The Countdown Begins

I can already feel all the hustle and bustle of the upcoming Christmas season. Heck, it started at Hobby Lobby back in July. For years, I have refused to acknowledge the Christmas season until the day after Thanksgiving. I mean, really, can’t we just creep up on this season a little more slowly?

I remember ages ago when I had my own full-time photography business. The holiday season would begin in early Fall for me. Everyone wanted to schedule the absolute perfect moment for their family portraits. I totally get it. I am one of those people. There were always those people, however, who somehow forgot that Christmas was speeding up on us until the first week of December. “Hello, Ms. Photo Lady, can you possibly squeeze in my family of 47 this Sunday? Every single person is only available at 1:30 that day. Oh, and can I get 350 customized Christmas cards within two hours following our session? Thanks, love ya.”

So you might be able to see why I like to hold off on Christmas until it is truly Christmas time. We had our own family portrait session back in October. The weather was perfect, everyone was available, we had an EXCELLENT family time together. I’ll share a few pix from that day later this week…as we creep up on that season.

Anywho, while it is still officially the Fall/Pre-Thanksgiving season in our household, I want to share a few pix from the last month-ish. Trust me, when the Christmas season officially begins in our household, you will see. A lot. I mean it.

Back in October, before Halloween, (I know, it’s been a few weeks), I took the kids to a pumpkin patch for our traditional, we’re-not-here-to-buy-a-pumpkin visit. I was totally there for pictures. Duh. I’ve been doing this since the kids were little kiddies.

Matt always, always picks up some kind of funky looking pumpkin/squash thing.

Mackenzie always, always wants to pet the bunnies. This year, that guy was watching us too closely, so the teenagers weren’t able to sneak over the gate for a free bunny petting session. Notice sign.

Mackenzie saw a baby girl next to her doing this while her parents took pictures. Surely this works for a teen.

Matt must have seen some GC cover guy doing this…that baby girl next to us was not doing this.

Or this.

Or this. Text, text, text, text.

I am amazed that my kids still let me do this. I wonder if they will still meet me at the pumpkin patch after they are 30. Yes.

Then Halloween occurred. I created my traditional pumpkin with the face of a dead guy. This year, I bought a pumpkin Dremel. Yes, I am high tech now.

First, you gotta cut out the yucky stuff. My daughter actually grabbed the camera on her own and got pix of moi. I know, I’m training her well.

Next, you tape the pattern on the pumpkin. Can you guess who the dead guy is yet?

Then, you use your brand new pumpkin Dremel tool. Don’t forget the iPod and Starbuck’s apron.

Finally, you display above-created pumpkin for the candy-begging masses. Sit back and receive praise.

I’m going out with my teeny tiny spy camera this weekend to nab a few everyday shots to shock and awe you with. Prepare yourself.

Today’s Daily Blog Song – “Forever Autumn” by Moody Blues