In my family we always wait until after my birthday to decorate for Christmas, so this weekend was Christmas decorating time! We went to Mainstay Farm and picked out our tree. Dan cut it down and Layla and I watched and then we came home, turned on Vince Guaraldi and pulled out our ornaments and decorations. This is the first year we are decorating for Christmas as a married couple. Last year we were extremely busy and then in Denver for a wedding the week of Christmas and didn’t get home until Christmas Eve, so we ended up taping up two of our favorite socks onto the wall as stockings and that was it for Christmas decor. Dan and I both agreed that decorating our house really made it feel like our own little family. I just love our tree and I love the fire roaring and the Christmas tree and my snowman decorations and the dogs trying to drink the tree water, it all has found a very fond place in my heart.

This whole event is making me so thankful for my family and all of the fun traditions we had/still have. My mom dropped off some of her amazing home made hot chocolate, I can’t wait for her Christmas cookies! At thanksgiving I posted about thanksgiving traditions and didn’t get a very big response…but now that I am bribing you with Cans maybe some of you will answer?! I would LOVE to hear about your holiday traditions! Please please comment and tell me!

Also, since I have been feeling sentimental, I have decided to do yet another mini-session. Yes, I know, I am going nuts with the mini sessions, but they have been so much fun! I love meeting new families and I really love the feedback after the sessions. So many people have been traumatized by terrible photoshoots and I want to undo what has been done and give you the gift of fun photos with your family so you can remember all of the happy REAL times you had together! Here are just a few excerpts from emails that I have received:

“Thanks for everything- this is the best photo shoot we have ever had!!!! It is your fun spirit that made us all comfortable- and it showed! Can’t wait to send out family photos we are happy with—for once.”

“Thank you! You captured my girls so well! I am going to recommend you to all my friends!”

and if you are not convinced, here are a few reviews people have left on Google:

“Fun, Creative, Delightful! Kate is an excellent and inspiring photographer! I really enjoyed my shoot with her. Our photographs are beautiful, high quality, and reflect our personalities. Every time I return to her blog I am impressed by her new ideas and creativity. She is also fun and easy to work with. Hire Kate!”

“Kate Leverenz is the best!!! I had a family photography session with Kate Leverenz in March 2010. She is an extremely talented photographer with an eye for great shots. You can tell that she loves what she does because it reflects in her work. If you haven’t done so already, go take a look at her galleries on www.kateleverenz.com … and then go ahead and book a session! I highly recommend her to anyone….families, parents of newborns, couples, etc.!!!”

So..come hang out with me for 25 minutes the day after Christmas and we will take some FUN family pictures. I know everyone will be in town for Christmas, so bring them all along. How many times do you get the whole family together for pictures? Will it be a bit chilly, well yes, it probably will. That’s why the session will be 25 minutes. The sessions will be from 2:30-4:30. Email me to reserve a slot, contact@kateleverenz.com

Don’t forget to comment and tell me about your favorite holiday tradition(s)!