Lessons 101: Christmas

Here we are three days into December and that much closer to Christmas! Been doing a lot of fun stuff with family and the hubby. When I put all my pictures from my camera onto my computer I saw it was time for another Lessons post. So here we go.

Family Pictures

So here are the main things to remember when taking family pictures.

• Always plan for an extra hour (nothing ever happens on schedule)
• Ask everyone including adults to remember to put on their shoes (so many distractions, so little shoes)
• Take a few candid shots before you start (you always get the best smiles)
• Have a desired picture plan (if the person you are shooting has an idea use theirs it goes much better)
• When it is all done give everyone a hug (no matter how it went it is a memory for a lifetime)

Here are a few of the candid before shots.

 

Carter as the director.

  

Seth receiving instructions.

Shaun the ring leader.

Justin & Karsten acting cool.

Addressing an Envelope

It's the season for sending Christmas cards so here are the main points when you address an envelope.

• When addressing an envelope to a married couple there are a few different acceptable options: Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Jack & Jill Smith or The Smiths
• When addressing an envelope to a married couple with children the most acceptable option is The Smiths
• When addressing an envelope to a non-married couple there are a few different acceptable options: Jack Smith & Jill Jones, Jack S. & Jill J. or Jack & Jill
• When addressing an envelope to a non-married couple with children (theirs together or from a previous relationship there are a few options: Jack Smith, Jill Jones & Jane Smith, Jack S., Jill J. and Jane S. or Jack, Jill & Jane

Here are a few examples on how to properly address an envelope.

The wrong way (as we are a legally married couple)

The right way (as we are a legally married couple)

Create Your Own Traditions

The best part of the holidays is when you get to create your own traditions. Some stick and others are fun when they happen. Here is our new tradition for this year.

• Get a thick ribbon that matches the colors you have in your home.
• Hang it across on opening (see below) 

• Get two candy canes and some thin shiny ribbon.
• Match the candy canes together in the shape of a hear and tie it together leaving enough string to tie to the ribbon you hung earlier.

• Tie the heart to the ribbon you hung earlier and do a new heart everyday until Christmas.

Decorations, Presents and Dogs

• No Christmas in my house would be complete without decorating a little every day (here are some from today)

• No matter how early you shop presents will continue to arrive for a long time after. Make sure to have enough wrapping paper and have fun with it.

• Finally Puppie needs to participate in every event. Don't expect much beyond a motivating smile from her. Sometimes that is all you need though.

Happy Holidays! Check back soon for more!