The day after Thanksgiving, my sister and her kids came over and we decorated Christmas cookies.  My kids have so much fun and so do us big girls.  The kids start with about 5 cookies, of which they eat 4 right off the bat.  By then, they are somewhat bored and wander off, leaving my sister and I to finish the remaining 50 cookies.  But it was fun, always a favorite part of our Christmas season!

I host Thanksgiving at my house every year for family and friends. The past few years I have not had to work the Wednesday before the holiday, so I’ve taken that time to set up my Christmas decor and the trees. The boys are always home from school and love to help in the fun. I have two artificial trees, one larger and one smaller. The smaller tree is for the boys to decorate themselves. They are always so excited to get their ornaments out and put them on the tree. Here are a few pics of our fun day!

I know I’ve been slacking with my blog. We have had the flu going through the house the past week and we are just starting to all feel better. I should have been doing a month’s worth of thankfulness posts, but I guess I’ll save that for next year. Today I wanted to share two pictures from October that I took of the boys while outside at Papa and Oma’s house one Sunday afternoon. These two shots are my favorite of the fall, and actually the picture of my oldest and his little brother is my very favorite. I only wish all three boys were in it together, but I just happened to capture this one before their brother sat down. I sure am thankful to God for my three beautiful boys, even on the days when they all have the flu! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Last Sunday was my nephew Henry’s 3 month birthday.  Feels like my sister and I were just flying north on US131 early on the morning of August 2 from our vacation cottage to get her to the hospital, when in actuality it was already 3 months ago!  Little Henry made his debut about a month early, but he has filled out nicely and is such a sweet little baby.  Mom wanted a few pics of Henry with each member of his family.  For any other photographers out there, you all know that it can be a challenge getting a picture of a 3 year old and a 3 month old, but I think we got a few cute ones of Henry with his big sister Elsha.  Love you all!

This was the first year that almost all my boys would put their hands into the pumpkins to gut them.  Only Jordan refused again this year, saying it was too yucky.  But Justin and Brendan jumped right in.  We had lots of fun carving, with Justin doing all his own carving this year.  Good job boys!

I’m such a bad daughter!  I had every intention of posting this on my mom’s birthday last week Thursday, and the week just got away from me.  But better late than never I say.   Happy belated birthday to the best mom a girl could ever ask for.  I consider my mom one of my best friends and love her for everything she has taught me, all her help that she gives selflessly, her great Sunday lunches after church and so much more.  I love you mom, happy birthday!

Sara and I took the kids to Robinette’s to run off a little steam today.  The kids had fun and we were able to enjoy some beautiful October weather.

Today is my dad’s birthday!  He turns 59.  God has blessed me with the best father anyone could ask for and I’m so honored to call him my dad.  He’s actually given me a gift, a gift that keeps on giving every year that goes by.  My dad lives out his faith in Christ on a daily basis and always has, and I’ve been able to witness it for the past 35 (almost 36) years.  I hope and pray that when my boys are old and grey, they will look back and look at me the way I look back at my dad; that I lived my faith daily and they could see it and feel it.  That’s how I feel about my dad.  He also introduced me to every and all types of music, and I’m also so thankful for that.  Every time he posts a song video on his Facebook page I smile.  I love to watch him sing and my kids do too.  So on top of all the great stuff I’ve already written, he’s the best grandpa to my boys!  He takes them kayaking, on walks, teaches them how to collect rocks, sings with them, talk to them about Jesus and most importantly loves them for who they are.  I love him more than words can say and am so proud to call him my dad.  I love you dad!

Thought I’d post just a couple of pics from the wedding Saturday night.  These are some of my personal pics from the night, me and my good buddies.  Mandy and I grew up right down the street from each other and played together almost every day.  Mandy’s sister Erin and my sister Sara were also good friends and played together all the time.  Mandy, Jason (Erin’s husband) and I all graduated together and have known each other a long time.  I love it when I actually know the family at the weddings I shoot.  Makes for such a great day!  The actual wedding day post will come later this week!

Mandy and I

Mom getting a hug from Mandy.

Mandy and Jason, hey good buddy!

Beca and Jason

Erin and Jason

Sunset at the resort the night of the wedding

Tomorrow morning at this time I will be in the air on my way to New York City for the wedding of one of my dearest friends.  Mandi and her two sisters lived right down the road from us our entire childhood.  We were the same age and her sister and my sister were the same age.  Our mom’s babysat for each other often and I spent most of my younger years with Mandi.  We went to the library on our bikes, jumped on (and broke) each others beds, ate over at each others houses, had sleepovers, watched movies, sang to The Sound of Music records and went to high school together.

I am so excited that she is finally getting married to the sweetest man around.  Jeff, I’m so happy that you make my friend so happy.  I can’t wait to head out to the east coast for the next five days and be part of your very special day.  I am honored that I get to take your wedding photos!

Mandi, I love you and am so happy for you.  I will see you tomorrow.  Until then, enjoy a few old pics I found that I had already scanned into the computer.  I wish I had some older ones, but I need to dig for those!