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Just to update what Trisha and I look like for friends and family….. and our clients who may be wondering….
I’m the one on the bottom.
Ok, I’m not that scarey looking. Here’s a less scarey set of shots. This is Ian… the one that many of you have heard running crazy around my office when I’m on the phone. He’s part of the package when you call my office though, so get ready to hear him. He’s my little buddy and we spend a lot of time together.
jb
Well, as you can see from the photo in the post below this one, I am not a master carpenter when it comes to gingerbread houses. Luckily, my two daughters are a bit better at it.
Trisha and I want to take a moment tonight to thank all those who have welcomed us into their families for brief periods over this past year. Your warmth and generosity has been amazing. My clients are why I love what I do. I hope as each and every Christmas comes around in years to come, you will look back at your photos and remember your day fondly. And,,,, I must admit, part of me hopes you’ll remember that strange guy who showed up with the cameras. I know I won’t forget any of you.
Now, here’s a few photos to finish out the night. Santa is on his way, so I need to get into bed soon. Along with the repaired gingerbread house, I’ve also included photos of the cookies and milk that is out for Santa, and the carrots that have been left for the reindeer. There are nine of them,,, one for each reindeer. The last photo is my favorite though. Maybe not the photo itself, but the content. It’s the house our third child made in school. I absolutely love.
Good night and have a wonderful Christmas.
jb
Why did I ever think we could do this? We definitely suffer the lack of some important holiday gene that allows the rest of humanity to do cool things like this.
Anyway, here’s our resulting disaster.
Merry Christmas.
jb
Well, maybe not the real Santa, but the Santa who received our letter.
Tonight I received an email from Matt Moss of Paris, IL, who found our letter in a walnut tree on their farm. Sadly, the envelope was a bit tattered, but the letter was able to be read. You can visit their site to learn a bit more about the family, that 350 miles away (as the crow flies) shared this Christmas with my family. Moss Clydesdales.
So, here’s a quick look at approximately where the letter started,,,, and where it ended.
Thanks,,,, and Merry Christmas
jb
Every year our family has two traditions that we look forward to. One, which we’ve been doing since Trisha and I were first married…. each year we put a new Santa ornament on our Christmas tree with the year it was bought written somewhere on it. This year we added our sixteenth Santa. I’m looking forward to number 50.
Then, there’s our Santa Letter. We know that the USPS does a great job, but we opt for Santa magic. Our children write their letter to Santa and it is sent to the North Pole, via Santa magic and air currents. The letter is placed in a plastic bag and attached to a huge group of helium filled balloons. I love watching my youngest kids’ faces as they watch their letter disappear into the sky. Even better, our older kids still take part in it and do not ruin the time for the little ones.
Now, to make it even better. Last year the Carters….. John, Julie, JC, Jake and Jaden joined us for this Santa Lettter tradition. They are back this year as well. John, as some of you will know, is my associate photographer who has been at several weddings with me. It’s wonderful to have him not only as a work associate, but more importantly as a friend. With his family joining us in doing little things like this, it makes them truly feel like family.
Anyway, here are a few pics of today’s release of the balloons. I hope the kids get what they asked for…. and I hope they asked for things that Santa can afford.
jb
(btw, these photos aren’t edited or touched up… as I’m off to spend time with friends and family.)
The Blair kids.
The Carter kids.
Today, as we remember the attack on Pearl Harbor, take a moment and thank those around you who have served in any branch of the service during peace time or a time of war.
my flag that flies every day over my yard. (thanks dad)
A few years back while working as a paramedic, I had the honor of transporting a gentleman to the V. A. Hospital in Little Rock, AR. During our three hours together in the back of the ambulance I sat and listened to him tell the stories of meeting the Russians at the Rhine River. His detailed description of the condition the Russian troops were in left me speechless. I was blessed with many more stories from this guy during our trip. I didn’t have much to say, just sat and listened. When we arrived at our destination all I had left to say to him was “thanks”. I thanked him, both for his sharing his stories and for his willingness to do what he had to do during the war. I felt a bit ashamed that “thanks” was all I could really come up with.
So, today, look up that neighbor of yours…. WWII, Korea, Vietnam,,,,,, and on and on and on… regardless of where they fought or if they stood on guard waiting to be called to duty, and thank them. AND.. if you know them well enough, give them a hug.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED AND CONTINUE TO DO SO….
jb
