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I sense a trend here. Photos that are out of focus and taken with haste. It's just that I want to capture the moment before they sense me and make silly faces, run off, or groan about having yet more pictures taken.

This may look like three kids who prefer sitting on the coffee table than the sofa, love seat, arm chair, or floor...but you know I see?

Three utterly adorable kiddos who are playing together...

and NOT BICKERING! 

These are precious moments and camera worthy, focused or not.

LOVE

Sometimes when your ears hurt from all of the squabbling and bickering and fighting, it's hard to remember that your children actually love each other. 

That is why when I see something as precious as this, I run steath-like for my camera! 

I didn't have time to focus, but I managed to capture the moment none-the-less. 

LOVE these faces.

23 degrees

It is 23 degrees here. School is getting out 3 hours early because of the impending possibility of snow and a "wintery mix". My kids are clamoring for hot chocolate and pajamas. My husband has requested shepard's pie (well, he hasn't yet. but once he knows it is on the menu, I bet he'll want some). But me? What am I up to? Oh, just sewing up some spring and summer goodies!

these knit ruffle shorties are made from a pattern from Green Style

(do it...click it)

these little ruffled sailor shorts are made from a pattern from MonkeysBug

(go ahead, click it)

I CANNOT wait to get started sewing these up (in between layering up and going outside if we get flurries and serving up mugs of hot chocolate). 

Slow & Snow

I've been on a blogging hiatus. I was sad to log in and see that my last entry was November 5th! YIKES! What has caused this slow down?! Hmmm...two Thanksgiving meals with both sides of the family, Christmas plays for the kids, Mini-Dance recitals for the girls, Class parties for the kids, two Christmas celebrations with both sides of the family, and then the big whammy. THE FLU. Luckily, I'm the only one who came down (hard) with it, but boy, was I sick. 

2013 is in full swing and the kids are back and school and healthy. We even had a snow day! It was nice because Matthew was home and the school was called the night before, so our agenda was free to enjoy it! 

Look at these people! 

Life is SO good!

Christmas Cards

I have a love for pretty paper, stationery, notecards, and photo cards. When Caroline was born, I found TinyPrints and ordered her birth announcements from them. I've since ordered Valentines, twin birth announcements, Christmas cards, birthday cards, and photo thank-you notes from Tiny Prints.

Christmas cards are my F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E though!I start planning for my family Christmas cards in July (what are we all going to wear? I want us to match but not be too "matchey", do we wear Christmas colors? where should we have the pictures taken? will I have a good hair day? when do I need to schedule my next hair appointment so my highlights are fresh for pictures?). Luckily Nicole Faby is a family friend and top-notch photographer, so I know that she'll get some good ones when I finally get my act together and decide on our outfits (and get my hair appointment made).  I also know that if I order from Tiny Prints that my cards will be perfectly made. The selection is organized well and the colors are classic and lovely yet still unique. While other photo sites seem to be more "cookie-cutter" with every card being a version of what another vendor is selling, Tiny Prints cards stand out. Here are some 2012 contenders for our family photo card:

I love these colors!

I love this saying! The older I get, the more I like seeing cards that help our family keep "CHRIST" in Christmas!

Another beautiful saying and lots of room for a great picture.

Tiny Prints has some great deals going on right now that make ordering your Christmas cards affordable! Check out their specials page!  I am also going to sweeten the pot by giving away one lucky reader a $50 credit to Tiny Prints (aren't they a peach?!). To enter, leave me a comment telling me what you have planned for your family Christmas card. The giveaway will end on November 18 at 8pm. The credit cannot be used with any other offer or promotion and shipping is not included. Tiny Prints sponsored this post and this generous giveaway.

Now the hardest part will be narrowing down which card you are going to get (and what you are going to wear in your card)!Christmas Cards

Happy Halloween

Love Her!