Sometimes I get really tired of dragging my big, bulky camera along on family excursions.
Then I remind myself, if I don’t carry along my camera, all our joyful outings might go undocumented.
But the lazy side of me retorts, to haul around my (decidedly breakable) Nikon is sometimes so. not. worth. the effort.
But today it absolutely, completely, was.
The weather was perfect.
The kids were all happy.
Nature cooperated.
And I was able to get, out of the 300+ or so that I took, some pictures actually worth the effort.
I even got one that I think, dare I say it, just might be our official 2009 Christmas card photo.
No, not that one.
But he is looking awfully good.
That one.
Whatcha think? Is it Christmas card worthy?
All these, as well as some other apple farm pics that didn’t make the cut, are in life-size over on life {in transparency}.
WOW – what great photos!! I bet you are glad you "dragged" it along:) I absolutely love the last one – they all have awesome smiles!
Blessings, Ashley
I'd have to agree … YES! It looks like it was sooo worth dragging it along!! I'll be tickled pink if my Christmas card picture turns out even half that good!! 😉
Precious pictures. I think that last one would be a great Christmas card, but I have to ask "What about Vivi?" I think a crazy airport picture if just arrived Vivi and her family would be precious for your Christmas card:-) That is unless you are so unlike me and actually get your cards done in plenty of time to have them mailed out early:-)
TOTALLY worthy! I even liked the one with your hubby…I thought it was neat how you captured all of the colorful leaves that carpeted the ground in front of him. Several of these would make a gorgeous Christmas card!
So, just to bug you one more time…what kind of camera is that?…you said Nikon, is it the D90 per chance??
I KNOW, Karen! If only I truly thought she'd be here for Christmas, I'd wait!! But my agency said to expect to travel after the end of the year 🙁
I'm going to hold out a bit longer and just see what God might do 😉
Hey Tanya,
It is a D90 and I do love it!
You looking to get a new camera before you head to China? You will be SO glad you did, everything about China is BEAUTIFUL!!
Beautiful pictures. Love the one of your hubby smiling – he looks very tender and sweet (he's got to be to be agreeing to number 9, huh?)
Such a feat to get a picture of all your little ones smile – perfect!!
Super sweet and so glad you drug your camera along. xo
I think you have got to go with THAT one!!!!
PS Thank that same sweet hubby of yours for serving our great country, will ya? Freedom isn't free! We love America and we love those who serve and the families (like you and your kiddos) who sacrifice daily. You guys rock!
Love from Colorado!! xo
Christmas card worthy indeed! Simply beautiful!
Beautiful!! I love them all!
I was wondering, could I put in a request for a Christmas card of the one of your hubby? LOL. He is handsome! And awesome? Lucky girl!
What did you have to do to get all of your kids looking at the camera and smiling? Mine would never do that!
It's definitely Christmas card worthy! So bright and crisp and all the kids are looking at you at the same time. 🙂 Great photos! Glad you took your camera. 🙂
Perfect Christmas Card!! Look at those fabulous smiles!!
Great photos, Stef!! You keep draggin' that ol' Nikon along! 😉
Beautiful pictures of a beatiful family, now teach hubby how to use that camera so we can see you in a few pictures. lol…….
Wow! Totally makes the christmas card cut. 🙂
Wonderful photos. I would love to invest in a GOOD camera. The whole big bulky breakable side of things is a bummer though. The photos are fastastic. Although I'm sure much of that has to do with your eye for the photo as well as the equipment.
I can't believe you got ALL your children to not only look at the camera but to smile at the same time and look happy and natural. I have 3 children … and let me say taking photos is usually painful for either them or me … my best bet is just to sneak up on them and hope for the best. Christmas card photos are hilariously painful.
Great job with yours! Hope you can do the crazy airport one though 🙂
GORGEOUS pictures, as usual!! Are you post processing them too? Are you using lightroom? I can't wait to see your Christmas card (p.s. I will send you my address, so don't worry!)
LOL. I am only kidding!!
Praying God will surprise you in time for CHRISTmas!!!
XO,
Sara
Absolutely POSI-TOOT-LY adorable!
love the photos but then I love your family so so so!
You know I love it. Forget the fact that they all are smiling or have their own version of a smile on… they are all actually LOOKING AT THE CAMERA! That doesn't happen at our house when I'm snapping shots of the Tongginator with my sister's four children.
Six adorable kids sitting nicely. All smiling. All looking at the camera. No clashing clothes. Beautiful background and lighting. Use it! How often do all those components come together? 🙂
Your photos are just gorgeous!!!!! I went to your other site and looked at them, unbelieveable clarity and the subjects, no wonder they turned out great.
Such sweet pics. I got a chuckle out the the comment you made about the picture of your husband. 🙂
Happy Fall Day,
In Christ,
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and waiting for Eli
http://threefingerprintsofgod.blogspot.com
Just fabulous! Truly.
The kids I mean. 😉
Ahhhh…..fall in New England!!!
Absolutely the picture os Christmas card worthy!!!
Hello, I'd like to introduce myself! It seems every blogger who who has adopted (or is that vice versa?) is linked to your blog, and now I know why! You family is so beautiful, your photos are lovely. I'm almost inspired to learn to use my Nikon too :). The Christmas card photo has my vote. Such a pleasure to "meet" you. ~Raina
You just have a gift for photography. That is all there is to it.
Still I'm thinking you need to hold out a bit longer. The airport frenzy photo would be amazing!!!
If you don't go until after the first of the year, I am thinking it will be late Spring for us. We are thinking at least March, 6 months from LID. :(((
perfect – a wonderful Christmas card to celebrate your wonderful family….
LOVE these! Yes, for the Christmas card by the way.
Some of my favorite pics are from our Apple Picking days!! So glad you are experiencing the fall beauty where you are.. Good thing you are not here, your kids would be needing their snow pants today!!!!
Have a great week!
~Diana
Amazingly gorgeous photos!
What great pictures of your gorgeous family!! LOVE the photo of your hunky hubby walking towards you and the bottom photos of all of your cute kiddos. Yes, definitely worth lugging the big Nikon around.
Looks good Stephanie. I'd say you have a winner. They are all looking straight ahead, smiling and no one is picking their nose –awesome!
~Katie~
Wow…wow….WOW! I am so glad you brought your camera. These pictures are fantastic.
That picture is perfect for the christmas card…just perfect.
The one of Chris alone and the one of the two of you are great. You two are one good lookin' couple! I can't believe you even own a squisher….you look GOOD MAMA!
So cute!!! Yes, the lugging of the camera seems rediculous…but oh so worth it!! Your family is so adorable…
Beautiful pics!! We love the apple orchard but this year we went on a rainy day- oh well, there's always next year!
Yes- that pic is wonderful for your Christmas card!!
Stefanie- or older son put Sarah in the picture! Maybe you could put Vivi into your pic!
We had many pics of sarah doing the peace sign so we had the kids do the peace sign and then put her in it!
Stef,
Your images are stunning, as well as your family. I love all the images, bit I especially love the bottom one. Nice bokeh! I think it is definitely Christmas Card worthy!
Hugs,
Jonni