Call Me Irresponsible

Monday, January 6, 2014

Trying My Hand at Christmas Portraits

Normally, I send out Christmas postcards with a picture of the kids on it. And normally, I get these done at Penney's, or a friend takes them, or I go to some other professional photographer.

Well, this year waited WAY too long for that and the kids and I were going to have to just make do and have our own photo day or two. We would just run around town and see what backgrounds we could find.

My first try was during the evening, so we needed a good indoor place. First we went to Lowe's where I took about 20 pictures like this one. We scooted some poinsettias over and....well, this was the best one.

Then the kids saw this 'porch' set up and wanted a pic here. They posed themselves on this one. This was NOT in the running for the postcard! But it's still cute :)

Then we went to our town's biggest mall and took advantage of the set-up on the outskirts of the Santa picture area.

Next stop, and most successful, was the trains and gardens.

First we stood in front of the gazebo.

I got quite genuine smiles here, because Clyde started telling jokes. No one can make these girls laugh like their brother. You can see, he cracks his self up as well!

So we walk over to the train cars. Clyde makes a joke at Lucy's expense...her reaction, just give him a punch and keep a smile on your face! :) You'll notice, the child has a perfect smile on her face in EVERY picture.

I start telling them Chuck Norris jokes...

Then I start saying other things. Like; "Clyde, stop!"

"Clyde, stop laughing"

"Iris, smile how you normally would." Which she naturally interpreted as, "step forward and spread your wings like a bird!"

Then we go to the downtown mall.

in front of the trees in the mall, I'm at it again..."Clyde, look at ME!"..."no, not THAT much!"

some logs in the center of the mall...

What on earth did I say here? Was it "Clyde, look like youre morphing into another creature?" ;) Ha ha! It was fun!

We went to the carousel park..

Then we got out of the cold, and went to eat with my sister :)

Christmas Day

I think this is only the second time that we've 'done Christmas' was just the 5 of us.

The kids woke up before us, and as soon as I heard them awake, I had a moment of panic that Stephen and I might not get to be the first ones to wish Lucy a happy birthday. That has NEVER happened before. I was right.

After some giggling and shuffling around, I heard Iris and Clyde burst into an enthusiastic rendition of "Happy Birthday to You!"

It was very sweet...so I decided not to be TOO sad about not being the first one.

Then we all had breakfast. Daddy read the Christmas story.

And since we normally start oldest to youngest opening gifts, we reversed this time.

Iris with the ONE AND ONLY thing she asked for this year....until I basically forced her to make a longer list.

I decided to use more of the candid shots on this post than the posed ones. Here is Clyde marveling at the seahorse Iris bought him at the beach.

One of Lucy's most enjoyable hobbies right now is her stop motion movies she makes with legos. So Iris got her a little set of speech and thought bubbles that can connect to a lego minifigure. Notice how delighted Lu is and how nervous Iris looks...

Clyde got me a giftcard to Logans! I was so surprised, because that seemed like such a grown-up gift.

Daddy opened his back scratcher from Iris :)

After the teaset, the next thing Iris put on her list was a policeman lego minifigure with handcuffs. How is that for specific, bizarre and quite a jump from a nice tea set? So Clyde got it for her and she was elated and kept yelling,"It has handcuffs! It has handcuffs!"

Clyde bought Lucy a sewing pattern for a dress that she had been eyeing.

Lucy made me a little jewelry box. She decoupaged it, and put flowers on it.

Clyde gave his Daddy some wires for his arduino.

Lucy gave Iris a little lego friends set.

Clyde opened his nex bug nano v2 set from Lucy. I have to admit, they're pretty cool.

Iris bought me a necklace from the Tellus Science Museum gift shop.

Lucy ordered this little sensor for Daddy's arduino that is is supposed to help a robot tell if it's getting too close to something.

Clyde was apparently pretty pumped to get a set of domino racers!

My robe from Stephen :)

Stephen's toolbox for his arduino from me.

Lucy got the Origami Owl locket she had been wanting. It's a little clear locket you can open and put charms in. Hers has a sea turtle, knitting needles, a turquoise stone, a sewing machine, and an "L". If you want one you can order one from my friend Elizabeth here: https://www.facebook.com/locketsbyelizabeth

The rest of the day was just peaceful and fun. We drove out to a playground and let Lucy have her first legal ride in the front seat as a 12-year-old.

Then we came home and the kids all built forts...

Stephen built the whole day organizing and building with his arduino...

And here's video of dominoes falling down....

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Christmas Adam & Eve with Nena and Papa

Get it?..."Christmas Adam" ....the one that came before Christmas Eve? :) anyway...

We spent the night of Christmas Adam with Mom & Paul and then Sherry came over Christmas Eve morning. Minus David AGAIN! because THIS time, he had the flu! It was TOOO sad!!!

Once Sherry-Berry got there, the kids started passing out presents. Here they all are trying to decipher a tag...

Kids went in together and got Nena a tea tin containing strawberry-rose-champagne tea.

Sherry and Mom with Mom's new make-up brush and planner

Lucy decided to be daring and pick out a book for Sherry...

Nena and Papa got me a humidifier...Ya'll this humidifier totally rocks! If you need one, this is THE ONE, it also doubles as a nightlight (you pick the color) and you can put essential oils in it to add aroma to the room :)