Now my friends can stop making fun of the empty frames on my tables.

After being cardless last year, I was determined that no matter how busy I got in 2008, I would make time for a photo session with my own kids, thank you very much. Well, I didn't exactly make time. But I did seize the moment. We were shopping at Garden Ridge the other day, when I noticed that the outside of their building was a perfect backdrop. The light was filtered by clouds, I had my camera. The next thing I knew I ACTUALLY have photographs of my OWN children!

One of my favorite parts was noticing how differently I edited through these. Normally, I'm looking at light, and composition, exposure. This time I only looked at feelings.

Oh my, how I love them. It makes my stomach hurt a little.

Totally blurry and I so don't care.

I adore this shot so much. I want to scoop her whole little face into my hands and kiss every square inch of it a million times. Especially that delicious little double chin!

Emily trying so hard to be like the big kids. I can't even tell you how many times a day she tells me that she's not a baby.

And the timer shot! Annie has a cheeseball smile, and Mimi's ready to lose it, but MAMA GOT INTO THE PICTURE. BOO. YAH.

Want to see them all put together? I even finished our card! BOO. YAH. X2!

Keeping it SIMPLE. RIDDING myself of the ridiculous aspiration to try to make everything perfect. Because messy is more interesting anyway. So if you haven't taken your Christmas portraits yet, get to the nearest Garden Ridge parking lot, STAT!

And if you want a few extra shooting tips, tune into The Living Show tomorrow morning at 10. I'll be on, attempting to fill 4 minutes with information besides, "just push the button". Lordy.

Tracey also wrote a fabulous post for Shutter Sisters that was full of great ideas. And speaking of the sisters, make sure you visit often, because they're giving something away every day in December! How fun is that?!

Comments

[k]

Oh my gosh! They are absolutely precious. I can't wait to see them!

[Nana]

THAT WAS STRAIGHT UP
TURKEY DINNER FOR MY EYES!!!
Thanksgiving for the retinas!
A feast for the soul.
Complete with heartburn.

I miss everyone.

So much love,

[Mandy Hank]

Those are so sweet and I'm so proud of you as a mom for hopping into the picture. I never seem to be there at our family vacations or family functions because I'm always the one behind the camera- we all laugh about it!
Such sweet emotion in you and your family! Love it!

[Anna at Hank & Willie]

Wheee! gorgeous family, gorgeous card, wonderful post. Last family photo here was also 2006. AM going to fix that this year! :)

[tracey]

god, what a FABULOUS card Maile. you have mad timer skillz.
good luck on the big show. you will rock it. can you get it to utube or something so us out-of-towners can see it?

[sandi]

Awesome photos.. you have adorable children.
I love your card! :)

[Amy Blackburn]

Dude. I loooove your posts. So real. I stop by here almost everyday, and this post actually made me smile. Thanks!! :)

[jenn]

your card is perfection. I love all of these shots!

[Stephanie]

I'm gonna have to DVR it!

[Andrea]

AHHH, love the family Christmas card! It's amazing to see how much the kiddos have grown - shocking actually Annie use to be the size of Emily when I last saw them! Wow....realization just set in - I'm getting OLD! Please say it isn't so - lol.

Hope you get every thing you want for Christmas, but by the look of the photos you already have it all!

Wishing you and your family good health, lots of wealth and a ton of love!!!!!

Merry Christmas,
Andrea

[canadacole]

I love those photos. Even more, I love that you had a totally spontaneous photo shoot right then and there, AND that you got in a shot. Those are precious things right there. Merry Christmas!

[Rochelle]

Those pictures made my heart swell and tears well up in my eyes. I miss your family so much!

[cathy]

oh my gosh, pure wonderfulness! You really do rock out the timer shots. I have yet to try that with my fam (hanging my head in shame). :)

[olivia dutko]

You did great on the show this morning:)
Your hair looked really cute.
I LOVE YOUR PICS!!

[Ma']

Maile! Maile, Maile, Maile... a hundred times MAILE!!!!!
I saw the S.A.Living Show and love, love, loved every
minute. All that was missing was the wine, cheese, crackers
and candid hilarity.

Very informative and most enjoyable.

xo,

[Jen Heffel]

I love you guys!!! You make my heart smile! AND, I know I haven't even met any of the kiddos, but if they are any ounce like you and Jason, they just have to be the coolest kids on the block!

[Hay]

Awesome family portraits. I love the blurred one too :)

My mum has this framed picture on her wall. It has the letters F A M I L Y and pictures in each letter. The funny thing is, she hasn't got around to filling it, so the pictures in it, are the ones it came with, stock photos of models none of us know. We have loads of laughs over that, how beautiful our family is.

[DDlisious]

OMG! I was so one of those friends making fun of the empty picture frames. When I was there the other night I said, "Isn't it funny she buys all these frames and doesn't have a picture to put in them? Hummmm isn't she a photographer?" These pics will look great in them!

[rachel brooke]

I give you a BOOYAH too so make that 3!! You are a mastermind- the card looks awesome (Also, despite the traumatic scissor incident, I love Emily's haircut.)

[amy]

I LOVE the pics. So stunning. Love, love, love them.......... And I'm a Garden Ridge shopper too! :)