THE HAYS FAMILY: 2013

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Christmas Card Picture

How difficult is it to get a Christmas card picture?! Surely not that hard, right? Apparently it is. After our first photoshoot, I almost felt like I should be on one of those "pinterest FAIL" pictures. And, to make matters worse, I didn't have my Maggie to help me!! I had to do it all on my own! It is hard enough to get a picture of one of them, let alone when both are looking. And both looking somewhat happy!

Day 1 looked a little like this....

I saw these cute lights-in-the-background photos on Pinterest since we had to do indoor photos with a 2month old. They looked so easy and simple. Yeah, right ;)

Pose 1

Pose 2

Pose 3

Pose 4...AND we are done...

And speaking of Pinterest Fail...

This wasn't for a card but I came in from the store to this while he was with his daddy.

Day 2 looked a little better. After school while B was supposed to be napping but wasn't, I tried again. It was by no means perfect, but MUCH better.

I wasn't sure this was going to be great...but it HAD to be better than the day before.

The pictures turned out good and since Bishop did exactly like I told him, I let him set up some "poses" just for fun.

I don't think Ben was as amused.

"Have him face me."

I actually really liked this one.

"Let's lay on the floor with our heads together."

I think he stole this from Rebecca ;)

"Lay him on my back"

An original.

"Now, lay him on my stomach"

Also original.

Ben is looking at me like "Please save me" in every one!

And the winner is......

Merry Christmas from the Hays family!!

December Happenings

Whew...December is over. I love Christmas but it seems like such a whirlwind! It passes by so quickly. And, my time at home with my boys is now over. I go back to work this week. There is never enough time to spend with my babies. I have decided to only work part time for now. Financially, it probably seems crazy. But, being home with my boys means so much more than anything money can buy.

We started the month of Christmas festivities by decorating our tree. Bishop has a small tree in his room that has ornaments that we have made and ones that he has been given. He just about has as many as I have!

The most exciting part..."Poppy paper"

Or this snow globe that went straight to his room by his bed

His favorite ornaments are the Rudolf characters. 3 years in a row he has loved Rudolf!

Snuggling by the tree

Our town had a first annual "tree lighting" with hot chocolate and carols. It was small but we enjoyed it.

Ben looked like this the entire time

FBC choir sang carols

We went to our Christmas parade...he loved the candy :)

Mall date to see Santa...someone is sleepy

You never know about him, but he always is so sweet talking to Santa. All he asked for was "a dragon toy" and a pacifier for Ben. Sweet boy.

He got to play AND ride the train with momma...something I never do. We usually just watch the train go by :)

PJ day at school

"It's not Christmas until you build a gingerbread house"-Bishop

His school program..I was so proud of him. You can barely see him on the front row but he did great!

Santa even came to his program

Sweet Jake turned 3

He did so good on skates this time.

Next was his church program. He usually gets up there and doesnt sing at all so I was proud of him.

He and Gracen with their gifts from their Sunday School teacher

We made LOTS of cookies

And went to a Happy Birthday Jesus party where Whitney White read her newest book "Who left Jesus in the Box"

Maybe the best pinterest Christmas idea we did was wrap up all of our Christmas books (we have A LOT!) and he picked one book each night. He takes forever to choose his books at night so this worked great! And, we actually started the Advent book "Truth in Tinsel" where you read a short passage in the bible and make an ornament each day. We both liked it, I just had so much else going on. I bought the Ebook so we will try it again next year!