OH WHAT FUN

Who: The Malnar Family - Justin, Meredith, Jackson and Andrew

Location: The park area adjacent to the Brazos Center. The location was suggested by our lovely photographer because it was a great morning location (our shoot started at 7:45 am) and does fall tones well. The bridge made an excellent backdrop.

We loved seeing y'all use the somewhat hidden park right behind the Brazos Center, it has the BEST bridge/wooden walkway ever! Merry Momma Cindy did a photo shot there with her three little ladies a few years ago. The bridge is just great!

Clothes: I was so proud of myself for really planning ahead for our outfits for this shoot. About a month before, I shopped online and bought everyone coordinating outfits. When the packages started arriving though, I realized my best laid plans were a major fail. The colors that looked to be complimentary on my computer screen clashed in real life, my top was ill fitting, etc. So without much time, I shopped our closets big time. I started with Andrew's green and blue plaid shirt and went from there. I think Jackson's shirt was the only thing we bought new and I believe it came from Target. 

Well, Momma Meredith, shopping your closet was a GREAT idea and you were WAY ahead of the curve on this one...PLAIDS! PLAIDS! PLAID! They are everywhere this year. And NAVY is always classic and timeless.

Dad / Mom / Daughter / Son

(And that navy and white plaid shirt has been in my cart at Target no less than 5 times, but I always put it back...I think I'm getting it next time!)

Momments: (As in Mom Comments) The tricycle and the way the boys interacted together on it played perfectly with the "Oh What Fun!" theme I had in my head. Having two small boys is loud, messy, crazy, exhausting, but ultimately so much fun. Capturing their relationship and the joy they bring to our family was my goal for this card and I feel like we achieved that!

The Merry Mommas LOVE a tricycle pic!

Designer: Me, with lots of "Oh What Fun" inspiration from Pinterest, Etsy, etc.

We played a bit on the internet too...we found these to be inspiring!

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 

Photographer: Sarah Burns of Butterfly Chaser Photography (no longer taking new clients)

Merry Mommas' Favorite Thing: The boys are adorable (of course), the lighting is great and the smiles from all are so natural, but what we really love is that Meredith did the front vertical and the back horizontal. Way to not conform and do the norm! 

Blog: The Malnar Family

MAD ABOUT PLAID CARDS

day dreams paper via Etsy

Minted

Tiny Prints

Festive Friday with the Jacksons

Who: The Jacksons - Tom, Katy, Blake (5), Ally (5), Addison (1) and Bailey (1)

Location: The porch at Christopher's World Grille in Bryan, Texas

Clothes: The girls are in Old Navy and Blake's outfit is from Dillard's and Cavender's.

Designer: Nichole Quick of Quick Design Company

Photographer: Jenny Livingston with JML Photography

Katy's Comments: I wanted a traditional card, but I didn't want to use red and green because I wanted to be able to use the pictures in my house all year round. Black and white is always a safe bet and I really love the pop of red!

Katy's Favorite Thing: My favorite this about this card is that by some miracle all four kids are looking at the camera AND smiling!!!!! HAHAHA! With two sets of twins….this is almost unheard of!

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Merry Mommas' Thoughts: Two. Sets. Of. Twins. We are going to repeat that. TWO. SETS. OF. TWINS. That is just awesome! And they are just darling! Way to go MOMMA! You are a rock star! Okay, now that we have discussed the two sets of twins (we can't stop saying that!) let's talk about this card. We love it. We love the kids outfits, they coordinate so well and it is cute to have the baby twins matching! And the smiles…sweet and genuine. We love the tie in of the old painted wood barn and the wood floor of the porch at Christopher's - great job Nichole! This card makes us smile, thanks for sharing Katy!

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Be sure to check out our PINTEREST boards for more 4 sibling fun and barn wood!

WWLW: Guest Bloggers - The Fisk Files

You know WHAT WE LOVE (Wednesday)? Guest Bloggers! Today's guest blogger is Britt Fisk of The Fisk Files. The Merry Mommas have known Britt since college and we absolutely adore her and her precious kids, and Jeremy, too!

Thanks so much for sharing Britt…

Thanks for letting me guest post today, ladies!  I've always been a huge fan of Christmas cards.  I love sending them, but I love receiving them even more.  When Jeremy and I first got married, we sent a card of the two (well, three!) of us, announcing our pregnancy that first Christmas together.  Then year-by-year we did a few things differently here and there. Sometimes the card included the whole family, others just the kids.  However, I've seen a theme emerge.  I'm a one-picture kind of girl.  I love collages from others, and I think the accordion style Christmas cards are so fun, but this is us. 

This year, it's a photo of just the kids...it's just easier for me that way.  I can snap the pic, and we're good to go. So, at the end of October, we headed down to the creek.  Jeremy helped me get the bench (and the kids!) set up.

This one was a contender...

This was a bit too far away for me...

And, I almost went with a black and white.  Gosh, I love a good black and white.

But, this is what we chose...

I'm a sucker for a foil pressed card. 

Plus, I love to give a tiny update, directing friends to more on our blog.

This year, I even uploaded my addresses I had on hand at the time so Minted could print my envelopes (for free).  It's a time saver for sure.  I bought a few extra envelopes, thank goodness, because I have already found a few misspellings on my end.  Oops!

The cards hit the mail this week, and we wait for the afternoon mail delivery to see what cards we can open together each evening...one of the highlights of our days this Advent season.

Throughout the year, Your Merry Mailbox gives hundreds of ideas for your next Christmas/Holiday card.  They've picked amazing ones to showcase, and reading the posts feels a tiny bit like the joy of ripping open the envelopes that hold those priceless cards.

They asked what makes me merry...hugging my little ones, a warm cup of coffee, the support of my loving husband, the assurance that there's a greater plan, a cozy blanket on the cold Winter days, messages from sweet friends, and letters in the mail...among many others.

Merry Christmas to you!

Funny Farm...

Y'all didn't think we forgot about Christmas cards did you?? Our plan is to dedicate the first week of each month to showcasing our Christmas and Holiday card submissions until July and August when we will hit the ground running getting you all ready for the "show & tell season".

And... well, this card was submitted AGES ago and we LOVE it. Seriously adore that this family incorporated the whole family into holiday wishes!

;)

Who: Cowboy & Cowgirl


Location: The Family's Farm in North Central Texas

Props: The farm's resident cows, donkeys, goats...and, last but not least, the grandkids! 

Clothes: Fortunately for everyone, these farm animals don't wear clothes. 

Comments: I custom designed a rustic look and feel for this Christmas card to match the country theme. The clients provided a dozen or so darling pics of some of the animals that live on their farm and, in order to include as many as possible, I created a collage of photos on the front and back. The back of the card also listed their current contact information. These cards were professionally printed on thick, 100 lb premium paper. 


Designer: Shayla Groves at design finch 

Photographer: Weekend Cowgirl 

Favorite Thing: The adorable animals, of course! The clients love their farm animals (they each have names!) and wanted them to be the highlight of this year's Christmas card. The photo of Lily the Donkey on the front makes me laugh every time! The clients loved the rustic woodgrain background and raved that all of their friends are going to love receiving this card in the mailbox. 

Blog: Design Finch

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What do the Momma's think? Ummmm. We think this is so fun and a delightfully charming way to spread the merry. Merry Momma C is a farm girl (cotton) and has thought about incorporating that into her cards or family pictures. (The whole 7 hour drive home tends to get in the way). We love that this family found a way to showcase their every day with their loved ones.


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How can you recreate this card? Work is a big part of most people's lives... whether we want it to be or not. Find a way to showcase your hobbies, interests, work or favorite past times into your cards. This gives it an extra personal feel and lets your friends and loved ones that may not get to see you in person as often as you would like see the real life that happens every day!

Get PINspired:

1. Merry Momma K's 2012 card was all about her hubbies job
2. Merry Momma C's 2013 card highlighted the huge successes in her hubbies job
3. We added some fun pins to our animal board!
4. We love the idea of a farm inspired card. Check out this gorgeous barn, this twinkling tractor, and this horse stable (we know a family that should do this!).
5. You don't have to be a farmer/rancher to let that inspire your card. Check out this big kid on this tractor, we love the tone on tone of this family pic, and this barn with photoshop for the win!

Know any fabulous rustic places around your area?? Share in the comments below! We love to hear from you...

Merry Times Three & 12 Days of MERRY

It's DECEMBER!

It's CHRISTMAS CARD SEASON!

Y'all...you really have NO IDEA how MERRY this makes the Mommas! 

So MERRY that we are hosting the

12 Days of MERRY Giveaway!

(More on that later)

First, let us introduce you to three times the MERRY with the Self Triplets...

Who: Abigail, Wyatt and Jessy Grace

Location: Harry Meyers Park, Rockwall, Texas

Clothes: Girls - Wonderfully Made Children's Boutique; Wyatt - Target

Designer: Snazzylime Card Design

Photographer: Chrystel Ross (friend of Amanda's)

Favorite Thing: The "suessy" style of the girls dresses - and then hello! They are my kids, they are too cute! ;)

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Katy's Thoughts: I love how this card is capturing each of those sweet kiddos personalities. And I'm a sucker for a polka dot!

Cindy's Thoughts: I love the sweet faces and the bare feet on this card!  I also love the use of red, hot pink and lime green.  

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How can you recreate this card? This card is BRIGHT and we love the use of red, hot pink and lime green, such cute tones just off from the traditional red and green.  And when you have darling triplets, how can you go wrong!

Get PINspired:

1. Have older kids?  Don't forget about the Myer's bright pink and green card!
2. This card uses the red, hot pink and lime green too. (We wish that little girl would smile, though!)
3. Pink and glitter....pink and sparkle - pink is for dressing up!
4. This card and this card don't use the red, but are super cute nonetheless!
5. Hot pink and lime green aren't just for clothes - check this and this out!
6. We know you can't just have three babies at once...but if you do...can you take this picture?  And this one, and maybe this one!  Okay, this one and this one, too! And everybody's favorite triplets!

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And now for something extra MERRY.

Because Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year... we present the...

For the next 12 days the Merry Mommas and 12 wonderful sponsors are doing a giveaway a day! Without giving away too much think about all the things the Merry Mommas LOVE... hair flair, food, photos, stationery and fun! Check our blog daily for your chance to win one fabulous prize! (Only one prize/person).

AND...make sure to FOLLOW our blog for FIVE chances to win!

Today, the Merry Mommas teamed up with Jumping Jax Designs.

We love Becca and her work!
In fact, she is the designer of our beautiful blog and the darling 12 Days of Merry graphic. If that doesn't persuade you enough, check out a sampling of her work below.

The winner will receive a $35 credit to her shop!

Enter TODAY -- each giveaway will ONLY be open for entries from 5am until 11:59pm!
So really...enter today!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome to the 12 Days of Merry!

Glorrious

Ok people - it's time to get serious. Grab your pen and paper and start taking some notes because it's crunch time. Your photo sessions are happening now and we want you to be prepared! 

Who: Dave, Jenn, Jackson (5), Addie (3), and Henry (17 months)

Location: Deep Creek, Maryland

Props: No props :)

Clothes: Boys - Children's Place, Target and Toms; Addie: Lily Pulitzer, Target (sandals)

Comments: This was one of the last shots we did. Henry was not happy to be doing a photoshoot {shocker!}, but I really wanted ONE "Christmas card worthy" shot. :) He was just learning how to walk (assisted) and I thought that MAYBE he would smile if Dave and I both grabbed his hands and "walked" a little. Becka captured probably the ONLY split-second that all three kids were looking at her and smiling ~ I treasure this image!!

Designer: Jenn via Minted

Photographer: Becka Parypinski

Favorite Thing: 3 smiling kiddos. :) I also love that, although the entire family is in the photo, it focuses on our children. 

Blog: Glorrie Days

Extra Extra: Jenn is pretty much the most amazing mom in the form of a combination of Martha (Stewart), Betty (Crocker) and Emily (Post). And if that wasn't enough - she is also a photographer! You should check her out if you are in the DC/Maryland/all those places us there!!! Become a fan of the Glorrie Photo Facebook page - We are!!

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Katy's Thoughts: When I saw this photo I immediately fell in love. I LOVE how you can only see the kids faces but Mom and Dad are holding tightly along - just like in life. We can't always be there, but at the same time, we WILL always be there. I love that you can get an idea of just how wee they are in comparison. I also adore their style - so effortless but so perfect. Jenn nailed it! :)

Cindy's Thoughts: I absolutely adore the three completely different smiles on the kiddos! Jackson is cheesing it up, Henry is smiling like, "Yes, I'm cute!" and Addie has a darling little mischievous smile. This card is just cute! Iknow every person that opened it smiled - the Gorrie's shared the MERRY for sure. And the shoes, well, they are all awesome!!!

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How can you recreate this card? Be you. Period. Know your kids, know your family and just be you. Jenn knew that she shouldn't force Henry beyond his happy level (which some days may be zero for some kids) and because of it, she got HER perfect picture. (And each of our "perfect pictures" are different!)

Get PINspired:

1. Like the idea of the focus being on the kids but you still want to be in the picture? Then check out this, this, this, and this! And here is one for the fur babies!
2. Let's discuss the Gorrie's killer taste in shoes, shall we? Everything makes a statement y'all. Even feet! Here is our entire board of Merry Feet. But pay close attention to this and this. 
3. And those woods. LOVE. If you live any where near trees like this - do us all a favor. Take your picture there and then submit it to YMM!!
4. And let's talk about the blessing of siblings. There are tons of ways to showcase that sweet bond! We love the idea of their favorite treat; or a squeeze, sharing secrets, and just having fun!

As always, thanks for sharing the merry! Have a "glorrious" day!!!
 

A getting MARRIED Christmas

This sweet couple just got married THREE weeks ago! Check out their fun way of telling the world just how "MARRY" they are!

Who: Travis and Donna

Location:  Pilot Point, TX- my great-grandparents' farm

Props:  We didn't use any real props, but the setting of the picture is dear to our hearts. 

Clothes:  Donna- shirt Banana Republic; Travis- shirt Ralph Lauren

Comments:  Christmas was 8 months before my wedding- a perfect time to send a Save the Date.  I emphasized the word “married” as much as I did because I wanted to make sure that the recipient would immediately notice it was a Save the Date and not just put it in the pile of all the other Christmas cards.  

Designer: ME!! 

Photographer: A coworker of mine does photography as a hobby, so she took some pictures for us. 

Favorite Thing:  I like that it looks like a Save the Date card but also looks like a Christmas card without sacrificing portions of either.  It completely accomplished both tasks.  

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Katy's Thoughts: I kind of love the play on words. Cute simple and easy to accomplish with other Christmas themes as well!

Cindy's Thoughts:  Well, Donna is a bestie...so of course I love the card! :)  I think my favorite thing is the look of happiness on both of their faces!

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How can you recreate this card? I think the key to this card is just to keep it simple. Old/vintage/rustic buildings make great backdrops for pictures. They add lots of fun texture and depth without taking the focus away from the people in the pic. And the holidays are a great time to share news with family and friends - love the double purpose of this card!

Get PINspired:

1. Looking for a great way to tell the world that you are so merry about getting MARRIED? Then click here, here, and here!
2. Lots of examples of great photos with barn backdrops are here, here, and here!
3. If I was going to take pics in front of a barn, I'd want it to look exactly like this!
4. And for more ideas, FOLLOW US on PINTEREST! 

Really, what is more merry than getting MARRIED?!? Tell us your favorite thing about this card!

Wonderful Wyatt

Hi friends!  After all the fun of WWLW and TBT, we are back to posting darling cards!  Today's card features a super cute family...though we may be a tad biased, Jessica was Merry Momma Katy's college roommate and is Merry Momma Cindy's sis-in-law. All these connections aside, we know you will think the card is WONDERFUL too!

Who: Zeke (Dad) Jessica (Mom) Wyatt (Favorite Son)

Location:  Beaumont, Texas – Random barn that was damaged during Hurricane Ike

Props:  No props

Clothes:  Gap, Target, Etsy, Old Navy and Baskin’s (you can tell we are country)

Comments:  Our photos served a dual purpose; they were Wyatt’s three month photos and to be used as our Christmas card. We chose the red and white color scheme because of the dual purpose. It was our first Christmas as a family of three so it is a little extra special.

Designer: Tiny Prints

Photographer: Lacy Hampton 

Favorite Thing:  My favorite thing about the card is that is captures the many personalities of our precious Wyatt and family.

Blog: Still working on that………

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Katy's Thoughts: Lots of boy moms seem to be discouraged by the lack of props/cute clothes for the little fellas and Jessica just proved that there are TONS of cute things for our little men!

Cindy's Thoughts: Well, the cute little boy that just happens to be my nephew makes this card pretty stinking adorable.  Additionally, I love the use of more than one picture and the darling hat and suspenders!

 
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How could you recreate this card?  The great thing about this card is that it really does focus on the family.  There are great backgrounds (fence, barn, grass), but nothing you couldn't find if you drive around your hometown.  The key to recreating this card is to have great photographs of your subjects and find a fun card on Tiny Prints, Zazzle, Minted, etc. and match your clothing to your card choice.

Getting PINspired:  If you are thinking of recreating this card, check out these pins:
1.  Who doesn't love cute kids??  Click here, here, here and here!
2.  Family pics are always great, too!  Click here and here!
3.  And pics without kiddos are awesome too!  Click here!

What's your favorite thing about this card?  Leave your comments below!