failed attempt at family pictures.

over the past couple weeks we have enlisted various family members to take a photo of all five of us. i think the last one, and only one, we have of all of us together is at the hospital when story was born. we are in need of one, with all of us looking at the camera… and looking somewhat normal. happy, maybe? is that too much to ask?

our first go around was unsuccessful to say the least. see for yourself:

for some reason, maybe because they live to torture to me?, the boys turn into a combination of limp noodles and angry birds while i am trying to get this ONE picture taken. ONE. yet, all day long, when i have my camera or phone out they cheese it up and smile away. this thrills me, really.

we'll kick off this series of trying to get one family picture: round 2 with my favorite shot of the day.

yes, i am that mom.

i think our photographer, who shall remained nameless,  cough cough little sister cough appears to not to be able to focus my camera on us.

blurry.

blurry.

why?

how could you not love those open mouthed faces?

we all look so attractive i can barely stand it.

blurry. and really love brody here.

at this point, i say how about you guys get on the tire swing and your dad and i will squat down around you! anything that will make you happy, children. anything.

… it's

… not …

… working.

chain in my face.

tire swing idea = fail.

cue foster screaming and then spinning around endlessly while doing this:

again with the blurry.

and now, i break out the ice pops at 10 am. i'll really do anything for the picture at this point. and notice the church nursery tag that foster ripped off his ankle in the grass. i think it's a nice touch.

brody's eyes are rolling into the back of his head here. i am sportin' the most forced smile ever. and also, BLURRY.

or maybe that's the most forced smile ever?

help me!

caleb's done at this point.

story's all GIVE ME A DARN POP.

i edited this one…. and still.

at least foster is enjoying himself.

we move on to a little counseling sesh for brody here. we're telling him that he needs to take his hands out from in front of his eyes for the picture. and he, simply, cannot look in the direction of the camera without making the face seen below.

you're welcome for that.

and we end this experience with my disgusted face. and no family picture.

anyone up for being our photographer the third time around?