Tina and Kristina

Thank you Tracy!!

While I admire these gorgeous, artistic works of art I still prefer our homespun, memory filled, Charlie Brownesque tree.  I love our tree because it has meaning.  Our tree is filled with a stories and memories captured in the many ornaments that gingerly hang from its branches.

Each December, the kids and I love rooting through our ornament boxes looking for our favorites.  We jockey for the prime branches to proudly display the ones that hold a special place in our hearts.

For example, the ornament pictured below, that my husband likes to call “The Grim Reaper,” is one I made with my dear friend and roommate when I lived in San Francisco, Kathy.  We spent an afternoon crafting these adorable old-fashioned Santas.

The ornament my husband calls "The Grim Reaper"

This next ornament was the ornament I got for my son’s first Christmas.  On the bottom I wrote with a Sharpie “And Baby Makes 3, December 1997.”

Here is one example of some very special ornaments that hang on our tree.  My mother-in-law, who sadly passed away too soon, painted an ornament each year for my kids. Unfortunately, my twins who are almost 10, only have one.

This is another favorite of mine.  My mom made it out of the lace from my wedding dress (which she also made–yes she is AWESOME).

And of course our tree is filled with ornaments made by the kids (which tend to drag down the branches which try to hold them).  We have salt dough ornaments, ornaments made from those Oriental Trading Co. kits and glass balls full of glitter.

However, the one thing that gives our tree some semblance of being “pulled together” are the dozens of hand-crocheted snowflakes made by my soon to be 91 year old grandmother.

Yes, our tree is full of love and amazing memories and each year it grows. What ornaments on your tree bring back special memories?

Canon 24-70 mm f2.8L Lens

After months of research, we finally took the plunge and purchased the Canon 24-70mm f2.8L lens.   What made us pull the trigger?

Well, it was not an easy decision by any means.  We have the nifty fifty as well as the Canon 28-135 mm lenses and both have served us well.  We have taken over 2,000 portraits using these two lenses.

But we were ready to invest in something new.

We knew we wanted a sharp, fast portrait lens that would would work great in low lighting and provide the much desired bokeh (background blur).  We considered prime lenses, third party lenses (Tamron and Sigma), and the highly regraded Canon 24-70mm f 2.8L lens.

After researching photography blogs, message boards, review sites, and asking every photographer we met what lens they loved most, the decision became obvious–invest in the 24-70mm f2.8L lens.

Santa came a little early and we now have this lens.  We are both eager and excited to try out this lens and we will be posting more pictures soon.  Here are just a few that I took while cutting down our Christmas tree this weekend.

If you have this lens, we’d love to hear about your experience with it.  Please, leave us a comment and share your lens story.

Our tree already has ornaments!

Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!

If you have a photo geek enthusiast on your list (or if you are one yourself), check out my PearlTree for some great gift ideas.  From fantastic zoom lenses (you’ve got money to burn, right?) to clever peel and stick wall frames, you are bound to find a gift that is sure to please. Just click the pearl (with my face on it) and you’ll go to my PearlTree. Once you are there, scroll over the various pearls to see my favorite photography picks!

Adorable Self-Adhesive Wall Frames!

San Francisco at Night

Are you a professional photographer or know someone who is?  If so, and would like to be considered for our series, please drop us a line at momswhoclick@yahoo.com. 

We look forward to bringing this series to you in a month!

Strange Cacti