And WAY more expensive. He wants some $100 Lego Star Wars Droid set. Hmmm... I think Santa must've hit the lottery!?!

I have a strip of "jingle bells" hanging on my front door handle and Chaston is absolutely convinced that he will be able to hear Santa coming in! I'm really afraid this may be the last year that he innocently believes in Santa, so I'm really trying to make sure this Christmas is a fun one!

Also, he's decided to get a gift for one of his less-fortunate friends this year in honor of Jesus's birthday. I told him he is not allowed to tell the little boy that he bought the gift. He says he wants to get him a lego set because his little sister always tears his stuff up and his mom doesn't have a lot of money to buy him toys. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to go about this "act of kindness". His other idea is to take some football cards down to Riley Hospital to the "sick kids" and give them some football cards. I'm trying not to dictate what he does for the "birthday gift". I want to allow him the freedom to make his decision and carry it out. He still has a couple of weeks to decide on what he wants to give for the holidays.

Bekah on the other hand, isn't quite there yet on understanding the whole goal, and I don't really expect her to be. I'l probably have to guide her a little more, however I'm still really looking forward to the opportunity to serve others.

..and since one of my other friends posted pictures of her Christmas Tree, I don't feel as rediculous posting mine.

Here's to starting the season out WAY early in my house!





~G