I second guessed myself when I began this blog post title.
Why? All too often I do feel so very blessed, to only be given a swift kick of reality. It happens. Life happens.
Truth is I began this post Christmas Day Night, feeling so very full of love and thankfulness. Thinking of this Christmas season and the how this year is beginning to wrap up. But then I held off, why? Two things – I wanted to share photos with my post and as I mentioned anytime I begin to feel so very blessed, life steps up and reminds not to get too comfy!
Over the past couple weeks my family and I have enjoyed many fabulous moments with our family. This Christmas I think I can honestly say was one of the best Christmas in years. Its hard missing our loved ones who cannot be with us during the holidays, however this is also what drives me more in my passion…
My passion to capture our life as art – To capture life and everyone in it.
Over the many several years one family member in particular has always made a comment to me when I had my camera out about wanting to see all of my photograph’s. This person truly inspired me to share my ‘art’ on my blog, especially as the years go by, family members are getting wiser and all of these moments will one day simply become a memory. I love to be able to share with our family and friends something I am so very passionate about.
Over the Christmas holidays we enjoyed a few scents in our diffusers – one especially was Holiday Joy – what a wonderful way to instantly add a fresh energizing, yet relaxing Christmas scent to our home! Thank you doTERRA for this wonderful Holiday Blend – our family just loves it! If you are new to oils – think of wax candles or “bars” which provide you with scent – but much healthier and multipurpose scent and overall well being. A newest passion of mine that I am so happy to have in my life!
Its tradition to spend Christmas Eve with my hubby’s side, this Christmas Eve was spent with my father-in-law and his lady friend. The morning of Christmas Eve little man was running down the daily plan of who was doing what and when, but most of all he was looking forward to was hanging out as a family! We had a fabulous afternoon and evening with them filled with many wonderful memories, a great visit, so many laughs and a lot of fun!
Its tradition we get the kids a new movie and jammies on Christmas Eve – they were SO excited for the entire Madagascar set 😉
Above my hubby is building the latest Barbie RV which came with pages of stickers which had to be placed accordingly – the girl was quite happy with it!
Kudos to my father in law for helping the boy with his new lego – its not like the “old” days where we just had blocks… these kits come with step by step directions and if you miss one step… you have to go back and fix it – even if that means back 3 or 4 steps 😉
This is one of my fav from this year. The kids checking out the ornaments on the tree. I love an image like this converted to B&W for a timeless feel.
The fur boy knew he was not to get too close to the tree haha so this is as close as he would get. I personally am not a fan of flash photography – however there are times it is certainly needed and this was one!
I personally love our annual Christmas tree photos to see how the kids gifts evolve as they get older. This year Santa was very conservative and quite honestly there were a couple things they didn’t really “notice” until later that would have probably been ok if they hadn’t gotten.
One thing for sure we have noticed while raising these little people that is that they really do not need a lot of “things” for them to be happy – they thrive on personal relationships and time spent with family and friends. Don’t get me wrong the excitement of unwrapping gifts is unbelievably fun for them – but its also the same kind of fun when its things they need as well. In the next few weeks we will do another declutter from the house and round up things we can donate and pass on to those who can put better use to things our kids have grown out of. This is a very good feeling.
This Christmas we set up my tripod with the remote on my camera. What a truly fabulous idea I saw on another blog. I was able to be IN every photo and able to capture all the fun and memories of Christmas morning… yes in all our early morning glory ;)! Our dog loved his gift from Santa !
The Christmas hubby and I both were very specific not to spend very much on each other and we both bought each other the same thing 😉
Our traditional Christmas morning breakfast/brunch/lunch – of course always depends on what time we all arrive at the hosting home – with the McLellan side. One thing our kids love and look forward too – when our little lady was running through the plan for Christmas Day it was opening gifts as a family and then having breakfast with everyone as a big family, melted my heart. Its these moments they will remember and treasure when they grow and have their own families.
What warms my heart most is watching the littles and loved ones opening their gifts! I was quite happy waiting for mine.
I obviously didn’t take this – so credit to Joel lol 😉
Uncle Steve and his family were unable to join us for Christmas this year – so what’s better… face time!
The biggie cousins XO
Love this especially of the girls!
The boy always entertaining the girls as they watch his remote control truck drive away LOL!
Our boy even got a lesson over the holidays of playing poker and believe it or not he and his Uncle Justin were the last ones left… 😉 Quick learner or very lucky!
I truly feel lucky for everyone we have in our life, for the moments and memories we all share together. For my children, my husband and I being so very blessed for those we we spent celebrating Christmas with, what we were given this year and yet so very thankful for the practicality and usefulness of all we received. There wasn’t a crazy abundance of gifts, which was perfect! Everything had thought behind it. Far too often Christmas is so commercialized that the true meaning, the true reason for the season, is forgotten. I love seeing my kids get excited for an awesome toy – but also just as excited for new clothes.
Most of all I treasure these moments, I cannot say enough how blessed I feel to have had so many “real” moments captured with great family in our lives.
This Christmas season we have so much to be thankful for and the number one on our list is all of our family and dear friends in our lives.
Your Life As Art Essentials 