Family Pics (and Santa, too!) 2015

We took our annual family pics about a month ago out in Tomball. Amanda from Momma's Gonna Snap has taken our photos a few times and always can capture some good shots. No amount of planning, shopping, and coordinating schedules can prepare for what will come on picture day, but all in all it turned out just fine. Really, the kids were very cooperative. It's Charlie who is the wildcard. He is just at that stage where he can't sit still nor will he look at the camera on command. No matter what. Poor B and Ryan, take it so seriously but they are good sports. Here are a few of her best shots.

She brought out fake snow for Ryan to blow. Somehow, a ton of it ended right back on us (mainly B), but we at least got one shot out of all the mess. Loving B's face right here.

A few pics by the tree.

She turned one of her bedrooms upstairs into a winter wonderland and the kids had a ball. She purchased HUGE marshmallows, which were a HUGE hit with the boys. Charlie couldn't sit still for more than two seconds and kept running around with the stick, waving it around like he was ready to go to war. Apparently, Bradley was in a very serious mood!

Wes kept tossing Charlie at the back of the pile of fake snow, and he would run forward with the stick. I think he did this at least 7 or 8 times.

We hid Charlie's lovey inside the Santa bag which made for a cute pic.

Success! He found it!

Ryan's school hosted a Breakfast with Santa about a week or so ago. It was a cute event with breakfast, crafts for the kids, the book fair, and ultimately - a pic with Santa. Bradley had already mentioned even before getting in the same room with Santa that he would not be taking a picture with him. So, we told him he could have a pass and we could try again a different day. Upon entering the hallway that Santa was at the end of, B lost it. So we let Ryan take a pic with him and then the rest of us (minus Bradley, of course!).

Can you tell Charlie was a pretty big fan?!!?

After a major fail at the Breakfast with Santa, we decided to talk up Santa a bit more over the following days. Bradley had actually convinced himself that the "mall Santa" or the "real Christmas Santa" as he was referring to them, were going to be so much better and he would take a picture with him. So, the entire 30 minute car ride to the mall, he was asking so many questions, going over and over the seating arrangements (Ryan on one lap, Charlie on the other, B next to Ryan, me next to B, and all of us holding hands), asking if I would leave him, the list goes on and on. So, we get there and of course he starts getting nervous. We were able to get one shot of them by the tree first. Of course, they have those huge flash bulbs and in every picture, that is what Ryan looked it. 

And then came time for the big finale. We weren't 15 feet away from him before B just broke down, and I am not even talking crying. This was full on terror at just the sight of him. Clearly, I didn't even attempt to make him get in the picture. We did, however, have Charlie thrown in at the last minute since we knew his crying would end quickly after (and it did). Bradley did go up to Santa after the pics and gave him a high five and told him he wanted a LEGO book for Christmas like it was no big deal. So, of course they asked if we wanted to try again and he quickly answered NO!!!

Charlie quickly calmed down and was sitting with my mom while waiting on me to purchase the pictures. At one point, he turned his head and saw a man sitting in a chair with a beard and glasses and just about lost it. He was so scared, my mom had to get up and leave. Then, the whole evening after the pictures, Bradley kept talking about how he tried to take a picture but he just couldn't. Poor thing. Another eventful Santa picture outing in the books!