Picture of the Perfect Family

Last week, I was talking to someone and she said in all sincerity, that I had "the perfect family." Well, I know what she means because really, we are five blessed individuals. But perfect? Maybe not, but we do try once a year to create and send out our perfect image to friends and family.

I started trying to get everyone together for a family picture about two weeks ago. Dan's been traveling and the girls have been back and forth to Houston for finals. Finally, I set a mandatory time for everyone to be at home, Sunday at 5:30. I went to the store, knowing that Dan and all three children were accounted for and planning on being ready at picture time. I wanted to do it outside since it was a beautiful day and very warm.

Got home at 5:10 and heard the shower running. One of the children was in the shower! I'm not mentioning any names. One of the children, who had gotten ready on time was impatient to get the picture done. There was some yelling. There was maybe a couple of incidents of door pounding. There might have been a glass of wine needed. I realized that it was going to be too dark by the time the shower person got out and was ready.

So, I set up a scene in the living room. The kids had requested to NOT take the picture in front of the tree this year. I set up what I thought would be an adorable set using the loveseat. I brought candles into the room and worked on lighting. It helped pass the time.

It was about 6:30 by the time everyone was ready. The ready-for-over-an-hour child was really grouchy by then. We tried the couch idea and produced a few really bad shots. I had thought having our super cute Christmas mugs in our hands while we were sitting on the couch would be festive looking but that idea got shot down...by everyone. The ready-for-over-an-hour child suggested we move in front of the tree like usual. Everyone agreed and got into the usual formation. At one point, someone grabbed those super cute Christmas mugs and this was the picture.

Then we decided to get really crazy and try a slightly different formation. Then we had our look. We took five shots and this time I let Kathleen pick the one we would use. She has accused me in the past of sending the one that makes me look best and not worrying about anyone else.

If you're on the Christmas card list, that's the one you'll get. (Which are going out soon now that we have our Perfect Family picture.