I loooooove getting the mail in December. Holiday cards are my favorite thing ever. I really enjoy seeing family portraits and reading updates on what everyone did over the past year.
Putting a card together is always so much fun for me. Of course, I always wait until the last minute, so Maddie and Rigby ended up in a New Year’s card, but this year I am a little more on top of things.
In fact, Mike and I were so on top of things that we couldn’t settle on just one card, so we made two!
I wish I could send a card to everyone, but stamps are expensive! So thanks to the magic of the Interwebs, everyone can enjoy our cards here.
The first:
The second:
Oh man, the photo shoot for these cards. Getting that dog and that child to sit still and not poke, bark, eat, pull, or maim each other was an experience I have yet to recover from.
Which one is your favorite?
Do you have a card to share, or want to see more? Click below!
Kate @ UpsideBackwards says:
Ohmigosh, those are SOOOO gorgeous! Amazing photos, Heather, I am in awe. I think my favourite is the first one, just for the sheer joy on Annie’s face. And the nose on Rigby. That dog is so patient! Maybe she gets it from you The photo shoot sounds like quite an adventure.
Merry Christmas, Spohrs! I hope it’s a fantabulous one.
Lamb says:
Both cards are super cute, but Annie Claus is definitely my favorite!
Veronika says:
Beautiful! Both of them! I love the first one the most because of Annie’s happy face and Rigby’s “Dude. Really?” face. One question (forgive me for this please). Is she supposed to be Annie Claus or Annie Clause? Because I read those two differently.
Heather says:
Um…I’m not sure what you mean, but now I am wondering if I spelled something wrong. She’s Annie Claus, like Santa Claus.
Meghan says:
You made Annie A TREE?! That is AWESOME. But Rigby pulling the sleigh is classic. And kinda sad.
Heather says:
yes, and there was a hat that went with the tree, but she refused to wear it. Brat.
Elle says:
These cards are so cute. I love Rigby as a reindeer and Annie in the tree costume is priceless. Last year I tried to take a pic of my then 8 month old daughter for our Christmas cards.
We had her sitting in front of the tree with reindeer antlers on her head. It took us two days before we actually got a shot we could use. I’m still recovering from that experience.
katie says:
i love both of them, but the first one’s just a tad but cuter!
Kathryn says:
Love Annie Claus…SO cute!! Rigby cracks me up! These and the photos you did with Maddie, he just sits there!! Not sure how you do that, but the results are priceless!
Annalien says:
These are seriously the cutest pictures I have ever seen! Anne Geddes be damned :-).
Audra says:
Annie Claus is my favorite because she looks so happy. I too, love getting the mail in December. In fact, I know this is wrong and selfish, but my little girls like to open the Christmas cards too and, more often than not, I like to get the mail and open the Christmas cards while my children are distracted
catherine lucas says:
Wow, hard to choose. I think I would go for the first one, but hey, they both are too cute for words. It’s so true that a photograph says more then a thousand words. Lovely shots, love the antlers on Rigby and love the green pine dress on Annie… Well done!
Lora says:
LOVE Annie Claus!!!!
toni bautista says:
FIRST!!!!! toooo cute!!
Roberta says:
The Annie Claus is the best. Merry Christmas Sphors family!
Ninabi says:
Precious, joyful, beautiful, funny…wonderful cards with a pretty baby and a cute little dog- I love them both. What a wonderful job you did with the costumes, captions and all. Makes me regret the years as a parent when all I had was a cheap point and shoot camera.
Your cards are lovely. Annie’s smile made my day. Thank you for sharing them with us, your readers.
DefendUSA says:
I was thinking they are both awesome…but let’s say you have kid number three…you are gonna be a madwoman trying to keep things equal! Annie and Rigby are adorable together! Merry Christmas!
Heather says:
The Annie Claus is awesome, they’re both good… but that first one takes the Christmas cake!
We have so many ‘Save the Date’ cards to send out this year that I bought a cheap $8 box from Walmart to save on costs… no fancy card to be proud of.
Mary Ann says:
Both cards are soooooooo cute! I personally would have done both – sending one from The Sphors the other from Annie and Rigby. How many did you have to take to get those shots?
AmazingGreis says:
I love them both, but I think Annie Clause and Rigby the Reindeer is my favorite!!! Good job Spohrs!
Lynn from For Love or Funny says:
WOW – you are so creative! I like Annie in the sleigh!
JENNY says:
Wow! Both cards and photos are great. That looks like a labor of love. I am a sucker for the dog in the Grinch movie, so Annie Clause and Rigby Reindeer is my favorite. I love the antlers on Rigby!
mia says:
Oh, I definitely vote for the first card!
Both Annie and Rigby don’t look real sure in the second one. They both seem like they’re in between facial expressions. The facial expressions and composition just make the first one fabulous! I like the second one, but I think it’s just so-so, especially compared to the first (though I love both outfits in the second one!)
mia says:
Ah – I figured out what it is about that second one….
Both Annie and Rigby look like they’re not too happy about being dressed up (“Yeah. My mom dressed me up and we’re taking a photo. *sigh* ‘Tis the life of a dog/baby.” )
Whereas in the first one, they’re both *totally* into it!
Barbi Emel says:
Love them both!!! I’m sure that was an experience. Merry Christmas to all of you!
Barbi
Jen in Maryland says:
OH.MY.GOD!! Love them both but the think the first one might be my favorite. Rigby “pulling” the sled and Annie’s expressions are priceless. I can only imagine how long it took to get both these pictures taken. Merry Christmas to you all!
anotherheatherfromcanada says:
Hands down Annie Claus wins !!! SO adorable !!!!
tonya says:
Both are precious, but the first is my favorite. Annie’s face is so full of joy. The second one cracks me up because they both look like they wouldn’t mind hurting you. Kudos to you for coming up with TWO awesome cards, though. My girls are six and ten, and we do photo shoots every year, and some of my least proud Mom Moments center around trying to get the prize shot. The poor kids are probably scarred for life. It never fails that when I whip out the “good camera” their jaws drop, eyes grow huge and they whine, “NOoooooooo!”
Heidi says:
Annie Claus 4eva! I love it! (They’re both adorable and hilarious of course, but Rigby pulling that sleigh and Annie’s expression are just too much.)
yvonne says:
Way cute!!!! You guys are so clever! Ours is just the whole family posed together at our local park – on and around a park bench – very original, I know…
Jaime Maynard says:
I like the first better poor Rigby.
Lisa says:
They are both super cute, but I think the Annie Claus and Rigby the Rednosed Reindeer one is my favorite.
Missy says:
You mean you really dressed them and posed them like that?! No Photoshop?! Wow, they’re even more amazing! Such a creative mom & dad you two are. Thanks for sharing; definitely the best cards I’ve seen yet.
Deborah says:
Hmmm….they are both equally as cute, but there is something about the deadpan expression on Rigby’s face in the second one that has me on the floor laughing. I hope all the Spohrs have a lovely day today!!!
(((hugs)))
Leslie says:
Annie Claus, Annie Claus. That is just the most adorable precious thing ever.
Mishi says:
I want to smoooooshie kiss those rosy cheeks!!
Mel says:
The first one is my favorite. It’s so cute and funny! The second one is adorable too, but I really love the first one. Rigby reminds me of the “reindeer” from the Grinch.
vickie says:
my vote is for #1 – in fact i’ll probaby steal that idea for next year ; )
Lora says:
Oh my gosh! They are both so adorable. Your creativity knows no bounds. I think I like the Annie Claus one better, although Annie in that Christmas tree dress is so adorable!
Jennifer says:
OMG!! Are they not just the most two precious things in the world!!! I LOVE the first one so much. I can only imagine how long it took to get them looking at the camera and for Rigby to not take off with Annie in that Sleigh! So cute!! Happy Holidays to your entire family!
monica says:
Annie Claus gets my vote. She is just too stinkin cute. They both turned out great.
Lori says:
I can’t decide. I love them both!! Thank you for sharing
amourningmom says:
They are both adorable – I can’t imagine what you and Mike went through to get Annie and Rigby in their outfits and sitting still long enough to take a picture!
Rebecca says:
Now I know why you named her Annie….because Annie Clause sounds so darn cute!
Jenn says:
I love the 2nd one. She looks so innocent in it with her rosie little cheeks! I also love Rigby’s expression too!
Skye says:
I made my cat do a photo shoot- no costume or anything, just me holding her by the tree. Even that was crazy, and I didn’t end up with a picture of her looking at the camera. (The one I went with is cute, though.) I am sooo impressed that you managed to do a successful photo shoot with baby and dog, with a costume change! Wow! I like Annie Claus a little better because she looks so happy
Anne says:
Too cute for words!
Happy Holidays to the Spohr family!
Elizabeth says:
Although it was VERY hard to choose which one is my fav I’d have to say it’s the Season’s Greetings one! Rigby and Annie’s expressions are PRICELESS!!
Meg...CT says:
They are both adorable …but that first one…IT IS A WINNER!!! She is spectacular!
MinNYC says:
Seriously 2 of the cutest Xmas cards I’ve ever seen! I love them both but if I had to choose…the first one.
MBKimmy says:
Both are adorable and so so hard to pick – I like #1 a little better because of Annies HUGE laughter! Adorable!
Check ours out it is posted even though it isn’t listed below!
Darcie says:
I LOVE Annie Claus and Rigby the Red Nosed Reindeer! A-Freaking-Dorable!
Heather says:
1st, hands down!
SWEEEEEEET!
KJ says:
My, what a photogenic pair! I like the Annie Claus best, but they are both adorable! I tried to take a photo of our dog wearing antlers for our Christmas card last year. Um. Did not work out. So, instead we sent a picture of him chewing the antlers to pieces. Oh well!
Jess L. says:
You have truly outdone yourself with the Annie Claus and reindeer Rigby. I love, love, love it!
However, I am a little wary of presents being left under THAT tree. In my house, “leaving presents” translates to “hold your breath and change the diaper in record time.”
Ashley says:
#1! She’s such a cutie and that smile is the kicker. Also, the look of quiet submission on Rigby’s face slays me, it’s all “Ok, I’ll put on the nose, but PuhLEASE don’t send this to all my friends”. Merry Christmas!
Miriam says:
Annie Claus…hands down
Mary says:
I love Annie Claus. It’s spirited and cheerful. And, considering her diaper is under the “tree,” that makes the whole presents under the tree thing a little sketchy. LOL.
missy says:
I can’t pick just one. They are both adorable. Happy Holidays!
Jane says:
The first one!!! Thanks for sharing — Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!
Glenda says:
Both are adorable, but I definitely love love #1. Annie Claus! Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas to you, Mike, Annie and Rigby!
Shana in Texas says:
So, Annie Claus is teh awesome! It is probably the one you should send to family & friends. HOWEVER, I love the presents under the tree for its 1.) (unintended?) poop reference and 2.) Annie is Rockin’ that tree! Her look is all Yea, I’m a tree and I’m beautiful! And, Rigby is like, Well you might want to look in a mirror, girlfriend.
Colleen says:
Absolutely my favorite… Annie Claus and Rigby the Red Nosed Reindeer.
Kelly says:
Oh, how cute. And I know all to well the experience of photo taking with dog and child. Oh boy! Anyway, while the sleigh is adorable, there’s something about Annie’s face in her tree costume that I love! and wins it for me. Plus it’s a little more original.
domestic extraordinaire says:
I love them both!! Your cards are amazing each and every year. I can’t wait for next years!!
punkinmama says:
Love these! Can’t decide which one’s my favorite! They’re both great!
Rebecca says:
If I send you a book of stamps will send them to me?!? Just kidding (well not really but I know that’s asking a lot).
I love them both. They are just classic. I am in awe how you get Rigby to pose like that. Has the Dog Whisperer been to your house or something? Or you’ve got to be bribing him with puffs.
The happiest of holidays to you and your beautiful family.
Becki
Becki says:
If I send you a book of stamps will send them to me?!? Just kidding (well not really but I know that’s asking a lot).
I love them both. They are just classic. I am in awe how you get Rigby to pose like that. Has the Dog Whisperer been to your house or something? Or you’ve got to be bribing him with puffs.
The happiest of holidays to you and your beautiful family.
Alison says:
As much as I luuurve the tree costume, the big smile on sweet Annie’s face in the first card is just so jolly!
xoxo
Lea says:
You are the best at Christmas cards!! The first one is my favorite
Wendy Black says:
Great cards!!! I bought that same dress for my little Samatha for Christmas.
judi mitchell says:
omg, they are both fabulous! If i had to choose one, it would be Annie Claus – so clever
Hollee says:
Annie is always adorable, but these photos of Rigby are priceless. (I can only imagine trying to get my dogs to wear costumes — the skittish one would run away and the beagle would try to eat it.) I vote for #1!
michelle in MO says:
It’s hard to choose but I think I love the first one, just because of her huge grin. Is it ok to print them? That’s the way to do cards if you have a huge list. Make an image and say print it yourself!
pgoodness says:
Love them both!!
Merry Christmas you guys.
Laura says:
Both are super cute, but I love Annie’s huge smile in the first card!
Merry Christmas!
amanda says:
I love them both – but the top one is my fave! Love!
Ash says:
cuteness! i like the top one. im drawn to the twinkly lights. merry christmas to you and yours.
keri says:
Heather, these are so cute, but I LOVE annie’s expression in the first – looks like she’s ready to take off!
Mindy says:
I LOVE the first one! I think your photo session went as well as our Christmas photo session. My 2 1/2 year old son did very well… but my 1 year old daughter screamed the whole time. We did manage to get one single shot of her not crying and both of them almost looking at the camera. I am jealous of your 2 (both very cute) cards!
Katie says:
I like both cards but I LOVE the second one. I also love my Annie and Rigby DVD I got today!
dysfunctional mom says:
That is too cute for words! I can’t pick a favorite, I love them both.
jenny says:
I can see why you love them both, but I think I vote for the tree. I’m a sucker for those TOES! LOVE IT. and you are a magician getting 2 good ones. You are lucky she doesn’t sleep and you didn’t have to break for a nap. Good work.
PS you TOTALLY got Announcements out via Tiny Prints, or whoever did those for you because they SENT me one! Thank goodness!
Carrie says:
They are both great…if I had to pick, I would say the first one (love the sled, the saying, and the expressions on Annie and Rigby). Well done!!!!
Heather says:
I love the first one! Annie Claus is too CUTE!
Jenty says:
Those are gorgeous cards!
Dee Dee says:
OMG! They are both awesome. I don’t know how you chose which to send to family…
Amy S. says:
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE both cards but Annie dressed up like a tree is hilarious! Of course Rigby’s face while dressed as a reindeer is pretty giggle inducing too! Great job and thank you for sharing.
Stephanie says:
They are both awesome but I love the first one!
Corey ~living and loving says:
really really cute cards! I can never pick just one either. I did three.
Merry Christmas to your and yours!
Rachel says:
They are both FABULOUS. And Rigby is such a sport, seriously. I love the tree outfit! Did you make that? Annie gets cuter by the second!
alicia says:
I kinda love how Annie looks like she’s dancing in the second one.