countdown to christmas part I

Before turning over to a new year I thought I it would be nice to at least be caught up on December. Let us not forget the entire month of November (minus Thanksgiving). Oh and that trip we took back in October, yikes. Back to December.

We started the month wondering if Ada was even going to like Christmas. We put our tree up the weekend following Thanksgiving. Ada did not like the bare naked tree. She in fact was repulsed by it. As if on a preceding night the bold green Christmas tree had snuck into her room and promised nothing but hatred and hurt. She literally screamed and cried at the big green "monster" that stood tall in our living room. We of course laughed and we videoed. I suppose if I was right under 2.5 feet tall a Christmas Tree could look like a big scary hairy green odd human. Of course upon adorning him with some sparkle Ada learned to accept, love and even torture our fine tall green furry friend.

proof... (please forgive us. I promise we ARE good parents)

I was further assured that Ada would enjoy Christmas (not that I REALLY ever doubted) when a couple of days later a package came in the mail and Ada immediately dove right into the bubble wrap, paper and boxes.

We later turned Ada's feet green...

...along with two friends...

...to make these for their grandparents

The green foot definitely required a late night bath, which was held in our kitchen sink and no this is not the only time in Ada's 10 month of life that we have bathed her in her bathtub in the kitchen sink. Call me crazy or old and feeble, but bending over in the real bath does not feel good on the knees and back.

We then went to Ada's first Christmas party where we did her first ever craft, a reindeer from the tracings of her hand...

...at this sweet little girls house.

Lastly we played on a train on a mountain with three friends.

The conductor and host for the event who was not quite himself, but a sweetheart anyway.

Our three fellow passengers. Wish Ada was had been in this shot too.

Come aboard...

...stay for a while...

make a proposal...

We tried to get a picture of all three. Well, obviously we got a picture, but there were very diverse emotions following through this scene. Reed was ready to get the heck out of there, the girls (A.K. and Ada)were chatting and Jackson wanted to simply check out Ada's shoes.

We have also been having issues with Ada standing in her highchair. I promise you I have the strap so tight I feel like I am going to cut off her circulation and she maneauvers her way out. I am fully aware that taking photos of this misdemeanor only reinforces this bad habit, but I had to take just one :) Oh and we have resorted to Ada sitting in her travel highchair while eating which cost us a fifth of her "real" highchairs cost. Hindsight is always 20/20, but man we should have JUST bought the travel highchair.

Lastly, Ada was caught with her hand in the cheese straw jar. Shame on us for turning our backs with our goodies laid on the couch. Better cheese straws than chocolate dipped pretzels. For her that is :)

This concludes week one of our Christmas festivities.

wordless wednesday

thank you for the reminder :)

giving is awesome

I first heard of Giving is Awesome here. As soon as I heard about it I knew I definitely wanted to be a part and hope you will too.

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography, including 20 4x6s, 10 5x7s, 5 8x10s, 1 11x14, and a 16x24 mounted canvas. It's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a complimentary session and a print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Tennessee. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my services. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : moncriefphotography@gmail.com

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

much love,

-brittany-

moncrief photography

P.S. Feel free to link to this on your blog if you so desire

a weekend of thanks

With Christmas just THIRTEEN days away I thought I should at least post about our Thanksgiving weekend. The rest of November will just have to wait for another time.

Thursday: The three Moncrief's embarked on a Thanksgiving tradition that my other immediate family had been holding true to for several years now. With Jimmy's dad and stepmom now living in Chattanooga we now are able to stay in our hometown and still spend time with them over the holiday of thanks. Early T-Day morning we got bundled up to do the our local Turkey Trot. This five, three or 1 mile event was destined to do some pre-burning of the evenings caloric intake. Not as ambitious as the remainder of my family Ada and I chose the three miler and were thankful to have Melissa, Emma and my neice Peyton Carli along for the trek too! We hope to make this a tradition of our own. I have loved doing new things this year that will mark the inauguration of new traditions with Ada.

All of the family that participated in the event.

Dad came for moral support :)

My three mile buddy

Beautiful Emma girl and...

Ada Love

My sisters kept poking fun of my toboggan and said I should go hug that tree over there. I well I ain't scared and maybe we all should be a little bit more like the tree huggers. Besides I thought staying warm always equated to looking a little homeless.

After the trot we headed to IHOP. Which I just learned within the last ten years was in fact NOT an indian restaurant, but instead a house of pancakes. What better way to stretch out your tummy for dinner than to eat an expandable brunch.

Aunt Suzi "gave" Ada some syrup. Thankfully she just pretended to let it drip on the open mouthed little bird. Pretended, ya right, the chick ended up sticky, but thankfully none made it in the beak :)

The group and thankfully the Crane's were brave enough to come along too. Everyone again made fun because I almost set in a guys lap while taking this shot. Sad enough, the guy was sitting all alone on the holiday of thanks. We asked him to join us, but he declined.

That evening we headed to my parents where my entire family (minus Roman :( was with us along with Jimmy's Dad and Inn. I was not in charge of taking pictures that evening so I am actually in several.

I know others have mentioned that their little ones were able to participant in the Thanksgiving feast and mine was one of those as well. Ada's favorite was the sweet potato casserole that I provided, but who doesn't like "good" for you foods packed full of cinnamon and sugar. It was my first time making it and will definitely again since it is SO easy.

Jennifer once again introduced us to a new game. I am so serious, every time we are together she has another new one. This one was called Snorka, I think.

I have mentioned before that we are chocoholics in this family and here we are in action. I love Jennifer's chocolate goatee. One day Ada will be standing right beside us with a beard of chocolate and a mullet of syrup.

Yes, here we have a toilet. My parents have a house that was built in the 1970's and while the house has been completely refurbished chocolate shag carpet and all until recently the mint green toilet in one of the bathrooms remained. The picture leaves no room to guess our reaction.

Friday, we had a surprise visit from our friends Chris and Christy Vaughn who currently live in Washington D.C. It was so awesome to see you guys and guess what they are expecting. A girl. In April. Yippee. Once again, the baby boom continues.

Saturday was the what fourth??? annual cookie extravaganza with my Becca Boo. We made gingersnaps, peanut butter balls and little pretzel contraptions. This time we elicited help from my neice, Peyton Carli, who helped out a ton. With Peyton and cutting down to only making three items we turned a typically twelve hour event into one that lasted only four or five. I love this tradition! I am sad to say I did not take any pictures of all of our hard work and have now either eaten or given away all the evidence :(

That night my family went out to eat at O'Charley's. While finishing up our meal the kids taught Ada how to click her tongue. I love love love it when this little girl clicks her tongue. I think it is so very cute. Here she is getting instructions and then a video of her in action.

Sunday was a special time. We had Ada dedicated at our church and were so thankful that our families could be in attendance. While we do not believe that dedication will secure a spot in heaven for our little girl we do it as a means to be held accountable in how we raise our daughter, for the Lord and not for man. Becca said that while we bowed our heads during prayer Ada was looking down too, like what are we looking for. :)

Our group outside of the church: Papa Campbell, Mimi, Halmoni, Halabaji, Aunt Suzi, Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Mark, Ada, Jimmy, me, Peyton Carli and Preston. Plus, Becca who was taking the picture :) Thank you everyone for coming and showing your support. We love each of you very much.

Becca "wearing" Ada as we walking to our lunch destination, Taco Mac, in the brisk wintry weather.

Lastly, during the cookie extravaganza we got a call that Miss November had made her appearance. Whew, right in time. She almost went into December :) Past her due date, I know Robbie and Katie were more than ready for this little girl to get here. So Sunday we had to go see our friends and their brand new babe. Presenting sweet cuddly little Josie Makayla. Isn't she just so sweet and I just love the name Josie. I was able to take several pictures of Josie at the hospital and then do an at home session. Click here to see more.

I am thankful for good friends.
I am thankful for a loving family.
I am thankful for a saviour that lives and loves unconditionally.