Family Photos 2013

I am so in love with our family photos this year!!  A few weeks ago, we rushed to get them done and barely made it before we completely ran out of light!  My sweet parents came over and my mom captured all of these beautiful images (my mom, by the way, is where I get my passion for photography).  After a busy few weeks, I finally got around to the post-processing and editing.  I'm posting most of them here, but the size and resolution is better on my photography blog so you're welcome to hop on over there and see them better! (www.homespunphotographs.com)

Today is Friday.

And I've been listening to Christmas music for a straight week-- Josh Groban, Cherie Call, David Tolk, David Archuleta, Dunn & Wilt, Jon Schmidt, Hilary Weeks, Kurt Bestor, Manheim Steamroller, Mark Harris, The Carpenters, Matt Wertz, James Taylor, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Brandon Heath, Owl City, and Rosie Thomas are among my favorites.  We have 481 Christmas songs to be exact!

I love this time of year.  I was considering today how Christmas is the only holiday with a million dedicated songs and two whole months to enjoy them.  I think it's pretty special.

Somehow, baking to the rhythm of the old familiar and new Christmas carols makes the entire experience almost magical.  I think I'm going to relish the holiday baking this year.

Weekend plans include pajama and popcorn party (which the littles and I just concluded) and a special stay-at-home date night I'm surprising my Patrick with.  I can't wait for the evening to begin!

Merry November!!

The Parable of the Talents.

Easton gave such a sweet lesson last Monday about the parable of the talents. 

After he read us the story from the New Testament reader (all by himself), we each had to name the talents that each member of our family possesses.  Then for our activity we each had to perform or showcase a talent.  Daddy's was a "This is the Church, This is the Steeple" performance, Mommy's was a "Stand in Holy Places" song, Tate's was a puzzle, Easton's was a reading of his latest story, and Maylie's was a performance of "Wheels on the Bus."

I think we'll be doing many more talent shows over the years--Easton and I decided we should try to make it a monthly tradition.  I'm so excited.

I smile to think how much he has grown into his talent lately.  It was only just over a year ago when the pattern emerged of his art things lying around everywhere and cluttering up absolutely every spare inch of our little home.  But before I scolded him I prayed.  And I'm so glad I did because the Lord inspired in me the desire to nurture his budding little talent and use it to bless others.  

So we made for him an art station to corral all of his things and he set to work making hundreds of cards for every family member he could think of.  And the artwork and service hasn't let up yet--for which I'm so happy.  Now he writes and illustrates books almost daily and continues his card writing. He's becoming such a good little author and artist.

But just recently I've been finding his artwork strewn about the house again.  Life is ever changing and evolving with little children, and I love it!  We moved one of our sweet little school desks downstairs to the living room so he can do his artwork and stories while I'm cooking or cleaning.  We left the other desk upstairs so he can always be with the family wherever we are, and so his art is a little more organized. 

He's been at his desk non-stop ever since.

I love you my little artist Easton.

In the Leaves....

It was after the pumpkin walk, right before we were ready to set off for home when the three little ones decided to go rake up and play in the leaves.  I'm so grateful we were able to make this memory--seeing as we have no trees of our own.  I think my sweet little ones (who were all coming down with a horrible cold/flu) enjoyed every minute of this experience--there's just not many things funner than a good old-fashioned jump in the leaves!