Ellie's Artistic Shots

 

Tom, Laura and myself at sunset

Ellie likes to take pictures - lots of pictures - of everything.  While I make fun of her for taking pictures non-stop of every random thing, I have to admit that she gets some really neat pictures; some I would never have even thought of taking myself.  So, thanks Ellie for some unique photo-memories of our beach trip this year :)

The photographer herself

I don't know if I've ever seen a starfish on the beach.  This trip made up for it, though.  I probably saw hundreds on this beach.  I always thought they would be perfect and colorful.  However, most were like the one above, slightly misshapen and the same color as the sand.

On the pathway to the beach.

Can you see us?

I don't often think about going to the beach in winter, but it was lovely.  It wasn't crowded at all, and though it was cold, walking along the water's edge was still very enjoyable.

This is a shot I never would have taken, but I really like it.  Don't know why, but I do :)

Long shadows

Another interestingly blurry shot

Paul and Kimberly

Christmas in Dothan

We had a great time in the US over the holidays.  It was fun bringing Laura to her home country and crazy to think she was a US citizen, but before December hadn't ever been there!  We were in Atlanta for week catching up with friends, doing some shopping and just enjoying being home.  Then we went to my parent's to spend about a week there and introduce Laura to my sisters and grandmother for the first time.

 

 All dressed up at the Christmas Eve service at my parent's church.

 

A family shot after church on Christmas Eve.

Four generations of women.

Proud Aunties

Laura looks much more alert in this Christmas tree shot than she did in the one we took two weeks before in front of our tree in Switzerland.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

I enjoyed seeing so many stockings hanging on the fireplace this year.  Laura's is on the end.  I made it with my mother-in-law the last time I was in Atlanta in preparation for her arrival.  It made me feel like she was really part of the family to see her name up there as well.