The last few months have been really busy. Tons of portrait work and holiday orders. Unfortunately, not a lot of wedding work, which is what really pays the bills for me. But, every job I did came directly from word-of-mouth references from other clients. So I'm not complaining. Word is getting around in the right circles. God has been so good to me and I have big goals to aim for in this bright new year!
Christmas with the family was absolutely wonderful. The festivities began on Christmas Eve with Mom and Dad's annual open house soiree'. Friends and neighbors stop by to eat and drink and laugh and the house is always just brimming full of excited, laughing, playing children and good conversation. And food. Oh, yes. The food.
There were fresh fried chicken wings with (my soon-to-be-world-famous) homemade wing sauce for dipping, scratch-made ham biscuits, the biggest vat of shrimp cocktail you've ever laid eyes upon; cookies, candy, chips etc. Egg nog, Mam-maw's Magical Punch (BIG hit with all of the young'uns!), good wines and a whole host of other adult type beverages.
Mom&Dad's house was done up in style for the occasion, as always. Mom's hearth decorations are really something to see!
The tree was festive and colorful and the gifts were piled high!
Each of the kids are allowed to open up ONE gift on Christmas Eve. I really thought Jackson would actually DIE, before the guests left and he was allowed to tear into a gift. Melissa finally agreed to let him open one a little early. My gift received the high honor of being the ONE gift. I snuck away with him into the bathroom (so the littler kids wouldn't be jealous of his gift-opening) and watched him tear into it. I was pretty excited about it, myself because I just KNEW he was going to LOVE it! I wasn't sure how much his mom was going to love it, but I just kept picturing the look of absolute joy on his little face when he saw his Ninja-styled belt pouch containing four actual throwing stars!! I got a big hug out of THAT gift! :0)
The next morning, Jack and Savannah were up early to see what ole St. Nick had left for them.
I mean, like 4 o'clock AM, early!! Yeh. I didn't get any pictures of that. Ahem.
To try and pass the torturous hours before Em's fam arrived and the bulk of the gift opening began, Jack and I went out in the rain for a few minutes to test out his throwing stars in a chunk of wood. Jack used his new video camera to record our adventure--which he accidentally erased later, I think, lol!
When Em, The Dude and the boys arrived, the gifts were handed around. Is there anything better than being a kid on Christmas morning??
Just look at that face--pure joy. And just.so.EXCITED!!!!! This was right after he opened the present from me containing a silver Oriental coin. I got BIG hug out of that one, too! :0)
Mom&Dad
Mom uncovering their new TV. Thanks for all your work on making that gift happen for us, Em!!!
Walker was SO fun to watch as he tore into his gifts!! Look at the awe on that little face as he opened his super hero costumes from Aunt Melissa and her fam!!! That gift was a HUGE hit, as you can see!
Savannah
Poor Austin went to bed Christmas Eve with a sore throat. He stayed in bed with a fever most of Christmas Day. Savannah and Jack brought his gifts down to him to open up in bed.
And here he is feigning death for the camera. Goofy kid--you just gotta love him!
Everett looking incredibly cute in his new jacket!!! :0)
Walker posing for his adoring fans
All in all, it was an absolutely wonderful holiday!! I am so thankful for the blessings of good family and friends as I head into the New Year.:0)
