Thursday, December 6, 2012

 
 
a few years ago I started a tradition...
a family photo for our Christmas card...
we take it on Thanksgiving...
at first I heard a lot of rumbles...
from the family....
this year they asked me about it...
progress...

 

we've done everyone standing up in front of my FIL's
fireplace...we did everyone sitting in front of my FIL's
fireplace with only our feet showing...
last year was our sock feet...
This year I was trying to decide....
what should I do...
Hotrod loves driving Great Grandpa's flatbed..
This is my FIL's old truck...
it has great sentimental value to my hubby...
so I thought...let's use it...
 
 a redneck Christmas card..
the trees and leaves cooperated so nicely...
2 days later the trees were almost bare...
my hubby likes the black and white version...
 
the color version...
minus the stars on some faces...
went out in the mail this week...
I set up my tripod the day before...
took test shots with my guys...
I wasn't thinking that I would have to run...
jump on the back of the truck once I hit the timer...
we had a small ladder on the back side...
it took a few times to get me in the photo...
I was really surprised how excited everyone was to do the shoot...
hmmm I must be doing something right...
or they are just getting used to it...
I've been so sentimental lately...
the holidays have brought back a lot of memories...
it is fun to go down memory lane...
reconnecting with old friends...family...
you haven't seen or heard from in years...
I have a cozy feeling about Christmas this year...
not the decorations...or gifts...
but the people in my life...
we are not exchanging gifts this year...
except for the two babies...and you know what...
it is a great feeling...because now...
all that energy and frustration...
trying to pick out just the right thing..
 can be used for good things...
like going to parades...festivals...
playing games...visiting...reminiscing about times passed...
feeling at peace...
which isn't that what Christmas is about....
I want to make Christmas cookies with Hotrod..
I'm gonna go the easy route...
the roll dough mix...
he will have fun...I won't be stressed...
things don't have to be grand or complicated...
to be memorable...
simple can be awesome...
 
 


13 comments:

MadSnapper said...

the first shot looks like a bb shot through ice? what is it?
i like the color best but either is fantasic... i am so slow i would not make it in the pic. great idea, i love the truck ...
we had a cookie bake at church, the women were to bring their favorite cookie mix and all the little girls came and baked cookies. i took the little squares that you break off and put on the pan.... the women made fun of me... but when the girls started baking they were fighting over who would get to use mine. it is what they know. they were not interesting in measuring flour... it is great to bake with HR more fond memories

TexWisGirl said...

i like this redneck christmas! it is comfy and warm feeling. :)

and that is what christmas should be. :)

nancygrayce said...

I love your photos! What a great idea.....you need to get a remote thingy so you don't have to set the timer. It's great! Superhero got one for me and we used it to take our card pics. Unfortunately, we can never get a picture of the whole family so I never did picture cards until all the kids were gone from home. Now it's just us two chickens!

I have been trying for years to get everyone to agree to NO GIFTS! I hate the stress of trying to think of something that they neither usually want or need (unless it's money) and won't remember two weeks after Christmas. You're very wise to do that!!!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Super pic!!! And I'm so glad that your family has come around to enjoying the pic taking!!! Yesss!!!

You are farther along than I am, with simplifying gifts though. -sigh- We still seem tied into SOME adult gift giving. -sighhhhhhhhhhhh-

Guess I have to be glad I have draged-'em along, as far as I have, to a simpler Christmas.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

It's a great photo. I do love the B&W photo but I am usually drawn to B&W photos. Love the truck!

Just Mags said...

Sweet Deb, you are not only an excellent photographer but you are also very good at coming up with great place to do photo shoots. Both these pictures are great. I really do like the black and white one the best though. It looks more like Christmas to me. Great job gettin' up on that truck in time to get in the picture. Hugs

Linda said...

What wisdom!! I LOVE your card! Next year Louis Deana and I will do a Christmas card. We did the first few years we were married. I am doing SIMPLY handmade gifts for the few I am gifting. I have had a terrible time with gifts for grandchildren. At least my oldest ones. They have so much and seem to expect GREAT things and I simply do not have the $$! They were bitterly disappointed in their PJ's this year.....although after a few years of failing to meet their expectations - I made the choice to give special PJ's to wear on Christmas Eve. Next year will be gift cards.....

A Colorful World said...

It's great! What a wonderful idea!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I like the b/w version too- cool poses!

betty said...

First time visiting/commenting on your blog. I love the family picture Christmas card!! What a great tradition you started for your family and it does sound like they are starting to enjoy it too! My brother does the same with his two kids and grands; its the favorite card I get because its fun to see what they are going to do for the card from year to year!

So very wise to simplify Christmas. We did it a few years back and it is so much more relaxing not to buy gifts for tons of people and to just relax and enjoy the time together!

May you have a wonderful Christmas season!

betty

Carla said...

I'm with your hubby I like the black and white version. It just seems to fit.
I love how you're so creative in catching the leaves in Hotrods face or whatever he's into.
I really like the picture of Hotrod hanging out there at the tree.
Have an awesome day.

Judy said...

I love that first shot of the stone chips in the windshield!! And that is a creative family photo!! I did not get a family photo at all, although I suggested it. I had enough problems getting photos of the girls, separately - would have been a nightmare trying to get them together...

Anonymous said...

Cool Christmas card! Yes, I like the b/w, too.