Christmas with a camera

A couple of quick shots taken fresh after Santa's visit, the last shots taken in my

"life before the Rebel".

When the first gift you open, upon Santa's strict request, is a camera, the rest of a day is just a blur from behind an unfamiliar viewfinder. (Why yes.....that is my two eldest sons enjoying their new Snuggies, in lieu of Christmas Eve pajamas on Christmas morning!)

You know it's a great Christmas when you can't make it through the day without crashing for a much needed nap

and when the leftovers from the stocking suddenly look beautiful to me

the day is spent tinkering with new gadgets

(these ever cool magnetic "Bucky Balls" kept my 15 yr old busy all day....all week, actually, as he shaped them into all sorts of amazing contraptions.

And later, taking down decorations is suddenly a chance to capture a mix of beautiful tidbits

What began as a few cards pinned to a lovely bow turned into a curtain full

of Christmas greetings. Is it wrong to leave them up longer to enjoy,

although everything else is cleaned up?

Looking through the eye of a camera reminds me of something important.

Our life is full of beautiful images just waiting for us to capture them.

some of these images were inspired by challenges from the Digital Photography School website. Until I can get into a real class, it is just me, these posts, my instruction book, and my Canon Rebel working our way through the world. It is gosh darned fun, too.

The fire that's breaking my heart

A brief history as on file at BYU of the Provo Tabernacle

The Provo Tabernacle, located on the west side of University Avenue between Center and First South streets, has figured prominently in the history of Brigham Young University. It was built by the Saints of Utah Valley at a time when money was difficult to obtain. Fifteen years, from 1883 to 1898, were required for its construction, largely because of financial limitations. From 1930 to 1941, when the Joseph Smith Building was completed, BYU commencement exercises were held in the building, the procession proceeding from the Education Building to the Tabernacle, a distance of six blocks. The Tabernacle was used for lyceum concerts even into the 1950s, and organ recitals of the Music Department continued there through the 1960s. Some of the artists who have appeared there have been violinist Fritz Kreisler, pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff, baritone Paul Robeson, soprano Bidu Sayao, the Minneapolis Symphony (1918), the Metropolitan Quartet (1916), opera star Emma Lucy Gates (1923), the Bach Festival (1934), and dozens of others. The dome in the center of the building was removed later because of excessive weight.

The building has been host to countless ceremonies, concerts (as a high school student I sang there with my choir) graduations, weddings, church meetings and more over the years. Just last Saturday I marveled over the beauty of the building. It was my second concert of the season with my son singing.

And this morning we woke to this

It hard to believe that beautiful organ, woodwork, stained glass, and detailing that I captured with my silly little camera is gone.

For the record I must say that building had a spirit about it.

I performed and listened to others perform there.

It was place beyond many you might step foot in.

I am so sad at this historical lost, yet feel blessed we were there just days ago, and my son got a final chance, that we did not know was final, to be a part of that great heritage.

If you have a few minutes, I invite you to share in the spirit of music and Christmas by watching this song my son performed with the choir when we were last there. Merry Christmas. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

We say "Merry Christmas"

Can you even believe this sweet picture?

Snapped at the mall in 2003, I believe this was the last year that all of my little ones still believed the "Christmas Secret". Strange, though, that that fact is not near as hard to live with as I thought it would be. They are sweeter and more grateful with Santa now than they have ever been....(and no more asking for a million dollars)

Christmas Card 2010

It’s all about the little things

This year, like any other, was full of family milestones and accomplishments; football and soccer games, choir and guitar concerts, piano recitals and vacations, church callings and work trips. As we ponder the year, however, we are overwhelmed by the little things….. The everyday things…..

~ The ability to walk into a building and vote ~ to read a book of our choice ~ to turn on a song and dance together as a family ~ to attend a worship service of our choosing each Sunday ~ to open a closet and have choices to make ~ to click on the mouse at the computer and be surrounded by family updates and photographs ~ to turn on the radio and hear voices discuss things that interest us ~ to send our children to a safe school with people and friends we love and trust ~ to have employment and the means to provide and be self-sufficient ~ to live with a roof over our heads and a bed for each of us ~
to gather together as a family and pray ~

As we observe the little things we realize they are not so little at all.

We take this time of year to reflect on the good lives we live and the blessings we all share,

and wish you a Merry Christmas

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”

Isaiah 9:6

Family Festivities

I am one of those gooey, sappy, holiday enthusiasts. I love it. I love the lights. I love the music. I love the fact that my kids still count down the days with me.

Love Love Love

Holiday around the house...

tags made for tag exchange

my outdoor nativity (proud moment: buying a spotlight to light this up at night)

my nativity I bought the first year I was married

a cry for Santa's attention on our porch

a few pictures and nativity made by sweet grandma

Family moments

favorite cookies for dipping and munching (so good....trust me..but very hard to find)

collection of Santas abound

reminder to Believe

boys enjoying a quick snow fall

a tree light up, chirping, calling for Christmas to come

Let me explain: my parents had an electric ornament that chirped like a bird when you plugged it in. When lights went on, the bird began singing. I remember visitors perplexed , trying to find it in the tree. After growing up with the Christmas bird I have missed it in my own home. Although it could be annoying...it was part of Christmas. Last year I bought one, and we hooked it up. It was MUCH LOUDER than my parent's bird...but after figuring out how to open it and cover the speaker this year it is just right. It chirps whenever the lights are on. It makes me feel giddy all over again. I love my annoying bird.

My son performing with the choir. (the handsome guy looking at the camera above the mic)

Makes me cry every time.

I love that he sings unafraid, praises to Christ and songs from the Messiah

so excuse me for loving Christmas and feeling sorry for Hum Bugs.

I have reasons to rejoice...

don't we all?