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...the before the perfect Holiday Photo

The good. The bad. The ugly. Tell me your family has these too?!

Every year my husband begs for a professional phtographer to do our Christmas pictures and every year I'm like, "No, I got this!" such the optomist.

So every year we go through this.... It's a beautiful thing. Two a@@es, two handsome smiles, and too much space for a toddler to run free. But trapping toddlers is never a good idea either.  Damn't. And limiting a family of 4 to a 10 second window isn't recommended either. Although, I try every year. and no, we are not singing carols.

And, just when you think you may have captured the perfect picture for your Holiday Cards...you later realize it was out of focus and of no real quality. Shiitake!! It could have been much worse. I could have forced everyone into cheesy, matching outfits expecting us to fit perfectly around the base of a tree in some awkward pose. Or I could have demanded we all buy Christmas themed pajama's and sit together wrapped in Christmas lights, which would have undoubtedly sent our youngest into an almighty fit. I don't know how those families pull it off. Instead, I carried my camera with us throughout the day (abused my timer switch) as we waited over 3 hours to see Santa...more on that later.

So, yes dear hubby, next year we will do professional pictures.
Meanwhile this gem will do for Christmas 2012. Happy Holidays to all my Blogging Buddies! Linked with Embrace the Camera Challenge and Mom's Monday Mingle Posted by Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat at 4:40 PM Labels: family photo', holidays, military families, my boys 
family photos are such an 'amazing' experience in the most funny way ever. My hubby gives me this huge sigh every time I speak the words "family photo" like hello, what's the big deal?! and now with a baby.. it's even more fun. Your pictures are adorable. You and your boys are the most lovely family ever! They are a bunch of lucky boys having YOU to love and care for them. I love seeing ALL of these.. The good.. the bad.. the ugly (except ya right, no ugly in your family!) Great picture! I think I am going to second you on the professional photographer for next year as well :) Merry Christmas dear friend!

December 20, 2012 at 5:08 PM 
Those pics are so funny and the final product looks great! You look beautiful as always!

December 20, 2012 at 5:13 PM SimplyCallMeSylvia said...

lol your youngest looks so happy! Hes probably thinking, "This better be the last one, or else!"

December 20, 2012 at 5:34 PM Kimberley Tobin said...

Visiting from the Aloha Friday hop :) You guys will look back on these for years to come and have a great laugh haha!!

December 20, 2012 at 5:53 PM Anestazia said...

I'm a new follower from Aloha Friday and I'm really excited to see what all you have to post! I have a Friday hop called Freakin' Friday. I'd love for you to join! http://yourworkistodiscoveryourworld.blogspot.com/2012/12/freakin-friday-no-14.html


December 20, 2012 at 9:04 PM 
Too funny. I look forward to your Christmas cards every year.

December 20, 2012 at 10:29 PM Kate @ Daffodils said...

haha I just posted all my out takes yesterday. It is tough! But your last one is beautiful. Merry Christmas!

December 21, 2012 at 12:26 AM 
ha! I'll have to check them out! Love that you posted them too!!

December 21, 2012 at 12:48 AM 
He's definitely the boss! Altho, I got the feeling of 3 of them were thinking it better be the last one or else, haha!

December 21, 2012 at 12:49 AM 
Thanks Lindsay! These pics still crack me up and will for years to come!

December 21, 2012 at 12:52 AM 
Laura! You are too sweet!!!Good to hear from you :)
My boys (hubby included) know how much I love to take pictures and capture all the fun but I swear when they see me with the camera their instinct is to run the other way! Maybe hubby's on to something tho, a pro photographer could be fun and good change for us?!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, warm chai tea and fuzzy blankets to you and your family...and HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY to the little man!!

December 21, 2012 at 1:03 AM 
You are so right :) And we'll probably laugh even harder as years go by!

December 21, 2012 at 1:05 AM 
hey, at least I didn't make Landon do the reindeer fingerprints this year!
Your cards in the mail...just a little behind schedule this year! opps!

December 21, 2012 at 1:06 AM Montana said...

Love these pics! Super cute and the ones like these are the ones that you really remember!

December 21, 2012 at 8:28 AM 
awe love the photos. lol.

December 21, 2012 at 12:07 PM 
We had a bunch of outtakes too! I think you got a good one though.

December 22, 2012 at 4:40 PM 
Haha cute outtakes :) Your photo turned out great though and I love your boots!

December 25, 2012 at 12:08 AM kendra kay said...

its so hard to get good family photos- i finally just did awkward family photos this year. we had a great time just being silly and i didnt have to worry about everyone taking a good pic. it worked out-haha.
im a new follower to you form the social hop- come over and visit me too when ya can -www.kendrakaypahukoa.blogspot.com

December 28, 2012 at 2:54 AM 

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