The Ever Elusive Christmas Card Photo

So we've all been there right? Trying to get that perfect Christmas card worthy picture of the family. The kids are fighting, or they won't look at the camera, somebody blinked, or turned their head at the last second. But, every once in awhile you get it, that perfect shot! Sometimes it matches the vision in your head and sometimes it doesn't. Either way, a great family picture is priceless!

These are actually my mom's family pictures from her Christmas card last year. They were taken by my cousin's girlfriend Chris who is uber talented! Those of you are friends with me on Facebook may have seen them before, but I wanted to share them here anyway.

Here is my little family... Me, Chris, Reagan, Dee Dee, and Jack

All of us... Hey! Everyone is looking!

My mom, dad, younger brother J.C., and younger sisters Ally and Valesca

My older brother Shawn and his partner Kevin. He hates this picture but I rather like it!

J.C., Ally, and Valesca

Just for fun... my grandma with my kiddos

Even though my mom only ended up using the big group shot, I was still really excited to have all of these family pictures! I gave her a collage of them for Christmas last year.

As for me, I can be pretty picky about my Christmas Card photos, but with a little help from "the other Chris" I got some great pics, that really captured my kids and their individual personalities!

Here is my actual Christmas card from last year...

So, this year I have a brand new camera of my own! I love my Nikon! I figure I should be able to take the Christmas card shot myself right? Well, that is my goal for this weekend, getting the Christmas card shot for this year. If I don't get it, I might just have to call in the reinforcments! Wish me luck!

Oh, and I'd also really like to get my Christmas tree up...