Christmas photo shoot

A few days before Christmas, we dressed the kids up in their matching pajamas to take some pictures for our annual Christmas card.  We got sooooo many good ones that it was hard to choose! These are my favorites of the group:

I love this one. Lola was really tickled about something!

I decided I had to have this one framed for my house.
I really felt like this picture captured the best of all of them!

Then we shot some individuals:
Colin

Ethan

Cameron

I was a bit worried if Lola would cooperate. She was feeling a little saucy at first. *grin*

But then she had a little chat with her Daddy, who always puts a smile on her face!

And we have her shot.
Cindy Lou Who.
I mean Lola.

We decided to try a "posed" picture as well. Shane came up with this, and helped the boys get into position.  He handed Lola to them, and they all laughed so hard that they could barely keep their composure! Of all the shots I took that night, I'm pretty certain this one is my absolute favorite! 

This is the one we used for the Christmas card--and I think my second favorite, 

but definitely the one with the best smiles of all of them!

I'm such a blessed Momma!

From our house to your house

 We wish

 you all

 

the merriest,

 

most wonderful,

  joyful, and peace-filled Christmas

 ever!

From our family to yours--Merry Christmas!

Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Looking ahead to Christmas cards

Are you the kind of person--like my amazing and very craft-talented Mother-in-Law--who spends hours making personal Christmas cards to send out?

Or, do you take the easy road and just send the store bought kind--preferably, in all money-saving-consciousness, of course--purchased the day after Christmas the year before?

Bet you can't guess which one yours truly is.

If you said the first--I'm laughing in your face right now.

I'd be that gal that goes on the hunt the day after Christmas, digs through heaps of unorganized, left-over cards, and finds the best ones she can--generally ones with some sort of verse on the inside, seeing that without the coming of Jesus, we'd have no Christmas card sending at all--and stock up on those for next year.

This year, I am doing things differently--and I couldn't be more excited about it!!

I've always dreamed of doing those fancy photo Christmas cards--like my sister-in-law Karie always does. I drool over hers every year and think, "Why don't I do that?"

The answer is really, really simple. Cost.

However, this year, Shutterfly--which is an amazing online photo company I have used in the past to make great photo calendars for family gifts--is treating bloggers (like myself) to 50 free Christmas cards!

I am torn between a few designs. There tons of great ones to choose from--here are just a few I like.

I love these next two folded designs:

Um, are you kidding me? I love the simplicity of the black and white with the holiday colors.  

And, room for a family photo and four sweet head shots of each of my brood? LOVE it! 

No verse--but I supposed I could always write one on the inside.

You could also choose a less expensive, flat option.

Though none of them really stood out to me, they do have religious Christmas card options as well.  Basically, if you can think it, Shutterfly has it!

I can testify from past experience that Shutterfly is a great company with an easy to navigate site and great quality results.

Try them for yourself.  Happy Christmas card making!