The official 2014 Aussie Christmas portraits......

One of the problems with having a Mum that likes to take photos, is that she makes you put your pretty clothes on and prance around being cute, just for the sake of some nice photos she can plaster all over the annual Christmas cards.  Why on earth do you have kids, if not to send out cute cards showing off their more angelic moments?

It got to late November and I figured we'd better get moving on the Christmas photos. The outfits were chosen and I planned to get some nice outdoor shots this year.  Of course, despite it still being only Spring, it had been quite hot.  The spot we picked, just across the road from our house, was already full of lovely dry grass. It is all very typical of an Aussie Summer and Christmas in Canberra, and it made a lovely backdrop.

I planned to make the most of beautiful late afternoon/early evening light.  Of course we happened to pick a day when it was 35 degrees and neither child decided to be cooperative and eat their dinner (or have a nice afternoon sleep!).  Bravely (or foolishly) we decided to go ahead with photos and despite the heat, and the tired kidlets we got some pretty great photos. Definitely worth keeping them up past their bedtime!

So here they are, the 2014 Christmas photos. Very Aussie and very cute.......

Miss Astrid, almost 3.5 years and loves to have her photo taken! She had a wonderful time playing in the grass, dancing and spinning with baubles, and generally looking gorgeous in her special Christmas dress.

Master Søren, 13 months and not quite walking when these pictures were taken. He doesn't like to stay still, or follow direction, but he is super cheeky and loved the baubles. There were shouts of ball, ball, ball, at all the baubles!

Getting the two of them together, smiling and being cooperative, not an easy task. This photo though made it all worthwhile....

They do love each other (most of the time) and are great partners in crime or at least baby and toddler mischief!

It's been another year of fun and adventure (and not quite enough sleep) at the Camelid Castle.  There will be plenty more posts over the next few weeks, but for now the Christmas cards are out so....

Merry Christmas to all my blog readers, I hope you have a wonderful day!

Favourite Photo Friday - 12/12/14

This week it's the cute twosome.  It's nice to have photographic evidence that they do love each other at least some of the time.......  Søren has been up and walking this week, which gives him ample opportunity to pull his big sisters hair and grab onto her and drag her around.  Astrid is not a fan but still loves him to death.  At least they can sit nicely together for 3 seconds at a time!

Astrid 3 years and 5 months, Søren 13 months........

D7000 with Nikon 50mm f1.8G

ISO 1600 focal length 50mm

Exposure: 1/400 @ f2.5

D7000 with Nikon 50mm f1.8G

ISO 1600 focal length 50mm

Exposure: 1/400 @ f2.5

D7000 with Nikon 50mm f1.8G

ISO 1600 focal length 50mm

Exposure: 1/400 @ f2.5

Astrid @ 13 months - fun in the garden

I can't belive Astrid is 13 months now!

She took her first solo steps at about 11.5 months but didn't really do any 'walking' on her own until about a week after her first birthday. At first we could encourage her to do a few steps walking between us. Lots of clapping and getting excited about her walking was great encouragement. Then she started doing 7 or 8 steps between people. After a few days she would walk between any objects, furniture or walls without any problems. Within a week she was toddling all over the place, still a bit zombie style with the arms out-stretched and babbling, but very cute! Now there is no stopping her. She pracitally runs and loves to carry things around with her.

We just purchased her first two pairs of shoes, which makes it easier to go outside when it's a bit chilly and damp. Here are some pics of Astrid out and about in our yard, enjoying the fish and the water feature. She is starting to look very grown-up!

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