Recap of the Holidays: Part 1

I am admittedly behind. I blame each of you who sent us a gorgeous photo of your child, self, or family last month. In mid-November, we (and by "we" I mean "I") actually began the Christmas Card Photo Process. Eventually, I gave it three, freshly-shampooed-and-coiffured, 4pm-clean-outfit, make-the-dog-happy-with-peanut-butter sessions and still failed. You simply set the standard too high.

Why do I even try to do these things myself? I need to realize that to produce the perfect holiday photo of a toddler and a mut, minimally it takes a hint of talent and, ideally, it takes two fully engaged adults. Alas, we spent the month of December receiving beautifully staged photos while becoming increasingly panicked about our own situation.

If you have yet to receive our 2007 Christmas card, you are not alone. Our amateur photo card is actually on it's way. For anyone who needs proof that I indeed made a good faith effort to get a good photo, here you go, our holiday bloopers 2007:

Exhibit 1: The Baking Shots
Problem: I couldn't get Sully in the photo without grossing out all the people who received some of these cookies.






Exhibit 2: Tree Trimming
Problem: This clearly was going to be a staged shot because we didn't actually keep any ornaments within Carly's reach. The subject refused to play along.




Exhibit 3: Taking It Outside
Problem: We were doing good with this photo shoot until Sully had a mild panic attack on the slide steps.





Exhibit 4: The Cozy Fireplace Shot
Problem: (A) We don't have a working fireplace (see faux logs); (B) Someone put ants in Carly's pants.

After a few shots, she had to take a quick drink break.

Then she tried to get her dad's drink & a few of his cheezits.

Then I had to fire my assistant.

Then Carly had to take a call.

I later realized that teaching her to hop up on the furniture for the photo shoot later was going to bite me in the you-know-what.