Elf in the Vent

Every Year at this Time, I see all of these Elves on the Shelves photos, posts, etc. and I can't help but think how the marketers of this Christmas item had to be one of my mom's friends back in the '70's. Because you see, I had an elf too, all the way back then, in the 1900's. 

This elf even looks like he is from the '70's...

But my elf was invisible and he lived in the air vent in my room, and he lived their all year round, not just a few weeks before Christmas. And we wonder why I was scared to sleep in my room for a time. My mom often told  me that my elf was watching me and reporting back to the North Pole. 

See that little angelic face right there....she knew about the elf in the air vent.

So I just know that the makers of the Elf on the Shelf just had to be one of my mom's friends or one of her customers at the bank....someone had to hear how she  talked about the elf in the air vent, and years later marketed her idea. Just think, Mom, you were on to something..AND NOW someone stole your idea.

Christmas at Honey's and Lovey's in the '70s...Can you dig my Brady Bunch style dress? 

And So from My experience with the elf in the air vent, that's why we don't really get involved in the elf thing...it was pretty scary to me back in the day.and these elves that make little messes, my kids make enough of those as it is, we don't need to make any on purpose.

Enjoy your elves on the shelf....but remember it was my mom's idea...and the original elf lives in the air vent ALL YEAR LONG....and he's invisible. 

Out takes happen...

Thanksgiving has come and gone, the Christmas decor is up...and the family knows what that means...it's time for the family photo for the Christmas card. I prepare my family early, reminding them that the family photo shoot is coming soon, but no one really gets excited about it.

So on Sunday, just moments before Zach is ready to head back to college, I say, "Let's get that photo taken." At which I get the following responses: "I have not shaved in three days, Zach needs to load up, what are we going to wear??
Eventually everyone gets ready or sort of ready....Shek decides to pose with the GQ pose on the back of the couch. Zach says, we have to take these outside not inside. I wanted the inside so maybe just maybe we would all keep our eyes open at the same time....
BUT we went outside, and Gam was here so she snapped our photos.

 Just the Berry family keeping it real. 

No photo shoot is complete with out our photo bomber, Shek. I was trying to take Jolie and Gam's photo. 

I liked this one..we look half way decent and the black and white kind of camouflages squinting eyes, but this photo will not fit on any photo cards in shutterfly...it won't even fit as my cover page on facebook without cutting someone out.

 I look at everyone else's blog, and facebook and see happy photogenic families AND I wonder how do they do it? Maybe, everyone else keeps the out takes to themselves?
Wouldn't it be great if one year everyone on your Christmas card list chose a blooper for their card instead of a picture perfect one. It would be a fun way to spread a little Christmas cheer....

I finally got the cards ordered last night. Yes, Virginia, we have a photo that made the Christmas Card Cut!!!
Stay tuned to see which one we used for our Christmas card..
Thanks Gam for snapping the photos of our not so camera happy group.

Christmas at Belmont

On the day after Karlie's birthday, we headed to Nashville for a Christmas in Belmont presentation. We left early so that we would be there for the 3 pm show. This year it was being recorded for PBS. Can't wait to set the DVR.

Road trips make us happy, excited,

and silly...

Here we are with Zach before the performance started.

And it snowed....for a little while.

It was great seeing Zach and Emily perform in Christmas at Belmont.

Happy 18th to Karlie....

Can you believe it? Karlie turned 18 last Sunday. Her constant phrase is "Tell me What?" So Shek thought it would be a good idea to have it put on her cake. Many people can't believe she's 18. SO the tell me what seemed appropriate for her cake. It was a delicious Publix chocolate cake with Cream cheese Icing... her flavor of choice.

I took a video of us singing Happy Birthday with my phone.

Karlie has always wanted a sockmonkey. So I found one to wrap along with her clothes and boots. Jolie loved taking photos of her with her sockmonkey.

Silly sisters posing with Sock monkeys.

And the next day, we all went on a road trip to Nashville to see Zach sing in Christmas at Belmont.  We love a road trip.