The other day when the boys arrived home from school there was a beautifully wrapped box on the front porch. It had no name on it (either to or from). They excitedly brought it inside and asked me if I knew what it was or who it was for. I said "let's open it and see what is inside!"
Will and Harry were so excited! They had heard of the elf on the shelf but this is the first time he has come to our house. They immediately named him "Happy" and he has been going back to the North Pole every night to report on their behavior. They run around each morning looking for where Happy might be the next day. Today, he is in Harry's room. They sure are well behaved when Happy is watching!
Here are a few photos I took as we were decorating our tree a few weeks ago. I won a camera lens in one of the adoption raffles (85 mm) and I was practicing with it so some of the photos are really out of focus. It is a prime lens and not ideal for the situation I was using it but I got a few good ones of Kate. I am not sure if I like the black and white or color better..what do you think?
See, here the tree is in focus and Will is not. Will is hanging one of his favorite ornaments. It is the White House and I bought it when I was lucky enough a few years ago to go see the White House decorations for Christmas.
Kate hanging an ornament I got for her last year.
Harry has a crumb on his cheek. I forgot to retouch it.
He loves his soccer ornament.
I am always a lover of black and white, but I love the colors in Kate's top - so I think I like these in color!
ReplyDeleteHappy Arrived! I am so glad :O)
ReplyDeleteYou all will have so many smiles, memories and laughs because of it.
The other day when we were at the store looking at bikes for Simone so she could tell Santa about which one she liked we went to the truck first and Daddy followed. While sitting in her car seat Simone thought she saw Daddy pushing a cart with her bike in it. I told her that must of been another Daddy....She was so mad and shook her head all the way home. When we got home she went straight to her Elf Magical to tell him all about it and to ask if he would tell Santa she really really wants that bike because the training wheels do not shake.
Love your new lens. I am hoping Santa brings me one. I like the colored ones right now due to the color red and all it stands for this month.
Merry Christmas!
xoxo Michele
Oh, look at how "Happy" your boys are with their elf...(pun intended : )
ReplyDeletePaige's elf is named Binky and he has really been everywhere this season. She goes on a mad hunt every morning...too much fun.
I really like your pics of the kids with your new lens. I have the 85 mm prime, too. It is a tough lens to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, the best pics come from it.
I like the black and whites a lot. I love black and white photography and we have it all throughout our house.
How cute.. I am going to have to go check out the Elf on the Shelf...
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures of the kids decorating the tree..
The crumb is priceless.. don't touch it up.. that is pure boy-joy...
Have a Great Sunday..
Hugs girly..
I think I like the black and white ones of Kate. But I do love the color ones to. We have a Elf his name is Sammy and it is amazing at how well they behave when they think he is watching. We have enjoyed reading the book every year and waiting his arrival. Our Sammy even visits in the summer to check in on things while he is on vacation.
ReplyDeleteOk please tell me where to get a Elf of the Shelf our girls would love it! Love the pictures!
ReplyDeleteThe elf on the shelf is such a great idea. I might have to do that next year. Do you leave it out all year or just right before Xmas?
ReplyDeleteI like the color ones of Kate in these pictures b/c of great colors in her dress.
LOVE the b&w pics of Kate!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the Lef on a Shelf! I am so using that when I have kids someday!
ReplyDeleteHappy has arrived! Hope you have as much fun with your elf as we do! :)
ReplyDeleteKim, your shots with your new lens are awwsome....B&W or color....love them both!
You had asked last week if Sophie was from Nanfeng....she is actually from Tonggu.
Thanks for your sweet comments yesterday. One certainly puts things into prespective when someone gets sick!
If I am not able to stop by again before Wednesday.....have a very, very Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Our Elf, Fred, came to our house last year and again this year. Joseph loves looking for him in the morning. I wish you and your family a blessed and very Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeletecute cute cute!!! Can I borrow Happy? I have a few here that need to behave and maybe Happy could help out : ) What an adorable post!
ReplyDeleteI think all the pics are great. color and bw.
ReplyDeleteIts fun to practice with a new lens.
The Elf sounds so fun.:)
I love Happy! I have been trying to get an Elf on a Shelf sent to us, but they don't ship to APO:-( Next year I will be sure to get one shipped to us in NC.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful. Great new lens.
We have that soccer ornament too. Such a cute one.
Merry, Merry!
I love how the boys love happy! That is so sweet! You are raising some pretty wonderful kids there Kim!!
ReplyDeleteI can never choose betwn B/W either. they both look great! Love her blouse.
Lovely babies and decorations too. You have the Flair!!
Love the pics of your boys with Happy. I normally heart b & w photos but I love the pink/red combo in Kate's shirt and how those colors pop in the photos.
ReplyDeleteThe boys look so happy with their Elf on the shelf!!
ReplyDeleteYou look to be a pro with your new lens already!! The pictures are beautiful....it is a tough call....I though I like the b&w better, but the colors are pretty two....I am glad you posted them both....the more pics the better:)
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Lisa
I must get "Happy" the elf for next year - it is such a cute idea and may help my Eddie to "remember" to behave ;) Love the shots of Kate - she's such a cutie - the black and whites are gorgeous, but I also enjoy seeing the colors (I"m no help!). If I don't get to comment beforehand, have a blessed Christmas with your family in your new home!
ReplyDeleteI have seen Elf on the Shelf on a few other blogs - and I'm with Melissa - I gotta save that for when I have kids!!
ReplyDeleteWe also have a little elf named Fritz Fritz! The boys are just mesmerized by the fact that he can fly back to the NP each night to report. They even sent their letters to Santa via the elf this year!
ReplyDeleteI think I like the black and white photos the best. I have a Nikon D50, and if it is not on auto settings, I can't even get a decent photo. I think it's great that you are such a good photographer.
We love our Elf. Hoot named him Spencer all by himself. (i love that name) We can be anywhere even away from home and if his behavior is out of line, I just mention Spencer and there is an immediate change in attitude. Love the black and whites of Kate
ReplyDeleteI think we need one of the elves.... Em seems to like being naughty a little too much these days. :) Definitely a gift for next year :)
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are beautiful in both black and white and color... too hard to choose!
Love the Elf on the Shelf, my little one is still too young (only 21mos) and doesn't quite understand the idea of "being good for Santa", but next year I think she'll be ready, or should I say "the elf NEEDS to be ready" LOL!
ReplyDeleteBeing a picture FANATIC and ALWAYS snapping pictures of my little one and being in a "DILEMMA" about "which I liked the best" B/W or color, I solved that by "PHOTOSHOPPING" the clothing in COLOR and the rest of the picture in B/W, it seems to capture the ESSENCE perfectly!!
We got our Elf, Cicero, a few years ago. Mason didn't really understand it then. Now each morning starts out with a mad dash to find where he is. Usually after my husband and I have made sure one of us has helped Cicero get to a new place. Mason loves to talk to him. He has even told Cicero to "ignore" me when I am asking him if he sees Mason being disobedient! You will have great fun with Happy! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteJennifer in Jackson, MS
oh, i love your christmas traditions. happy elf is such a great idea, i will need to look into that once bradley is older!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have an elf. It's a fun new tradition that we started this year too. Ours is not so cleverly named 'Elfy'. We have fun looking for him every morning. Everything gets reported to Elfy thorugh the day.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Precious pictures Kim! Thanks for your sweet email...and I wish your family a most blessed Christmas! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDenise
Our elf is Georgie Will or GW. He has been such a fun addition to our holiday festivities. Even Will Henry loves looking for him every morning.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Chesnye
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY TO ALL THE PEA
ReplyDeleteNUTS! WHAT A GREAT IDEA! AND MEMORY TOO!