Baking Cookies

During the college football national championship game (GO GATORS!) Savannah came to stay with us while my sister and Brad went to the game. The girls had so much fun together... and the house was filled with giggles for three days!

We made some cookies... and of course there arent any of the finished product (we gave up on the idea of decorating!) Madalyn LOVED playing in the flour.

In Celebration of My OTHER New Lens

In Celebration of My New Lens

My business bought me a late Christmas present this year.... and I am in LOVE. It is a new lens for my new camera and it is AMAZING. I only wish these photos could do it justice, but Madalyn was totally not into posing today. Allie and Ava cooperated a little bit when I took the lens out of the box.... but not for long.

I have Savannah today, tomorrow and Friday so maybe I can do a mini shoot with the girls and play with it then.

Madalyn the Artist

In our house we draw with chalk instead of crayon because it comes off the walls easier! Inevitably Madalyn will get crayon SOMEWHERE she isnt allowed to, and its such a pain to scrub off. Hence the chalk. But it DOES keep her busy for a little while. :)

Christmas Photos

Only a week too late... but wanted to share some of the Christmas photos from our day at Jenna's house. It was really nice to get the family together for the festivites, opening presents and eating Christmas dinner.

Landon was really into the paper, Madalyn opened one gift and was happy to play with the rest (leaving Mommy to open those!) And Savannah LOVED every single princess that she got!
Landon enjoying his first Christmas.



Madalyn and her new best friend forever ELMO LIVE!





The girls bouncing on Savannah's new trampoline.

Jenna and Landon enjoying the 80 degree weather.

Of course Madalyn had to try out Landon's rocking horse.

Madalyn is a present!


Savannah and her princesses. She can name them all!

Madalyn and Santa

Well, she was excited the entire time we were in line (and I do mean ENTIRE time... it was a 25 minute wait!) but when we finally got to see Santa, she was less than thrilled. I do think that she told him she wants an Elmo Live!





And just in case your forgot what "Chunk" looked like a year ago... here she is last Christmas. (And yes, it IS a different Santa!)




On that note, we finished up all of our Christmas shopping today... and on to the wrapping.

And in case you haven't finished your shopping and might be in the market for books, Waldenbooks is having a great sale and is also taking donations for a local charity. Gainesville's Borders and Waldenbooks are supporting Lyrics for Love, a great organization founded by Sister Hazel (my all time favorite band!) Madalyn was able to donate a Wall-E Golden Book to a local child with cancer.

December Update

As an early Christmas present to me (well, really to keep Uncle Sam from getting as much tax money LOL) I recently picked up an awesome new lens to go with my awesome new camera! That's right... I have done well enough in 6 months with my business to be able to afford both a new camera (the 40D by Canon) and this new lens, which is an 85 mm 1.8 for all you camera people out there. The camera got here a week ago and I used it at the wedding I shot last weekend (check it out on my photo blog) The new lens came yesterday... and Madalyn wasnt loving me for wanting me to shoot her, so I practiced on the tree (finally! A willing subject in this house!) I am only wishing that I had this to do the tree pictures, but no such luck. Maybe next year....

Maddie is super excited about Santa... she sees him everywhere and points him out and says "ho ho" (hasnt added the third "ho" yet. For Christmas this year she wants Elmo Live (hint hint Santa Claus) and lots of books.

Only two more work days for me and then we are off to Cape Coral for Christmas at my parents...

By The Light Of The Tree...