The picture above is of my parents’ home which is nestled on the Chesapeake Bay. We all adore it. This year was the first Thanksgiving we celebrated since my dad’s death last February, and I was admittedly nervous that it would be a sad one. My mom unfortunately had to travel to Texas this year to tend to my grandmother, so I was doubly nervous to be celebrating “parentless”. But my nerves were unfounded. Instead of it being a sad time, it was a very typical time filled with laughter, teasing, love and reminiscing!
The day we arrived we rushed down to the beach to get some family Christmas pics. I thought you might enjoy seeing them.
Some of you will be seeing one of these again on our Christmas cards, but I’m horrible with waiting to share! So which family pic do you think I should send out? Number one or two? Let me know.
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Carmie of the Single Nester says
This is my first Christmas without my brother. The first of everythings are hard. I honestly can't wait until January 2.
Kathy says
So glad to hear that you were able to be with your sisters and their families and enjoy the time. Hope your mother and grandmother are doing well.
I love your Christmas cards with the sweet Santa Claus -I wonder which card you will pick ? They are both really good -you could even do one of the cards that has several photos on the card and capture some of the candid shots .
Nike@ChooseToThrive says
Beautiful. Real. Wonderful!
Heather says
I like # 1 as well! I love love the house!
Handbags*N*Pigtails says
I LOVE your "sandman." Frosty would be so jealous…or maybe thats where he shows up after he melts in the north…to the beach!:)
I vote for the picture where you're all seated. Great pics and what a gorgeous home your mama now has!
Julie says
Beth, I like picture #1 the best. You are a beautiful family. Love that sandman snowman. What a great idea!!
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says
You guys are darling!
Sue says
I vote for #1 Beth! It's a sweet pic of all of you. And what a clever idea to create a sand snowman, too.
Kudos to you for sending cards- I stopped that ages ago. Hardly anyone sent them back so I got lazy and stopped, too. What a scrooge I became! LOL
~ Sue
Melanie says
They look great! I love the idea of the snowman made of sand!
Leen says
Great pics, I like number 1 the best.
We're having a local photographer take our family photos at the beach next week when our girl is here. We're pretty excited, we haven't had a full family photo done in 6 years!
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says
Oh you know how much I just LOVE that house!! So beautiful! I am glad you had a great Thanksgiving! 🙂 As far as the pictures go – you have to go with number 1!! It is adorable!!
Heidi says
I'm loving your blog, I just found it and I've been devouring it all night! Thanks
Funky Junk Interiors says
Oh my gosh Beth… you're also a sandman snowman genius! That thing is adorable!! 🙂
#1 is precious and an amazing keepsake!
I share some grief with you this Christmas. My mom passed in March so I feelin' it too.
Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage says
What wonderful photos!!! That sand snowman it great! I like the photo where you are all sitting together best for your Chrstmas cards.
Cheryl says
I like photo #1 because you are all closer together. The snowman made out of sand is adorable!!
The Mulberry Girl says
That would be really hard to be parentless on Thanksgiving – I'm so happy to hear that you had a wonderful holiday despite the change of dynamics. What a gorgeous home and darling Sandman! So cute!
Carmen says
They're both nice, but I like the first one the most. You all look happy and relaxed. I can tell you had some influence with the snowman…those buttons are adorable!!
Lemonade Makin' Mama says
I love them BOTH! Why not do a double photo card??! Super sweet little family you've got there girlfriend.
Terri says
Yes, the house is gorgeous but the family on the beach beats it by a mile. I like the first one of all of you.
Ashley O says
Beth!!! That snowman is the cutest thing ever!!! Beautiful pics and a beautiful family!!
The Domestic Chick says
They all are great pictures but I like the family picture of all of you sitting together. Such a sweet family!
Kara says
Those are some seriously cute family pics. I don't know how you're going to choose, they are both amazing!
Jenny says
These are so cute. I love that snowman!
Jody says
I want you to know that I was thinking of you on Thanksgiving and prayed for you as well. I'm glad that it went better than you thought it would, even without your mom being there.
BTW, I like picture #1. I'm asking for a husband for Christmas so maybe one day I'll be able to take a family photo for my Christmas card…lol.
Sonya says
I miss that house! We're covered in a foot of snow here, and it's funny to think how different things would be if I were still in VA. I'm apparently the only one, but I like the second picture the best.
Gina at Gigi's Creative Designs says
Beautiful pictures thanks for sharing them. I LOVE the sandman snowman so cute. We live at the beach in southern california and love the beach christmas' so grand.
House of Smiths says
You've got a handsome group of boys there 🙂
Lucky girl!
The pictures all look fab!
~Shelley Smith
houseofsmiths.blogspot.com
Patti says
Photo#1
and the home is lovely!
MrsKBJ says
Beautiful pictures!!! I love them all, but I think I'd pick the one of you all sitting for your card.
Simply Amy says
That is such a fun idea for Christmas Pictures!
Liz @ Sugarplum Creations says
What gorgeous photos! And such a gorgeous home, wow!!! The first one is my favorite 🙂
Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal says
What a gorgeous house! I lost my dad last Jan. so I know how hard that was.
Such great shots. I love the first pic!
Jemsmom says
Your mom's house is a card!!! I love number one!
Kimberly says
Love your parents house! I like both pictures. I love the snowman! I guess if I had to pick it would be #2
My Cottage Charm says
I like the first pic for you Christmas card and your parents house is to die for! OMgoodness, it's gorgeous!! :0)
Glad your Thanksgiving was good, even without your dad. I know you must have tons of wonderful memories with him to carry you through the hard times. 🙂
Have a good week my friend and I'll see ya on twitter! 😀
Hugs
Missy
My Cottage Charm
the cape on the corner says
oh my gosh, how super super cute is that sand snowman, earmuffs and all. i like the first pic, where you are all together. for sure!
La says
Great pictures. I like Number 1. The sandman is fun. La
Mom Taxi Julie says
Love the sandman!! That's a beautiful house. I didn't know you could find victorians in Texas 🙂
Jenglamgirl says
LOVE the second to the bottom one. How adorable is the sand snowman too? LOVE THEM BETH. Have a super day. Jen
Jenny B says
Hey Beth! gorgeous!!!!! I agree with the first photo just seems more "put together" I like that you are all in the front and not separated:) just my opinion tho;)
Jo - To a Pretty Life says
Och, that house is gorgeous! I'm swooning!
I love the sand-man. I'm in Canada, so we've already got about 5 or 6 inches of snow.
If they were my pictures, I'd go with the first one, solely because in the second, the horizon is crooked, and I'm a little obsessive about unimportant things like that 😉
But you all look absolutely lovely in both.
chandelier magic says
Beautiful Family
Beautiful Ocean
Beautiful House
Beautiful SandCastle Man
Marsha
DanielleisNesting says
I love the sandcastle snowman! Too sweet. Lovely family photos!
Jo2012 says
I like the photo with you all sat down, more informal, but they are all great.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the house. Just stunning.
Centsational Girl says
Amazing house! I love all the pics, #1 for the Christmas card is my choice! Charming!
Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says
I gasp when I see your parents house. So pretty! I know it must have been a little hard for you with your Dad gone, but glad to hear it was a fun time for your family.
Love the beach pics! both are nice, but I think I like the first one, just seems to show more family togetherness with you all sitting in the sand.
Geezees Custom Canvas Art says
LOVE LOVE your family pics!! And that house is gorgeous!