Christmas Card Photo Day

I love the idea of sending a photo card for the holidays. My first thought was of course to try to get one of the whole family. With 5 of us all going in a million directions, I quickly realized this was not going to happen, at least not in time for Christmas! I scaled it down to just the kids, and that was just as difficult. So, we all agreed a cute photo of Kelly would be just great (and we could let the world know about this blog so we can someday get some photos of the rest of us up here too!). Well, that did not prove to be much easier either. I decided I wanted the photo to be of her with her first time meeting Santa. I was excited for her to see Santa, but was also trying not to expect much as everyone has told me that at her age, they tend to be frightened of the burly dude.

Here she is outside of Santa's cottage waiting our turn to see him....Once inside, she did so-so - she didn't cry or seem too scared, but she was still VERY wiggly and did not want to cooperate and sit on his lap for that perfect photo op, so I didn't get the picture this year :-( ......

(but there are still 7 days till Christmas, and Santas abound, so I still might try!!!)

Since I didn't get the Santa shot, I was still trying to get a photo that day for our holiday card. We walked the mall and I tried to get one in the little car ride thing. This is a pretty good shot, but once I put the coin in to make it shake around, so got really scared of it and freaked out! So we left the mall in tears.

I decided maybe she would cheer up if we went to the park by our house, where mommy snapped and snapped away, determined to get SOMETHING for our card...

I'm not sure why (especially since she is not even facing the camera!)... but I REALLY love this photo! Maybe it is her beautiful blondish curly hair, or the pidgeon toe stance, or the cute little catholic girl skirt.... I don't know, I just like it!

But I didn't think folks would like getting this one on the Christmas card! So, as you should all know by now (because I DID get our Christmas cards out last week - whew!), I ended up choosing one of her playing in a Thomas the Tank Engine tent (which she commandeered from some kids having a b'day party at the park that day) - here is another one of her enjoying their toy! Goes to show, you just never know when that great pose, natural smile, perfect photo will happen. You just keep snappin till it does!