Apron Instructions, sledding and family pictures...

So today we thought it would be fun to go sledding with my brother and his family.. since we have at least 4 or more feet of snow outside (and still counting)... but we only lasted about 5 minutes when we realized the snow was WAY too deep and too powdery, and FREEZING outside!   It was pretty funny when nearly all the kids got stuck in the snow trying to climb their way back up to the top. But they did! and they had alot of fun! We might have to try it again on another day, when the snow has packed a little and the wind isn't blowing so hard.. good times! LOL..

We took family pictures yesterday.... well let me rephrase that..on our way to church at 8:30 am in the morning, I noticed that all of my kids were wearing the sweaters that I had bought them for winter, Ben included. Allie had on a dress that somewhat matched, and so did I, so  I had this great idea that right AFTER church I would have my friend follow us home and take our family pictures outside in our back yard against the pine trees and snow.... but whenever we "plan" pictures, it never works out. SO i didn't tell my kids until on the way home from church.  We live just 2 blocks away, so basically when we got in the car to go home, I said "okay.. here's the deal, we are going home, but when we do, DON'T get out of the car, I am going to run into the house, and get my camera, and Kara is following us home and we are going to head straight to the  back to the backyard and take family pictures. EVERYONE is going to smile, because if YOU DO, I will let you open one of the presents under the tree that is for the entire family. But the means NO crying, no saying "it's freezing outside", I'm cold, the snow if too deep.. etc". I told them, I KNOW it is cold, I know it's freezing and the snow is too deep, so there is no sense in stating the obvious! AND you  all need to continuously smile for 60 seconds while Kara takes pictures,  so that the ONE time I know the Noah (our 3 year old) will be looking at the camera, so would will all of you. So let's do this!"   SO.. we did it!  We actually  had to drive our Excursion to get back to our back yard because the snow was so deep, but the kids were so good! They got out of the car, I put them into their spots, she snapped photos for 60 seconds straight (even when were were talking)  and they were done! LOL.. Now THAT IS MY kinda of taking pictures!! No planning, no big production.. just simple, catch them off guard, bribe your kids.. kinda of thing.. and you get a decent family picture!!.. so THANK YOU KARA for battling the cold.. and taking our pictures.. YOU ROCK!   The funny things is, the last time we took family pictures was 2 years ago, when we were on our way home from church, and had the same idea, and Kara's DAUGHTER was in the car with us and as a last minute thought, I asked her to take some pictures of us in the backyard (she was 10 at the time). Too funny, that's just the way we roll.

So merry Christmas from our family to yours..

oh! and before I go, I had several people ask me how to make the aprons I mentioned on my last entry.. I decided to add them to our Scarlet Lime Newsletter that went out today.. so here they are! Enjoy!

http://www.scarletlime.com/Pk%20Instructions/Aproninstructions.html

Have a wonderful Holiday!


Christy

Comments

[lori jolley]

Such a cute picture!

[jen]

Wow - what a fabulous picture - and even better that it didn't take hours to get it! Merry Merry!!

[Robyn]

Beautiful photo of your family Christy! I just can't believe how big they are all getting...and you...you look fantastic!! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! Hugs to you!!

[Alicia King]

very cute family! everyone is looking older now, especially Allie! Merry Christmas!

[Jessi Stringham]

Beautiful picture! :)
Merry Christmas! :)

[MOM]

Its an adorable picture! I can't beleive it was so unplanned. I showed some of my missionary friends and they commented how everyone was so coordinated like it was well planned. I said...Well my daughter is very artistic and knows how to put things together. That's true but I also know youre a spur of the moment gal. Should a known better. Christy even though I am your mom you continue to amaze me. Love ya girl. MOM

[Tina]

Cute picture! We need new family pictures, but Jeff is a bah humbug about it :)