Christmas Cards

I love Christmas cards.
I love picking out their outfits.

I love taking the pictures (even though my husband says it stresses me out).

I love picking out the one picture that describes us that year.

I love pouring through all the holiday card websites to find the one I want.

I love making several choices of cards. 

I love mail merging my on-going forever list of addresses (total geek alert!)

I love printing the labels, stuffing the envelopes, and taking one last look at my stack before putting it in the mailbox.

But most of all I love RECEIVING Christmas cards! 

In our old house I lined the threshold leading into the den with all our cards. I walked through that door a thousand times a day, and it just made me happy.

(We were babies with a baby! John looks 12.)


When we moved to the new house 4 years ago I had to find a new place.
Ta-da! Up the stairs they went!


Because I understand all the time and energy that goes into creating, stuffing, and mailing Christmas cards, I keep all the cards our house receives. I'd love to say that we go through them each night throughout the year praying over a different family from our cards, but...I barely get these boys to bed with a simple "thank you for preventing me from shaking my child". #goals Until then, they make a nice Christmas display every year.

This was a close second for this year's card. I might just have one printed for me. We sure do make handsome boys. 

Seriously though, these faces to me mean this:

Luke: hey hey Evan...I have some mischief we can get into.

Evan: Wait...mom's watching...just smile and hug and she'll get all gushy on us. When she dabs her eyes, we can make our move. 

But you know what's the most fun of all?? The outtakes!!! Gah, these boys...
This is not the first time Luke's head has appeared like a giant monster head.

Oh, of course Luke and Evan, you can take the camera and play photographer...because Mommy only planned YOUR outfits...not ours. Heck, I doubt I had even showered. 

I am glad your joyful little guy but HOLD STILL!! Poor Evan, he didn't even move a facial muscle.

Not sure which is better, Luke 'duh' face or the photobomber.

After the second picture, Evan said, "Uh, mom...I think he's done." Yup. So am I.

Because they really did so good, we took them over to Square Beans for a treat. Heck, after all that mommy and daddy deserved a treat as well.