MerryChristmasHappyNewYear!

What an amazingly restful holiday! I took the past two weeks off from work and stayed home; which is more of a challenge than you might think. Anna and I spent lots of time with our family and friends. Most vacations take us away from home and while we love to travel sometimes we feel like we miss out on the pure and undefiled awesomeness of San Luis Obispo.

Even though it has been good for me to take these couple of weeks off I found myself getting rather restless thinking of all the wonderful things I want to do for my business. I would sneak into my office to catch up on emails and then I would want to blog and then I would hear that voice. The one telling me to rest… and play. To enjoy all of the wonderful people that make up my family and friends. Because, what else is life but an journey and an adventure to share with the ones we love? Word.

I just had to post these goofy elf pictures to ceremoniously end the Holiday season. We had fun renting these costumes and dressing up for our Christmas Card. Our Photographer, Jeff Newsom (well, his wife) gave birth to the most beautiful baby on Christmas day. I would probably want to steal it if I didn’t have a chance of having my own. Now…I’m a creep. ;) I gotta get back to work; too much fresh air is making me crazy!

Merry Christmas from the Ingalls!

Thanksgiving marks the end of a very busy year for us of weddings, babies and so many kids to photograph. It also marks the start of my favorite Holiday ever; Christmas! We celebrate this season with grateful hearts and so much love to share with all of our family, friends and clients.

Anna and I are thrilled to launch a full line of totally awesome Christmas cards created exclusively for all of our wedding and portrait clients. We were soooo excited that we got all elfed-up for our Christmas portrait; compliments of the amazing Jeff Newsom. (thanks Jeff!)

We are offering 8 unique designs in 3 different sizes in either flat or folded cards. If you got married this year or had your kid’s photographed by the lovely and talented Mrs. Elf-Ingalls then let’s get your Christmas cards printed in time for the big month of merry mayhem ahead. We will email all of our current clients with ordering instructions.

Here are samples of what we’ve got going on. Which one is your favorite?

(Kisseltoe)

(Lampost)

(Santababy)

(NogginToboggin)

(Barn)

(Littlegirl)

(Sleighride)

(Snowman)

(Complete collection -4.5x5)

(Complete collection -4x8)

(Complete collection -5x7)

Operation Demolition.

The sugar overdose is sure to set in... I don't imagine these kids quietly reading a book or minding their manners for at least 3 days. I'm glad they are my new family and it's nice that at the end of the Christmas adventure I was able to go home to my lonely house. It's a weird thing that getting married means I automatically am adopting 3 nephews, a niece, and whatever other children Anna's siblings can bring into this world. I really love these kids and enjoy being called 'Uncle Sauce' (a dirivitave a my nickname 'Cam-sauce').

I admit there is some serious emotional adjusting going on for me; aquiring all of this excess family. I come from a pretty simple 2 children home with only a couple cousins that I barely know and lots of passed away members. It has been a dream of mine from childhood to have large family Christmas' again with kids all over the place, presents under the tree, wine flowing like milk and enough food to feed an elfin army. Anna's family has made me feel more than welcome and has been patient enough to allow me to adjust in my time. I am excited to adopt and be adopted into this loving family. Christmas was really good for me to just saturate in their presence. My mom and dad even came over for Christmas breakfast and we had a great time introducing them to each other.

Here is a fun video of the gingerbread house's demolition. This is one of those silly traditions that they do every year, which I kinda made fun of them for at first. However, after seeing just how it brings everyone together in the creativity/destruction, I really have begun to understand and appreciate it. It is so much better than just plugging into television and sacrificing intimacy during one of the greatest divine celebrations of our year.

Thanks to the Kriwinskis and Delmores for loving me into the family and reminding me all that CHRISTmas is about. I feel closer to Christ's love because of you guys.

I wish I were 2 inches tall.

This is the amazing gingerbread house that my Fiance's cousin and mother made this year. Anna's brother Joel even got into it and did a bit of structural engineering work on the layout. It's a yearly tradition and a pretty cool one at that. Just wanted to share a little Christmas Eve love with you all!

Tacky Office Christmas Party

Friday night we had our 2nd annual Tacky Christmas Party. This year's theme was extended to 'Tacky OFFICE Christmas Party'. Anna and I have become big fans of 'The Office' recently with their outdated clothing stlye and frequent awkward moments. Jeff & Kim Newsom were the couple of the night and Jeff never broke out of character. His 'office name' was Herb. Herb is a simple man. Herb doesn't say much. Herb just kinda stares at you through his bifocals until his moustache creeps you out and you have to get up and make an excuse as to why you are leaving the conversation. Herb has an arm that doesn't go down and no one has the nerve to ask Herb why. Herb also won the white elephant trophey of the night, a sweet new Mac SE. Herb is one proud Mac owner.

Merry Christmas!

These are my friends Brandi & Elisha. I don't typically d0 family photos because they can be so stale and awkwardly contrived. But my arm was twisted and I agreed to help Brandi out for her Christmas cards. I photographed Elisha when he was a just born. He is the sweetest kid and I'm sure someday will pull off a pretty amazing afro. Can't wait for the day. Pictures to come. I loved making the Christmas card all yellow-saturated. It is just a real contrast from Christmas greens and reds.