There’s a giveaway too — Keep reading for details.
It’s that time again. Time to think of a ridiculous premise for our holiday cards! You know how I do a monthly shoot for the kids in the same chair to document their growth? I thought it would be fun to do the same portrait for all of us this year, then compile the photos into a card.
Eleanor is a toddler. If you’ve experienced toddlerhood, you’ll know that’s all that needs to be said.
I put her down for a nap in hopes of a better shot later. I used the time to run out for flowers (Brandon’s idea, and a good one at that). We took the rest of our photos while E slept, but here are a few from the second attempt later in the day. We tried to bribe her with a lollipop. She let it fall out of her mouth and onto her skirt, and was then appalled.
August was happy! A happy but wiggly, rocking, and slightly out of focus baby. It was so dark in the living room, I had to bump the ISO waaaaay up, open the aperture all the way, and hope for the best.
I was the consummate professional, needing only one shot. Or perhaps I’m just saying that so I’ll only have to show you one shot. You’ll never know.
Brandon looks like a standup fellow. So dapper. So mature.
Oh, wait! We have a B-side. A Brandon B-side.
Aw yeah. Brandon’s footie pajamas made a triumphant return. Along with my necklace. And with that, here is this year’s Balch family holiday card.
We’re lookin’ good.
Giveaway
You are no doubt inspired to make your own holiday cards now, right? OK, you may not want to take the route we did. You can still go for the classic family photo, and for that you’ll need a nice camera. And something (or some things) to put that photo on. Well, Shutterfly is offering 50 cards, a 12×12 photo book, an 8×8 photo book, mug, 3 calendars, reusable shopping tote, and an ornament, along with a PowerShot S100 Camera.
Visit Shutterfly to select your favorite photo card template, and leave a comment here about which one you like best to enter. A winner will be randomly selected.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years or older. Ends 12/6/11. To enter and for Official Rules, including odds and prize descriptions, visit Girl’s Gone Child, The Spohrs are Multiplying, or Make and Takes. Void where prohibited.
Congratulations to the winner, Diana L!
Robin @ Our Semi Organic Life
November 15, 2011 at 9:51 amAll so cute! I love the Be Merry Frame card!
Megan
November 15, 2011 at 9:52 amOh! What fun! That is my fave card on shutterfly. Love the font, love the colors. I’m thinking one big shot on the front of the family 5×7 flat card, and a tiny one on the back. Love it.
Kelley Lee
November 15, 2011 at 9:55 amL O V E the “Bright Holly Jolly” design and really wish holiday cards weren’t so darn expensive!
sue b.
November 15, 2011 at 9:56 amI love the Merry Little Jingle Christmas Card
Melissa
November 15, 2011 at 9:57 amI love the ‘we believe!” flat stationery card. So cute!
Deanna
November 15, 2011 at 9:58 amI love the one called “TOp Moments.” I have a one year old, so this year has had lots of Top Moments!!
Molly
November 15, 2011 at 9:59 amLove the Merry Bright ZigZag!!
Emily
November 15, 2011 at 10:01 amI like the “Family Highlights Christmas Card” template. With my large crew, I dread having to dress and pose everyone, then pray all look at the camera. I’ve given up on all smiling. :)
Nicole C
November 15, 2011 at 10:06 amI love the Jingle Bells Song flat card. So sweet!
Ashlie
November 15, 2011 at 10:07 amI love these cards! We have so many hilarious outtakes from trying to get a shot of my one-month-old in a Santa hat that I think the Pictures Everywhere template would be really cute. The photo books would make amazing grandparent presents!
Thanks for such a great giveaway!
Latoya Y.
November 15, 2011 at 10:08 amLove the Mod Circles card!
Heather
November 15, 2011 at 10:08 amI like Oh What Fun! Your cards are too awesome.
Christa M.
November 15, 2011 at 10:10 amI think I like Say Noel the best…but there are so many to choose from!
Johanna
November 15, 2011 at 10:12 amI like the traditional plaid!
Ellen M
November 15, 2011 at 10:13 amMy six year old would pick “Merriest Rainbows”, but I would pick “Crafty Ornament Holiday Card” because I can never narrow it down to 1 pic for a card. Shutterfly’s designs get better and better each year. I love them!
Mary H.
November 15, 2011 at 10:15 amI love “Joy and Magic!” But seriously, all of their cards are great!
Jenny Sun
November 15, 2011 at 10:17 amLove your holiday card photos! I like the Merry Bright Greeting template on Shutterfly.
Ashley
November 15, 2011 at 10:23 amI think I may do something similiar and go with card “Modern Stamp.” We wore peachy orange in our family pictures this year, so I love that Shutterfly let’s you select the primary color on the card and narrow the amazing selection down to a manageable number. :-) Thanks!
Emilia Edmonson
November 15, 2011 at 10:23 ami love the sweet chic design. and the footed pjs :)
Kristin
November 15, 2011 at 10:24 amAir Mail Love! This one fits my lifestyle.
Cheryl Dorris
November 15, 2011 at 10:29 amI love the Oh What Fun design. Thanks for the chance to win! p.s. Love your dress! I just tried to order one from Target.com, and they are all sold out in my size.
MK
November 15, 2011 at 10:30 amThe Merry Bright ZigZag is my favorite- anything chevron, really :).
lauren michele
November 15, 2011 at 10:30 amwhat a great giveaway! i like the wrapped ribbon card template.
Lisa
November 15, 2011 at 10:33 amI love the Mod Snowflake frame for our Christmas photo!!
heather f
November 15, 2011 at 10:34 amthe bright merry zig zag is fun. we seem to be into chevron patterns here. I almost choked on my coffee at the idea of my husband in footy pajamas. yowza
leigh
November 15, 2011 at 10:36 amOh my goodness, your husband’s onesie is AWESOME!
happiest time of the day, happiest time of the year | simple girl
November 15, 2011 at 10:39 am[…] Nicole is participating in an amazing giveaway via Shutterfly- you can get holiday cards, photo books, photo products (mug, tote, ornament), and camera! […]
Kari
November 15, 2011 at 10:41 amI like Monogram Damask or Sparkling Snowflake.
Bethany Aldecoa
November 15, 2011 at 10:41 ami like the holiday loves sketch template
Lauren @ chezerbey
November 15, 2011 at 10:46 amOh dear…I think I just spit a little coffee when I saw the last picture of Brandon. So awesome.
Emily
November 15, 2011 at 10:47 amHa! Love the family photo!
I really like the “Colored Ribbons” flat card!
Shannon
November 15, 2011 at 10:49 amThis is such a GREAT idea (and I love how your husband really got into it), Ha! I think my favorite is the “Peace, Love and Joy” one, but there are lots of other cute ones too!
Jenny
November 15, 2011 at 10:49 amSo cute! I think I like the “Cheers to You Holiday Card” the best.
Katrina
November 15, 2011 at 10:50 amYour card is so cute!! I love the ‘coastal wishes’ card for our Holdiay card, I hope we win!!! :)
Rebecca
November 15, 2011 at 10:52 amWhat an adorable and hilarious card! I’ve been thinking about ordering holiday cards from Shutterfly. I like the Merry & Bright Zigzag card. We have a new baby due any day now, and I’ve got dreams of dressing her like an elf for our card this year… :)
Lindsay
November 15, 2011 at 10:52 amI just ordered the “We Believe” Christmas Card! I think they’re adorable and capture the spirit of the season.
Holly
November 15, 2011 at 10:53 amMy favorite is the Merry Bright greeting. Great job on the card-I need to work on taking our picture-juggling the 2 year old and the crazy lab dog should be an adventure!
Csilla
November 15, 2011 at 10:57 amIt’s hard to pick just one! Modern merriest squares
Jeannie
November 15, 2011 at 11:00 amI like the merry bright zigzag!
kribss
November 15, 2011 at 11:02 amsimply love is one of my faves.
Zhaleh
November 15, 2011 at 11:04 amI like the Bright Bold Countdown New Year’s Card
Ali
November 15, 2011 at 11:07 amThis is so cute! On the Shutterfly site I liked Pictures Everywhere the best.
Stacey Ball
November 15, 2011 at 11:11 amI love the Deck Your Walls card!!
Trasina McGahey
November 15, 2011 at 11:12 amI love the Flurry Of Snowflakes template!
Tara
November 15, 2011 at 11:14 amCute photo!…With 2 kids the same age as yours, I know how hard it is to get a photo of all 4 of us together. Snowflakes Ribbon Christmas Card is my current favorite
Francesca
November 15, 2011 at 11:15 amI love the All the Happiness Christmas card.
Kristina Kipp
November 15, 2011 at 11:20 amMy favorite Shutterfly photo card template is “Retro Design”.
There were so many to choose from, it was so hard picking a favorite!!
Hannah T.
November 15, 2011 at 11:21 amI love the What Fun template… so, well, fun. And cute. Thanks for the giveaway1
Andrea
November 15, 2011 at 11:22 amI love your card! And, based on the theme for my homemade christmas cards this year, I like the ‘Gingerbread Fun’ card from shutterfly. They have a lot of cute photo cards! So many to choose from! =)
Sarah O
November 15, 2011 at 11:22 amI like the frosted glass monogram and mod circles cards
Jen
November 15, 2011 at 11:23 amI really like the simplicity of the Initial Wreath!
Kim
November 15, 2011 at 11:24 amI love the Colorful Stripes template! Now just need a cool family pic like yours to add to it!
Amy
November 15, 2011 at 11:25 amI would choose the Sparkle Joy Holiday Card in 5×7. That is so cute!
Dana Beth
November 15, 2011 at 11:26 amwe haven’t gotten or pics back from our photographer yet so I’m not sure which I would pick. I do like the “bold bright joy”
Lynn
November 15, 2011 at 11:28 amWe have never done a holiday photo card because we don’t have children, but I love the Modern Pinecone card. Who says we need kids to do something like this?
janice
November 15, 2011 at 11:34 amAdoring the “Bright Holly Jolly!” And your card looks fantastic!
Meg S
November 15, 2011 at 11:47 amI love the Sparkle Joy card!
amy
November 15, 2011 at 11:49 ami really like “peppermint joy wreath” – i love that it feels modern and retro at the same time.
Kristin
November 15, 2011 at 11:49 amI love the “Joy to the World” card. Would be perfect for our first Christmas card as a family of 3
Leah
November 15, 2011 at 11:49 amFlourishing Wishes is super cute but I also love the simplicity of Sparkle Joy.
Cortney
November 15, 2011 at 11:52 amI love the Flourished Frames Christmas Card template.
Amy B
November 15, 2011 at 12:01 pmSo hard to pick! I love many of them, but I really like the “Wishing You Merry” Christmas card.
Laurie
November 15, 2011 at 12:03 pmAnyy of them would be terrific. I am paralyzed with indecision every year.! :)
Cathy
November 15, 2011 at 12:06 pmI love the sparkle joy card!
Nicole A.
November 15, 2011 at 12:06 pmLove the “O What Fun” card, although it as difficult to choose just one!
Erin
November 15, 2011 at 12:13 pmI like the Berry Merry card! So cute!
Jessi @ The Design Slice
November 15, 2011 at 12:13 pmI love the colored ribbons template.
Chelsea @ Adorning Alabama
November 15, 2011 at 12:14 pmPeppermint Pinetrees is my favorite – my husband doesn’t know it yet, but I’m planning a cruise next Christmas!
Holly
November 15, 2011 at 12:15 pmWhat a great give away! I like the Modern Initials Christmas Card.
Thank you!
ellen patton
November 15, 2011 at 12:18 pmYour card is awesome!
Danielle
November 15, 2011 at 12:18 pmMod Holly is so pretty!
Angela
November 15, 2011 at 12:20 pmMy favorite is the Sparkling Snowflakes with the red background. Now we just need some footie pajamas!
Sierra
November 15, 2011 at 12:26 pmI love, love LOVE it! Well done Nicole!!
Stephanie
November 15, 2011 at 12:26 pmLove the Merry Bright Zigzag. My love for chevron will never die!
Liza
November 15, 2011 at 12:26 pmThe modern pinecone design is super cute! Can’t wait to make holiday cards!
Angela
November 15, 2011 at 12:35 pmsparkle joy card! love love love!
xoxo.
RebeccaNYC
November 15, 2011 at 12:36 pmVERY funny! and sweet, too.
Kim
November 15, 2011 at 12:41 pmDefinitely the peppermint joy wreath card!
Susan/Project Balancing Act
November 15, 2011 at 12:42 pmHello! I like Elegant Script Wishes the best!
Meredith K A
November 15, 2011 at 12:44 pmIf I’m going the photo card route, I prefer the photo to be integrated into the card, instead of looking like a photo with some holiday text & graphic slapped over it as an afterthought. So my favorites are the Ho Ho Ho cards, the Joy card, and I think my very favorite is the Mod Circles!
Stacey
November 15, 2011 at 12:45 pmI really like the Glitter Joy
Kim
November 15, 2011 at 12:48 pmmodern pinecone i love!
rechel
November 15, 2011 at 1:02 pmSparkle joy card!:)
Christina W.
November 15, 2011 at 1:02 pmIn a perfect world I could have the Tree All Aglow design minus the tree, but I’ll settle for Classic Wishes or Retro Merry Christmas…also did you design some of these?? Oh Dear Me in particular!
Shelby
November 15, 2011 at 1:08 pmMy favorite: Fun Filmstrip — in red and aqua!
Jenny J.
November 15, 2011 at 1:12 pmOkay, I didn’t think it would be so difficult to choose but there are so many great options! I think my favorite is Oh Golly Holly! TOO CUTE!!
Nicole
November 15, 2011 at 1:16 pmMy favorite is the “What Fun Christmas Card.” It’s nice and simple, is darling with a black and white photo, and really looks like fun!
e
November 15, 2011 at 1:17 pmmy favorite template is the peppermint joy wreath.
Katherine
November 15, 2011 at 1:20 pmhaha, awesome card! I think that my favourite one is… the sweetly stitched stockings one – there are so many cute options, though! thank you for the opportunity – great giveaway!
DJ
November 15, 2011 at 1:23 pmLove the family highlights template!
melissa
November 15, 2011 at 1:25 pmBright Holly Jolly…..With the 3 pic option…for three very jolly boys!
Jessica
November 15, 2011 at 1:27 pmI like “Coastal Wishes.” It’s classy and unobtrusive, unlike myself. Nicole, I LOVE your Christmas card and you look stunning in that picture!
Corrie
November 15, 2011 at 1:29 pmmy favorite was peace-cheer! I love shutterfly!
Amber
November 15, 2011 at 1:32 pmHonestly, I am really really diggin’ the peppermint stripe template. Modern yet classically gorgeous.
Beth
November 15, 2011 at 1:32 pmI love “Big Cheer”. And your Christmas card is too cute:)
Nikka
November 15, 2011 at 1:37 pmI love love love your holiday card! Classy & cute, just lovely!
Elizabeth
November 15, 2011 at 1:40 pmI love the Very Merry Stripes! So cute!
Fingers are crossed!
Melissa
November 15, 2011 at 1:43 pmlove it! :)
Michelle
November 15, 2011 at 1:45 pmi LOVE your card!
My favorite from shutterfly is the puzzle pieces – so colorful!
Shannon
November 15, 2011 at 1:45 pmLove the “Joy and Love” card!