Welcome to the first FAMILY x 12 Blog Hop of 2012!
Every month on the 5th, a small group of us have a blog hop to keep each other accountable in our efforts to take more family photos throughout the year. Our goal is one family photo a month.
How lucky that the blog hop landed on a Thursday because not only do I get to use my photo for the blog hop, but I get to use it as my link up for EMBRACE the CAMERA at The Anderson Family Crew Blog. I love participating and try to as often as I can.
The goal of both events is to encourage ourselves to get in front of the camera with our families and loved ones so it is a perfect match!
My family photo this month was taken on our family holiday in Purgatory, Colorado the week before Christmas. It was my husband's idea. My father was born and raised in Durango (25 miles from Purgatory) and loved it. He took us every other summer when we were growing up. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1989 and I have only been back once. My husband had never been. It is a gorgeous place and definitely holds a very special place in my heart so it was wonderful to see it again. It has changed alot, but it is still the quaint, charming town I remember. Now, we hope to go back again but this time in the summer as there are even more things to do there at that time of year, as there are in the winter. I can't wait to go camping, hiking, jeeping and finally ride the narrow gauge train from Durango to Silverton.
Here's a bonus photo of me with my kids and mom in downtown Durango in front of the historic Strater Hotel where my father worked as a bellboy in his youth.
A nighttime view of Durango all decorated for Christmas.
And another family photo in Zion National park on our way from Durango to Northern California to be with family on Christmas.
GIVE AWAY
Before I send you off on the blog hop, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you I was having a HUGE giveaway on my blog right now! I have one space in Ali Edwards' ONE LITTLE WORD class at Big Picture Classes to give away. Comments are open until 9 PM PST tonight. Read the giveaway post for more details.
CLASSES
Anyone else taking any classes this year? I am! Right now I am doing TWELVE. with Stacy Julian at BPC, Reclaiming My Time with Karen Grunberg, ONE LITTLE WORD with Ali Edwards, 12 Days of Christmas with a bunch of teachers at BPC and have just signed up for my very favorite...
Anyone else doing LOAD? I have been participating since 2008 and haven't missed one yet. It's intense, but so much fun. What is LOAD? It stands for Layout A Day - so basically you produce one layout a day for a month and Lain supplies motivation, prompts (optional) and even video inspiration for the first time!
OFF YOU GO...
Now on with the blog hop! Next on the list is Ruth. If you should get lost along the way, there is a complete blog hop list and the end of the post, so you can return here to find your way.
MORE STORY BEHIND THE BLOG HOP
The reason I started this hop is because I realized after a trip to Singapore and then a trip to Kyoto, Japan, that I never took a family photo during either amazing trip! How could that happen? Then, I saw a post on Tara Whitney's blog last December that she made a goal to take a family photo once every month in 2010. Her photos were wonderful. Many are just her family hanging around the house. I don't think any of them are formal and posed but they are all very fun. I was so INSPIRED and knew I had to try this. I was lucky that some blog friends wanted to play along. They have guaranteed that I won't forget my goal. And the month when I did forget, I cheated! As long as I take a photo at a time when the month hasn't ended some where in the world, my photo still counts.
Because the most important thing is that we get more family photos. The time that our loved ones are with us is fleeting, so capturing ourselves together as we are now, is priceless.
Great photos Margie. How wonderful that you were able to visit a place that held many memories for you!
Posted by: Melissa | January 05, 2012 at 19:18
Love your photos and this great idea. I can honestly say I hate, just absolutely detest having my photo taken but I know it is something I should do for my children. Is it ok if I join in next month? This is just the motivation I need to get me in front of the camera with me kids. Will certainly be off this weekend to get a photo of all of us.
Posted by: Candace | January 05, 2012 at 23:38
Most definitely! Wed love to have you. Please send me an email (link in the right hand sidebar of the blog) with your blog address and I will send you more details later in the month.
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | January 06, 2012 at 00:02
Hey Margie!!! Happy New Year... Oh you had snow!!! This winter was without snow for us... but I can enjoy your pictures!
You are doing a great job with the family blog hop. I'm enjoying a lot. So what is happening to you?
Waiting for your big news.... :)
Posted by: Patricia Martins | January 06, 2012 at 00:11
Sorry I am so late to the party Margie I will try harder for February I promise! I think I need to write it down somewhere so I don't forget the blog hop! I at least have a photo of the family already taken which helps! Happy New Year to you and yours. Loved the photos of you all in Durango all the snow is gorgeous and what a wonderful town, the hotel is amazing looking. See you in Feb if not before xxx
Posted by: furrypig | January 07, 2012 at 01:39
Happy new year to you and your family. My post was late too as the 5th landed on the first day back to school for us so I was in full headless chicken mode! Wonderful photos - sounds like you had a fabulous trip.
Posted by: Jo | January 07, 2012 at 08:02
Hi! Just catching up after being out of town. Love your photos this month. I'm also taking OLW and 12 plus Round Up at BPC. I'm also doing Finding Photo Flow at Digi101, plus I have two college classes. I don't know what I was thinking. :)
Posted by: MonicaB | January 08, 2012 at 17:19
WOW!You have a full plate! At least by the end you will be really, really, really smart! :)
Posted by: Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie | January 08, 2012 at 17:31