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.