Christmas Card Flops

It's always a challenge getting a decent picture of the kids for a Christmas card. This year I tried doing it by myself which is hard since Nick wasn't there to distract/attract the kids to look at the camera. I tried a couple of different locations, but it just wasn't our best "shoot". Trent, as easy-going, sweet, laidback and go-with-the-flow as he is, decided he would NOT like to participate in this year's Christmas card photo. It was funny seeing this side of him and we got the best picture that we could. At least it truly did capture their personalities.

A lazy afternoon

For the past two Sunday afternoons, we have truly relaxed and been lazy and it's been WONDERFUL!! We have gotten home from church, eaten lunch and Nick makes a fire and we really just hang out, watch tv and just enjoy being together. It's hard to keep Nick inside during the spring because he always has a project he's working on or he's doing yardwork or something. And, although there's ALWAYS something to be done inside...laundry, dishes, floors, bathrooms, meal prep., etc... we've been taking some much needed family breaks. (This picture was actually from a Saturday afternoon and Rachel's wearing her cheer uniform. ) But, this pretty much shows what we do when we're lazy!!!

O Christmas Tree...

At the tree farm
(Trent is floating!) :)
Trent loves the tree but doesn't mess with it too much at all!

Rach and Brad were so proud of their decorations!

Our beautiful Christmas tree!

We had a great time picking out and then decorating our Christmas tree this year. Both Rachel AND Bradley were extremely enthusiastic and eager to participate and loved placing ornaments on their 2 chosen branches. They really did have about 2 branches that they favored and they tried to hang every single ornament on those poor droopy branches. Nick and I re-organized a little, but for the most part, we just left it like it was. These years, the tree is representative of our family...and that includes young children who like to do things imperfectly and wonderfully. When they're all grown and out of the house (which I'm not thinking about or looking forward to...) that's the time when we can have the "perfectly" decorated tree where every ornament is placed on just the right branch. The kids especially enjoyed using the step ladder and thought they needed to use it every time...even if that meant they didn't put any ornaments below step ladder level. We got our tree at our traditional cut your own or buy a pre-cut Fraser fir at Jacks Creek Tree Farm. We went with the Fraser so the branches were sturdier. It's neat to think about this being Trent's first Christmas even if he is unaware. It's hard to believe that this is Rachel's 6th Christmas and Bradley's 4th. They have been so precious and fun each year and it just seems to get better and better! The kids are super excited about Santa coming to visit and can't wait to see what he leaves for them. The other day, I wrapped their presents from me and Nick. I had picked up a couple of rolls of kid-themed wrapping paper: Disney princesses for Rachel and Batman for Bradley and just generic Christmas wrap for Trent (since he only has 2 things to open). I usually mix up the wrapping paper and then use tags, but this year I thought it would be so much simpler to wrap the kids' stuff in one kind and not even use tags. The kids loved it...especially their themed wrapping paper. Bradley's batman isn't even Christmas-y, but he loved it anyway.