Christmas Portraits

Im curious what other families (specifically families with toddlers) picture experience is like? Im not talking about around the house.. Im talking professional photos. Before I had a child I always looked at family portraits and thought "How beautiful... I CANT WAIT to take pictures like that". Since having Mason, I never have that feeling. Family pictures are a force to be reckon with..terrible...miserable...no good day. The pictures rarely show how the day really went. It was NOT a peaceful, beautiful moment like the picture shows. Poor Jocelyn... I'm glad I'm a nurse and not a photographer of toddlers (or at least, my toddler). Anyways, photographers are amazing because they seem to make the day look enjoyable, and the pictures always turn out amazing despite my thinking that it was all for nothing.

I think this was the first problem... we showed him the toys in the downtown toy store first thing. The rest of the morning he wanted the train inside.

Running away....

But then this face makes it all worth it!

There's a snapshot of the morning's photo shoot. You wouldn't think it was a terrible morning, right?! Here's what the in between REALLY looked like:

A picture that actually captures the truth behind picture taking with toddlers...I guess despite it we have lovely photos to hang on our wall!

A Christmas Breakfast

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Christmas? I mean everyone does, right, but the holidays have a way of making people happy. Houses decked in colorful lights, inflatable snowmen in the front yard (these are my favorite.. and if I could do it on my own I would put one on my roof... unfortunately my husband and I don't see eye to eye on holiday decor), jingle bells at the entrance to Wal-Mart, mini vans that resemble rudolph, the smell of fresh pine needles that have been tracked throughout the entire house... I mean it just has got to put a smile on your face! Another thing that puts a smile on my face is taking every opportunity for Mason to get to know Santa. That includes Otter Creeks Christmas Breakfast. There were about 300 kids/families that showed up to enjoy a day made for kids. Igloos, penquins, storytime, and even a man with a guitar singing Christmas carols. Im actually disappointed in myself for not taking more pictures, but I did capture a few of the exciting morning.

what better to do when standing in line for an hour to see Santa... play with Mrs. Megan's phone of course!

 

And a few pictures of Mason and the Christmas tree....

Happy Turkey Day!

Why does it take a national holiday, filled with fatty, unhealthy food, a big parade of every kids character you can imagine, and cute little turkey embroidered shirts for me to realize how much I have to be thankful for? Why do I think I am entitled to the things I have... because Kyle works hard? because I try to be a "good" Christian person (whatever that even means)? because I come from a good family who showered me with everything a girl could want? I don't deserve half of the things I have. This year, more than ever, it has hit me how truly blessed I am. I am thankful for a day like Thanksgiving to bring me back to reality... it's not my material possessions (though dont get me wrong..  I love my "stuff") that really matter... it's watching my beautiful, healthy son laugh at himself, having a husband who loves and adores me despite my failures, having an amazing church to call home, and a family who I can always count on to be my backbone. Most of all, it's having God's grace to cover my sins when I definately don't deserve it. Everything else is merely an added bonus.

A couple Sunday's ago, our preacher said something that has stayed locked away in my head.. he said (paraphrased and perhaps not as well spoken) he would go into his son's room at night after he was asleep and say, "God, if you never give me anything else in life... you have already given me more than I ever need". I feel like that is true of my life. I've had more blessings in my 26 years than most people do in a lifetime. I pray for contentment in what I have instead of a desire to always have more.

how can I not be thankful for this animal?! BEST DOG EVER!
 

My challenge to myself is to not wait 365 days until next Thanksgiving to say thank you.

attempt at a cousin shot... we always have such big hopes for pictures but they never go as planned!

Trickin or Treatin

I have to go back almost 2 months and talk about trick or treating. We had a blast hanging out with our good friends, the Tomlinsons, and Mason of course loved hanging out with Will. Mason has started correlating places to things he likes (e.g. we drive past Publix and he yells to ride in the buggy)... well when we turn on Concord Road he starts saying "Will" a million times. It's pretty cute! Mason was a dinasour this year... not very creative but was simple to order with a simple click on the computer.

little water break from all the excitement.

he is definately eyeing that candy!

Happy Halloween folks!

Pumpkin Patch

It's been over a month since we visited the Pumpkin Patch...time has flown by this fall and we have loved every minute of it. We went to a place in Auburn, so Kyle actually missed out on the trip this year, but my mom and brother got to come along.

Mason and gogo

Mason with Uncle Bobby

 He didn't even know what to do with himself with all these pumpkins. Kyle and I had been really hyping up the fall by pointing out pumpkins EVERYWHERE we went. When the time came, he knew how to say pumpkin and wanted to take every one home with him.

Mason loved playing in the corn pit and with the tractors. I wish I had taken a picture of him chasing the goose around.. it was probably one of his favorite parts! Too bad the goose got scared and ran into the water before we could get too close.

He loved the pumpkin farm... we let him pick out his own pumpkin to take home. He couldn't really decide on just one, so we ended up taking 6 pumpkins home. How in the world can you say "no" to this face though?!

 We left the animals for very last (he is obsessed with all things animals). He loved the pigs and ran around saying "MOO"... we are still working on differentiating a pig from a cow. I mean they kinda look similiar right?

We had high hopes of carving ALL 6 pumpkins that we brought home, but that was a long shot. We were happy with carving one... or I should say Mason was happy watching me and gogo carve his pumpkin.

Happy Fall everyone!