Behind the scenes....

This year, we decided it would be a good idea to load up the dog, the two-year-old, and the camera on a particularly warm November morning. We headed to Pixley Falls, a beautiful spot for hiking and picnicking about 30 minutes from our home. In my infinite (cheap) wisdom, I figured we'd set the camera on a rock, set the timer, and snag a picture.

While I imagine this particular park is jam-packed all summer long (the shallow water practically begs for you to jump in), this unusually warm November weekday meant there was no one else in sight. And thank goodness.

Kahla barks at and chases every moving thing (if you've met her, you know). Jackson is... two. And Tyler, he managed to forget to grab the shirt I placed at his fingertips on our way out the door. Win. Win. Win.

Incredibly, Kahla was by far the most well-behaved individual in our family. Jackson was throwing tantrums - because he hates the camera. Tyler was frustrated - because Jackson was frustrated. And I was over it before it began because - Tyler forgot his shirt, Jackson HATES pictures, and Kahla barks at everything.

BUT. She saved the day. She was calm, posed for the camera, and held this nightmare together. We hiked out of there a sweaty, stressed, confused mess - but that's life.

We managed to snag exactly ONE decent family picture - but that's all you need, right?

Here's to real life. Merry Christmas - from our family to yours!

 

She wins a gold star for this endeavor.

 

Ok. this isn't so bad...

 

Nailing it. Picture after picture.

 

What a backdrop.

 

Nope, that won't do.

 

There she is, posing the way she does.

 

....This won't work either.

 

Mid-tantrum.

 

Things improved once we stopped for lunch, and stopped forcing pictures.

 

 

... and we got one. He's not smiling, but we'll take it.