Picking Out Holiday Cards

Don't you think the above photo (sans the photographer) would make a cute Christmas card?

I do too!

We finally have the CD of our family photos we had taken a few weeks ago and now we are trying to figure out which ones to frame, which ones to put into a photo book and which ones to use for family Christmas cards!

Now, I am not planning to sending out photo holiday cards...not sure anything screams "I'm a single lady in my 30s" than a photo card featuring me, myself and I!

However, my mom really wants to send out a Christmas letter featuring photos of the family, especially her half dozen cute grandchildren. Instead of a letter printed out on her trusty (and not so crisp) printer, I am trying to convince her to use Tiny Prints to create her Christmas Photo Cards.

They have some great options in their 2012 Holiday Collection, including many styles featuring their new Premium DoubleThick™ Matte Paper. Check out this short video about the new paper.

As I was checking out their website, I picked out a few options for my mom AND my three sisters, who all have gorgeous families to show off on their Christmas cards.

For Mom...

I chose this great tri-fold card for Mom so she could feature a variety of photos of the family. She can choose between a matte or semi-gloss finish at no charge or for a bit more she can upgrade to a pearl white shimmer finish (fancy, fancy).

The best part of choosing this card? No need for a lengthy letter, the photos can tell the story!

For my older sister...

I love the colors of this card and it would go very nicely with the colors of our family photos. She has three boys so she can feature a photo of each of them and one of the entire family (or their dog Zoe).

If she wants to go with a more traditional photo card, I think this is a great option...

It's a bit less than the fancier square cards but just as attractive! If you are on a budget (aren't we all?), be sure to check out their Special Offers page.

For my younger sister...

She has two cuties so she can single each of them out and give a quick update on what they are up to and also feature a few other of the great family shots taken at the family photo shoot.

For my baby sister...

She has an only child so I think she needs to take advantage of that and feature JJ and her big blue eyes, gorgeous blond curls and impish smile front and center on her card.

I had such fun picking out cards for my mom and my sisters. Hopefully they will read this post and be inspired to create their own fun Christmas photo cards!!

Now for you, my dear readers, Tiny Prints would like for you to create your own cards and to get you started they are giving away $50 off your total order (expires 12/14/12)!! Just enter by clicking on the Rafflecopter widget below (it's within this blog post). Contest runs through November 11 and I'll post announce the winner here on November 12.

Good luck!!

BTW...Tiny Prints did sponsor this post/giveaway but the opinions (and choices of cards above) are my own  like always!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wordless Wednesday Family Photo Style

Our family finally got some formal photos taken earlier this week. While the real photographer was busy shooting the real photos, I snapped a few of my own just because. Here are a few of my favorites...

Before the photo shoot...

During the photo shoot...

After the photo shoot...

Grandma's Underwear Drawer

I was 26 years old when I lost my Grandpa H. 

Grandpa K, Grandpa H

He was the first of my grandparents to pass away. 

I was 34 years old when I lost my Granny H.

Granny H & one of her 17 great-children

She was the last of my grandparents to pass away.

I was lucky to have them with me for so long. I was lucky that they played a central role in my life from the day I was born until they left this world.

I was devastated when they were all gone. I still am.

Granny H, me & Grandma K

As I thought about it being Grandparent's Day today, I thought about what they meant to me over the years. They were my (and my sisters & cousins) biggest fans. I don't think I will ever experience the unconditional love like I did from them - especially my Grandpa K. 

Grandpa K knew we were the smartest, prettiest, most athletic (my younger sisters, not me) girls around. He never said it, but we knew. I miss that.

I had a hard time putting my thoughts into words here tonight. So, I grabbed a pen and notepad and wrote a list of memories I have of my grandparents. 

Spinning in granny's green chair until I was dizzy.

Putting on talent shows (actually my older sister & cousin played the Gong Show) in grandma & grandpa K's living room that made the floors bounce and the china in the cabinet rattle.

Making homemade Valentine's Day cards with paper doilies and stickers at granny's table.

Sitting on grandma's step at the farm watching dad go home for lunch (he forgot us sometimes).

Sneaking in grandma K's bedroom and eating M&Ms from a butter dish hidden in her underwear drawer. (What? Your grandma didn't keep M&Ms in her underwear drawer? Maybe she did and you just didn't find them!)

Learning what indian burns and "milking the mouse" meant when grandpa H tricked me into giving him my arm. 

Finding a dollar bill in my birthday card from grandma & grandpa K each year.

Driving granny to the nursing home the summer when grandpa was in rehab from a broken hip.

Sitting on the porch with grandma & grandpa K just visiting.

Taking Chinese food to granny's for supper and leaving with a list of CDs she wanted.

 Granny & Grandpa H and me

I still think about them daily.

I wish I could let them know how much I love them.

I wish I could go grab some M&Ms from grandma's underwear drawer.

Always Makes Me Smile

No words needed.

But I will add a few because I can.

I love impromptu cookouts at the cabin at the farm pond with the family.

It was a GORGEOUS night. Not too hot. Nice breeze. Plenty of sun.

I'm looking for many more of these evenings as we move into summer!

Two Little Butterflies

For almost 10 years, my family and I had been blessed with a new generation of boys in our family.

I am one of four girls so when my older sister and her husband produced a trio of boys (not all at once) we were thrilled. My younger sister added a fourth boy to the mix almost four years ago. 

We reveled in the madness...and the wrestling.

It was all tractors, trains and superheroes. 

Then these two came along...

And we finally had a chance to buy baby dolls, dresses and lots and lots of pink!

On Easter, my baby sister got them both a set of butterfly wings.

It was adorable.

This one just wanted to fly outside to get some Easter eggs.

This one pretended to fly and "fell down" to make us laugh.

So, I believe we now have the best of both worlds - the battles to save the world from evil AND the tea parties with dolls and teddy bears.

Easter Egg Hunt Fun

We had a wonderful Easter this year.

After an early church service, we headed to the farm for Easter brunch. We filled the house with family. Just counting my immediate family, we are at 15 people. Add in a couple of aunts, uncles and cousins and we were in the 20s.

It was a GREAT day. We just don't spend as much time with our extended family now that my grandparents are gone and I miss it.

But in the end, it's all about these girls and boys...

(Note: Baby Sister wants me to point our that her little girl 

DID wear a jacket for the hunt...she was inside when we 

decided on an impromptu photo shoot.)

I made my sister snap a shot of my oldest nephew with me.

I can't believe how grown-up he looks these days.

It was a beautiful - yet windy - day for an Easter Egg Hunt. I'm sure not a lot of folks have as big of a yard as we do for a hunt. Eggs were spread far and wide but I think they were all found.

The cell phone was NOT hidden in the yard.

This is my favorite photo of the day...I'm not sure why.

These are only a FEW of the many photos I snapped yesterday. I'll bore you with bring you more as the week goes on.

 The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 

Psalms 118:22

Ladies in My Life

This week a few things happened to remind me how lucky I am to have some extraordinary women in my life...women whom I have known for just a year or so and women whom I have known my entire life and women whom I have know in between. (That's a terrible sentence and I know at least one person who will be very disappointed in me - sorry Mom.)

When I started thinking about how to write this post, I headed to my Pinterest boards to find some inspiration.

Here are a few that sum up my feelings about my gal pals...

Source: boxergifts.com via Megan on Pinterest

My family is actually extraordinarily ordinary. I am a product of two parents (who are still together after 40-plus years) who raised four daughters who actually like each other.

Crazy, huh?

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Megan on Pinterest

I'd like to think the above saying refers to me, but I'm not sure. Luckily, I am blessed with three sisters who are some of my best friends. I always know even if I say or do something that makes one of them mad, they won't stay that way long. Why?

Because...

Source: etsy.com via Megan on Pinterest

Or it may be because they need a sitter for Saturday night. Either way works for me.

Source: holidaysnobs.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

My mom is great. She still feeds me, takes me shopping (well, I usually drive) and listens to me ramble on about my life, even when I know she just does it because I'm her daughter. My home will ALWAYS be where she and my dad are at...even when they are living in my attic when they get old (just kidding).

Source: google.com via Megan on Pinterest

Judging from the number of "friends" pins I have on Pinterest, I either have a lot of friends or wish I had a lot of friends!

I recently got an invitation to the baby shower of one of my BFFs from elementary, junior high and high school.

It made me smile.

It made me remember all of the stupid things we did as kids.

It made me wish that she still lived down the road so she could pick me up on her way to school.

It made me realize that even though we haven't talked in AGES, it will be like no time has past when we see each other again.

It made me realize that I have lots of friends like that and reminded me that maybe I should pick up the phone and catch up with them.

Source: etsy.com via Megan on Pinterest

Speaking of phone calls, one of my BFFs from college called today. I immediately acted like we were in junior high and asked her if she was mad at me because I hadn't heard from her in "like a week."

She laughed at me and all was right with the world. I know that we'll probably be having similar conversations when we are in our 80s. (Well, she'll be 80 and I'll be her younger, hotter friend at 76.)

Source: yellowdoggrannie.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

When I read this one, I immediately thought of one very special friend who befriended a lonely Midwest girl trying to find her place on the East Coast. I know she has my back FOREVER!

Source: Uploaded by user via Megan on Pinterest

This one hit home as I stood in line tonight with three women waiting to hug another lady as she faces life without her dad...all of whom I got to know through this wonderful thing called Social Media. She saw us, smiled at us, and hugged us.

I realized that while I'm blessed with many friends I am equally blessed to have true friends both old and new.

Source: Uploaded by user via Megan on Pinterest

Do you have a favorite saying that sums up the friends in your life?  If you do, please share.

Tribute to My Grandma

My Grandma...

Raised eight children.

Ran a home, milked cows AND raised eight children - all without ever having a driver's license.

Helped us make the best Valentine's cards with paper doilies and construction paper.

Had a green chair that you could spin around in until you were dizzy.

Made the BEST Barbie clothes and even made jewelry to go with the outfits.

Helped me make a skirt for 4-H (well, she sewed most of it, don't tell my mom).

Made the BEST beef and noodles and Boston cream cake.

Saved her Kool-Aid points to get her grandchildren a nifty Kool-Aid truck which her great-grandchildren still play with.

Always had a dish of M&Ms on her counter.

Didn't like her photo taken so we don't have enough photos of her kind, wonderful face.

Had great taste in music and always shared her CDs with me.

Loved watching the Cubs and NASCAR.

Told me a few years ago to stop giving her gifts associated with birds.

Got a laptop to go online to read my blog (well, she didn't get it just for this blog but she did read it).

Could shop with the best of them and LOVED jewelry and purses.

Could be found watching Cash Cab with my uncle every evening.

Loved sharing Chinese food and listening to me ramble (well, I pretended she loved listening to me).

Was loved by her family, friends and neighbors and will be missed by all.

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 

--Revelation 21:4

Baseball and a Six Year Old

My six-year-old nephew LOVES to take photos with my camera.

My expensive Canon Rebel XS camera...and I usually let him. I've actually featured his photography on here before.

He really does have quite an eye for composing a shot. I taught him how to work the zoom lens and he does.

Last night the family joined me at an Indianapolis Indians game that I was "working" at as part of the Indiana's Family of Farmers. More than 300 people came out as guests of Indiana's Family of Farmers and enjoyed the game and a picnic. Even though it was 90-plus degrees, I think everyone had a great time.

While we were watching the game, my nephew asked if he could take some photos...and, of course, I let him!

All I did to the photos below before posting them was reduce the size - no other Photoshop work done on these. Pretty good for a kid, right?

He captured a couple shots of the game...

Then he turned his attention to the people!

The shot above actually had to be re-taken once his aunt saw the photo and realized that he got a little too close and shot her at a bad angle! Everyone is a critic.

It's Bennie the Bean!

He wasn't satisfied with his game shots so he took a couple more...

He had to re-take Grandma and Papaw's photo after we noticed Papaw's eyes were shut! I think the second effort was pretty good!

Not bad for a six-year-old!

Hooking up to Wordless Wednesday over at Pinke Post and