This always happens...
As soon as I say, "I'm not blogging for awhile.", I feel like blogging.
Perhaps because the pressure is off - though today, I think I feel like blogging because I spent a couple of hours with a local tutor who helped me speed up a few of my processes in Adobe Lightroom and that extra speed helped me wiz through our tree decorating shots in record time.
I swear one day, I'm going to figure out what to do with this room so the walls don't look so boring (and I'm going to hang a real curtain on that door instead of a folded tablecloth.)
Not today though. (Right now, all of my energy is still being exerted on shiny baseboards.)
That hat lights up and plays music while the flap and bell on top moves from side to side.
Its the only one we have so the kids fight over it constantly.
When the fighting gets to be too much though, no one gets to wear it.
And as with every year, we found our tree out in the woods, which means its a Charlie Brown tree.
Actually, this one is more like a Dr. Suess tree. (Notice the crook in the trunk?...I fell in love with it and so did Josh Downs, so we decided to bring it home.)
I've had those two ornaments (a gold star with an angel inside and a fabric angel whose head constantly falls off) since I was little.
Nice face Yans.
And that's a pretty good one too, Courtney Lee.
And proof that I was there. (As of last week, I am officially and happily without a footboot...however, due to my broken-leg induced inactivity and my love of good food, I am officially and sadly up ten pounds.)
And then there was some karate.
And then (as with most of the events that take place in our family) there was some wrestling.
And then (as with most of the events that take place in our family) there were tears.
For some reason, this one gets inconsolably upset when everyone is wrestling and she thinks the big kids are hurting her dad (and then she starts swinging and kicking and crying in his defense.)
But her daddy was there to wipe her tears.
And then we listened to Christmas Canon (my favorite) and I tried to get a group shot (but this one was as good as it got.)
And then somehow, my shutter speed ended up at 1/30 and I got these blurry ones (which I actually love.)
And then there were more tears (Courtney Lee this time.)
So we warned everyone that they had just a few minutes left until bedtime and then we called it a night.
And now, I'm really not blogging until 2013.
See you then.
Ha Ha! I've been coming to your blog long enough to know you're good for at least one more. Glad I visited tonight. I always love your tree pics (we went to color lights this year and I'm missing my white lights....)Love the Dr. Suess tree!
Posted by: Kim P | December 18, 2012 at 10:04 PM
I see its dropping needles already urghh, we dont get trees like that in Australia but our pine trees we usually spray hair spray under each branch and it stop it "shedding" so much. Not sure if it will help with yours but that must be annoying, or perhaps just a part of Christmas xx
Mette x
Posted by: Mette | December 19, 2012 at 02:09 AM
I feel pathetic that I check your blog everyday even when you say you aren't blogging until next year. lol
Posted by: Jenny | December 19, 2012 at 04:35 AM
Lovely as always! :-) And I am very happy too to read from you again!!
But where did Josh Downs' orange Beavers T-Shirt go??? I really think about that!! :-)
Love and merry Christmas
Anne
Posted by: Anne | December 19, 2012 at 05:40 AM
The twinkle is beautiful...jingle all the way. Love that Josh got to wear the "bell" hat. Thinking about one year ago and it fills my heart that you are all celebrating together. Merry merry Christmas.
Posted by: janel | December 19, 2012 at 06:42 AM
You made my day! Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Carrie Thompson | December 19, 2012 at 07:18 AM
I love your walls! They make for wonderful light!
And if you hadn't said anything about the curtain or the 10 lbs, no one would know!
Posted by: Kelli | December 19, 2012 at 08:56 AM
Glad to hear from you again. :) Love the pictures- and adore Annie's tights! Glad you're out of the boot and back on your own 2 feet.
Posted by: Sarah | December 19, 2012 at 09:19 AM
first off.. i LOVE the simplicity of that room.. don't change a thing. it was a wonderful treat to have you back before 2013 but now go soak up the remaining 2012.. blessings karen
Posted by: kate | December 19, 2012 at 09:21 AM
So great to see this post today. The other night my bff and I were (s)talking about you, and she said, "If only she could just post one picture of her lovely tree..." And I said, "With that white wall behind it..." And she said, "She is the only reason I have any desire to have a white wall." And we sighed.
And then on your last post, and you said that was it...I almost commented, begging for a pic of your tree--but that was rude, I thought. You made my day, and are subsequently creeped out....sorry, sort of.
Thanks for the pics :) Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Posted by: Mindy | December 19, 2012 at 09:33 AM
Merry Christmas! see you in 2013
Posted by: jacqui anderson | December 19, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Love your tree. Love your pictures, as usual. It always seems like you're shooting in perfect daylight. I still can't figure out the lighting in my house. Or maybe it's the editing that I can't figure out. Or maybe it's my camera. Or maybe all three. Whatever. My pictures just always look so dark when I shoot inside. And the ones that were blurry? I couldn't tell. That's how mine always are. Maybe I should have asked Santa for a photography class for Christmas.
:)
Posted by: Stephanie | December 19, 2012 at 11:16 AM
OMG...I have no idea why I clicked on your page since you said you wouldn't be back till next year and BAM...there it is! LOVE LOVE LOVE your REAL tree!
Thanks for sharing!!! And Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Posted by: Stacey | December 19, 2012 at 02:08 PM
Karen I love your christmas photos......and I love the normal story line that goes with it because we can all relate to this activity, it's supposed to be enjoyable and calming but with kids involved there are always tears and sometimes cranky mothers...but hey, that's REAL LIFE. One suggestion before you log off for 2012. Don't you want to post some Thanksgiving pics before you sign off.......after all who wants to post them in Jan/Feb the following year...I'm just sayin......I love seeing your Thanksgiving pics......just thought I would throw that one out there..no pressure!! (ha ha!!). Have a safe and Happy Christmas and I will be working hard on the healthy eating in the New Year............no point worrying about it now, well at least you had an injury...I just ate chocolate!!! Take Care Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia
Posted by: Kathy | December 19, 2012 at 07:06 PM
Love your pictures and stories as always. Merry Christmas to you and yours. God bless.
Posted by: SandraA | December 20, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Love that we have the exact same hat in our house - and yes, it gets fought over also. Love that live in your house is REAL - so real, and can so relate to it all.
Have a wonderful Christmas
Posted by: Nicky from Okotoks | December 20, 2012 at 01:11 PM
Love this post and the pictures! Merry Christmas!
Posted by: SusanC | December 20, 2012 at 01:57 PM
So glad Josh is home for this one. :) I love your Dr. Seuss tree. I miss our real trees we used to get. Thanks for the extra post. I always check...
Posted by: Michelle | December 20, 2012 at 02:28 PM
PS. I love your shiny baseboards. ;)
Posted by: Michelle | December 20, 2012 at 02:31 PM
Love. Love. Love. Your Dr. Seuss tree!
Posted by: Kristen G | December 20, 2012 at 07:47 PM
Lovely to hear from you again. I fractured my foot 3 weeks ago and now I have a kinky foot boot for Christmas & New Year. Can't believe what a ball and chain it is, it's really changed my life so much, and my family's life, it's been a real eye-opener.
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas full of warmth and joy.
Posted by: heidi | December 21, 2012 at 04:12 AM
I've been waiting for a picture of your tree, so you made my day. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Posted by: Gina Maserang | December 21, 2012 at 02:52 PM
Lovely shots as usual, hope your holidays are happy!
Posted by: Domenico | December 21, 2012 at 07:03 PM
Love to read your posts - just real life. And you make me laugh! Taking your photography course and reading your blog has inspired me to start my own blog for my friends and family to read. I'm loving it. Somewhere to post some of my photos.
I'll keep checking back to see if you've changed your mind about not blogging!
Posted by: Cathy Barrows | December 22, 2012 at 07:03 AM
Thank goodness you are alive!! I was worried but really I i knew you were taking a much needed break! So glad to have you back at least for one or two posts! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Have fun with that family of yours and look forward to catching up in the New Year!
Thanks for sharing your family with all of us...the good and the bad! I love it all. That sounds weird but I think you know what I mean! xoxo
Posted by: Suezi Gurzi | December 24, 2012 at 08:57 AM
Miss your posts so so much. They are such a bright spot in my day! Cant wait to see you back here, blogging away with all your goodness. Merry Christmas, enjoy your family and may God bless you richly in 2013.~
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