THE FUN OF SLEDDING AND SNOWBOARDING

My brother, Chris, and I decided to take his kids out sledding and snowboarding the day after Christmas.  Well, we wanted to go Christmas day but it was a chilly 18 degrees outside!  No way.  So we convinced the kids to go 'tomorrow'.  So they patiently waited and we decided to go in the morning...and yeah...it was a low 11 degrees.  But it was so fun anyway.  While Adam was making his jumps on his snowboard, Abby was sledding very cutely down the hill, and Eli was just plain a little dare devil.  

Here are a few fun pics from our cold, fun morning...

Adam doin' a little trick...

There was a wipe out...or 2...or 3...

Eli lookin' like a pro!

Eli just had to go down head first...on his back!  Crazy boy.

Yes people.  I'm making a run at it!

And one more time...

I conquered the 'mountain'!!  ;)

Yessss!

'THE' SEASON

One of my favorite things of this wonderful season is the getting together with family and friends.  I love the kindness, the gift giving, the endless amount of food, the fun, the Christmas carols, the Christmas trees, the lights, the wrapping of presents, and yes, waiting the arrival of Santa Claus...and most importantly, remembering that ONE birthday that we are celebrating.  After all, it is He, Jesus, that we are remembering this season and I can't help but think of Him and the ultimate Gift that He as given to all of us.  Every single one of us.  He was born in such a humble manor and yet lived in a way that we all look up to.  His example.  His example...of teachings, of service, of selflessness, of kindness to all mankind, and most of all, sacrifice.  His life was dedicated to others.  To all of us.  What a blessing and a Gift.  The best Gift.

Merry Christmas...

"THE JOYEFUL JOURNEY"

Remember these cute kids from my last post?!

Well, what I failed to mention was that their amazing mom, Joye, has a blog that is a must read.  One of those blogs that you're gonna want to add to your list of daily blogs to read.  Yeah.  It's that good.  Her blog is titled "The Joyeful Journey".  You can check it out HERE.  She and her family just have a natural, giving spirit about them that is just plain contagious.  Her blog is dedicated to her family and to the One above...our Heavenly Father.  She also has great ideas for the season (and not for the season).  ;)  She's very crafty, compassionate, spiritual, and just simply a beautiful person with a beautiful family.  If I lived in New Orleans, I think I would be at her house all the time.  I'm just sayin'.  So Joye, I guess you're lucky I don't live close!  But I will be back to visit...  ;)

And I just love, love, love this shot of her daughter, Astair.  I managed to get this shot of her while she was trying to grab my hand to go on our walk.  How cute is that?!  So we held hands and walked for a bit.  Although, it was a little hard, because all I wanted to do was have my camera in hand and snap away at these beautiful kids, but I so enjoyed this moment.  I like making friends on my shoots!  ;)

Joye:  Thanks again for your great hospitality and your great example on life...

THE DICHARRY FAMILY

This family is seriously one of the funnest families.  Ever.  Yes, I said funnest!  Because it's true.  Mom and Dad...aka...Joye and Joel are absolutely the cutest.  When Joel wasn't talking so highly of his wife, it was her turn to turn tell us how much she just loves her husband.  They simply adore each other and it's quite obvious.   And they so happen to have the cutest kids!  Thaddeus is the cute 5 year old and Boston and Astair are the.. oh.. so.. adorable twins.  And there's one on the way, who I know will be equally cute and adorable as his siblings.

Twins!!  I love it!  A few of these pictures kind of remind me of my twin brother and me when we were this age..

Thaddeus is telling me here that You can stop taking pictures of me now..  (He doesn't know me very well...yet.)

Seriously.  How cute are they?!!

Thank you Dicharry family!  Mary and I had so much fun with ya'll.  And thanks for inviting us into your lovely home even though you were probably very tired of us chasing your awesome kids around.  ;)