The Annual Christmas Card Picture

This was our first digital Christmas card 10 years ago, It

was taken at our first house in Oak Park, a tiny tiny

bungalow we rented. This is where I met my

across the alley neighbor Melissa. 10 years

later this is a fitting picture of Callahan. He is pulling

TJ's hat. To this day he is my mischievous one

For as long as I can remember I have loved photography. I have

been taking pictures for over 30 years. It wasn't until TJ was

born did I become obsessed, as you all know, he was

the first child born...ever. One would think that Tim and I

invented the baby boy.

My love of pictures is probably what started my kids

in the modeling world some 7 or 8 years ago, not

to mention TJ was possibly the cutest toddler ever.

since TJ was born some 13 + years ago, I have sent out a

 picture Christmas card. I would start thinking months in advance

on my theme. I got a good three years out of the Santa suits.

I already have this years picture in my head. As the boys get older

they are not as willing as I would like to jump in a tub of bubbles.

I have enclosed some of my past Christmas pictures

(the handy ones) We didn't start with the digital until 1999

I love this picture, it was 2000 and he had just moved into

our giant enormous home, still in Oak Park. I filled the

tub with bubbles and the boys hopped in

2001, Very very cute picture...too cute not to use. It was taken by

Socko for FORD models. The color is much deeper

on the 24 x16 that still adorns my living room wall

Madeira Beach 2002...again the color is much

deeper. I had to scan a home printed old photo. Almost

all our old digitals are saved to a disk due to

over 10,000 pictures of just the 2 boys

Tim and TJ 1997 Wrigleyville

1999

2007 Keystone Co

TJ  just got his braces...Wow...ouch

2008 Lombard

I just love this picture. Absolutely
nothing is forced, pure ease with the camera

I found this Polaroid of Patrick, it has nothing to

do with Christmas but boy is he cute.

I was reading my friend Melissa's blog list

and one of her friends talked about a favorite

cooking blog. Okay, I don't cook, I am the opposite

of a foodie. Food to me is like breathing, you do it or you die.

Oh, I like to eat, I just don't like to make it.

I totally admire people that can cook

Anyway,

I checked out this blog The Pioneer women and this lady

also has a photography blog, OMG the pics

are incredible and she has a tutorial for dummies for

 taking pictures and then photo shop.

I have never used photo shop

You never know what you may find reading strangers blogs.

I have a very expensive camera, but can't work all the bells

and whistles. I am enrolled to take a 14 hr photography

class starting Jan 5. With my kids growing up

it is time to pursue my passion.

Some day I will post some of my better

pictures of which none are photo shopped.