Our Christmas was great! We even had snow on Christmas Eve. That's quite an amazing thing in Texas. It was a peaceful, quiet holiday here with the three of us.
My sweet husband made a yummy Christmas breakfast. He made Christmas Eve breakfast, too, but I don't have a photo.
There was a blur of gifts...
...some quirky presents...
...and more fabulousness (Amy, you're a genius!)...
...and lots of calm snuggly time.
When we got married, we decided to always have Christmas together at our home. Both sets of our parents have remarried, so we have four immediate families, not to mention numerous grandparents, cousins, aunts & uncles, etc. It was too hectic for us to rush from one place to another. We ended up spending most of our holiday on the road in a blur of travel. Adam and I enjoy visiting more on non-holidays. I hope it doesn't hurt anyone's feelings too much, but hey-you can't make everyone happy. More of our family is coming this week to celebrate Miss Baby's 1st birthday.
Several people asked how I made our Christmas card this year, so I thought I'd do a
QUICK CHRISTMAS CARD TUTORIAL:
1. First, I picked a spot in our house where I'd have consistent light, and tried out different 'Mary poses'. I looked through a bunch of paintings from the 14th and 15th century to find a classic composition.
2. Then I rounded up costume things and the family. I used a bunch of sheets, some rope, and pajamas. They weren't very elegant, but I put them together in about 5 minutes, so I was pleased with the outcome. Have I mentioned lately what a good sport my husband is about these things?
Me: "Hey, honey---can you come in here a minute?"
Adam: "Sure. What do you need?"
Me: "I want you to put on your pajamas and a robe and these sheets. Let me tie a rope around you and stick this belt around your head."
Adam: "Ok, love."
Me: "And hold this stick."
Adam: "Sure, sweetheart."
The hardest part was running around in sheets without tripping while trying to press the self-timer button on the camera. Adam volunteered to help, and things went a lot quicker.
Trying to force "Baby Jesus" into the cradle took some work.
We figured out she didn't like lying down, so we let her sit up instead. Happy baby. Problem solved.
3. Then I looked for Three Wise Men costumes on the internet. I printed out all these photos on cardstock, then cut them out. I cut and pasted our pets' heads on the wiseguy bodies.
4. I left an inch on the bottom of the people by the feet so that I could fold them over. The tab at the bottom lets them stand up like paper dolls.
5. Then I glued together some bark to make a manger. I used a bunch of toy plastic animals for the menagerie. I set it up outside in a pile of hay. I didn't like how it looked, though. It was too bright and I didn't see enough of the manger.
6. I decided to photograph the scene indoors at night. I brought a bunch of hay inside and set it up on a piece of wood. I took the photo in a dark room and lit the manger with a flashlight. I liked the effect much better.
And voila! Our Christmas card. (See below in next post)
Your Baby Jesus card, and its production, is genius. I certainly was wondering how you pulled it together. I think you are smart to spend your Christmas day at home. Of the 3 family parties we attended (Eve, Day and Day After) 2 were here. I'd rather host than travel.
Posted by: Charlotte | December 28, 2009 at 01:40 PM
You are SO smart! Your Christmas card is staying on my fridge all year.
Posted by: Dusti Pearson | December 29, 2009 at 08:16 PM
Oh..er. I was convinced you'd convinced Adam to build a life-sized manger while you ran around town collecting kitschy plastic creatures from store windows...
Kinda like seeing how your favorite movie was made...hee.
Well, either way you totally rocked Christmas Cards 2009. Its the stuff dreams for girls like me (oh no not another hallmark) are made of...
XOXOXOXOXOX
Posted by: Rhonda Roo | December 30, 2009 at 07:47 PM
I am so in love with your guys, iot isn't even funny!!! You are us, only you. And you guys are much more good looking too ;)
Models I tell ya, and violet is so beautiful, I don't even think they make a word for how beautiful she is!! xoxxx
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | January 08, 2010 at 11:45 PM