Hardest Photo Shoot Ever

Nan brought her camera on Thanksgiving, so we decided to try and take some pictures of the girls while they were dressed up in their cute dresses. After 40 mins of picture-taking, 5 adult helpers and over 300 shots, there were only a handful of good pictures. It is really hard to get two 3 year-olds to both smile and look in the same direction at the same time. While they were happy and smiling during much of the photo shoot, they almost never looked into the camera... Oh well, I hope next year gets a little easier.

Naomi in ivory, Eliza in brown

Lots of the pictures turned out like this...

or this...

Some Thanksgiving Fun

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving here in Land O Lakes! Even though it was totally strange to watch White Christmas in 80 degree weather, we had a fantastic time at Clearwater beach this weekend. I love Florida! Here are a few Thanksgiving pics:

Naomi and Eliza helped us make pies. They loved it.

Eliza in brown and Naomi in white

We made a kid table for Naomi and Eliza.

The grown-up table - I got to use my wedding crystal for the first time.

Table pic from Mom's camera

Table pic with food

We went to a tree-lighting ceremony in New Hyde Park in Tampa. They had hula-hoops, which the girls loved. Here is Naomi trying to be like her Auntie Chrissy (aka the hula-hoop champ of Woodbrook Elementary or maybe College Wood... I forget)

The girls also visited Santa or maybe it was Dumbledore - I'm not sure.

We had a gingerbread house competition. Naomi and Eliza were team captains. Na picked Uncle John Kelly, Nan, and Granddad. Eliza picked Auntie Lo, Auntie Liz, and me. David was the judge (mostly because he was watching a game on tv...) Eliza's team won! This is the front of her house.

Back of Eliza's house

Side of Naomi's house

Front of Naomi's house

Eliza on Clearwater Beach - it was so beautiful.

My cell camera isn't great at night shots, but here are the Christmas lights on our palm tree. Props to Granddad for climbing up on the roof twice to put up the Christmas lights, then fixing the strand that decided to stop working later that night.

Disney World

When I found out we were moving to Tampa, I admit I was bummed. I had my heart set on Boston - a big city with culture and history. I imagined taking/dragging Naomi and Eliza to the MFA and the Freedom Trail, etc etc.

Now that we are here I have found lots of things that are great about Florida... the weather (it's like 80 and sunny everyday), the people (our ward and neighbors are so amazing), and of course the cost of living (woohoo).

BUT THE GREATEST THING OF ALL...

DISNEY WORLD!!!

As Florida residents, we now get cheap seasonal passes to the happiest place on earth! It only takes us about 75 mins for our house to Mickey's house. We even made it home in 67 mins once. We have already been a few times. It is so much fun to wake up in your own bed, go for a spin in the tea cups, then come home. Here are some pictures from our recent trips.

Please come visit us. We would love the excuse to go to Disney again!!!