JFP photo blog

Cabin Fever

OK, maybe one more post before Christmas...just because I have been home now for a full week straight and I've got a little time on my hands!  Here's what it looks like out my back window....

So at least I have that to look at while I am going stir crazy! In desperation, I have even started a new knitting project, baked some more cookies, rearranged some furniture, and handmade some Christmas tags. Luckily for me, all that snow means a lot of outside time for the kiddos...so not much entertaining required on my part....though there definitely has been some Barbie playing! See here for more snow fun with friends (luckily Michelle always has her camera handy!) and read on for snow fun out back with the SNOW DOG!

Love the snow on her nose and her tightly squeezed shut eyes.

She is so in her element....she just lays in the snow chewing on her completely frozen rope toy or wanders around eating the snow and ice.

Her partners in crime....

And finally, her big shake it off...

Hope you are all staying warm! Merry Christmas!

In Search Of....

a little holiday spirit.  Help!  I am severely lacking in the spirit department this year!  Not only has my shopping been limited, this week I had a sick kid home the first two days and EVERYBODY home these last three days for snow days.  Makes it a smidge difficult to go shopping when you have kids big enough to read and understand with you!  I do remember being able to buy Henry's presents right in front of him for quite awhile...no more...darn smart kids!  And the snow, while absolutely beautiful, entertaining and peaceful all in one, has hampered my ability to get to a store and is messing with my UPS driver...so anxiety is running high around here that we don't have a repeat of last year's tragedy.  (For those of you who don't know, last year ALL of Henry's gifts got stuck in customs on their way here from the Lego factory in Denmark....a mother's worst Christmas nightmare, though amazingly he was fine with the letter he received from Lego explaining the whole situation...what a guy!)  Anyway, after baking some cookies and watching a few holiday movies, I decided to try my hand at photographing the Christmas tree and some of my favorite ornaments...now while this might not excite you all greatly, I am really doing this to help me get in the mood!  I'm going to sing some Bing Crosby while I finish this post....feel free to sing along because you know "the best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for everyone to hear" (it helps if you sound like Jovie from the movie Elf).

Our poor tree gets wedged into the corner between the couches but I do love the lights reflecting in the window. Also, if you look closely, the bottom of our tree is bare in an effort to dog/baby proof the tree

Each year the kids get to pick an ornament to add to their collection...the bikini flamingo....Annie's choice for the year.

Madelyn's ornament. You won't be seeing Henry's choice this year, as he couldn't find an ornament to suit his fancy....no Gothic cathedral ornaments anywhere! Can you believe it?!

My new ornament from a fun ornament exchange this year.

An early choice of Henry's and a fun one to photograph!

A third grade gift....love it!

A favorite inherited from my mom's collection...lots of history....it came with us all the way from Indonesia!

Another family tradition...my great aunt crocheted these ornaments for years and then some of the women in my family took a class and learned to make them. This one is courtesy of my lovely & talented sister! (I had a newborn when they all took the class, so I missed out.)

This is the one that Madelyn picked out for Annie for her first Christmas. Annie was 2 months old and Madelyn was 2 1/2 years old and in her purple, sparkly phase!

My little angel! Preschool family gift from this year.

Just like this one...no back story...just pretty.

And finally, I shot of me....see the big, black spot? That's my camera! Alright, are you done singing? I think we will be having a white Christmas. I think I will spend today crafting something with the kids and maybe wrapping a few presents! Hope you all are feeling ready and excited for this next week of fun! Merry Christmas!

The First Decade

If you've been keeping track, you'll know I am only about 3 months late taking these 10 year old photos of Henry.  There have been some challenges along the way...(all you mothers of boys will be able to commiserate with me).  First I had to actually find something decent for him to wear (that he would actually agree to put on), then I had to get him to put it on, let me mess with his fabulous hair, and get him in the studio...never mind getting him to go along with me and my camera and make a nice face.  Maybe you have seen the Calvin & Hobbes where the dad is trying to take a nice Christmas photo of Calvin?  My experience was very reminiscent...I give you exhibit A:

I love these next few because if you know him, you will have seen these faces many times.

I love when he laughs!

Are you starting to get a feel for his personality? He has a great sense of humor and is such a goof....anything for a laugh! I believe my friend, Michelle (see link in sidebar) may actually have a photo of him dressed is ALL the princess gear at her house!! That being said, I do actually have a very charming and handsome son.

My two absolute favorites!!

Chicks will dig him!! Isn't he fabulous? Love you buddy and thanks for letting me take your picture!

You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks....

but you can definitely teach 2 year old twins to do all kinds of entertaining things!  These girls are a laugh riot a minute...just wait til you see what they can do....

Ta da!

Peek a boo!

My personal favorite....SCOWL!  And you should see the rest....fish face, lobster claws, what does a frog say....totally hilarious!

Now on to your regularly scheduled program...wonder twin powers ACTIVATE, in the shape of super cute girlies!

Aren't they dolls? And you'll be impressed to know, I can now tell them apart and managed to get a shot of each of them to show you!  Yay me!

The elusive family photo....two 2 year old actually looking at the camera!  And though I do love that one, I feel like these next few capture the essence of parenting 2 year twins a little better....

Happy second birthday girlies! And congratulations fabulous parents on surviving the first two years and doing such an amazing job raising such charming and adorable munchkins!

The Family That Plays Soccer Together....

stays together!  And I thought my family had a lot of soccer going on...these guys make us look like soccer pansies.  Between playing, coaching and cheering each other on, they decided they better celebrate all this hard work with a little soccer pride in their family Christmas card photo...and what better pace than a soccer field!  Here are a few of my favorites....

How much do you love their dog in this one? He is totally cheesing for the camera!

This one is probably my favorite...and let me tell you, I was nervous about all the "big boys"...I'm so used to chasing little people around, I didn't quite know what to do with people who do what you tell them!

And finally, a new contender for my favorite sibling shot ever....I may have to have a contest and make you all vote...sometime....

Love, love, love it! Can't wait to see how the Christmas card turns out! Anyway, happy Friday and enjoy all the holiday festivities going on this weekend!

Perfection

I am the luckiest girl in the world.  (As my sister points out, I should be buying a Mega Millions lottery ticket today.)  Yesterday I met the most wonderful new guy and I got to spend the whole morning with him.  He is gorgeous!  He has amazing hair, beautiful eyes, smells wonderful, and he's a great snuggler.  What more could you ask for?  Want to meet him? 

Everybody, meet my new dreamboat...

He's so yummy! Makes me wish I had blog that could handle bigger pictures! You really need to see him life size.

Oh, the squish of it all! Not only is he perfect to look at, he is also incredibly well-behaved...he slept through all my poking & bending. It truly was a perfect morning!

Did I mention he was only 5 days old yesterday? He still has all his soft newborn fuzz...isn't it wonderful?

And he let me put him in a bucket? See, I told you he was perfect. (Love the fabric and the color on the wall!)

Hee hee for hats, and chins, and baby lips!

You knew the feet were coming...stop acting so surprised.

A new favorite "parts" shot. I love all his soft, fuzzy hair...sigh.

The proud big brothers...there were a bunch of cute ones of these guys and I'm not sharing my absolute favorite because I think it might make their Christmas card...so you better hope you are on their mailing list!

So what you don't know about this little guy is that his mom is one of my very favorite people in the whole world and though I have known her for awhile, she has never let me take her picture....except maybe once on a preschool pumpkin patch field trip...and that one was pretty darn cute. Anyway, she let me snap a few yesterday and what I don't think she knows is that she has that new mommy glow....kind of rude since this is her third time...isn't she supposed to look all haggard and worn out by now? Hmpf.

Congratulations guys! He is so wonderful and all of us over here are so happy for you! So happy in fact, that yesterday when Annie got to meet her newest little friend, she actually got all emotional and teary eyed over his tiny-ness. Yay for babies!

Laughed Myself Silly

In case you are in need of a good laugh, well you will have to go over to the holiday blog (see link in sidebar)...I'm too technically challenged to figure it all out right, so my post ended up over there...but trust me it is SO worth it!  We've been laughing ALL day!  Enjoy and do be patient...it takes a while to load!  Come back soon for more photos...on the way, I promise!

Ahhh, the sweet smell of baby

I was lucky enough to get to meet my newest tiny, baby friend this last weekend.  Not only was she the funniest, most serious little girl, but she gave me the best snuggles before I left.  Maybe that wasn't such a good idea....I could smell her sweet baby smell the whole way home and was desperate for more by the time I hit our driveway....kind of like a baby smell junkie...not a pretty picture.  I'm sure you are all feeling a little sorry for me by now...well, you should be more worried for my poor husband.  All right, already, enough chitter chatter...here she is!

Isn't she just so serious? She is so intent and focused on everything going on around her and she even likes to be on her tummy! Impressive!

Love her perfect rosebud lips!!

Another one of my non-traditional favorites. Love her little feet and she is totally looking at her mom, "Excuse me lady, what is going on around here? This is not the normal program." And speaking of feet....

Hee hee! I love little feet! Do you think I have reached fetish stage in my diagnosis yet?

Oh my, isn't that one gorgeous momma?

And I just love this family shot because the littlest member of the family looks so content and ready to drift off to sleep, total comfort and relaxation, right where she belongs and you can just feel how much mom and dad completely adore her.

As usual I saved my favorite for last, though in actuality, I am torn about which one is my favorite. I liked so many! Anyway, I do love this one a ton!

You know how soft and warm she is...don't you want to go a take a nap now?

Happy Thursday...it's almost the weekend!

Supercalifragilistic Expialidocious

(Let's see what the spell checker will do with that!)

So I am a little brain dead this morning (though I am sure you are all relieved to find that I am still alive after the grueling run yesterday) and can't find any words but I think the pictures can speak for themselves...enjoy these yummy little twin girlies!

So I do love this next one for so many reasons...how much does this little girl love her dad? and check out her uber-talented sister sucking on her toes...I couldn't do that (today especially) to save my life! So bendy!!

Here are a few of the fun (& funny) family photos...though I won't be sharing the one that made the holiday card...guess you'll just have to wait and see if you made their list this year!!

Love this one because mom and dad look great....never mind that the girls were a little too busy for me....so many things to look at....

And I love this one because I feel like it sort of sums up the whole first 6 months with twins....hands full but I think they still like each other and actually find the humor in the chaos of it all...and really the girls aren't phased by any of it at all....you guys are the best!

P.S.  Like my Mary Poppins reference?  See you tomorrow, girlies!