Happy Christmas Eve, Eve!
Now that (most) of our Christmas cards have been sent out, I can finally share our family Christmas pictures taken by the lovely, Mariah Fisher, of Mariah Fisher Photography.
For three years now, we have scheduled a session with Mariah for shortly after Thanksgiving. We love getting our annual family pictures taken around our small town, Ligonier, Pennsylvania after it has been so beautifully decorated for the holidays.
Photo Credit: Mariah Fisher Photography
Can you blame us? Ligonier at Christmas time gives every Hallmark Christmas movie scene a run for its money.
I should also mention that both Mariah and I grew up in Ligonier. I am speaking for her when I say this (but I think she will agree), that there is something so magical about growing up in this small town.
What is even more magical is seeing the same decorations that have been a town staple since we were children come out every year, and to now watch our own children’s eyes light up when they see town decorated for the first time every year.
Our annual pictures have quickly become a Christmas tradition or ours, and I love that Mariah knows just how to capture not only our family but the town that we cherish and love.
At the very center of our town is a gazebo with a roundabout for traffic. Surrounding the gazebo are the cutest shops you will ever walk into. This town area is referred to as “The Diamond”. This is always a favorite place for us to take pictures.
I love that year after year we get pictures on the church steps. I love looking through them to see how we have all changed each year.
We couldn’t resist snapping a few pictures in front of a few of the adorable stores in our town. I think Lilly was hoping we would go in for some chocolate.
Our town plays Christmas music on the weekends around “The Diamond”. It’s always a great excuse for Lilly to break out her dance moves.
A dancing hippo adorns one of the shop’s windows. Can you guess what song it was dancing to?
I love that Mariah captures the real…and let’s be completely transparent: Trying to get a kid and a dog to look and “stay” for pictures is no easy task.
One of the many special decorations that have adorned our town since I was a little girl.
Do I bribe my child during pictures? Yes, yes I do. We made a pit stop at The Ligonier Creamery to “refuel”. I love these pictures so much. Mariah, you are amazing!
Our final stop finished with some of the most beautiful light. If you are in the Pittsburgh area, BOOK MARIAH. Seriously, how stunning are these shots?!
…and now for a few “bloopers”…because you guys need to know two things:
- My family is just like yours (or maybe crazier) and chaos ensues every year with our Christmas pictures. Our daughter has had a black eye in them, our dog has peed on Mariah’s boot, our daughter has licked Mariah when she offered her a high five, we have been sick, had to reschedule due to weather…you name it…real life…which leads me to…
- Mariah is really that amazing. She works a Christmas miracle every year for our pictures and I am SO THANKFUL for her.
Maggie is the queen of photobombing. Probably not intentional on her behalf but regardless of where I am in the house, she is always right next to me.
She is also so tolerant of Lilly, and Lilly’s tendency to give unannounced strangling-like hugs.
Kudos to Alex for reigning in Lilly while managing to hold on to Maggie!
Our 2019 Christmas Card:
I used Canva to design our own cards this year. I had a very specific idea in mind and didn’t find a normal holiday card template that I loved, so I decided to make my own. I printed my designs using Shutterfly.
I love how they turned out! I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a blessed 2020!
Another special thank you to Mariah Fisher Photography! Be sure to check out her blog post about our session by clicking here.
xoxo,
Kalyn
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