The Camera Dilemma

I have been saving money for a long time in order to buy a DSLR camera.  Costco was having a really good deal on the Canon Rebel T3i, so we bit the bullet and bought it.  I don't have any experience with cameras other than the point and shoot.  And that's all I do with it...point and shoot.  So having the DSLR in my hands made me feel completely overwhelmed and unqualified.  

I took a couple of pictures.  It was at night in our house.  So I know part of it is the lighting and not the camera's fault.  

 Elvis ornament from Graceland. :)

 Nels with the tree and gifts.

 Me with the tree.

I was pretty excited about the camera.  But then Christmas morning came and the kids were awake...and moving. haha.  I pulled out the camera to take pics and this is what I got.

 Isak came zooming at the camera so excited.  And it made me worry...a lot.   What was I thinking?  I have no idea how to work the camera and what if the kids or I break it?  Later that day we went outside and I was too afraid to take the camera with me.  I am such a chicken.

Here's princess.

 Isak with the first toy we opened.

That's all of the pictures I took with the Canon that somewhat turned out.  Then I decided...to take it back.  I am kind of sad about it.  But I think now is not the time for me to have a camera like this.  Here's my reasons...(to remind myself when I say, "why did I return it??")
1. I don't know how to use it.
2.  I don't have time to learn how to use it.
3.  I'm afraid to take it anywhere.
4.  By the time I get the camera out the moment I wanted to capture is gone.

So we returned the DSLR for a point and shoot, the Nikon Coolpix.

But after using the Nikon for a couple of weeks, I think I want something different!!!  Ah!!  I like the size of the Nikon and that it isn't complicated.  But it has an incredibly slow shutter speed...or it's delayed??  I don't know the right terms.

So help....what is a good non-dslr camera?  Any suggestions.
Sorry for the ramble!  haha.

Ice Cream Anyone?

I love that Nels is able to come home for lunch.  The kids and I love seeing him, even when it's a little crazy.  One lunch Nels brought out the ice cream.  Oh boy.  The kids just gathered around and tried to be patient while dad fed them.  I don't think he got to eat very much.  :)  

They were so cute...see for yourself. :)

Kira touched the container, grabbed the spoon...she was trying to figure out how to get more ice cream faster.

I just love these little moments among all the craziness.

The Challenge

One day back in November, Nels and I were taking a walk with the babies.  The conversation was about books.  I realized I had not read Nels's favorite book and he had not read mine.  We weren't really interested in reading each other's favorite book.  So we decided to do a book reading challenge to help motivate us.  Nels's favorite book is Atlas Shrugged.  Mine is Pride and Prejudice.  Since Atlas Shrugged is so long and has very small print, Nels accepted the challenge to read 3 of my favorite books to make it more even.  I chose The Book Thief, Pride and Prejudice and Ender's Game.

We wrote it all up in contract fashion, signed and dated!

 As the contract states, First person done reading book(s) gets to order filet mignon at Outback Steakhouse.  The loser gets to order a hamburger.  Pretty good motivation.  :) 

We stopped watching Netflix and wasting time on other things so we could read and beat the other person.  It was pretty intense, but Nels won in the end.  I finished 45 minutes later.  So it was a close race!

We went to Outback and Nels ordered the filet. 

I ordered the hamburger, which ended up being burnt and did not taste good!

The whole dinner we discussed the books we read.  It was a fun way to connect with each other.
I look forward to doing another challenge, because I have to win the next one!!

Christmas Sunday Outfits

Nels's mom gave us these adorable Christmas outfits.  I took a few pictures before church.  Isak was ready for a nap...

 Isn't he handsome though?!

 Sweet Kira.

 I love how Isak is standing.

 Downward facing dog.  Isak's favorite move. :)

 Such a cutie.

 Bow tie and all.  The sleeves have elbow patches too.

 Kira was very wiggly.  So I only got a couple of her.

 Most of them blurry.

 A picture of the two of them together...impossible.

 Finally holding still while she examines her shoe.

 Tried different settings on my camera. :)

One armed photo.  Look at Isak's face!  haha.

 Isn't his red hair gorgeous!

Next year I need to remember to take a picture of all four of us dressed up for church and I want a picture of the kids in front of the Christmas tree.  Totally forgot to do that!

Sequence of Pictures

Isak can walk, Kira cannot...yet.  But she loves this orange push walker.  Well, Isak likes to take it away from Kira.  I was quietly eating my breakfast one morning, when I looked over and saw the beginnings of trouble.  So like any good mother I took pictures. haha.

The beginning...Isak thinks, "I'm going to take this walker away from Kira."

 "Just squeeze in on the side of her."

 Kira looks over, "What does he think he's doing!?:"  Isak, "I've almost got it."

 Kira, "No, I will not give in."

 Isak, "This is harder than I thought, maybe if I pull her off."  Um bad idea Isak.  This is when Mom puts down the camera and steps in....

Sharing...when does that concept sink in? haha.

Merry Christmas to All!

 We had a wonderful Christmas.  It was our first Christmas with just our little family.  No visitors and we didn't go anywhere.  Wait, now that I am thinking about it...our first Christmas we were married we were actually alone on Christmas day...Nels had to work.  Then we flew to Chicago after Christmas.  So technically this was our second Christmas alone.  Anyways...

It was very low stress and relaxing.  For Christmas dinner we actually had Costco pizza. haha.  We made an actual Christmas dinner two days later.  We just played with the kids and relaxed the whole day.

Nels's sister Kierstin had us for gift exchanges.  She did a 14 day Christmas gift.  We opened a gift everyday.  So fun and thoughtful.  One of the days was window decorations.  The kids had fun with them.

 Christmas Eve we tried to implement some traditions.  haha.  Tried being the key word. :)  We opened the Christmas pj's and I just wanted a cute picture...this is the best one.

 Isak was not cooperating very well.  I love Kira's expression though.

 They are both coughing in this one...yes, both of our kids were sick for the holidays.

 Kira let us know she was DONE and to put her to bed.  Poor girl.

 But we, the parents, wanted to do one more thing.  Read the Night Before Christmas.

 The kids endured.

 Christmas morning we read Luke 2 and then opened presents.

 So fun!

 This is the most Kira touched her doll.  Both kids were kind of scared of the doll.  It remains in the closet most days.  We bring it out once in a while.

 Isak's big gift was this Jeep!  He can ride it, push it, play music and more.

 The boys giving the "This is awesome" look.

 My parents gave the babies this church book.  I love that Kira is surrounded by her new toys but just looks at the book about Jesus.  She already knows the true meaning of Christmas.  We are so lucky to have both Isak and Kira.

 This was the day after Christmas.  So happy with their new toys!

 This was our tree...The tree started out with decorations on the bottom, but as they babies explored everything got moved up and out of their reach.

I made this tree skirt.  It's ruffles.  Fun to make and I think it turned out well.  I finished it completely on Christmas day.  So I am excited for next year when I can enjoy it a little longer.

I enjoyed these two ornaments this year.  The babies footprints.  So tiny.

This Christmas was special with our two little ones to celebrate with us.