Favorite Photos of 2011

This blog entry is going to be very straight forward and to the point. Our amazingly talented family photographer, Heather Knowles of Sprouts by Heather, put together a blog entry with her favorite photos from 2011 (which by the way our family was in, a couple of times). I thought it was a great idea and I knew I had several favorites that I love to go back and look at all the time.

So, here goes. A recap of 2011... in pictures!

P.S. These photos are in no particular order... Sorry!

Beautiful sunset, happy Mama and Dada. What's not to love?

Could this be any cuter? Little Miss Shelby getting some lovin'.

I love the way this photo is framed, plus I think Chase has such a sweet face.

And speaking of sweet faces... Holy Moley! Is this not THE CUTEST picture?
Might be one of my all-time favorites!

This photo makes my heart flutter. I love the lighting. Look at how his hair is glowing.
It's just such a sweet photo.

Again, the lighting. LOVE! And, I love how this photo is framed, too.

The boys love to laugh. They laugh together all the time!
I'm so thrilled that I was able to capture at least one of those moments.

I love this photo for two reasons... Chase's expression. It just captures Chase so perfectly.
And, I love it because of how Charlie is looking at his brother... like he's so proud of his little bro.

Oh, man. This is another one of my all-time favorites.
This photo IS Chase. He laughs like this all the time!
He truly has one of the best laughs ever!

This is a great photo because this is actually what happens when the boys see a firetruck....
...everything comes to a standstill. They just stop and stare.

This is another favorite because Mike just looks so happy and relaxed.
You don't see this Mike very often.

I love, love this photo because these are truly my best buds. Aren't they beautiful?
What a great picture!

This is a fabulous photo. Pure joy. That's about all I can say about it.
In fact, this is the photo we submitted to Cannon School because we thought it would make Charlie stand out.
Happy go-lucky, fun and all boy!

I mean, just look at that smile! Love!

This is another favorite because it captures another moment in time.
The boys spent half of the summer standing on these benches, watching the construction trucks.

Another fun moment in time!
Seriously, who gets to eat breakfast outside on their big wheels?
Little boys, that's who!

Do I really need to explain why I love, love, love this photo?

I have several photos from my beach trip that are among my favorites.
This is great because it's a genuine smile. Charlie LOVES the beach!

See what I mean?

Another classic Chase expression.
(And I like the way the picture is framed.)

What a smile! 

This photo is just plain FABULOUS! I just happened to be at the right place at the right time.
There'll never be another photo like this one!

Pure, absolute and total J O Y!

This photo is one of my favorites mainly because the boys are sitting together, smiling. That's rare!
Besides, I think they look alike in this photo. Cool!

Total sweetness. And, carrying Moby. Classic Chase.

L O V E!  I am so happy I have this photo in my life!

Be still my beating heart. Me and my baby...

I will have to beat the girls off with a stick when Chase is older!

Another one of my favorites from our fall family shoot.

Seriously? Is there anyone cuter? I THINK NOT!

Just a cool photo. Period.

Chase-man, having fun in the puddles. 

Isn't he getting so big?

Another genuine moment of brotherly love.

I don't know why I love this photo so much. I just do.

I love the fall colors in this photo. This photo just makes me happy.

This is Charlie's preschool photo. Classic school portrait, sitting at a desk, hanging backdrop.
But, it's so cute! What a big boy! 

I think this photo is just simple and sweet. Another favorite.

I love the lighting in this photo.

This is a great photo because Charlie's just walking around like he owns the place. Classic!

I like this photo because their white shirts stand out and everything else just kind of fades in the background.
I think it's cool.

Simple, classic photo. Love it!

Now this is just cool!

A D O R A B L E!

S U P E R   A D O R A B L E!

Great lighting. Truly. One of my all-time favorites from 2011.

The photo just glows! LOVE!

And how often does something like this come along? COOL!

Ok, so this photo isn't from 2011. It's from 2001. Our wedding day. 10 years ago.
An amazing day that I will never forget!
2011? Also amazing!

The Most Wonderful Day of the Year

There is nothing better than spending Christmas morning with two little boys who truly believe there is a Santa Claus. Charlie was SO excited to see what Santa brought, that at some point in the wee hours of the morning, he got out of bed (which he has never, ever done), opened the bedroom door and peeked over the railing to see if he could catch a glimpse of his presents. I know this because when I went to get Chase at 7a, I found Charlie's bedroom door and shutters wide open, his covers spread all over the place, and Charlie cuddled in a little ball on the floor. Isn't that funny? And sweet?

What a fun Christmas morning we had! Santa brought each boy the one gift they asked for - a dump truck for Chase and a car transporter for Charlie - and a few other gifts as well. (That's a bit of an understatement.) It took us all morning to open every present, and by the time we were finished, the living room was absolutely destroyed. But, it was all worth it. It truly was a very, merry Christmas!

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Charlie, racing down the stairs and warp speed to see what Santa brought.

"I can't believe it! I can't believe it!"

Chase and Llama Llama, racing down the stairs, trying to keep up with Charlie.

And now, they both dive in!

"Whoa! A garbage truck!"
(If you're keeping count, we now have a FLEET of garbage trucks now.)

Yeah! Another piece for the train table.

I included this photo because I think it's funny. Check out the paparazzi surrounding Chase.
Video camera in the foreground, Oma cam in the background.

Chase gets his own car transporter.

I think Charlie's in heaven.

Yes, Charlie. There is a Santa Claus!

Chase, sitting on Oma's lap.
(Oma looks nice early in the morning. She brushed her hair. As usual, I forgot.)

Chase, reading to himself.

This was Charlie's big present from Santa... a ginormous car transporter!

And Chase got an excavator.

Grammy and Poppy gave Chase a tool set. He loves to drill and hammer.
(Note to self: Have Grandpa teach Chase everything he knows... STAT!)

I love this picture, because Chase and Pooh Bear are in the same position.
Super cute!

You can begin to see the destruction that is Christmas morning in the living room.

Chase was very excited about this Grandson ornament from Grammy and Poppy.

Mama playing a matching game with Charlie.
(Thankfully, you can't really see my unbrushed, nappy hair.)

Sweet Chase.

I like this picture too... both boys hanging on Dada's every word.

Sure, Chase. Just climb on the box. Why not.

Chase, playing with fire... er, uh... Charlie's car transporter.

And there it is. The total destruction of the living room.
Amazing.

We let the boys play in the mess for awhile. I think that might have been the most fun they had all morning.

And now, the catatonic, zombie, post-Christmas haze sets in.

I'm not sure if Dada is teaching Chase about the Leapster or vice versa.

Stocking time!
(Yes, there's more.)

Monster truck!

And suckers!

Awww... the family photo on Christmas.

So, I had to throw this picture in. Yes, both boys are looking toward the camera, but check out the smirk on Charlie's face. Look, buddy. You just open a veritable TON of presents for Christmas. The least you can do is appease me and smile for the camera. Am I right? Geez.