Well, I'm back to blogger world! I am going to continue keeping the www.caringbridge.org/visit/stellaturnbullturnbull site open with medical updates regarding Stella, but I decided that I needed a different means to communicate about the rest of the going-ons of the family since I feel that caringbridge is really geared for Stella and not her brothers or Travis and I. Anyway, hope you are staying snuggled up inside with those you love! We enjoyed lots of family time and a little Disney On Ice (I think it will be an annual tradition . . . Stella and I had the best seats in the house since she must be rink-side to see the show . . . a little more pricey but worth it to see the wonder in her eyes).

Speaking of annual traditions, can I just say that I LOVE Shutterfly's calendars!!!  I just received the annual calendar that is given as yearly Christmas gift to our family members! I was pretty excited that I would receive 1 free calendar if I spent over $50 (which was a given since I needed 14 calendars).  Shutterfly always has the BEST deals on photo gifts! You can make your own Shutterfly calendar by going to this link:  http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars 

Another Christmas tradition . . . Shutterfly Christmas cards!  And YES, I LOVE Shutterfly for their cards as well.  All you have to do is go to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards and they are so good about walking you through each step to creating the perfect card!

There are almost too many great ones to choose from on their website that I'm overloaded with creativity! As a photographer, I often use my photo lab as the source for printing my Christmas cards. However, I have noticed that the styles haven't changed in THREE years so starting this year, I am using Shutterfly for my Christmas cards as well. Even though the selection is large, you can narrow down your search by the number of photos you want on the card or by style, color, or etc. that you prefer.   Besides the awesome styles they offer, another BIG reason I like Shutterfly is that their website is MUCH faster than other photo uploading sites.  I can't sit around all day waiting for my card to upload when I have children to care for and a business to run! :)  Hopefully Shutterfly appreciates the MANY customers I have sent their way . . . since I was using Shutterfly, I thought it only appropriate to tell my customers the best place to get their cards too! :)

My husband HATES that I tend to "keep" things . . . I suppose many people throw away their annual Christmas cards but I, ahem, have about 10 years worth stowed away in a tote. Why? I enjoy looking back at family and friends and seeing how we have changed over the years. As a photographer, I am all about capturing memories so why would I throw away the cards? Ok, did I explain "why" I "keep" well enough? Ok, now please explain to Travis for me PLEASE? :)

So back to my annual Christmas card! I had purchased some through the photographer that took our family picture, but I need about 100 more for customers and friends, so I'm excited to create another Christmas card (yes, my second one for the 2010 year!).  Since the Christmas rush is slowing for photography orders, I can finally start designing MY Christmas cards and MAYBE our friends and family will get them by New Years! :)

As I browsed the site, I selected a few of my favorites. I seem to gravitate toward the 5x7 cards because they give more room and cost the same to mail as the 4x6 size . . . I am always nervous about the cool 5x5 card size as I'm not sure if it costs more for postage or not . . . guess I could just call the post office huh? That would be too easy!


Since I'm drawn to brown and it has 3 pictures for my 3 children, Snow Flurries Cocoa is in the running:
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards/snow-flurries-cocoa-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&fa=8&storeNode=93476&fe=1


Since I often have a hard time just narrowing to 3 pics of the kids, I like the collage look of With Love Chartreuse:
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/with-love-chartreuse-christmas-5x7-folded-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93476

Since I like to make sure Christmas is incorporated into my Christmas card, Good Blessings is also in the running:
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/good-blessings-religious-christmas-5x7-folded-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93476

Another consideration is a story card that has plenty of room to write, since there can NEVER be enough room:
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/mod-snowflakes-story-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93479

Oh, how will I ever choose? I had better get to it though because now that the calendars are done and the card considerations are being made, I have to start thinking about the awesome photobooks that I need to complete for family members as the other part of their gift! 

YAY FOR SHUTTERFLY PHOTOBOOKS!
While I LOVE scrapbooking, let's face it . . . I don't have time . . . so the photobook is a great way to do a "year in review" for family (and for ourselves) or to highlight a special trip like Stella's Make-A-Wish trip this year.  To create your own, go to http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts say that Shutterfly makes my holiday shopping a lot easier because I give family members something they will treasure forever (and it takes the guesswork out of figuring out what they want each year!)

Shutterfly geek? Pretty much . . . but hey, maybe I'll get 50 free cards through a promo they are running since I'm such a Shutterfly geek! Check out Shutterfly's site today--you won't be disappointed! I wouldn't go anywhere else.