marta locklear . Fine Art Wedding Photographer . Destination . DC . Virginia . Maryland . Worldwide » marta locklear | blog

Tradition…getting back to it that is…is something that was VERY important to me this year. See, the last few years my focus on growing my business to a successful level has taken a tole on my family/domestic life. I am so lucky to have a very supportive and understanding family, and have pushed, helped and sacrificed to get my business where it is. I cannot thank them enough. So this year I made a personal goal to take back some of my life and be the “Marta Stewart (dubbed by old friends)” that I once was…and loved to be. I regained a focus on my home, my kids, and building memories for them.

So this year we ended it with 2 big new traditions. We traveled out to some land and hunted down a wild grown Cedar Tree and cut it for our home (it was a blast). And Elf John (named after my Grandfather who passed this November) entered our house. I was worried at first that he would be a big bust since out of my 3 only 1 (the 4 year old) believes in Santa anymore. I say that lightly because my other two are amazing kids and play the Christmas/Santa thing so well for their little brother…you kinda would never guess they did not believe (or know the whole gig). They were honestly more excited to see what Elf John was up to each day, and yesterday expressed their sadness that he had to leave. We all kinda got a little used to his silly little grin and twinkling eyes staring at us. Elf John, apparently was not much happier about having to go. We will await his return next year with open and eager arms. And I promise to do a better job at processing the images more similar :) (it took all I had not to re-edit these on my phone). They were all taken with my iPhone and posted to Instagram.

So with that said…I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Be sure to add some new family traditions to your line up next year. It is worth every ounce of extra time it takes.