Christmas Break in Pics

No posts lately, here's why... (all are SOOC, but I'm sure that's obvious) No time for editing right now...

 Christmas Pics 2011...take 100 :)

Christmas Lights...

Gingerbread making...

Kudos

I have been trying to write a post since Friday and am just getting to do so. Like many other homes, it has been really busy around here over the last few days. Last night wrapped up all the school winter performances with Gabbi playing her trumpet in their band's first concert. In all the shuffle, hustle and bustle of  getting to the school on time, Gabbi left her music at home. All was well, she looked on with a fellow band member and did an awesome job. All of the kids did a great job. These students all began learning to play their various instruments just a few months ago when school began. Kudos to the band directors for teaching and inspiring.

Gabbs prior to warm ups for the concert

Next up, the Christmas performance at church on Sunday.

A Milestone

Guess who! Guess who is sitting up on her own. It is our very own Ava Claire. I am continually in awe at how quickly time is passing. Six months have come and gone so very fast. It seems like just yesterday we were very much sleep deprived and anxious, as it had been five years since we had a newborn in our home. Even though we had already done this four times already, these pros didn't feel very much like pros but like nervous newbies again. As I celebrate her new milestone, I am also increasingly aware that this time is so very precious and to enjoy it and her as much as I can. Before I know it, she'll be a teen like her big sis and we'll be reaching and passing new milestones.

 It is such a blessing and joy to have been chosen to be the mom of these awesome girls.

Captured

I haven't taken many photographs lately, at least not as many and not as frequently as I would like to. I will agree with  a fellow blogger that the camera has definitely made me look at things differently even when I am not looking through my camera lens. I am better able to see the true beauty, uniqueness, or value in things in a way that I was unable to before photography. That is a gift I am very grateful to have received. However, I am beginning to realize that I may need to take my camera with me a lot more as I am often finding myself thinking "I wish I had my camera." On Saturday my husband and I were riding in the car and there was one of the most beautiful sunsets I'd seen and I sat there thinking and he said, "You should have brought your camera." Although I didn't have my camera, I wasn't going to let this opportunity slip by and pulled out my cell phone and took a few shots.

Capture the moment...

A New One...

Last night, Cassarra kicked off the series of winter performances with her middle school band. They gave an excellent performance of Christmas classics in new arrangements. It was a nice treat to kick off the holiday season. She will be performing again tonight as an accompaniment to the chorus. Then next week, Syd will perform in the 2nd grade winter performance and the following week, our girl, Gabbs will perform in their first band performance. I can't wait to see them all shine.

Anyhow.......I have yet to start Christmas shopping. I am usually done or very close to being done the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year, I am totally lacking motivation. I don't even want to do it. This is totally new for me because I love shopping. So you see, something is wrong and I need to pinpoint what it is. I have lists--so it's not  not knowing what folks want, which is sometimes a major hindrance. Whatever it is I need to get over it and get it done because the longer I wait the more crowded stores are and the more difficult it is to find what I'm searching for. Oh well, maybe I'll start today, or maybe I won't.