Cousins

Staying with the 'photo canvas' theme for Christmas gifts, I took some pictures of the girls with Aidan on Thanksgiving to use as well.  I have to say, for an amateur and three crazy wiggly children, the final product turned out pretty darn good :)

2012 Tree Hunt

The 3rd annual Bender Family Tree Hunt took place at Timbuk Farms again.  We really love that place!  We also had Aidan along this year for an extra set of eyes in the fields.  It was really, really cold and super windy so we tried to make it pretty quick.

While we were waiting for the tree to be wrapped up and tied we got some popcorn and hot chocolate to pass the time.  We also visited Santa and Mrs. Claus...which almost blew the big man's secret.  Alyssa looked at him funny and said, "He doesn't look the same as when we saw him yesterday."  And he didn't...not even close.  I quickly told her it was probably because he was wearing his glasses today and had his contacts in the day before.  She seemed satisfied with that, but I know it won't be long before the secret is really out. If I am really honest, I want them to both know the truth...but how do you crush their dreams?!?!?! 

My favorite ornament on the tree this year was the one Hannah made at pre-school.  It. is. adorable.  Our little elf.

I love our house at Christmas. There is nothing like being surrounded with the soft glow of holiday lights!!  It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Final Feast

This year was our last Thanksgiving Feast at Stonybrook.  I wasn't able to go, so Dan got to go with her.  It is a little sad to know Hannah is going to be done with pre-school soon, but she sure does make a cute little Indian.

 Silly daddy!  We have so much to be thankful for!

Cheer Award

Alyssa got her very first trophy for cheerleading.  She was so proud.  I think there will be a lot more of these in her future!

 

College Visit

After some crazy Ohio weather, we finally had a nice Fall weekend...that wasn't already booked... to get some updated family pictures.  Kelley had the idea to take some on the Oval and since we have never taken the girls on campus we thought it was a great idea.  It is never to early for a college visit, right?!?!? And, the brightly colored leaves and historic buildings would make the perfect backdrop.  They turned out so great...Kelley is such a talented photographer.  She captured our personalities so well.  And, the way she got the colors to pop...phenomenal.  These are some of my favorites.

Since I am {mildly} addicted to Pinterest, several of these poses were inspired by shots Kelley and I had pinned on there.  One of my favorite looks for a photo shoot right now is an old vintage sofa in a wheat field of random place.  I though Dan and Kelley would both think I was nuts, but they also thought it would be cool (at least they made me feel that way ;)).  So I had Dan haul my parents antique sofa down to campus and set it up.  It turned out pretty stinkin' cool.  Dan really got into it too...now he wants to take it all over the place.  Next on the list is a railroad track ;)

We also had the rest of the family (minus Mom and Dad) come down to get some sibling shots for a Christmas gift to them.  It was the first time I was actually excited to give my mom a gift I knew she would appreciate.  She is the hardest woman to buy for. Period.

I really wanted to have Kelley take some in front of The Shoe, but the girls were so tired it wasn't going to happen on this trip.  On the way home though we stopped to let them walk up and see it.  We got to shoot a few photos with our phone before we left.  These will serve as a great reminder that no matter where we live, we are...and always will be...Buckeyes!!

 Thanks again, Kelley!!  These are memories I will cherish for the rest of my life!!