My Christmas Card...

Each year I struggle to get the best shot of my daughter for our Christmas card.  It usually goes something like this:  me yelling at Ava to smile, Jose standing behind me talking to Ava in a very soft voice usually saying "heyyy...heyyyy..." and then me yelling at Jose.  You would think because of what I do that the shoot would be fun, joyful, filled with holiday cheer and anticipation...it is not even close.

This year, we have Manny to add to our card.  I didn't realize how excited I was to have the two of them sit together for me.  I haven't done a formal shoot of the two of them together since he was born.  He is now 8 months old and has such a great little personality.  He loves animals...loves his sister and is very easy to make smile.  All you have to do is call his name and he smiles.

I worried I wouldn't have the right clothes, that Ava would be difficult, that Manny would cry...and then we got to the location.  Ava was a little slow to start I will admit, but Manny just sat there smiling and looking at everything on the ground around him.  Jose actually used a louder voice and did silly things to make the kids smile for me at the same time.

Funny, my favorite images have nothing to do with them smiling.  This year I am not interested in sending out the "perfect" Christmas card because I have two kids that are perfect enough for any card.
:-)


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