t-w-e-n-t-y-t-e-n

I was reflecting the other day about this year, and how thankful I am for it. It really seems like yesterday I was putting together this decade end review post. How in the world has it been another year?

It seems appropriate that this day of the year I'm always so awed at how quickly time passes and how much more quickly it passes with every year.

So here we are at the end of another incredible year, that I likely wouldn't have written or expected even if someone told me.

Seeing as its the end of two thousand TEN, I thought I'd do a top TEN list of sorts. This will be the top TEN memorable moments of two thousand ten (in no particular order...that would take too much thought).
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ten - Burke wedding weekend
I referred to the moments life just "feels right" in this post. So I'll go ahead and make number ten Sarah's wedding weekend with my faves. The specific moment being during the rehearsal dinner toasts. Sitting around a table with the six of us plus husbands will forever be one of my favorite spots.

nine - In August I went to DC with my family for Dad's Birthday. As we stood at the steps of the Lincoln memorial and heard the name of Jesus boldly proclaimed with hundreds of thousands in attendance, I felt like I was part of history.

eight - Mumford and Sons at Stubb's.
This year I fell in love with Mumford...as maybe the rest of the world did (call me unoriginal). Their show was probably the best I've seen.


seven - Nights with ATX friends
There are too many of these to choose only one to mention, so I'll make number seven all those great nights hangin out with Austin friends. Whether a party, camping trip, ski trip, small group or a night at a pub I've got the best friends in the world and am thankful for the many moments that make up these friendships. (This is for sure cheating...i just listed seven sets of moments)

six - Bro's emergency landing
I don't think I wrote about this here, and it's likely that this moment belongs on Ben's list more than mine, but in any case I'll praise the Lord by putting it here. My little bro, the pilot, emergency landed a small airplane in a field in November. In the air, the plane's engine died and Ben had minutes to find a landing place and put the plane down without harming anyone. He's pretty amazing.

five - Elise Joy's birth
My Claire had her first born the day before Christmas, and though she's so far away, I was giddy the moment I found out she'd been born.

four - crossing the border into Cali.
I road tripped with two of my best friends from Austin to LA this year. It was a LONG drive, but so much fun. The moment we crossed into California makes the list for sure.

three - adoptions
I keep choosing moments that can't be contained to a moment. Forgive me. My job affords me the awesome privilege to be a part of many adoptions. This year I've photographed a couple that do much more than bring tears to my eyes. There were several notable moments this year where the Lord shaped my heart while in a court room witnessing physically our spiritual story of adoption.

two - Everest Road Photography
I think 2010 will be categorized in my head as the year of Everest Road. This year Julie and I started a business. There are so many moments that go into this one as well. Its humbling to know God's provision in it all. I am blessed blessed blessed by all God's done and look forward to what the years ahead hold.

one - You'll have to wait!
This one's a tease. I shouldn't list it all, but I think that would be dishonest. I'm saving number one for a later date. Keep you comin back! :) It's what I do!

So all in all - a GREAT year! Seriously, the way God surprises me is my favorite! I don't know what tomorrow holds and it'll be so fun to read this a year from now and see all the fun moments that have filled 2011.

As a side-note: I can't decide how I feel about the fact that I used twitter blog or facebook to remember a lot of these moments. #maybelamethatmylifeisonline

AND...I keep thinking of more incredible moments. I could go on all day listing great vacations, birthday celebrations, days on the lake etc that have made 2010 AWESOME! Trust me...I'm the luckiest girl in the world!

Christmas Eve Photos

I have the greatest family in the world...

we're a mess.

Today is December 25...you know, Christmas Day.

Not for us, though.

We're saving Christmas this year until we can all be together.

The married one spent her holiday with the in-laws this year which leaves us stragglers in Friendswood spending this day like any other.

I'm not complaining.

Being together is more important to me than the date...for real.

One thing we did do similarly to normal is attend a Christmas Eve church service at my parent's church last night. After we took family photos (sans a couple of important people..don't be bitter, Rachel, we'll retake them when ya'll get here).

Because I have time today, I thought I'd post them here to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

You'll appreciate a few things about these photos. Apparently we can't do family photos with fewer than five...hints old man Sam (my parent's 13-year-old dog) joining us this year (what's that about, mom?). 

I think having Sam in the photo this year makes since as my parent's house has become a literal ZOO with all of our pets (in their absence sister and bro-in-law even allowed their "incredible" cat to be a part of our Christmas Day :) ).

All that to say...MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope your day is incredible. Praise Jesus for what this day represents. 

As messy as we are, I'm so thankful for a family that has shown me what Jesus' love looks like.

and a few outtakes to give you some real insight to the Schmale fam (my brother...the comedian):

December 27, when you're all remembering what a great Christmas Day you had...we'll be celebrating as if it were the 25th. Maybe stretching it out isn't so bad. Don't tell my sister I said so...it's kind of fun to make her feel bad. :)

Mr. Clause

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! There are so many things I love about it. In addition to what we're actually celebrating during this season, I love the feel of the holiday. I love the chill in the air (when a random "cold front" comes through Austin). I love the brights SPARKLY decorations around my house. I love the smell of cinnamon and pine. I love the music. I love the giving. I could go on and on. I just love it. And I'm so blessed because I get to celebrate it WELL!

I mentioned in the last post that my holiday season bursts at the seams with Christmas events...which I LOVE! Because of my job I get to photograph Christmas parties, volunteer groups decorating for Christmas, Family Christmas portraits, Christmas Tree Lightings,Christmas Musicals, Christmas Weddings, Christmas Donations and more. Really...no one has it this good.

One of the cool things about it, though, is I get to see some of the same holiday symbols over and over again with different looks, faces and feelings. Different people celebrate so differently. Its really fun for me to experience.

Well, as I finished editing another Christmas event today, I realized that I've seen several GREAT Santas this season. They're everywhere.

I thought I'd invite you to be a part of my holiday celebrations. So...unless you're trying to preserve your perfect mental image of good 'ol St. Nick, I invite you to chime in about which of these holiday men you think does his job best.

Who do you think represents Mr. Clause best?

Authenticlause

 Everbody's favorite: Chicklause

Dressed2Beclause

Harley Clause

Mall Clause

Which ones your favorite? You got any great stories about or photos with Santa to share? I would love to add to my collection :)

Merry Christmas!!!

Thanks Was Given in 2010

Thanksgiving is one of my very favorite holidays. Time with friends and family never fails to be super fun and memory filled.

This year was no exception.

The following is a brief photo montage of the day we gave thanks. There were 24 in attendance at this year's meal. The guests were all ages. There was lots of food, some football (WHOOP!), a little rain (thus the indoor feasting) and lots of laughter.

Below you'll see that we don't do just turkey for our Thanksmeal! :)

Schmarden!

All sorts of kids and babies these days.

Love this little one!

And, my siblings...the children whisperers.