keepin' up with the joneses

This is Elfie. He loves the holidays almost as much as we do around here. Let's do this thing.

Thanksgiving was spent in Utah with my family. We loved every moment, and our 8 day trip seemed to only be a few hours. We spent our time loving each other, taking head shots, eating LOTS of food, introducing my boys to Barry's Drive In (only the best fries on the planet, people), playing instruments together, enjoying BYU basketball, having a Thanksgiving feast with SIXTY people (yes, six-zero), Christmas tree hunting, light parading, and just generally wearing ourselves out. While we missed half of my siblings, it was a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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We came home, and got right to it. Christmas decor just makes me happy. The only picture I got of our decorated front room was on my phone, and it doesn't even show my tree. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little sad about that. To see more of my handmade decor, click here.

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First order of December business: visit Santa. I love these pictures of the boys taking in the magic of Santa's "workshop." Don't they just embody the wonder of Christmas?

I'm too much of a cheapo to buy the actual picture they take, and they don't allow cameras, so sadly, this is the only picture I have of the Santa experience. For record's sake, this was the first year Mack didn't shy away. He walked right up, sat on his lap, and let him know a bike was his one true wish. Grey, on the other hand, did not enjoy Santa's jolly persona.

I always feel a need to host a Christmas party, and this year was no exception. I threw together a quick invite on Photoshop, printed it on some textured cardstock, tied it up with baker's twine, and hand delivered 4 invitation to 4 couples. It was intimate and so much fun.

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The day before the Sandyhook Elementary tragedy, one of my closest friends and I decided to play hooky for the afternoon, and take our boys out for a little shoot in a field. I knew I had two million things on my to do list, but I ignored them all, and spent an hour in a field enjoying my boys. The next day, listening to the news, all I could do was hold them as tightly as I possibly could, and stare at these pictures of my two little men. They mean the world to me, and I couldn't help but cry for the parents that lost their little people.

I still cry when I look at these. I hope they always remind me how fortunate I am to be their mommy.

Christmas Sunday included these cute boys in matching bow ties. They rocked those bow ties. :)

this picture melts me. Look at the adoration in Grey's eyes. He loves his brother so much. I hope they always stay such good friends.

On to one of the most exciting parts of the holiday season: Sister Jones returning from her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The boys showed their excitement by dressing up like missionaries. :)