Family Pictures = Torture

Every year we attempt a family picture. I explain to the children, "Children, do you know why we take a family picture every year?"...silence..."because it's for our posterity and for our Christmas card to send to family. You change each year so we snap a picture to measure how you've grown" Kids response, "Did you say Christmas? WE LOVE CHRISTMAS!" Explanation out the window.
Ever since Beck came along this is a family tradition we stomp out to do. It's a love hate. We try to do it ourselves, sporadically-because I never know what time the family will be primped and stain free. Mat and I are also tightly wound.."Don't touch that! Don't put that blanket over your head! That is dirt, dirt is dirty!"

Here are just a few of our many episodes.

This is me scratching a booger off of Micah's forehead. Becket's already yawning and Gretchen's thinking about how much dirt she can squeeze between her big toes.


Ready. Camera. Action. Yup. Nice photo. Gretchen and Micah having their own conversation, I look like I'm at my surprise birthday party, and Becket and Mat look thrilled to be here. Not to mention we're out of focus.


After a 100 pictures, we did get some of the kids that we liked...maybe it's because if we could point at the camera, they wouldn't forget what it looked like. I will be calling my backup, you Amber, if we ever get ready and stain free again. We at least gave it a try.