Christmas at the Ruffners'

'Twas the night before Christmas
at the Ruffners' house
not a creature was stirring
not even a mouse...

That's because we were out shopping. Yup, we spent Christmas Eve out on the town, specifically the grocery store and the mall.
We found a nice winter coat for Anslie 75% off at Macy's

and then had our Christmas Eve dinner at Chili's.



Not very traditional, I know, but hey, maybe it will become one for us. Without family close by it gets pretty boring knocking around the house by ourselves. Besides, who wants to cook a huge dinner and make a huge mess just for 2 1/2 people?!
After dinner we came home and unloaded our stockings.


Then it was bath time, story time, and bed time...for Anslie and I (we pooped out at 8:00pm). Christmas morning started at 7:45am. Anslie was entertained for about 10 minutes by tearing the wrapping paper off the presents, so we had to open most of her gifts for her.




Anslie thought it was much more fun to play with the torn wrapping paper and trash all over the ground...or to sit and stand on the gifts.





We all got some great gifts - I got a new flat iron and a new pair of jeans (I must say that Weight Watchers works because they are the smallest jeans I have ever fit into!!!),

Kevin got a tinted visor for his motorcycle helmet and some new shoes,

and Anslie got lot of clothes - including the most adorable slippers and robe - toys, and puzzles.



We were very blessed this year and are so grateful for everything we received!

After lots of time to relax and play with our new things, we went over to our good friends' family's house for a very delicious Christmas dinner. They were so sweet and made sure that Anslie had gifts to open with all of the other kids. She got some more clothes and her first My Little Pony. Thanks, McMackins!!! (Unfortunately I forgot our memory card for the camera at home so I don't have any pictures to post) :(

We wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and an even happier New Year!!! May everyday be filled with the joy and beauty the Christmas Season brings!

Some Bridal Shots

Here is another slideshow of some bridals I took for a friend:

Portfolio

I know it's small. I couldn't choose so I used all of them for my portfolio. I just sectioned each subject off. If you can't see these and want to check out the full-sized slide show, go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shillawna/sets/721576113076495431/show/

A New Home

We have found a new home for Penelope! We will be placing her with a retired couple where she will have a large house and backyard to play in, and where she will also be the center of attention and get all of the love she needs. I think these people are such a blessing because it is hard to give up an animal that you raised from birth and that you also once treated like a child. I am grateful that she will be living in such a wonderful situation and it gives Kevin and I peace of mind knowing all of this. We will have her through Christmas and then we will be dropping her off on the 26th. Goodbye, sweet puppy. We'll miss you dearly.

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"

We got our tree on Friday and Anslie's favorite part of the experience was testing out her new "wings" at the Christmas Tree Lot (she is walking completely now).

Our tree hunting experience happens like this every year: We walk into the lot expecting to take some time finding the "perfect tree" and the first one we grab is the best one we look at. It's almost anti-climactic.

Kevin tied the tree to the top of the car..and I don't think he did a very good job because it almost slid off the roof on the way home. Very scary!


On Saturday we took Anslie to see Santa. The lady who was in charge of taking poloroids of the kids told me to walk in backwards and then place Anslie in Santa's lap and then walk away with my back to her so that Anslie wouldn't freak. I said, 'whatever - my kid is brave!' I marched in holding Anslie so that she could see Santa, put her in his lap, they had a little conversation, and I took my own pictures. Anslie wasn't scared one bit. Told you she was brave!


It was a fun couple of days and helped to bring the Christmas Spirit into our home. Now we just have to figure out how to keep Anslie away from the tree!

Poor Penelope

Unfortunately we have to get rid of Penelope. :( She bit Anslie on Sunday night (she didn't draw blood, but I just can't take the chance it could happen again) so we are working with the Springer Spaniel Rescue in our area to find her a new home. So...


We are looking for a family without small children to give Penelope a new home. She is a very sweet dog who is house-broken, crate trained, walks on a leash, knows all behavioral commands, and likes a lot of love and attention. She was raised with another dog but is shy around large dogs because she was attacked by a rottweiler. Penelope was also raised as an indoor pet and prefers spending time around people rather than being outside by herself. She will fit in well with a family that can give her a lot of attention through exercise and grooming. Penelope does have a sensitive stomach so she is not used to eating anything but dog food and tends to pee when she gets over-excited or nervous. We are sad to give her up, but unfortunately she has not adjusted well to the addition of a baby in the household. We hope you can provide her with the loving home she needs.

Last Day of Class

Today is the last day of my photography class (*sniffle*) but I am really excited to turn in my final portfolio. I am really happy with the way all of my portraits turned out and thought I would share them with everyone. Also, I wanted to send out a special 'thanks' to all of my WONDERFUL models. Everyone was SOOOOO patient and had such a great attitude about letting me explore what my "vision" for this project was going to be. You were all amazing...and I know that most of these pics would never wind up on your wall because they aren't the traditional beautiful portraits. But in the words of Tyra Banks, you all mastered the "ugly/pretty" look and allowed me to capture some great images. Also, thanks to all of those people who modeled for me but didn't make it into my portfolio. You were also totally amazing, great, and wonderful, and I most certainly will be able to use your pics in another portfolio with a different theme.
You're awesome and I hope you all like these pictures too...or at least find them interesting to look at, anyway. (I think they are definately more intense in person, so come by to see them if you get the chance!)