Saturday, November 24, 2007

Finally...The Photo Session From Hades (pardon my greek)

What's the saying? A day late and a dollar short? I guess that makes me about nine bucks in the hole. I really have an issue with the whole blogging follow through. It is one of my many issues. What can I say? I am a work in progress.

In my defense there has been a lot going on around here in the last couple of weeks including a weeklong visit from Rich's Mom, Dad, Brother, and Sister in Law. We had such a fun time. The boys absolutely adore their time with these loved ones. What is not to love about constant attention from the people who love you most? There was lots of book reading, sculpture building, Atari playing, movie watching, game playing, present opening, dog chasing (cousin Rueger the dog came, too) fun!

But on to the real purpose of this post. I last left you with this photo...


Really, what more is there to say? I know you guys can relate. I mean, surely you have had one of those moments when your children were quite LITERALLY...

BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS?


You know...one of those moments when you cannot explain away their obscenely ill behavior? Or find yourself saying "I promise we didn't give them an IV of Sugar syrup before we came here."? Or when you don't feel any better even when the photographer says that she nearly had a mental breakdown the last time she tried to take a family photo with her children? Or when you are dreaming up (behind the fake smile) ways to make them PAY for the insanity? Or when you can't believe that even after 107 camera clicks there is not ONE SINGLE picture of the whole family looking at the camera in any semblance of a good photo?

Yeah...GOOD TIMES. My only consolation? My husband is a graphic designer and a genius at Photoshop. And don't think I won't take full advantage his services before our Christmas card goes out this year. But for now, I'll leave you with a few of my favorite "bloopers" from the picture taking debacle of 2007.

Enjoy!

Co-conspirators



Richie, let's make a break for it!



Seriously, Will. Just look at the camera!


The Choke Hold - Does Richie look a little blue to you?



And my personal favorite...





29 comments:

Janelle said...

All of those are just precious! I love the choke hold.

I have no doubt that these will be your favorites for many years to come!

I heart Photoshop!

Shelley said...

Oh my, I am CRACKING UP!!! Alana, sweetie, you have just entered MY world! The world I've been in since Annie was, oh, about 3 months old. The world of INSANE picture sessions!!!

Seriously, I think I might have the next session videod, just so I can send it in to one of those "Funniest Home Video" shows, and possibly make some money!

Think about it, maybe we could have pictures taken together, then we'd have some REALLY good footage!

Those bloopers are GREAT, though, that last one is just AWESOME!!!

And I'm with Janelle, I heart photo shop too! Our family pic from last year was photoshopped! There is no shame in that my dear, no shame at all!

Anonymous said...

I still think the mischief lies in the hair!

Love the last one...i'm thinking 16 x 20 above the piano!

Fran said...

The choke hold was great. Thats what my older brother used to do to me....and not just a picture time...ALL THE TIME!!

Oh, the joys! This was too cute.
You and Angie..."By faith, Angie" have something going on here with the picture thing.

Have a good Sunday friend! Thanks for the smiles.

Angela Baylis said...

They are SO cute! I can feel what you must have been feeling, just by looking at those pictures. We laughed SO hard...later! I go Tuesday to look at the proofs! I wish my husband was a graphic designer!
Thanks for stopping by at my blog! I will check out the rest of your blog when I have more time!
Nice meeting you!
Angie

Melissa said...

At least you can bring joy to your friends by sharing these. That should be worth SOMETHING!

michelle said...

Will is just lovin' life! He looks like he is so happy and having a ton of fun! You know what they say: if you can't beat them join them!

Carissa said...

seriously...those are FUN!!!! i agree with your favorite. that is too much! your boys look like they are a blast. and really...what more could you ask for???

Pam said...

Alana... those are awesome! I love those kind of pictures... the ones you would never plan, but will forever melt your heart.

Leah said...

How funny, and how sweet! Your boys look like they sure can give you a run for your money sometimes! I am laughing out loud!!

Xandra@Heart-of-Service said...

I never understood what the big deal was about getting good pics of kids when I had just one. Nathan was a camera hog and loved being in front of the lens. Then came Gracie, and my entire world was shattered. My visions of perfect photos and Christmas cards were dashed to pieces.

I have only had studio pictures made of my children once, because it was so horrific that I am scarred for life. The next time I do it might not be until they are well into the teenage years!

So you see, I feel your pain and completely understand. Especially about the secret planning of how they will pay for:
a) embarassing me
b) wasting my time and money and
c) embarasssing me.

LOL!

Teresa said...

I simply ADORE the sock pic!

ADORE it!

I also dig how cute the look together with the hair and the sweaters and the spikes...but can TOTALLY understand the feeling you had!!!!

When in Rome...

Short Stop said...

Oh, I have so been there...too many times to count. I don't think I have ONE single good pic of the boys together...let alone one of our whole family!

I have to tell you, though...I LOVE these pics. They are just hilarious and tell so much of their personalities! LOVE them!

Katy said...

honestly, i LOVE these pics! They are so real and fun and full of awesome memories! I know how hard it can be to get your kids pics taken (that's why i now, just do them at home ONLY...LOL on my digital camera...sooo much cheaper LOL)

Kimmy said...

I LOVE them all!!!!

I think every picture is Christmas card worthy!!!!!

Seriously.

And thanks to your last post... I can't get Jem outta my head ;)

hugs...

Anonymous said...

Love the pictures!! Too cute----be thankful for photo studios that you can take them to. I wish my children could have some shots like theses!

You mean, we can give our kids sugar and syrup through IV's? That's an idea!! :) Ha. Ha.

Sarah Markley said...

The last one says it all! =)

Kate said...

Alana,

These are HYSTERICAL! Do NOT photoshop them. Include every single one on your Christmas card. These photos are awesome stress relievers. Your friends and relatives will thank you. (Your sons, however, might never live these down.)

Kate

Darlene R. said...

He WAS looking a little blue. You must have some really fun times in your house. Your kids obviously have personality!
These pictures are fun!

Earen said...

Your boys are darling & boy, can I relate with you! Getting a picture for our Christmas card this year was SO fun & finally the one we got that they boys look good, you can hardly see me....oh well. Those pictures are awesome!

Anonymous said...

I just tagged you with a meme on my Blog!

I'm Tara. said...

Do you know what is so funny? I *just* got home from my mom's house and our own very, very special photo session. My mom uses all the g-kids as her xmas card and buys them matching outfits. Well, the 3 boys did great but Miss G was -- welllll, Miss G. We got a choke hold of our own to use if we'd like.

Those are SOOOO funny!! I'm with you -- that last one is PRICELESS.

BethAnne said...

You know we are laughing with you, right? I have sooooooo been there!

Denise said...

these are adorable!!
my hubby is a photographer/digital imager. he has moved heads, lifted things (hey after kids "things" need lifting),taken in,and erased.
what a gift!

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

oh my gosh...that is too precious!

every year for the past 27 years we have taken a family picture and i have to say every one of them was hard in some way or another to get all participants to cooperate whether they are being Silly OR sO NOT WANTING TO BE THERE...even as they have gotten older --- they don't want pictures and are begging me to not take them!!! Yet they love it when they see them---i don't get it...i definitely have memories like this photo shoot---have too many of those memories...hope it gets better for you----it hasn't yet for me...we took pictures under the tree this past weekend and my older son HAD TO STAND ON HIS TOES---even got a stool to stand on next to the little brother---LOL --- he's 5'10" and the little bitty brother is 6'4"---we have to be on same level, here...i really enjoyed your post ---sorry this is sooo loonnnnggggg. You are just a delight to visit! Your kids are ABSOLUTELY PRECIOUS! I was crying before I stopped by---now I laughting again...

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Girl, I am with Kate - do not photoshop these. They are a beautiful and precious memory and I have no doubt that in the future years, they will be the photo session talked about, laughed about, and enjoyed!!! (not the perfect photo!)

Rochelle said...

Friend, I trying to keep myself from falling off the couch! Sorry to laugh at your misery!! But this was funny. Not sure how I missed this post, but glad I scrolled down because I was wondering if you were gonna get to it! Glad you did. You deserve an all expense paid trip somewhere... :)

AbbyLane said...

TOO GREAT!!! :) that last one is killer :)

jennyhope said...

this is hilarious. it will be priceless one day! Boys!