On Christmas Day...on Christmas Day...

I decided to post this early so that we could be preoccupied with our families tomorrow, rather than be preoccupied with business and blogs. :) This Christmas season has been a very magical one for us. The first year together in our house...out of school...settled in (a little), its been really great. But, as I was in the car the other day listening to "Its the most wonderful time of the year" on the radio, I looked around and saw several homeless people...people that looked sad...people that needed something and I came to the realization that for some people, this is NOT the most wonderful time of the year. Its the time where they are reminded of all the things they cant afford to buy, a time when they remember loved ones that are gone, and a time where they feel lonely and weak. My heart was broken and I sat in my car and just cried to the Lord to forgive me for forgetting all this and for taking for granted all that i have been blessed with. So, my encouragement to all of you out there who read, is to help people around you...give a little more...take a little less...and know that even the smallest things can make a big difference in the life of someone in need. Jesus birth is what we are celebrating...his gift of life to us and I hope that people feel His love through me this season...and always. Todays the last story and I thought that I would let Luke tell it... Merry Christmas to all..and to all a goodnight!

Christmas Day

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

--Luke 1:26 - 2:40 New International Version

2 Days and counting....

Well, today is officially Christmas Eve, wow....where has the time gone! Im so excited for tomorrow and tonight is going to be a lot of fun too! UNFORTUNATELY, Im sick... :( This is putting a big fat stinky damper on all my fun plans, but Im going to try to rush to a doctors office asap this morning to get a fat dose of antibiotics so I can feel better right away! But, my voice is gone....and since my voice is gone, I decided to post the words to one of my other favorite Christmas songs, Silent night. :) Its pretty much what Im going to have a tonight so I thought it would be fitting. :) ENJOY!!!!

Day 2

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth "

The Pepin House this Christmas

Here is a picture of our tree and mantle this Christmas. :) I love it! (And although I might be the only person that uses colored lights on their tree..Im hard core with it and will keep it like this FOREVER!!!!!!!!!! :) )

An early Christmas gift...DAY 3 a DAY early!!!

Okay...so it might not be your favorite gift this year..but I just had to go ahead and post this story for all of you who have been keeping up with them this far! Many of you will remember Lydia who had the sad sad no Christmas tree story, well...alas, the story has taken a turn for the better! So, heres her updated story, enjoy!

day 3
by Lydia Wells

Many of you read my post A Treeless Christmas. This is an update.

My husband is really the sweetest man in the world. He claims he is a hopeless romantic, but by his definition this is "someone who is romantic, but hopelessly bad at it." This week, Dear Husband scored some points for the home team.

I went to work on Tuesday. It was a normal day. I got up, looked around my treeless house, sighed s small sigh (reminding myself that Christmas is indeed not about a tree or lights or presents, but about the Incarnation), and left for work.

Matt had several tasks for the day - one was to go by Toys'R'Us to find small nerf-type balls for the homemade slings we made our nephews. The traffic is horrible out there...so, I was pretty proud of my husband for "taking one for the team" and sparing me the hassle and possible downfall.

I ended up getting some fun news that day (my business is now officially an L.L.C) and I wanted to share it - I called Hubby on his cell phone. He was really short with me, stated that he hadn't made it out to the toy store and pretty much gave me the "I'm shopping for you excuse" - which immediately serves as a question blocker as all of my gifts must be shrouded in secrecy. I was a little hurt - but, new he was busy, traffic was bad, and I would have been the same way.

When I got home, I walked in the front door and behold - crammed in between our sofa and our love seat was a huge, lit Christmas tree. Husband had spent his day driving 3 hours round trip to his parents house so that he could retrieve the tree and surprise his wife. Good man.

So, I aptly named this story: The Girl Who Got a Tree.....from the most romantic man in the world.

4 days til Santa is here!

Todays story comes from Jessica Mann in Wilmington, NC (well..actually today shes in my living room but...you get it. :) ) She just has this little picture so I thought I would share it with you all... gotta love those great pictures you got suckered into as a kid...ENJOY!!!!


Day 4
by Jessica Mann

When I was a kid, me and my neighbor Annette would make Christmas sweaters with the best puff paint you could find! Oh, the times! Here is a picture to document our glorious fashion sense...gotta love that puff paint!

5-(FRESH GOLD CHAY-E-AINS!!!!!) :)

5 days left and I thought I would interject a few of my favorite Christmas Carols in these last few days worth of post...not every one knows the lyrics to their favorite Christmas songs, so I thought I would post some that way you can actually see the words, reflect on what they mean, and think about their true meaning next time you sing them. Here are the lyrics to "Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel"

"Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel"
(and there are a LOT more verses than I knew about!!!)

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times gave holy law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come O Rod of Jesse's stem,
From ev'ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty pow'r to save;
Bring them in vict'ry through the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Day 6

Day 6...again..another day closer. :) Todays story comes from Meredeth McDonald from Savannah, Ga (Illinois actually but...Savannah for now..:) ) This is a story that she was told about by her parents when she was younger and shes sharing it with us today, i love it! You guys all know about our involvement with Operation: Love reunited and i just love stories that show support and love to our soldiers...so this is a good one. :) Mer was but a twinkle in her parents eye when this event happened but I think its really cool that they have told her about it and shes letting us in on it. Enjoy!

day 6
by Meredeth McDonald

Well, one Christmas around 1983 or so, my dad was in bed with a bad back and couldn't get out to do anything. My aunt called my parents to say my cousin, her son Tom, was in Rockford, IL (about 30 miles away) and couldn't get home to Peru, IL. He was going to head back to his house in Madison, WI, to spend the holiday alone. My mom told my Aunt to have Tom call her and she'd drive up to Rockford to pick him up, and he'd spend Christmas w/ our family. Uncle Mel, his dad, could later come and get him from our house when the roads cleared. My grandma was at my other aunt and uncle's houss (my aunt being her daughter, my dad's sister). My mom stopped by my aunt and uncle's house to see if my uncle John would go w/ her. They drove up to the bus depot, very, very slowly, as the snow had accumulated and the roads were very dangerous. When my mom entered the bus depot to get Tom, a young soldier asked her which direction she was going. She said "south," and he asked for a ride. He was trying to get to Sterling, IL and the buses had quit due to the snowstorm. My mom agreed, and he proceeded to tell her about his young wife and their baby whom he still hadn't met. He had been overseas, serving in Desert Storm, for a tour of duty. The four of them went out and got into the Blazer, and drove back to Oregon, IL, the town in which I grew up and from which they had come to go to Rockford. Upon arriving, they all entered my house, and my mom gave the soldier some dinner to eat. My uncle John, a circuit court judge at the time and a big name in the county, called the Sheriff's dept. to tell him that they had a young soldier that needed to get to Sterling. The Ogle County Sheriff picked him up, drove him to the Lee County line, where the Lee County Sheriff took him to the Whiteside County line, and the Whiteside County sheriff to Sterling, and home. Our cousin Tom spent Christmas Eve and Day with my family, and his dad picked him up the next day. Two people were able to spend Christmas with people that cared and loved them, in spite of adversity and seemingly impossible circumstances; a true Christmas story, indeed.

7 more to go...

Day 7 is coming from me.... after my sweet sweet husbands post yesterday, i had to post today. :) I still need post for the next six days and although I LOVE that everyone is reading and I have heard some awesome comments of feedback about our stories..i NEED MORE! We have 6 days left so I need 6 more stories, so if you have one...please share it...as entertaining as I may present myself to be..Im not 6 stories worth of entertaining. :) heheheh so please send your stories in to me at melissa@melissapepin.com so we can get all warm and fuzzy (or have our eyes opened) by what you have to say. :)

DAY 7
by me... :)

There is really so much I love about Christmas time. As soon as Halloween is over I start getting the itch and the minute I swallow my last bite of turkey on thanksgiving, Im out the door for the wonderful shopping frenzy the next morning ...preparing to get into the Christmas spirit with all 800 million other people that help feed the black Friday plague. This time of year has a way of making me feel really safe...but really alone at the same time. I feel really homey...but distant too...its the weirdest thing in the world, but I find myself on Christmas night every year shedding tears because this wonderful happy, exciting time is over (they call that the post holiday blues people...and I get em..bad!) I have to say that my story is a compilation of a few. Any of you that know me know that I am long winded...but Im condensing it down into 3 little things. Three elements, the outreaching part...the lovey dovey part...and the contentment part. I remember the Christmas season when I was 17. I didnt have very much money in my piddly checking account, and it was right before Christmas and I desperately needed a new pair of shoes for school. I went to payless and was standing in line to check out my 14.99 paid of black flats, when a lady a few people ahead of me in line started crying at the checkout counter. She said that they had had a family emergency this Christmas and she had to return gifts this year to pay for whatever the emergency was. She was only returning two small change purses that came to about $6.00 all together and she took her money and left to go the the next store to return stuff. I can tell you now I have felt the tug of the Lord several times in me life, but this time His tug was especially strong. I grabbed the changes purses, told the clerk to hold my wallet as collateral, and ran next door the the store and gave the ladies her change purses back. They were for her grand daughters and I knew that she must feel awful for not being able to get them gifts for Christmas so I wanted her to have them. I told her I didnt have money or anything big to help comfort her or her family, but I would really like to pray with her. She cried and said yes and right in the middle of a Kmart entry way, we held hands and prayed. It was a short prayer but nonetheless, I knew God had given me that opportunity to intercede for that woman and her family and it was incredible. I dont know what happened to the family, I dont even know what the emergency was...but I do know that God showed me what Christmas was about that day and I havent forgotten it...ever.
Next is the holiday season that Anthony and I got engaged, it was the sweetest time of my life and I knew that God had brought me something that was rediculously beyond anything I ever deserved in a husband.He asked me to marry him right before Thanksgiving(of 04) and we spent Christmas eve at my house with me, him, and my mom sleeping on the floor falling asleep to the Christmas story in the living room of my apartment. We laughed and laughed because we all slept in the floor..I mean..thats cool right..yea..if your 5!!!!!!! But it was a super great Christmas and has been one I wont forget...
Lastly, things to come...contentment. Its something I have had a hard time finding but Im starting to understand more. This year alone things have been crazy, and I have so many ideas and plans for my growing business for next year that I cant wait to see how everything unravels...but for now Im so excited about being content. Content in where I am...and in who I am. This year will be the first year in our house...the first year really getting settled...and its really good. Its finally home and that is perfect to me. So, Merry Christmas everyone....and I pray that God shows himself to you in a new way this season that you haven't seen before... :)

because a post with no pictures can be dull at times..here are a few from when we got engaged. :) I'll be posting more pictures of our home at Christmas time soon!

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Day 8 comes from my sweet sweet husband Anthony (i say this having NOT yet read what he wrote so...depending on what his story is about, i might take it back! :) just kidding. :) ) enjoy (and Im reading this for the first time with you all too. :) )

Day8
by Anthony Pepin

My favorite Christmas memory happened about 4 years ago. All of my brothers and sisters (there are 8 of us), their families, my mom, my fiance and I got together to celebrate the day with presents and Christmas dinner. So, early that morning we all arrived at my mom's house and everybody settled into opening presents. I got my gift from my secret Santa..... thermal socks. Definitely a must in northeast Georgia (for the love of God note the sarcasm!!!) It was the only gift I got that year from my family (other than Melissa of course). We set up tables in my mom's living room and everyone ate at the table this year. Normally we just sat on the floor or wherever there was room. We had coffee and wine with dessert. And as I sat there watching my family laugh and enjoying spending time together, I realized what I had been missing all these years. I got to have my family back together for one day and there was no arguing or bickering amongst us. We were simply being a family. I was spending the first of what I hope to be many Christmas's (i guess that's how you make it plural) with the woman who's now my wife. God has truly blessed me with an amazing family and I don't know that I'll ever be able to understand why He chose us to allow His son to come here and die for our sins. Maybe when I get to heaven one day, I'll ask. Merry Christmas and let us all remember the true reason we celebrate this year.

Day 9

I just LOVE that people everywhere are starting to get me their Christmas stories! This is getting me so excited about the Holiday and I feel like Im getting all of these really great ideas for gifts and new traditions to use next year! This next story is from Bridgette McConnell in Stillwater, MN and she tells us about when her family christmas tree decorating tradition gets a little out of hand! This story is a mix of Bridgette and her daughter Jillians versions of it so...enjoy!!!!

Day 9
By Bridgette McConnell (The Leader of the Pack... :))


It was time to put up the Tree and my husband brought it(the REAL tree) in from the Garage. The tree was bigger than in the past but, he managed to get it in.. We have always gotten a Blue Spruce, and this year was no exception. Scott put the tree in the stand and we heard a bunch of needles drop. Well, not to worry because we flock the tree (cover it with white spray snow, the kind in the can) and that holds the needles on the tree.

Jillian, my daughter, and I started to flock the tree and it started to lean a little. Well, Dad to the rescue! He picked the tree up and made it stand up right again, and we went back to flocking. We paused so that he could put the lights on and then... we went back to flocking. But the needles kept falling and the tree kept leaning. This continued for a few minutes, until it took a turn for the worse. WOW, finally Jillian was putting on the last ornament and that is when the tree decided to fall over. She was quick to jump out of the way and was not hurt. BUT, lots of the ornaments had fallen, what to do???? Well, Dad to the rescue again, he put the tree back up, this time he anchored it to the wall with rope that he attached and wrapped around the tree itself! Wow, the thing we will do for a Christmas Tree! Well, throughout the 3 week's that the tree was up, the needles kept falling, by the time new year came and we put the tree out to be picked up all the needles were gone. I think the bolts are still in the wall to this day...

Day 10

10 day's Left til CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!! YIPPIE! Im so excited! Todays entry comes from Katie Moore in Athens, Ga. Here family is as sweet as pie and I think you all will get a kick out of this story! hahahaha Here ya go.... ENJOY!

day 10
by Katie Moore

My mom has always been a child at heart. But one Christmas my family and I had come down the stairs to the surprise of a shiny old-school pink bicycle with pink flowers in the basket. Seeing that I was in my twenties at the time, I knew that Santa must have made a mistake. Surely this was intended for the snotty-nosed kid next door. However, much to my astonishment, my fifty-something mom squealed with joy and immediately hopped on the seat! After about her third lap around the living room , clarity began to sink in. Apparently, my mother had always dreamed of a pink bicycle with flowers in the basket, and at long last her Christmas wish had come true. My father and I spent the remainder of the day watching my mom ride that pink bicycle up and down the street, while all the other kids were riding their shiny new Christmas bikes in her dust. I must say...this was not only one of my most memorable Christmas' ever, it was the most fun present I never received!

New action...

Thanks soooo much to Brent Holloman for creating a new action for me to use for displaying our pictures on our blog! if you need a new action, he's your man! he did a great job and was awesome to work with...here is a sample of what it will look like from now on when I post a picture. :)

Day 11

Sorry this is a little late but I am just able to get on here and its 11:18 pm...just enough time to post day 11's story before day 11 is over! Todays story comes from Lydia Wells in Athens, Ga. This is more of a really cool conversation that she and I had today than her full on fav Christmas memory. (that will come later!) Her story offers a lot of perspective and how this season is not about hte ribbons and bows and stuffing yourself until your about to pop, but its about being grateful for your family, for those you are closest to, and for learning to love and give more...here's her story...:

day 11
by Lydia wells

Christmas is my favorite holiday by far. I have memories of sleeping under the Christmas tree trying to catch a glimpse of Santa, big family breakfasts, waking up to my parents singing carols, and yes, even 24-hour drives across the country in order to surprise family (at my parents' whim). It has always been a time of excitement, childhood fantasy, miracles...and a little magic.

The last two years, Christmas has lost it's magic.....please, don't misunderstand me here. I still believe in Santa and I still see the miracle of Christ and marvel in wonder at its beauty.

My husband and I have spent 3 Christmas seasons married. Each becoming more and more
drained of it's Christmas magic. Traveling here and there - sprinting across the state....spending so much time away from our home that Christmas has become a chore. Combine this with law school and the demands and strain that it puts on life and you get our current state.

This year, as I write, I look around my house. No garland, no wreath, no lights, no tree, no nativity...a magic-less Christmas. A big part of me wants to cry and scream and fight and be angry about my loss of Christmas - how it is continually being stolen from our family. But, I recollect and realize that I still have my family - I still have my husband - our marriage has not splintered (as it easily could have) under the law school strain.

So, I'll sacrifice the tree this year for my husband.

:)

12 more to go...

So as of today there are TWELVE days until Christmas! YIPPIE! I just love this time of year...the gifts are fun..and I LOVE the music (and thanks to XM103 Holly, I have been enjoying it since Halloween night!)..but the real reason for this season is Jesus and thats the sweetest gift of them all. Some of my fondest holiday memories involve my family and times where there were no gifts involved at all...and Im sure you will hear some of these stories in the next few weeks. We here at Melissa Pepin Photography are wishing you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS from Athens Ga this year and we are super excited about sharing our favorite holiday memories with you, as well as the memories of our friends and readers. So here is Day #12 submitted from Jillian Helleloid in Athens...you saw pictured of her and her hubby a few weeks ago from the tree farm, these two are a hoot! Heres Jill's story! And feel free to leave comments!


DAY 12

My favorite Christmas memory is more of a favorite tradition. Every year my mom, dad, and I would get our Christmas tree and then the process of decorating it would begin. First, my dad puts the lights on the tree. Then, my mom and I would put fake snow on the tree (you know, the kind that comes in a spray can). We would use about 30 cans (I know it is a lot, but it always looks great!). Then, after the snow dried, my mom, dad, and I would put on the ornaments while listening to Niel Diamond's Christmas CD and drinking Irish Coffees. When I got married my husband, Eric, also helped in decorating the tree. We would always decorate the tree as a family and I cant wait to share that tradition when I have children.

Here is the tree:

Christmas Memories Search

Hey guys! Sorry its been so long since the last post, its been kind of crazy! I just wanted to say hello and tell everyone that we have some really cool stuff coming up in the next few weeks so keep dropping in (Jill... :) ) to see whats going on...I cant talk about it right now..but its going to be really fun I promise!!!!!!!!!!! So...stay tuned!

Also, its almost Christmas! I cant believe it..and the fact that it feels like stink summer time outside doesn't help put me in the Christmas mood! But what DOES put me in the Christmas mood is to hear really cool Christmas stories, and since TOMORROW starts the 12 days of Christmas, what I would like to do is to publish 1 Christmas memory story per day until Christmas along with a picture to go with that story, so if you have something good...PLEASE send it on! Post will start tomorrow night and run through Christmas! Please submit to the address below and I cant wait to hear what everyones favorite memories are!

Submit stories to: melissa@melissapepin.com

JIll and Eric

Another super fun couple I love so much! I love me some Eric and Jill...its pretty ridiculous that ANYWHERE we go please ask Jill and I if we are sisters...EVERYWHERE. One an airplane in Minnesota....at a party at my house with folks who KNOW Im an only child....at an old job...people ask and w always say no...but its so weird because if my husband puts on his reading glasses...he and Eric look alike too and thats just scary! Anywho..we had such a good time with them out at the farm...here are a few of our favorites from that day...

Flanders Family Christmas

This weekend we did a big day out at Jacks Creek Christmas Tree Farm in Bostwick, Ga and the families who were there to get their portraits done were so much fun! We all had a blast and I have to tell you that my friend Missy got a tree..that pretty much was the most giant tree I have EVER seen. It was literally 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide..and fluffy as they get. It was CRAZY!

This is one of the families we did pictures for on Saturday at the farm, The Flanders. They are Missy's parents and siblings and we had the best time with them! After we were done hunting trees and taking pictures, we all went on a...hmmm...you wouldn't call it a hay ride because there was no hay...but...something along those lines... around the property to look at all the trees and to just sit and have fun with a bunch of people on a trailer bed. Now that I think about it..it probably wasn't too safe...hmm...I'll have to think about that some more. :) Anywho, here were a few of my favorites from their day at the farm....cant wait for next year! Stay tuned to see more pictures from Saturday!