Family Photo Shoot

I'm super lucky to have an amazinlg talented friend as a photographer. Her name is Cynthia Cockriel and she is fabulous! (check out her website- www.cynthiaphotos.com)
What's even better is that we trade services. I do hair and make up for some of her photo shoots and also for her family. In return she dose our family photos & develops them. I have to admitt I feel like I'm getting the better end of this deal!
It's been so fun to work with her over the past few years. Each time she does our photos I love them even more than the year before..... And I'm so happy that she wants to trade because otherwise I couldn't afford her!






So here are our shoots from this year. We actually took these over two days in early November. The first was the fam, but Cynthia didn't feel like we had enough of the boys. So we got them dressed up again and I took them out for one more round. (That's the main reason why there are so many more shots of me than Greg, sorry honey. Really I don't think he cares.)
The first day was at this darling farm about 40 mins from our house. I guess there really is a lot of farm land around us. I just don't usually see it. The second day we went to a local park. Poor Brody, I accidently shut the car door on his little finger right when we got there. But, "The show must go on" after a few pieces of candy he was ready to smile. He was even excited to show me some shots he took while I was chasing Tate around and wasn't watching him.






I waited very impatiently till she called to say the pics. were ready. She's very professional about the whole thing. When your pictures are ready to view she calls you over to her home to watch them on a DVD her son makes. She like to watch your reaction as you see the photos for the first time. Is is rude to say I was blown away by them? She is so talented, she really made us look good. I'm so happy to have such great family photos. The only problem is that now I am TOTALLY SPOILED by her and neither one of us can ever move away now!

It's begining to look a lot like ChRIsTmAs!

I LOVE this time of year. I know most people do. There is just such a magic in the air, a feeling of togetherness. For us the fun started when we woke up Sunday morning to SNOW on the ground! Luckily (for me driving) there wasn't much, but enough to feel festive & cozy. I really hoped we could get the tree out that night, but things got too busy... so much for Sunday being a day of rest. Only 4 weeks till early church!!
All day & night Brody kept begging to get the tree out. Finally last night we put it all together. (Although I still have corn stalks on the outside of our house. Better get on that!)


Greg was a good sport. After a long day back to work he just wanted to relax, but Brody was persistent and Greg went along with it. He even smiled for the pictures!




Tate was so excited about the Christmas Tree. He wanted to put the Angel on top.

Now the tree was up.
Decorating it on the other hand......... I was really trying to not be OCD and to let the boys help out. But when they broke the little peanut cushy things into a million tiny pieces, started throwing them in the air saying, "Santa, Snow!" "Santa, Snow!" I lost it a little. Cute as they were, the mess was not! I had to call in the reinforcements. Maybe next year we can all decorate together.

Speaking of cute! One treasured(?) find was a singing and dancing frog that Grandma Linda bought last year. The boys loved playing with it...... in fact I hear it going right now. I know this video is a little dark, but they are just so darn cute! I had to share. For the record this was the first I'd seen Brody's break dancing moves. I'm pretty impressed.

"Count your many blessings"

We were so happy to have Dad and Ann Marie join us during the week of Thanksgiving. For being here only a few days we sure crammed a lot of fun in. Eating at Jack Stack, Baking, going to the park , on a walk, more baking.... Jogging, movie watching, going to the Plaza, (no not when David Cook was there). Shopping, Foos, Union Station, train rides, eating, playing and eating some more.

For the actual Thanksgiving Day we had a casual celebration. To take a break from cooking we went over to the park. It was fun for us all to play, not just the boys. Then I took them on the trail to see why I love it there so much. Even with the bare trees it still was beautiful & peaceful. Anne Marie and I ditched the boys to go for a little run before we stuffed our faces.

We cooked the traditional meal and were all very grateful that the deep fried turkey didn't catch on fire! Our friends Ken & Kristi Lord came to enjoy with us. Their two oldest girls were visiting family in Utah, so they just brought Garren & Jackson who are buddies of our boys. After dinner we played wii and watched Speed Racer... (wonder who picked that?) It was a very fun, very relaxing day. Dad and Annie even had the dishes done before I even came down from putting the boys to bed.
They were so helpful around the house, almost too helpful. It makes me wonder how I ever kept up with out them...... Oh yeah- I don't! Although we never did go see twilight with them, Greg is so bummed, we enjoyed their company and hope they come to see us again soon.