Our FAVORITE Christmas present to our kids......

ETA

7.4.10

These two.....

Today I walked in and found my two youngest children watching T.V. (that never happens at my house:)) This is how they were sitting.

What can I say?

When I found out Gil was on his way...I cried for many months off and on. They were only going to be 15 months apart.

To say I was kind of freaking out is an understatement.

Then he came and Gwyn and her maternal instinct took over at 15 months old.

She knew he was coming just for her.

I don't think it matters that he is three and that he is not much smaller than her. He doesn't often let her love on him, but she tries every chance she gets. Sometimes he lets her, and I hear him tell her at least 5x a day he loves her. I am so glad these two little friends came so close together....I'd like to say Gil is enough baby for her but...

In every prayer this girl prays for a baby sister....she has the whole family praying for that now. I think that she would ask for Santa to bring her a real baby if that was something Santa could actually bring to her. How is it that some come to this world so dang maternal? What an amazing blessing.

A day with my little lady!

On Saturday Gwyn had a music recital and then she and I had a date to the local Nutcracker. We dressed her up in her Christmas dress and dolled her all up....

We woke up to snow in the morning, and that just made the day feel magical!

We attended her singing recital at the local live nativity and her little group only sang one song.

Silent night. Bob and I giggled through it because look how she tilted her head through the song.

Notice she is the only one with the her head tilted......yep the whole song, from one side to the other. She was playing it up.

The Nutcracker was fabulous. Our neighbor and Gwyn's best friend Geena was in it...and she stole the show for us. She was an amazing Party Princess. By the end when the Sugar Plum fairy was dancing Gwyn had fallen asleep on my arm.

It's funny because It has been almost 15 years since I have seen the Nutcracker. I performed in it for at least 5 years. I can still feel the emotion and love I have for the music when it starts...I even still remember a lot of the choreography. I love the Nutcracker and it is purely Christmas to me. I loved sharing with my only daughter.

Thanks Jen for the tickets!

The Schick kids

These kids are punks!

Okay Brooklyn and Emee are sweet as can be.....but Talon and Baily, PUNKS!

I love those two punks, I love to bug them when they are playing at my house and when ever I see them. Emee is beautiful and so nice and Brooklyn is one of my kids favorite babysitters. These kids are funny and have great personalities. (They're not to bad to look at either) So fun to take pictures of them.

The Sullivan Family

Sally is the president/Secretary of our book group. She is a fantastic cook. WE enjoy her treats often! Her blog is well known. Her family is cute and miniature....except for Duane, he is normal size:) They were really fun to take pictures of. Brinnley was more than happy to pose for me and I could have taken her picture all afternoon.

Mitchell Family.....

Let just say that this genetic gene pool is kind of amazing.....

I can honestly say that because one it is true, and two it's Bob's older sister Amy and her family.

This is the family that my kids want to see ALL the time.

We see them a lot even though they live 4 hours away.

They have a 2nd home down here in S. Utah and visit frequently (if you ask my kids though it would not be enough) and they live in Utah county by the grandma's and grandpa's.

My kids would like to live at their house. (most of our kids match up...sorry Kate)

Amy is one of my best friends and Jeff is always a great time. They may also be the most generous people I know. When I grow up, I want to be like Amy. Hope you like your pictures! You have a beautiful family.

Love you guys!

My Big Brother....aka Bubba

This is my big brother Brad and his family.

We had a very quick photo session on Thanksgiving. (Not planned at all)

Vanessa is not only beautiful and a great mom she is crazy talented with her sewing machine. She whipped up these girls some outfits really quick for Thanksgiving. She saw the skirts in Chasing Fireflies... My sister-in-law is from Brazil and she has the cutest accent.

She and my brother are a match made in heaven and the best parents.

My nieces maybe some of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen. Brad was my closest sibling growing up and a very kind big brother, I love him very much. Next time we will plan a real photo shoot:)

Love you guys....xoxoxo

(cd will be in the mail tomorrow)

Purles Family

The beautiful blonde mom in these pictures has been my friend for nearly 20 years.

She is a wonderful photographer herself.

Her husband I have known, at least 15 years.

When she first brought him down to hang out with us as Sophmores in high school...he had a serious bowl cut (that's what Amber called it) :) He was so nice then....and now.

Love this family.

Love this location. (Thank you Watkins Farm!)

Love Amber and Chase and their gorgeous children.

This shoot was so fun.
Hope you like them.