Funny Holiday Photos

I adore my kids. I love that they are little balls of energy that rarely slow down. 

But when I get a brilliant idea to take a cute photo of the two of them for our Christmas card, sometimes their ball of energy-ness fights against me.

I just wanted a snapshot. Something showing them cute and happy and in their element. I wasn't reaching for the stars. Yet still that was asking a bit much of two kids who turn into crazies the minute I pull out a camera.

I tried five times.

Shoot #1:

With Lightning McQueen. This is an adorable photo, but for a Christmas card the only logical caption was: "We Love Lightning McQueen! Oh, and the Kids are There Too!" I can't blame me for wanting the kids to be a little more visible.

Shoot #2:

At the playground. I told them to smile for just four pictures and then they could play. I laughed at my efforts to get them both to sit still! Look at me! Smile!

Super cheesy!

Grabbing my camera - guess he's going to take matters into his own hands.

No more!

One silly face and one with eyes on some other more interesting thing.

Goofy time!

And...he's outta here.

Shoot #3:

We stopped at the entrance to our neighborhood to see if we could get a quick cute shot. I even turned Cameron's shirt backward so it would be plain on the front. They were totally photo-ready. And then photo-silly. 

My mom loves this one - it looks like Shelby has picked up a scent.

I thought this was adorable albeit quite smooshed.

And now Shelby's the one trying to grab the camera.

Shoot #4:
One Sunday I noticed that Shelby's beautiful church dress matches our Christmas tree. I sat her up, brought Cameron into the mix, and voila! Perfect photo op, right? So then where was the camera? I couldn't find it, and my grainy iPhone photos didn't quite hold up.

Silly face!

We'll call this "prison photo chic".

This one is cute! If only it weren't a phone photo!

That last one could have worked, darn. Camera, where are you when I need you? 

Actually, in the toy box. I found it the next day. That's not where it belongs, by the way.

Shoot #5:

The kids had been playing in the water table, they were wet, their clothes were mismatched, but they were playing sweetly together and I had my camera in hand again. So an impromptu photo shoot was born. 

This shoot involved lots of hugging...

...near-tackle hugs...

...not-so-willing little brother hugs...

...really not willing at all hugs...

...engagement photo style hugs...

And then after the hug-fest, we got a winning photo! Both kids are still! Both kids are looking at me! Both kids have normal faces! It's a dream come true! 

I like that these kids show their true colors. I'm ok with action shots, even when the action means catching a whole lot of silly. Good times. 

I had no problem getting Shelby to stay still when she met Mickey Santa at Disneyland today! Hugs!

I've accepted that I'll only catch Christmas card worthy photos once in a while...and I'll take my action shot kids any day!