Monday, October 20, 2008

Cider Mills and Christmas Cards

We went to our favorite cider mill on Sunday with some church friends of ours so that we could exchange photography services for our 2008 Christmas cards. I'm gonna miss that cider mill next fall when we're in Florida. Oh, did I mention we're moving to Florida? Crazy! I've been a Michigan girl my whole life. I'm not sorry at all to leave winter behind. I have nothing for winter sports, and marvel especially at the poor deluded souls known as ice fishers. But its a pretty scary change, and a sad one since my whole dear, sweet family lives within 30 miles of us right now. Anyway, back to the business at hand! Its amazing that no matter how many pictures you take, it seems there is only ever one that passes muster. Its really hard to get one where the girls are both looking in the general direction of the camera and both have a pleasant facial expression. I would love to use this one:

but the girls' great smiles are the result of Jessie tickling them, and he looks a little rabid about it. Plus, Eliza is elbowing Ingrid out. This one was deemed the only acceptable entry by the panel of judges. It is suitably serene for a Christmas card, and is the only one that features no lip-biting, shoulder hunching, baby-crushing, finger pointing, or indecent exposure: We enjoyed the sights of the cider mill while we waited for our friends to show up. Are these the cutest farm animals you've ever seen? Theia thought it necessary to stick her head all the way out through the hole.

"Eliza! Eliza, look at Daddy! Eliza, over here! Peek-a-boo! Where's Daddy, Eliza?" It never works :).

We were mean and cheap parents who wouldn't let their children ride the ponies, but we did stand in front of them for a considerably long time.

9 comments:

Katy said...

I truly miss the cider mill! I think in all my years of being a Michigan girl...I took it for granted. I can't find a single cider mill here in Indiana! So sad! and...FLORIDA!? Crazy. Did Jesse get a transfer? What city? That will be fun. We will have to visit you if its nearby my family that lives there. We try to go once a year!

Michelle said...

Trust me friend, you WILL miss the cider mills. Texas, like Florida, is a pretty nice place to live most of the time (minus tornado season and 110 degree temps), but there's one thing it ain't got...

Fall. Plain and simple. I never long for Michigan except one time a year. Fall. So breathe it all in long and slow and take lots of pictures of trees with color!

BTW, I kinda like the rabid look. It makes for interesting stories.

Penny said...

We are truly products of mean and cheap parenting. I don't know if I'll ever bring myself to let Ethan ride the grocery store pony or buy gumballs. ;)

Penny said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Jessie James Gang said...

Penny, I hope you'll at least let him go to the hardware store to buy a Baby Ruth bar or a bag of Funyuns if he ever has a dollar to spend.

JoAnn said...

Holly-
I hope that you have an easy transition to Florida living. I love it there! I am sure that you will be the fun house to visit for your family when they need a break from the cold Michigan winters. I will be praying for everything to go as planned for you.
JoAnn

Robby said...

Don't worry Ethan! Aunt Robin will let you ride the one cent horses at Meijers!

Robby said...

That first picture of Ingrid delighted me so much that the kids came running in to see what all the commotion was...all three approved with a chorus of AWWWWW's.

Robby said...

I meant to post that comment to the Oct. 5 pictures, "day at the park" or something.