Family Pictures & this year’s Christmas cards

Yes, it’s January already, but with the now infamous (well here on my blog at least) computer crash everything is still in catch up mode. I debated NOT sharing my Christmas cards but then thought- what the heck, might as well. What are you going to do? Point and laugh?

I actually mailed these on the 23rd… I actually designed these back in November before I got my family pictures back from my sister (my photographer) but once I got them (and had my computer fixed) my silhouette software decided to break down. In fact it’s STILL not working. I have uninstalled, and reinstalled it half a dozen times and still can’t figure out why it won’t work. I need to email the silhouette guys again and see if they have another suggestion.

I created these ornament shapes, then using photoshop wrote our note (short this year with the limited space).

Then I flipped the design and uploaded it to my silhouette, using the trace I created a cut pattern for them.  I took my favorite two pictures, one of the family and one of the kids (5 kids! Still crazy to me).  I added my pictures, printed and cut hundreds of them out…

Then I used a itty bitty hole punch and some teeny tiny rings and attached the top and bottom. Finally I added ribbon (so they could hang) and voila… done~!

I love how they turned out, different than I’d done before- and certainly would’ve made more sense if I had mailed them in early December instead of late December, but I still love them.

Here is the two pictures we used:

And now for the rest of my favorites from our family photoshoot (done my my AMAZING sister- Chelsea Peterson Photography)!!! We meet my sister down in Lehi at this great location she knew of. It’s in the back of these old connected buildings with these amazing walls, doors and windows! There were a ton of background options in the space of 100 feet.

AND next to the buildings runs the train tracks so yet another amazing background! It’s terrific. Of course a ton of other photographers know of it too so there were tons of families, seniors, engaged couples and photographers.

It was so fun to see everyone else, the clothing choices, color scheme, props… amazing! My goal was not to look too fat (6 week old baby) and have everyone look more or less like themselves… Mission accomplished!

I love how DONE everyone is in this last picture on the right.  It was our last picture of the day and this is why…  I thought about printing it off and hanging it just BECAUSE it’s so perfectly worn out and blah!

I also got our yearly headshots taken!

The Reader- Oh how I love this sweet, sensitive girl.  I can’t BELIEVE I’ve been a mother long enough to have a 10 1/2 YO.

Computer boy- This little guy just turned nine last week, insane how fast the time is going.  He’s so much like me in so many ways and yet all boy at the same time.

Lego Boy- could his eye’s be any lovelier?  I love this redish shade of chocolate brown.  And to go with it his newest fake smile!  So handsome either way.

Destroying angel- sweet, lovely, and so devilish…  She has my mothers smile, couldn’t be a better big sister, and love to TORTURE her beloved older brother as often as she can.

Baby Boy (clearly the most difficult)- the only picture with eyes, and not tears…  He was already smiling at this stage, but refused to show off in the bitter cold of the day.  Rudolf anyone?

Couple shot- my husband hates nothing quite as much as having to “preform”, so picture days are pure torture for him, but he knows how much it means to him so he’s a pretty good sport overall. He just had me cut off all his hair (he was sick of it and wanted a change- I get that) so I look at these pictures with total sadness… I miss those lovely curls (and how in the WORLD do NONE of my kids have those?)

Updated me…- not bad for being some 30+ lbs over the pictures from last year! I love how great my eyes look (my favorite feature), but when did I start to LOOK like I was in my 30′s? I’ve never minded getting older, and I don’t mind my crows feet at all, but it’s still strange to look older than I feel at this point.