Spent Sunday afternoon in Jacksonville with Josh, the kids, my sister and my mom.
Seriously, one of the best days ever. (I don't know what got into my kids but they were perfect.)
That's my mom, Ross & Cole. (Ross and Coley actually have arguments over who loves their Grandma more.)
Everyone on a covered-wagon ride.
Petting the horses that pull the wagon.
Waiting outside to see Santa.
Peeking through the window at Santa.
She asked for a puppy. (Good thing Santa allows me to approve all gifts.)
She just asked for a hug. (A sure-fire way of scoring brownie points with Santa.)
And I don't have a clue what he asked for.
We had a long talk about Santa the other night. He had actually decided Santa wasn't real after his Dad made a comment about the Erector set he bought Cole last year (which was actually a gift from Santa). But I reminded Coley that his Dad doesn't have a clue which toys he purchased and which toys were actually brought by Santa, Grandmas & Grandpas, Aunties, etc.
So Coley agreed to continue believing but said he was going to be paying attention and if he saw or heard five more things that convinced him otherwise, he was going to have no choice but to quit believing.
Not the best shot in the world but there's something I love about it anyhow.
My mom took that one. (Nice face Ross.)
Lunch at Bella Union.
And then my mom, sister and Ross headed home.
And the rest of us went to the park.
We played freeze tag. (But I don't have any pictures because I was busy running.)
And we played Red Light, Green Light. (That's Courtney Lee thinking of games to play.)
And did all that other stuff you do at the park.
Seriously...a perfect day.
Which was inevitably followed up with a very imperfect day. (We took the kids out for a drive to look at Christmas lights last night and promptly turned the car around and went home because Coley was complaining, Annie was crying and Courtney was whining...which is what each of them do best.)
Nothing puts you in the Christmas spirit quite like a a car full of crying, whining, complaining kids.
And here's the last few years of visiting Santa...2008, 2007 and 2006.
Probably won't be around much (if any) until after Christmas.
Hope yours is great.
i love jacksonville and father christmas just as much as i love seven oaks and pumpkins. thank you so much for sharing. a merry christmas to you and your lovely family.
Posted by: libbi m. | December 22, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Awesome photos! Merry Christmas from Conroe, TX!
Posted by: Nancy Wyatt | December 22, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Love that picture of Annie's bottom in the swing! Glad you had a perfect day! Happy Holidays!
Posted by: MichelleG | December 22, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Merry Christmas Karen! Hope you and your family are very blessed and enjoy your time together.
Posted by: gina f. | December 22, 2009 at 01:08 PM
I love the conversation w/ coley about believing/not believing in santa. that was hilarious! merry christmas to you! look forward to beginning (again!) your class in January.
Posted by: Lori | December 22, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Karen, Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family. Thank you for sharing your lovely pictures and the stories of your perfectly imperfect family thru out the year. I visit your blog every day. Even if you don't post, I always can find some good pictures. God Bless you all.
Cheers!
Sara
Posted by: Sara Sampson | December 22, 2009 at 01:39 PM
If only I could get my kids to dress co-ordinated.
Posted by: Kelli | December 22, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Now I am really wanting those downloadable PDF files you mentioned!!!! Can't wait. I really want to know how you did a lot of those shots. So inspiring.
Posted by: Monica | December 22, 2009 at 01:49 PM
Glad the day in Jacksonville was perfect. The pictures are beautiful as always! And the stories are just hilarious! That Coley is just too funny! Have a great Christmas!
Posted by: Dina | December 22, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Lovely pictures!! Glad the day turned out perfect for you!! Happy Christmas to you and your and hope you have a Merry New Year!!
Posted by: teresa b | December 22, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Karen, I am so happy your day visiting santa turned out so well. Don't know why I am so emotional reading your post but I just have to thank you again for everything you do; for putting your heart into your class and your blog. You have taught me everything I needed to know to start capturing better, beautiful memories for my family...and that's one of the greatest gifts! Have a very Merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy new year! (oh and I can't wait for those lesson PDFs!!! Whoo Hooo!)
Posted by: Jennifer S | December 22, 2009 at 05:36 PM
have yourself a merry little christmas,
topped with lots of yummy photos to share
in 2010!
Tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | December 22, 2009 at 06:13 PM
Merry Christmas!!
Posted by: Dawn | December 22, 2009 at 06:18 PM
Love the pictures! I am always so excited when you update your blog! And, by the way, where did you get Courtney's coat?
Posted by: Nita | December 22, 2009 at 07:30 PM
Hey, you, Merry Christmas!
It's me, the problem child from North Carolina. Listen (literally), you might want to listen to "The Christmas Chronicles" on KBYU, the public radio station in Provo, UT. If I had any idea how to give you the link, I promise I would. The chronicles are about Santa Claus. They were written by Tim Slover a professor who had two boys asking all sorts of difficult Santa questions. You will want to listen to them first to make sure it is good for Coley. Even if they aren't; it is great for adults. There are all sorts enchanting of answers to those difficult questions (i.e, "how does he get to so many houses in one night?)--fun, fun, fun. The show "Here and Now" did an interview with Tim Slover on December 17, 2009. That would give you a great idea of what the chronicles are all about.
I know you will have a great 2010 because you will be going to GREECE! I still sing to myself on a regular basis: "Momma Mia, is there some way I could go? My, my how can I resist ya..." You get the drift. Anyway, thanks for all you shared in 2009. Wishing you and all the people we have gotten a glimpse of through your blog, all the best.
Posted by: Irene | December 22, 2009 at 09:11 PM
And Merry Christmas to you and your gorgeous family.
Posted by: Susy | December 22, 2009 at 10:13 PM
What a great Santa!
Posted by: Helena | December 22, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Merry Christmas Karen! I've loved your recent posts, I think we've been feeling the same way. I had a day last week when I seriously considered running away as I couldn't take my kids any more. Then we had a large snowfall (well large for my part of the UK) and had the most perfect weekend! I just wanted to add that I think kids and cars do not mix. I had my three squabbling the other day so much so that I reversed into a lampost! Luckily no-one was hurt and the car was OK but I've never seen kids quit arguing so quickly. Loved reading your blog for another year and have learned so much from your photography course. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy 2010 xx
Posted by: Julie Pilch | December 22, 2009 at 11:45 PM
You have such a beautiful family, Karen!
And it really did look like a wonderful day.
I hope you all have a very merry Christmas (:
Sophie
xx
Posted by: Sophie | December 23, 2009 at 03:05 AM
Karen, I don't post often, but wanted to be sure you knew how very much I appreciate you sharing your life and stories with us. I am admittedly a bit jealous as to how much time you all spend together just enjoying family. Mine is so much smaller (and older LOL). It is precious what you have (and I know you know that and appreciate it). Please have the happiest and jolliest of holidays this season.
Posted by: Ally | December 23, 2009 at 06:37 AM
Dear Karen, Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous pictures and the hilarious stories of your perfectly imperfect family with us. You never fail to bring a smile on my face.
LOVE to see you in Greece!
Happy 2010 and hugs from across the pond,
Anne
Posted by: Anne | December 23, 2009 at 07:10 AM
Ah ha!!! You got your Norman Rockwell Family for a Christmas gift!!!! Wishing you and your family the merriest Christmas ever!
Posted by: Sandy | December 23, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Merry Christmas Karen!
Posted by: Melanie C. | December 23, 2009 at 01:48 PM
I've convinced my girls that we don't want a dog. phew! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Posted by: Huyen | December 23, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Merry Christmas, Nellie and family!!!
And as we say in our house (because they're getting wiser too....)
YOU DON'T BELIEVE, YOU DON'T RECEIVE!!! :)
And really it will always be about Jesus first--Mr. Claus is the delivery guy!!!
Posted by: kat-in-texas | December 23, 2009 at 05:03 PM
Hard to believe you can be out playing at the park with no hats, mittens or snow pants. I am sitting here in MN looking at lots and lots of snow!
Enjoy your Christmas, Karen.
Please keep the wonderful pictures coming.
Sara M
Posted by: Sara M | December 24, 2009 at 06:44 AM
That does look like a beautiful day and what wonderful pictures!
Posted by: Emily | December 24, 2009 at 06:58 AM
You really are a special family:)
Posted by: Kim | December 24, 2009 at 11:49 AM
[CARTOON] Santa's List
http://pastexpiry.blogspot.com/2009/12/cartoon-santas-list.html
Posted by: Johnny Ancich | December 24, 2009 at 05:12 PM
Hi Karen. I have missed you. We have been busy moving across the country and I am 26 blog post behind so I am taking my Christmas afternoon to catch up with you. I am glad that I changed my class from the January class to the March class. This move has been so exhausting. We also go into a wreck right before we moved. It has been a mess but I am excited about taking the class. I have missed me some Annie too. I guess I will be reading your blog for a while but I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Posted by: Melanie | December 25, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Karen - Love all the pictures!! Oh, I can do the blurry look now! Thanks so much!
Posted by: Nicole Landry (Houma, LA) | December 26, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Coley needs to have the sign that hangs in my co-workers office....."When you stop believing in Santa, you get underwear for Christmas."
Posted by: Cindi | December 27, 2009 at 06:27 PM
i miss all of you guys.... i wish i could have been there with the family like last year... :( tell all the kids i love the sooooooo much... and put your arms out really big so they can see how much i love them... ;) i hope to see you guys soon...
love you guys!
cali
ps. i love annies new hair cut :)
Posted by: Cali | December 28, 2009 at 04:03 PM
My friend was telling me that her kids got to a point where they were asking if Santa was real or not. She told them that believing in Santa is all about faith. If you don't believe, he won't come for you. A year later, she overheard one of her other kids asking the oldest (14yo) about Santa. He said, "I don't know about you but I WANT Santa to come for me; so I totally am believing in him."
Posted by: HeatherinAZ | December 28, 2009 at 06:23 PM
Those SWING PICS are beyond AMAZING~!!!! I've always dreamed of getting swing pics like that. and WHAT a SANTA!
Posted by: katherinemarie | December 29, 2009 at 06:42 AM