Our Christmas Family Pictures

I was "challenged" this year to do our Christmas cards a bit differently.  Usually, I order photo Christmas cards with a message printed on them to send out.  I love our Christmas cards through the years.  However, I was reminded by my blog friend, Marci at Life with Joys, how special and personal it is to receive a handwritten card.  Now, I have to admit that I hate handwriting.  It is not my strong suit at all and has never come easily for me.  I don't have beautiful flowing handwriting, and writing actually hurts my hand.  I have never been able to keep a handwritten journal for this reason which is why my blog is my journal.  I can type all day long.  Anyway, I decided that I would try to send out more personal handwritten cards this year with our pictures inside.  While the handwritten messages are not long, they are from the heart so I hope they do mean a lot more to the recipients.  So if you do get a card from me, please excuse the less than stellar handwriting.
Of course, I have to limit the number of cards we send out due to price of mailing and time restraints, but I do hope all of our friends know how very much they mean to us.  And of course, if you do send us a card, expect to get one in return!

Our family

And yes, we did have to pull a few tricks to get Cocoa to look at the camera. 

Me and my babies

Trying for a cute shot of the boys holding a candy cane heart over my stomach for Baby Mattox.

Hmmm, the rocking chair was supposed to be for Brody.  Yes, Evan is a little big for it. 

We tried this pose like last year's.  The boys weren't quite as cooperative. 

Then, Brody decided he would rather sit on Evan.

Got to love it! 

No more smiles from Evan.

Maybe just one more for a solo pose. 

Big smiles from Brody.  

And a sweet couple shot. 

Christmas romance

And Daddy requested a special shot with man's best friend since Cocoa is the dog he has always wanted.