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Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

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    • Sunday Snapshot

the apple farm

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}.

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10.10.09 · family, photography, real life 37

Comments

  1. Ashley says

    October 10, 2009 at 10:40 PM

    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

    Reply
  2. Carrie says

    October 11, 2009 at 12:09 AM

    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!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  3. Karen says

    October 11, 2009 at 12:13 AM

    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:-)

    Reply
  4. TanyaLea says

    October 11, 2009 at 12:15 AM

    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??

    Reply
  5. Stefanie says

    October 11, 2009 at 12:20 AM

    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 ๐Ÿ™
    I'm going to hold out a bit longer and just see what God might do ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  6. Stefanie says

    October 11, 2009 at 12:22 AM

    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!!

    Reply
  7. Mom Of Many says

    October 11, 2009 at 12:46 AM

    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

    Reply
  8. Annie says

    October 11, 2009 at 12:48 AM

    I think you have got to go with THAT one!!!!

    Reply
  9. Mom Of Many says

    October 11, 2009 at 12:50 AM

    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

    Reply
  10. Kim says

    October 11, 2009 at 1:04 AM

    Christmas card worthy indeed! Simply beautiful!

    Reply
  11. Michele says

    October 11, 2009 at 1:10 AM

    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!

    Reply
  12. Karin says

    October 11, 2009 at 1:18 AM

    It's definitely Christmas card worthy! So bright and crisp and all the kids are looking at you at the same time. ๐Ÿ™‚ Great photos! Glad you took your camera. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  13. Patricia/NYC says

    October 11, 2009 at 1:24 AM

    Perfect Christmas Card!! Look at those fabulous smiles!!

    Great photos, Stef!! You keep draggin' that ol' Nikon along! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  14. Mom to my China Posse says

    October 11, 2009 at 1:50 AM

    Beautiful pictures of a beatiful family, now teach hubby how to use that camera so we can see you in a few pictures. lol…….

    Reply
  15. M3 says

    October 11, 2009 at 2:00 AM

    Wow! Totally makes the christmas card cut. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  16. Valerie and Jeff says

    October 11, 2009 at 2:02 AM

    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 ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  17. Football & Fried Rice says

    October 11, 2009 at 2:04 AM

    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

    Reply
  18. Jill says

    October 11, 2009 at 2:41 AM

    Absolutely POSI-TOOT-LY adorable!

    Reply
  19. Chelley says

    October 11, 2009 at 9:14 AM

    love the photos but then I love your family so so so!

    Reply
  20. a Tonggu Momma says

    October 11, 2009 at 12:44 PM

    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.

    Reply
  21. Natalie says

    October 11, 2009 at 2:35 PM

    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? ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  22. Inga says

    October 11, 2009 at 4:01 PM

    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.

    Reply
  23. Janet and Kevin says

    October 11, 2009 at 7:49 PM

    Such sweet pics. I got a chuckle out the the comment you made about the picture of your husband. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Happy Fall Day,
    In Christ,
    Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and waiting for Eli
    http://threefingerprintsofgod.blogspot.com

    Reply
  24. Colin and Jill Canada says

    October 11, 2009 at 8:29 PM

    Just fabulous! Truly.
    The kids I mean. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  25. Jenna says

    October 11, 2009 at 11:42 PM

    Ahhhh…..fall in New England!!!

    Absolutely the picture os Christmas card worthy!!!

    Reply
  26. Raina says

    October 12, 2009 at 12:28 AM

    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

    Reply
  27. Wife of the Pres. says

    October 12, 2009 at 3:23 AM

    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. :(((

    Reply
  28. seaview says

    October 12, 2009 at 8:18 AM

    perfect – a wonderful Christmas card to celebrate your wonderful family….

    Reply
  29. DiJo says

    October 12, 2009 at 11:33 AM

    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

    Reply
  30. Laura says

    October 12, 2009 at 12:29 PM

    Amazingly gorgeous photos!

    Reply
  31. Michelle says

    October 12, 2009 at 1:23 PM

    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.

    Reply
  32. Katie says

    October 12, 2009 at 8:08 PM

    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~

    Reply
  33. Dita says

    October 12, 2009 at 9:39 PM

    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!

    Reply
  34. Lisa says

    October 13, 2009 at 1:54 PM

    So cute!!! Yes, the lugging of the camera seems rediculous…but oh so worth it!! Your family is so adorable…

    Reply
  35. Jean says

    October 14, 2009 at 11:35 PM

    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!!

    Reply
  36. Jean says

    October 14, 2009 at 11:38 PM

    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!

    Reply
  37. Jonni says

    October 16, 2009 at 10:20 AM

    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

    Reply

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I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
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