Snow Days...(there are so many!)

Many of you don't know this...but i am a closet photographer. I inherited one of my father's Canon A-1 cameras (circa 1980) with about 4 lens and a flash. I have used this camera to shoot engagement pictures, family portraits, baby announcements, and even weddings. I loved using it. But over the past 9 years or so, it has become quite obsolete. I mean...who really wants film when they can get instant digital?! When I was asked to take pictures of a friend's family, just recently, I explained that I could only do film. Nick overheard this conversation...and decided it was time for my dream to finally come true! So...One of my most favorite Christmas presents that I got this year...was a Digital SLR camera. And he also added in my favorite and most coveted lens...55-250mm (aka telephoto).

I have been playing with and experimenting with my new Canon SLR. I have taken many shots...and I have been quite smitten with it. I mean, the quality of the shot doesn't even compare to any of my other cameras. I am most impressed with the snow shots. Point and Shoot Digital cameras can't really capture snowfall (at least, not well). So I took my camera out and played in the snow. Enjoy. Give feedback.

A Little of Christmas...

We had a very fun-filled Christmas at home. We started Christmas Eve Night by making our Gingerbread House, decorating Santa cookies, and then opening our Christmas jammies.

Christmas morning started early for Sydney and I. We trekked out in the snow and went to the hospital...for one of those classic Sydney ear infections. The poor girl was miserable all day...but she still said that it was a good day. Here we are displaying/posing with our favorite Christmas presents. My sister-in-law Beth drew my name this year...and she gave me this beautiful Willow Tree family...showing our new addition. So precious.

Nick is showing off his most beloved gift...complete Seinfeld Collection! He still can't believe I got it for him and at such a great price too! Yeah!

Austin thinks he has the most fabulous parents in the whole world...since he got a Nintendo DSi.
Kaden got a lot of fun new things. His favorite...hmmm...all of them.
Sydney lost a Black and White Kitty (Milo) about a year ago. It has been a traumatic event in her life...and many tears were shed over her loss. So I managed to find a similar, yet slightly different version of Milo...his bigger sister--Lila! (Lila is the name that Syd wants to name our baby. While it is a great name, it isn't what we chose...so I suggested she have her Lila here).

Then the Wickhams came over for Christmas dinner. Baby Bella even dressed up for us! We had a fabulous and Low-key Christmas!

Pomplamoose

They are my new obsession. Thanks to Quinn, I have enjoyed them for several months now. Tell me what you think. I'll post my to favorites...

Allison and Phelan Got Married!

You know you love someone, when you are willing to drive over 20 hours in December and PREGNANT! I was glad to be there. It was a good day! PS...I met Jack Weyland in the temple. I felt famous!

"Epic" Snow Storm- Dec 2009

So Iowa gets snow. A lot of snow. But it rarely shuts down the city. Not until we had a pretty crazy snow storm. The schools closed...even ISU shut down. Apparently, that doesn't happen very often. Well, we got a lot of snow...and then we got some major winds. Snow drifts galore.

Disney Cruise 2009

We were fortunate to go on our annual Family Disney Cruise...with my parents, my siblings, and their families...45 of us in all! We had a blast! The kids enjoyed every moment. They are at the perfect age to truly appreciate all that Disney has to offer. And it is great for them to get to know their cousins...since we usually only see them once a year (on the cruise). Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Check out my other blog...

http://erikamarykayboutique.blogspot.com/

I just posted my December Specials!