Merry Christmas!

We hope that this Christmas season provides you with as much love and happiness as we have over here. We are truly blessed with the knowledge of our Savior and His love for us. 

Merry Christmas!
Love,
The Smiths

Family Pictures!

**If you don't need the play by play go ahead and skip down, there's tons of pictures!**

I was noticing recently how the last time we had family pictures taken, Sammie wasn't even on our radar. I mean, my SIL took a few shots for us at my sister's wedding when Sam was 4 months old, but really they're not my favorite. Not because Kerstin did a bad job (she didn't - she's awesome and I'd recommend her to anyone even though she's not technically a "professional") but for a bunch of other reasons. I didn't like the way I looked, we didn't get one with everyone looking at the camera, the outfits weren't what I would have chosen for family pictures, etc. etc. etc.

It had been bugging me for years but I was hesitant to bring it up because Justin megaloathes family pictures. I get it, it's frustrating to take pictures with a bunch of wild animals children who require constant bribing, cajoling, and bargaining in order to get the job done. On top of all that, you need to maintain YOUR composure and keep a smile on YOUR face while your children are throwing exorcist style tantrums in the background and just pray that the photographer snaps the picture in such a way as to make the tantrums look like something that we planned as a fun photo op. And even after all that, there's no guarantee that there's going to be a good one. Sigh.

However, when I brought it up with Justin he was very agreeable and on board! Apparently three years in between family pictures is a good space. It's long enough that it gives you time to forget the last experience (much like childbirth).

I found an awesome photographer in our stake. She'd done some pictures for a few other families that we know so I already knew I liked her work. When we spoke I told her I only wanted one thing:

A decent picture where I look good, every one is looking at the camera, and no one is obviously crying or pouting.

I tried to set the bar low.

We met her on the Notre Dame campus for the photo shoot. The first thing that happened when we met up with Stephanie was Josie got very angry. "She's prettier than me!", she pouted. (Seriously, who is this kid - what four year old thinks these things!?!) Stephanie is pretty, she kind of looks like a Disney princess but you really can't compare the two. However, since I needed her cooperation I started in on the "no, no one's prettier than you" spiel. (**I know, I know, it makes me angry at myself that I went there too, but I had to do what I had to do for a good picture. Three years people! Three years!)

We were in kind of a rush because we had about 30 minutes before Justin had to leave for work. I think Stephanie did an excellent job. The kids (and Justin) came through for me in the end and I am very pleased with the end result.

I will now share a sampling of the pictures. But I'm not giving away the farm here, I'm saving the true gems for the Christmas card. So if you're not on my card list and want to be let me know. They're going to be frame-worthy this year.

Here we go:
Now, if I were to officially title our shoot, I'd call it "why you should never do things with a two year old". They're bribe proof, bargain proof, and reason proof. It's just a fact.

This pose (below) was not a good idea. Sammie clearly doesn't understand what's happening and, again, Noah's giving some serious face. (Is there an 'America's Next Top 6 Year Old Model'? I think he'd win.)

These two (below) happen to be two of my favorites. Of course it's the ones where we all look goofy. Go figure.

 Me and my man. My shirt is not doing a flattering thing here. Promise I'm not pregnant.

I actually really like these ones on the bench and I think I may have used them for our Christmas card if Justin and I had been sitting closer together. We kind of look like strangers sitting on the same bench. Sigh. Bummer.

I call this last series, "the two year old is officially over it":

She did get some really great individuals:

 Hello handsome!

 He looks so good when he's not giving us that weird cheesy smile!

 She was over it too, until Stephanie showed her what she looked like on camera. Then Miss Diva turned it ON!

 Sammie refused to be posed (no one is shocked). But we got some good ones. Love this baby!

This one of the girls might actually be my favorite shot of the whole day. Seriously. I love the interaction, the candidness, the happiness. Makes my heart smile.

 And, of course, these fine men. Be still my beating heart!

We had a pretty good experience with family pictures this year and hopefully, in another three years, it'll be even better (they'll ALL be old enough for reason/bribery/threats then - muahahahahaha!) Huge thank you to Stephanie Purcell for the pictures and to Justin for going along with me on this. Taking family pictures isn't necessarily my favorite thing, but I sure do love the result!

Christmas Photo Shoot

Every year I have these amazingly good intentions of taking cute pictures of my kids on Christmas Sunday. Every year we are rushing out the door and, if I am able to snap a few quick pictures, they're not great. So this year I got my act together and asked my sister in law, Kerstin, to come over and take a few pictures of my kids in their Christmas outfits. This was a genius idea for several reasons: 1. She's a MUCH better photographer than I am, ensuring that the pictures actually turn out good. 2. I won't have to worry about taking pictures of my kids on Christmas Sunday - pressure = gone. Nice! 3. Since we weren't rushing to snap some pictures on the way out the door we got to take some time, do some outside and inside, and get a little variety. (Plus, the more we take, the better the odds that we get a good one.)

Kerstin dropped the pictures off the next day and I am SO pleased. I know that Kerstin isn't a "professional" photographer, but seriously, her stuff is every bit as good as a lot of the "professionals" I see portfolios for online. I think she rocks. There were SO MANY good ones that I can't possibly choose a favorite. I don't know that I've ever had a problem quite like this before with family pictures. Usually there are a few good ones and one or two that really stand out. This time there are so many that stand out. I don't think there was a bad one in the bunch (although she may have just spared me and not included the bad ones in the CD she gave me).

If I was on top of things more I would have done this early enough to be our Christmas card. I didn't though so I'll just share them. There's a lot (like 30 something). So you don't have to look at them all, but I think you'll want to. I just can not narrow it down beyond that. Since I know that grandparents love pictures of these kiddos I'm not going to try. You're welcome!

So, without further ado:
Josie volunteered to pose while Kerstin set up the lighting. I actually think it's a really pretty shot of her.

 Sam also decided to pose while the lighting was set up. Love those baby blues!

 I was off to the side doing something and was clearly distracting half the offspring.

 Josie tried to "help" Sammie.

 LOVE!

This is one of my very favorite ones.

 I love this one because everyone is so sweet and happy and then BAM: POOTIE! Love it.

After a while in front of the tree we moved outside. The kids got to ham it up while Kerstin set up the lighting.

Josie was very serious about her choke hold.

These next two are more of my favorites (see? can't narrow it down)

 I think this one is my absolute favorite though.

Sammie Sue!

 I love this. Her smile with her squinty eyes and wrinkled nose.

She's such a happy girl (even though she's entering a stubborn/independent stage that's become slightly frustrating).

We asked Josie to pose herself and this is what we got. Her smile was actually a little more ackward/creepy, but I'm not posting any of those pictures.

 Love her smile!

Josie loves to make faces for the camera.

 This is her classic standby (see above)

 This is what happened when Kerstin asked her to make a "Josie face". Hmmm...

And now...on to all things handsome:

Bless his heart, he was trying so hard to be a good sport and do what he was supposed to. Love this smile!

Ha!





I love this face!

 "What do you want me to do?"

 





 So handsome!

For me, Clayton was sort of the star of this photo shoot. I can't get over how grown up or how incredibly handsome he is.



 Is your heart skipping a beat yet? Mine is.

::sigh::



 



 

Dashing!

So there you have our Christmas photo shoot 2012. I may consider doing this every year! I love these pictures and I love these kids. Thanks Kerstin, these are amazing!