Merry Christmas from the Cranford Family

So I totally slacked this year and didn't get Christmas cards out! Kristen tried helping me out by creating the cutest card for us, but I was insistent on taking the pictures myself and I couldn't get a decent one of Levi. So, Merry Christmas, here are a few that I got of the kids in front of the Christmas tree. Remember, I got a new camera and I've been shooting ONLY in manual so my pictures are an indication of how much I have to learn. You can also tell by their outfit changes, that these were taken over a few different "sessions". 

(Edited by Kristen)

Yeah, he looks silly, I forgot to button his onesie.....

 This was the card that I had intentions of mailing out, but the picture for Levi wasn't in focus and I waited to long to send Kristen a more clear picture. This was created by Kristen Vest. 

Learning My Camera

So we went to James' mom & dad's over the weekend for a fish fry and family time. I took the opportunity to take along my camera and play with it some. Here are some of the pictures. I am not a photo editor (yet) so these are just straight from the camera. I was shooting manual the entire time which is still slow for me. I have to think about each setting before I shoot. Its okay though, I'm still learning. Obviously there is nothing special about these pictures, I'm just having fun. Got any tips for me? Also, where is a good editing starting place?

Cori doesn't usually get to touch or play with cats...yuck 

 I can just hear her attitude through this picture

 trying to get some action shots

 getting creative LOL

 I like fire

Turkey Shirts

Another Pineterst to mark off the list!!!

Turkey Shirts for the kids! I didn't come up with the idea but you can find instructions here and here.

Here are Cori and Levi's Turkey Shirts! Super cute!!

I kinda messed up on Cori's shirt...I could have put the hands more at an angle so they actually came off the turkey body....but that's okay =) She loves it and that's all that matters!! (the second of anything always turns out better)

Creating a Pin Board for "Done"

In my "Things I want" board you'll find a picture of some CUTE camo heels! If you know me, I LOVE camo and LOVE heels, although I wear flip flops more often than not. I have a closet full of heels, most that have never been worn.  Obsessed? Maybe. Don't. Judge.

Last weekend we went down to Kemah for the day with my brother, his wife and a few friends. It was actually James' and my 5 year anniversary for the day he proposed...in Kemah. We even ate outside on the deck with the ocean view where he popped the question. Special, right? If you haven't been there, you should go. A whole day full of fun!

Anyway, along the Kemah Boardwalk there are shops with the cutest stuff and I cam across my heels. $35 and I couldn't pass them up! Cori loved them too!

While I was there, I saw so much stuff that I wanted to pin - thank goodness for the pinterest app. I was able to take pictures and pin them on the spot.....here is one that I added into "Dream Home". James said if our driveway is big enough when we build our dream home (which I will now make sure of) that we can have this...I love.

yea, she pinned that!

Copying Kristen's idea of blogging about pinned creations, here is one I've done recently.

I found this on pinterest and thought it was easy enough. (Head to that blog for step by step directions!!) I've been sewing for a while now and I like to think that I'm decent at it. I just recently bought an embroidery machine (well, a year or so ago) and I am having SO much fun playing around with it.

My friend, Megan, is having a little girl soon and I knew I wanted to make her and baby Kinley something special. Unfortunately I was unable to attend her baby shower, but she assures me that she loves it as much as I did. I almost didn't want to give it way, except what would I do with a baby blanket with Kinley's name on it? Here are my pictures!!

Her room is being decorated in pink and grey!

 The burp rag how to is not on the post, but it's one of my favorite things to make!!

Quicky

Last week I bought my cousin's camera from her. Its a Cannon Rebel TXi - I love it and I have been practicing, learning, and using it. I've taken some nice pictures so far too, in my opinion. I've found some really informative sites helping me to learn the camera and learn about photography. I am by no means trying to become a photographer or start any type of business (I just do not have the time for that) but I would like to take nice pictures of my kids, and my family, and at events we attend. I'm excited to get going on that.

With that said:
I have lots of pictures to post, but I am only on the computer at work....and I forgot my camera (or card) today so stay tuned for Cori's 3rd Birthday Party, Cori's 3rd Birthday Day, Early Halloween in our neighborhood, and then random pics around the house of my two snuggle bunnies.

Maybe now that I have a good camera that (hopefully) will take good photos, I will blog more often....hehe, here is to hoping!

One More Day

Just for this morning,

 I am going to step over the laundry, 

and pick you up and 

take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, 

I will leave the dishes in the sink, 
and let you teach me how to put 
that puzzle of yours together. 

Just for this afternoon, 

I will unplug the phone and 

keep the computer off, and sit with you 

in the backyard and blow bubbles. 

Just for this afternoon, 

I won't worry about what you 

are going to be when you grow up, 

or second guess every decision I have made 

where you are concerned. 

Just for this afternoon,

 I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble 

when you scream and whine 

for the ice cream truck and

 I will buy you one if he comes by. 

Just for this afternoon, 

I will take us to McDonald's and 

buy us both a Happy Meal so you 

can have both toys. 

Just for this afternoon, 

I will let you help me bake cookies, 

and I won't stand over

 you trying to fix them.

Just for this evening, 

I will hold you in my arms 

and tell you a story about how 

you were born and how much 

I love you. 

Just for this evening, 

I will let you splash in the tub

and not get angry.

Just for this evening, 

I will let you stay up late while

we sit on the porch and count all the stars. 

Just for this evening,

I will snuggle beside you

 for hours, and miss my

 favorite TV shows. 

Just for this evening 

when I run my finger through 

your hair as you pray, I will simply

be grateful that God has given 

me the greatest gift ever given. 

I will think about 

the mothers And fathers 

who are searching for their 

missing children. 

The mothers and fathers 

who are visiting their children's 

graves instead of their bedrooms.

 

The mothers and fathers 

who are in hospital rooms 

watching their children suffer 

senselessly, and screaming inside 

that they can't handle it anymore. 

And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day.............