Our Dreamy White Christmas

How could Santa resist milk and cookies from this adorable kid! Not to worry, he seemed to enjoy all the treats Eleanor left him, especially the fudge!
And sure enough, all our wishing came true and we had a beautiful white Christmas. One of only 13 in 100 years or so. It was the perfect day to stay warm and cozy at home!

Now, honestly I think Eleanor was just as excited to get a candy cane in her stocking as any of her other presents. She seems to think this is the real proof of whether Santa thinks you've been naughty or nice. It's a good thing Santa remembered, so I could catch a picture of that sweet grin.

Here's Gavin enjoying the ramekins from his stocking. He'd been saying lately that he's going to make the perfect creme brulee. Who am I to stand in the way of such progress! I'm looking forward to the practicing.

Eleanor got this super cute pillow and princess blanket from Grandma. Can you tell that she likes it - just a little? This little girl is all into princesses at the moment. We're looking forward to taking her to Disneyland where she can meet some very soon!

All in all, it was a fun Christmas. We're looking forward to spending some good quality time with family and friends over New Years.

Getting in the Spirit

Sometimes the holidays seem to pass by before I've really gotten into the spirit of things. I didn't want that to happen this year, so I planned a few things that I thought would really help to get into the Christmas spirit.

First, Eleanor and I started a new tradition this year with a date to the Nutcracker ballet. I think this was the first stage performance she's seen and she loved it.

Second, we also started a new family advent tradition. We've been collecting Christmas books (thanks to some good friends for helping with that too) for awhile. So, I wrapped them all up and put them under the tree. Eleanor loves opening a new Christmas book every day. I do too, since it provides some new reading material for bedtime stories!

And speaking of Christmas books, I decided to read Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" this year. I don't think I've actually ever read it before. It was excellent. A beautifully written lesson of how to feel the real spirit of Christmas.

Here are a couple of my favorite lines, "[Marley's ghost to Scrooge] Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business! ... Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode? Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me!"

I also planned early to take our own family Christmas picture. That's a fun adventure that involves the tripod, timer and lots of running on my part! Hope you enjoy the result.

To continue one of my family's oldest Christmas traditions, we'll be making Graham cracker houses tonight. So, look for pictures soon! And here is a picture of Eleanor's visit to Santa today. Not sure he knows what a Sleeping Beauty Polly Pocket is, but I'm sure the elfs can help him out.

With lots of Christmas music, cards, secret Santa-ing, snow, parties, lights, etc. it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas this year. I'd love to hear what you do to get in the Christmas spirit too.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

I love the kind of snowstorm that covers all the branches with ice. It makes me want to get outside with my camera as soon as possible. So, this morning I took a walk in a winter wonderland. Here's a few of my favorites from the day...

Can anyone explain this?

Above the Clouds

Flying to Utah this weekend for my youngest brother's mission farewell gave me the opportunity to relax a bit. I love flying on a cloudy day - ok it was snowy and icy too. Within minutes of takeoff you're above the clouds surrounded by sunshine and beautiful blue sky. The clouds below look like warm down comforters (especially nice since it was 17 degrees when I left). It's an incredible lesson in perspective. Just a few feet above that all-encompassing cloudy sky is this majestic view.

So, while I enjoyed the view I pondered how I can apply this lesson to my life. There are so many times when I'm in the midst of a difficulty of some kind that it seems to completely surround me. No sunny thoughts or wise perspective to be seen. Yet, if I apply this lesson in perspective I would know that better, clear, sunshiny days are just ahead. The sun is always shining just above the clouds! Look for that to appear on my wall sometime soon! And thanks for letting me share a cheesy inspirational thought for the day.

Some Inspiration

I happened upon this super cute online magazine today. http://smallmagazine.net/issue.asp
I know it's not too hard to find plenty of cute stuff for your kids, but here is some inspiration if you need it!

Her Dimples How Merry!

I'm going to use that as a Christmas card title one of these years... I love that Eleanor still has the adorable dimples she's had since she was a baby.
My only day-after-Thanksgiving shopping venture was to get a 4GB card for my camera. It was a steal-of-a-deal! So, now I can take 450 pictures at a go in RAW. Here are the first couple...

A New Photogenic Spot

You know I'm always on the lookout for a new picture spot. This fall I tried out a new park - thanks Jen for finding it! Willow Farm Park in Longmont, which hides in a neighborhood behind JCPenney, has some very cute spots. Maybe I'm totally out of date posting these now, but I'm loving these fall pictures. And if you happen upon a spot that looks like it might be photogenic, please let me know!

A Sweet Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving week. We were grateful to have some family come to stay for the weekend. Ryan and Sara and little Isaac made it out from Iowa. While they were here we had some fierce duels on the Wii (Ryan now has the bowling record - but not for long!). Little Isaac is the sweetest kiddo - never grouchy at all. This is his signature sleepy pose - thumb in the mouth and hand on the ear. We went to Hammonds Candies over the weekend for their factory tour. Always a fun place to go. Here is the candy maker pulling candy canes by hand. This time we indulged and bought a couple of their fabulous candy canes. Apple pie flavor is awesome, and everyone should try a chocolate-filled candy cane at least once!

When was the last time you...

The other day Eleanor was going upstairs and went running around the corner with her arms out like an airplane. Such a cute moment that made me stop and think... When was the last time you...

• "flew" around a corner
• considered a leaf or shiny rock to be a treasure
• pushed a button just to see what would happen
• sang at the top of your lungs
• climbed into the middle of a rack of clothes to hide
• skipped
• measured yourself to see how tall you are
• took a nap
• asked how something works (not just to please your husband)
• prayed to find something you lost

Just a few thoughts that made me realize what a precious gift and time childhood is. I'm so grateful for the things kids remind me to take time to do. Maybe you should look for a shiny rock yourself this week. :)

Sweetheart

Happy Birthday (tomorrow) little one. We sure miss you. If you'd like to help us celebrate our special angel go to http://www.babysolomon.blogspot.com/

Like Mother, Like Daughter

It's always incredible to me to see myself coming out in my daughter's words, actions, etc. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes very revealing. Anyway, this time it's just plain funny. I got a new set of bedding recently, complete with all those cute pillows whose purpose baffles my husband. Well, since I've been making my bed so elaborately, I've noticed a difference in Eleanor. Here is how she made her bed today...

Haircuts and Bunnies

Isn't this girl adorable! She got her hair cut yesterday and came home from preschool looking so cute I had to take a few pictures. Love those dimples! I still have no idea where that gorgeous blonde hair comes from.

Beware... non-flattering pictures ahead! We had a fun FHE activity/treat last night playing "Fluffy Bunny." Gavin has some skills in that area. Word to the wise... if you try this at home - don't laugh!

I know it looks like some kind of pain and torture, but I promise he was enjoying himself.

*No fluffy bunnies were harmed in the process of this activity.

There's No Place Like Home

Several of our neighbors told us they were discussing over dinner what we'd be for Halloween this year! Oh, the pressure. It's become a tradition for us to pick a theme for our family each Halloween. Usually it's Eleanor's idea, sometimes guided in a certain direction...namely away from Dad having to wear tights. :) I had a great time making Gavin's lion headdress this year - haven't laughed so hard in years. He constructed my "house" out of a cardboard box which I painted. Now, time to start thinking about next year's theme. We'd be happy to take suggestions.

Watchout 50 Here I Come

So, I found this awesome tool- the Celebrity Look-a-like Morpher. I put in my picture and this is who came up! So, I guess with the right plastic surgery I could look like Christie Brinkley when I'm 50. :) You gotta try this.

Tis the Season

for Family Pictures that is... with 8 sessions scheduled for this month and next, I am getting lots of practice! I've discovered a few things so far...

1. my #1 rule is "Parents, please no telling the kids to smile." Nothing sends the natural smiles scooting faster.

2. I love shots where families are naturally interacting, not posing for the camera

3. What did I do before my beautiful, white, telephoto lense?

4. Shade and sunset are my friends.

5. Love my noisemaker - thank you Gavin.

6. Take as many shots as possible as quickly as possible (Ex. 250 in 1 hr last session).

7. What did photographers do before Photoshop? - don't take it personally if I switch your head!

Anyway... here is one of my favorites from my last session with the Allreds.

I've been there

As we were talking about the World Series and our thwarted attempt to get tickets yesterday, I realized that, in a bizarre coincidence, the only Major League Baseball stadiums I have been to are Colorado and Boston. This caused me to dig through old pictures, from the days of film, to find proof. So, here's me with part of the group who got to go to Boston in about 1996.
We actually got to sing the National Anthem at the Red Sox game, now you know one of my favorite little-known facts about me. It was a very cool experience, wish I could say it was due to any great singing talent of mine, but no. I have been on the field at the same time as Jose Canseco. The same field the Rockies are going to be playing on. So, I guess that puts me in a unique position to enjoy the World Series this year, even without tickets.

Death by chocolate never looked so good

I thought I'd share my new obsession. Well, not really share - that's asking a lot! :) My friend Corinne, introduced us to the finest British candy bar we've had yet. That is saying something considering how pounds of chocolate we bought on our trip to London a few years ago. We've tried all our connections and found nowhere to buy them this side of the pond. So, I rely on the mercy of our friends who travel internationally to fill the void. In the meantime, this one is going to be divided into 12 bitty pieces to last me at least a year... well, maybe a month.

My advice - don't fall in love with something that can only be found 4693 miles away!

The Perfect Workout

This morning was so beautiful and sunny I thought a little tennis would be nice. So, I played a few games to the sound of cheering crowds - and yes, I won! I have to thank my fans and my husband of course, for proposing an irresistable plan to get the Nintendo Wii. Any plan that involves him accomplishing massive amounts of yard work I'll admit I can't resist! I'm only human after all. So, as soon as the fence is stained and the last garden boxes built, I'll tell him where the remotes are. Keep up the good work honey! I'll be working on my tennis game...

Looking for some Autumn Color

For my birthday yesterday I decided what I really wanted to do was go find some pretty fall color. For an unseasonably beautiful day (I never get to plan outdoor birthdays in October!) we took a picnic to Golden Ponds in Longmont. Being a photographer, I always assumed it was named Golden Ponds because of the color. Found out it is actually named after a person, V.V. Golden. Well, regardless of the origin, it was a beautiful, golden evening. Thankfully there wasn't too much reflection from my silver hair yet!

Paper Therapy

Just returned from a fabulous weekend scrapbooking in Heber with the girls. I spend enough time taking pictures, it's about time I spent some time scrapboking them.

Talk about good therapy! Good company, fun projects to work on, great food, beautiful view - it was just what I needed. I'm not so on top of things as to have any of my pages scanned yet, but (since we used my camera) I have the scoop on the group photo!

10,000 Pictures

I got my new camera in January 2006. Since then I've been taking pictures like crazy! How can I help it when it can take about 3 a second? So, this summer I realized I was nearing the 10,000 shot mark! I took my 10,000th picture on August 22. Just for fun, here are some I took along the way.

A few bits about me

In response to Rochelle's tag (http://www.buildingonthelittlerock.blogspot.com/) here are some details about me.

Jobs I've held...
Medical Receptionist
Biological Warfare Database Administrator
Community Information Coordinator
Mom
Photographer

Movies I could watch over and over...
Runaway Bride
Emma
American President
any Doris Day movies

My guilty pleasures...
Photoshopping
Buying clothes
Scrapbooking

Places I've Lived...
Idaho
Seattle
Utah
Colorado

TV Shows I enjoy...
American Idol - girl's night with Eleanor
West Wing - so sad it's over
Alias - again, irreplacable
Design Shows

Places I've been on vacation...
Martha's Vineyard
London
Seattle
Sugar City, Idaho

Favorite Foods...
Ice Cream
Cafe Rio Pork Quesadilla
Gavin's Chicken Garlic Pizza

Websites I visit daily...
Google
Family & friends' blogs
www.BPhotogenic.com
Nickjr.com - for Eleanor

Old boyfriends you wonder "what in the world ever happened to ____" about...
Don't really spend time wondering about that.
Just hope they found as good a spouse as I did!

People I'd tag...
Gosh, I don't think anyone is actually reading my blog, but if you are I'd love to hear about you! :)

Stylin' Seniors

Got to do a Senior picture session last week. My first - but definitely not last. It was so fun! Couldn't wait to try out some edgy, textural spots, including an old rusty train. That is until we discovered that someone was obviously living in the old rusty train! Anyway, it certainly was something fun and different.

So Much Fun

Lately, I've been surprised by the number of requests for photo sessions. I have to say it is so much fun to chat with old friends and new friends while seeing beautiful things through my new beautiful lens (Eleanor calls it my flashlight). I just have to say thanks for trusting me with the weight of baby pictures, senior pictures, family pictures, etc.

Part of the reason for this blog is to have even more fun sharing recent pictures as well as little thoughts and ideas that come to mind. It's possible I may vent or soapbox from time to time, so be warned!