It's not REALLY Christmas until someone cries...and a Family Picture is taken.

Sometimes, but not always, in that order. Ethan decided to do the crying before the photo shoots happened, and Sophie decided that during the photo shoot would be the better venue. I really wish I would have snapped a picture of Ethan curled up in a ball next to the dresser in my bedroom screaming and crying when he heard the news that pictures were to be taken. Because THAT would have been a Kodak moment. After about an hour of listening to his freak out session, we deduced that part of his problem was that he hadn't eaten breakfast that morning and didn't go to bed the night before until almost midnight. A near deadly combination with this particular child. Lack of sleep and insufficient food cause massive meltdowns of irrationality.

Once lunch was eaten, he was MUCH happier and (I think) he even enjoyed the picture taking. He might have been the only one. Hahahaha. Here are the fruits of our labor. Please note the slow but steady disintegration of Sophie's mood. Because, come on, let's face it. Who really WANTS to take a million family pictures when it's cold outside and there is no immediate incentive involved?


First up? My mom with all the grandkids. I don't think there's a decent one in the bunch. Grace kept doing these weird poses and wouldn't put down an ornament. Jane kept trying to wander off. Eleanor wouldn't sit still and kept jumping all over the place, and mom was trying to juggle Penelope and Pearce while the cold was slowly but surely turning Sophie into an angry little elf.










After the idea of an outdoor photo was scrapped (no one really wanted to walk through the snow) we opted to take all the pictures on the back porch. Let's just say that it brought back years and years of suppressed memories. Hahahaha. I think I can safely say that NONE of us liked taking our yearly Christmas picture as kids. As adults I'm not sure the sentiment has faded. Haha. It is certainly a lot harder to get a decent shot with this many people (and kids) in the shoot. Luckily we got a decent picture out of the bunch (because NO ONE was willing to get dressed again to retake anything).

Eleanor and Sophie were probably having the roughest time.

Notice Grace's weird pose and Sophie sulking on my shoulder.

And finally the money shot.

Mom with all 7 kids...

and a little lagniappe.

And finally, finally, I managed to convince the kids to get dressed up the next day for their photo shoot with Muffy (my sister Laura) who so graciously agreed to take their pictures so I can have new ones for my living room wall.















And that's all folks. More will come on Christmas 2010 later...