Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a joyous, safe, and memorable Christmas filled with their favorite things and most of all, their loved ones! I am so excited to see my children's faces light up tomorrow morning- there will be no greater gift than to watch them enjoy the day! Experiencing the wonder of the season through their eyes has been pure delight!

Congratulations to Lauren C. for today's correct answer of: A Visit From St. Nicholas

**Short disclaimer** All prizes awarded during the "12 Days of Christmas" hold no cash value and must be redeemed in 2007. Booking of sessions is subject to availability.

Merry Christmas!
~M

On the twelfth (and final) day of Christmas…

Congratulations to Jen J. on the correct answer of 5 cents!

Today the 1st person to email me the correct answer will receive a $100 credit to be used toward prints from a session in 2007.

And the question is... The classic poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" was originally known by what name?
blog@expressionsbymelanie.com

On the eleventh day of Christmas...

Congratulations to Vicki D. for the correct answer to the 10th day's question (Red Ryder BB gun)! I'm going to post this one a wee bit early because I don't think my eyes will hold out until midnight!

Today (Dec. 23rd) the 3rd person to email me with the correct answer will pay no session fee on a session held in 2007.

Today's question: How much did Lucy charge for a psychiatric session in A Charlie Brown Christmas?
blog@expressionsbymelanie.com

On the tenth day of Christmas…

Congratulations to Kelly H. for the correct answer of Clarence!
Today the 7th person to email me with the correct answer will receive a 10x20 collage from a session booked in 2007.

What did Ralphie want for Christmas in the movie A Christmas Story? (be specific).
blog@expressionsbymelanie.com

On the ninth day of Christmas…

Congratulations to Jennifer T. and her friend Kelly G. for the correct answer of: So I could wish you a Merry Christmas!

Today the 4th person to email me the correct answer will receive a 16x20 from a session booked in 2007.

What was the name of the angel in the movie It's a Wonderful Life?
blog@expressionsbymelanie.com

On the eighth day of Christmas....

Congratulations to Brenda S. for yesterday's correct answer of Turkey!

Today's giveaway is an 11x14 for you + a friend.
Be the 8th person to email me the correct answer AND a friend's name and you'll both receive an 11x14 when you book a session in 2007.

In the song "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth", why do I want my two front teeth?

On the seventh day of Christmas....

Congratulations to Amanda D. for yesterday's correct answer of Charles Dickens!

The 6th person to email me the correct answer will receive a 10x15 collage from a session booked in 2007.
Today’s question: St. Nicholas was born in what country?
blog@expressionsbymelanie.com

On the sixth day of Christmas....

Amy P. is the winner of yesterday’s trivia with the correct answer of Parson Brown. Congratulations!

The 3rd person to email me with the correct answer will receive a "mini collection" that includes 2 8x10’s and 2 5x7’s (from a session booked in 2007).

Today’s trivia question: Who wrote A Christmas Carol?
blog@expressionsbymelanie.com

On the fifth day of Christmas...

Angie G. is the winner for yesterday’s correct answer of Donner—congratulations!

For today’s trivia the 5th person to email me the correct answer will receive an 11x14 from a session booked next year.
In the song "Winter Wonderland", who do we pretend the snowman is?
blog@expressionsbymelanie.com

Family

Especially during this time of the year, we are reminded of the importance of family. Many of us get so wrapped up in the day-to-day acts of life that we forget to take time to soak up and enjoy the little things. I know all too soon my little ones won't be so needy and and demand so much of my time. There will be a time that my house won't be cluttered with dolls, matchbox cars, or the feast (made of only the best toy food to be found) that my two year old carefully prepared for me to eat. There will come a day when I'll find fewer sticky hand prints on my walls and windows, fewer times when a chubby little hand reaches up to grab mine to lead me off to a new adventure, and less times when snuggling with mommy is a great ending to the day.
Sometimes I need to remind myself to not only live in the here and now but to cherish these times- even the days when I want to pull my hair out- for one day, one day all too soon- I won't be needed nearly enough!

With that, here is a precious family that I love working with.

On the fourth day of Christmas....

Congrats to Sharon D. and her friend Tammy H.- with the correct answer of Santa!
Today's prize- a "mini collection" of 1 8x10 and 2 5x7's from a session held in 2007.
Here's the question- What was Rudolph's father's name?
Be the 1st person to email to win!
blog@expressionsbymelanie.com

On the third day of Christmas....

Congratulations Julie R. for yesterday’s correct answer- Bethlehem

Today’s giveaway is for the winner + a friend! Be the 8th person to email me the correct answer AND a friend’s name and you’ll both receive a 10x13 with your paid session in 2007.
Little hint... For a better chance, have your friend email me as well!

Here’s the question-
In the movie Frosty the Snowman, who brought Frosty back to life?
blog@expressionsbymelanie.com

On the second day of Christmas...

Thanks for playing yesterday! Congratulations to Karen W. for the correct answer on yesterday's trivia (Blitzen)!
I will notify each day’s winner by email!

Today’s giveaway is a picture ornament- as seen HERE

Be the 10th person to answer this question for your ornament (Includes 2 pictures from a session that took place in 2006 OR if you have yet to have a session it can be used in 2007.)
And the question is...
What town was Jesus born in?
Remember to use this email- blog@expressionsbymelanie.com

On the first day of Christmas…

Today’s giveaway will be an 8x10 from a session held in 2007. So, if you’ve booked a session (or plan on booking a session) be the 3rd person to email me with the answer and you’ll receive an 8x10 with your paid session.
To qualify you must email me at this address: blog@expressionsbymelanie.com

The Trivia Question....
Name the reindeer whose name begins with a “B”.
And remember, there’s no limit to how many times one person may enter or win!
~M

Now for some of the GIRLS on my calendar

Here are some of the cute little dolls I've had the pleasure of photographing lately!

Miss Maggie- who's always fashionable and just too cute for words!



Then there's this cutie- just look at that sweet smile!


Miss Lauren.
I photographed her little sister, Lexi, earlier in the summer and loved meeting the beautiful big sister!



Lily... who was just a sweetheart!



Miss Serious-- and a cutie pie!


Sweet babies (another Lauren!)
Just look at those rolls!!! What a DOLL!




And Carter, who is as cute as a button!

The 12 Days of Christmas... the trivia game

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas....
Beginning Wednesday, December 13th I'll be posting fun Christmas trivia. Each day there will be a prize for one lucky person who emails me the correct answer- some days it may be the 1st person to email and others it may be the 10th! Be sure to tell your friends as some prizes will be for you AND a friend!
There will be no limit to how many times you can play OR win- so participate each day!
The last day (Christmas Eve) will be the biggest giveaway.... so be sure to keep playing!

Adorable Sisters

Look at these two precious sisters! Lucky girls to have each other!

Wow

Has it really been almost a MONTH since I updated this blog???? My days have been filled with sessions, proofing, placing orders, designing cards, and just everything else that goes along with this time of year. I have missed getting on here and updating with some of the wonderful families/babies/children/couples that I've had the pleasure of photographing!
I'm happy to say that I'm seeing the light (maybe I've just been staring at the Christmas tree too long???) and all sessions/orders are just about wrapped up. No pun intended! I'll continue to have orders come in to the last possible minute but it is finally settling down around here.
I do need to take time to thank my ever faithful assistant, Beth. I honestly would not have made it without her! She has taken over preparing files for ordering, packaging, keeping me organized, and just a lot of the time consuming "stuff" that comes along with any business! So a HUGE thanks to her!! She's AMAZING!

I've got some FUN giveaways for the Blog in the upcoming days so be sure to check back daily.... I'll give more details VERY soon!

Now I want to back up and share some of the sessions that not only have filled the blocks on my calendar, but have each in their own way, brought a smile to my face.
This family was awesome to work with. Two VERY busy little girls but I enjoy a challenge!
Oh, and for the faint of heart-- you may want to skip over the "look at me fly" picture. Yes, sometimes I hold my breath as I snap these but they are SO fun! And if you're wondering, NO I've never had anyone dropped!