Nathan’s party went well. Some people were busy and some had things come up last minute so the numbers were lower than normal. It turned out for the best, as cold winds blew in and brought some dark clouds along for the ride. We moved the party inside.
The kids had fun running laps throughout the house and it MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LITTLE LOUD. In hindsight I am thankful for the noise.
Quiet kids can do a whole lot more damage than noisy kids. Can I get an amen?
We were all gussied up and asked Matthew’s Dad to take a family photo (or ten) of us. This is a rare and exciting event! We usually only get a family shot taken for our Christmas cards. Two family photos in one year? Unbelievable.
The problem is that I am horrible at deciding which photographs should get printed and/or hung on the wall. I am asking for your humble opinions.
Option #1:
Not bad. Nathan is biting his lip. Emily is hiding behind her thumb. Graham is laughing at Grandma off to the side.
Option #2:
Better. I think. Nathan is doing the “cheese!” smile. Emily looks like the gangsta she is. Graham looks like he’s too cool for us.
Option #3:
Take eleven or so. Nathan and Graham look OK, though Nathan’s smile looks a little tired. Emily is behind the thumb again, but it really is part of who she is.
Decisions, decisions.
Thoughts?
i like the second one… gangsta and cheese.
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Hooray for Family Pictures!! What a cute little family.
I vote for #3.
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Awwww, those are all great, I see why you are having trouble. You know what is funny though is how you and Matthew look the same in all three and by the same I mean GREAT
I vote for #3 too, the boys look handsome and Emily’s eyebrows crack me up – sucking her thumb is serious business dude!
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#2 all the way! The party was fun and I’m sorry for the havoc that my child wreaked. Thank goodness you don’t have carpet.
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I like #3!!
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AMEN! (there ya go!)
I vote for #2 – everybody’s looking at the camera, Nathan’s personality (what I know of it from your blog) is shining through and it’s SO cute, you can see the whole of Emily’s beautiful face, and you and your hubby look the best in #2. Usually you are the most critical of photos of yourself (at least I am) and you look great in #2 (and the rest, just the best in #2 – I’ll pull my foot out of my mouth now).
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I kept going back and forth between one and two. Each have plusses.
I love 1 because each child has such personality oozing through. Graham is killing me! My only qualm is if you care that they are each looking at the camera. I kind of like that they are all in their own little place. So cute.
The second one is great, too. The lighting on your face is a little better and everyone is looking at the camera with a cute face.
Biggest drawback? In the other two, your arm is touching Nathan which brings you all together. In two he’s kinda off by himself.
Still, though…Two is probably over all the best photo.
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I vote for #2 … but they are all great!
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I’m going with #1. You all look great in all of them, but this one is the most real. You have the most real smile/giggle out of Graham and a little hint of Nathan’s mischeviousness. The thumb sucking thing is no big deal, she does that, so again, reality.
If you really can’t decide, get all the shots (more than just these 3) together and do a collage with some of the photo software that’s out there.
I just may have to print them all
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Three!
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Ooh, tough call. I like 1 or 3 best, with 3 having a slight edge because of Graham & Nathan’s hands.
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I love #2 …. emily is too cute~!
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I’m stuck with 2 and 3
Your arm around Nathan is a big plus for #3.
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Hmm, that’s a toughie. I’ll say #3 though.
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I’m voting for #3.
You look stunning in the pics!
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I go with number 2 and that was before I read everyone else’s comments. You guys look great in all of them, of course. I just love the second one best. I do Christmas pics for all my Christmas letters too – and in reading your post about your Christmas letters…why IS IT that people can’t click on our blogs to catch up? I’ll never understand that!!! Its all right there – the whole year!!! But yep, still have to write that danged letter to keep everyone posted. One of these days, I’m going to write a post about my frustration with people that don’t read my blog (I mean people that actually CARE about me ya know? I mean, how hard is it to read it? If I had friends who had one, i would be checking it out most every day!!!) None of my friends blog!
Ok, sorry I’m rambling in your comments. Love your pics. You guys have a beautiful family. And by the way, your arms look like the workout queen! Wish mine looked like that!!!
Thanks…but the *only* workout I get is picking up my heavy kidlets
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I’d say #1. They all have fantastic qualities but the first one is a true family shot. Everyone like they are and that’s the best. For me personally I love the idea of photos that show the character of the people. You can have those “perfect pose” family photos when the kids are older. Why not capture the sweet moments now?
But like I said, their all great! I’m sure ya’ll will be happy with whatever you choose.
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I like #3!
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Well, my pick, (even before I read the other comments) was number 3. I like it because everyone is looking and you have your hand on Nathan which brings you all together. Obviously though, they are all great. You (and Matthew) especially look awesome in all of them, and the kids – adorable. Any one of them would look nice framed. The background is beautiful.
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I’d say #1 or #3 but really they are all great…we tried for one family pic on this holiday but it just didn’t work…I’ll probably have to photoshop Katie in a pic!
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You should pick the one that you think YOU look the best in. That’s what I do with family pictures. There are always way more pictures of the kids loking cute than there are of me so I choose one where I look hot.
I vote #2.
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They are all great, but IMO number 2 is the one. Love the hand on Nathan’s back. It does kind of draw everyone together and you dont look so separted. (does that make sense?)
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ha! nathan reminds me of chad at that age. love the cheesy smile!
I like the middle one…there’s so much ‘tude in there!
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my vote is for #3…it looks nice with your arm around Nathan.
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I like #3.
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Any of them are great in their own ways. Maybe #3 for the overall look.
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I love the first one – I vote for #1 – it has so much character for each and everyone of you! What a beautiful family!
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I love them all, but I like #2. Emily’s gangster look it awesome !!
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I like them all. Whichever one you pick… email it to me and I’ll do some sweet editing to it before you print it and put it up on your wall.
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I like three, or course that is one of my fav numbers.
Amen to the quiet kids, that’s how you know they are into something!
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Haha, looks like you won’t have much help from all these comments. I think I’d pick #1, but it’s sure hard. I really like the top you have on!! Pretty.
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All good, I think #3, but #2 is a close 2nd.
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The first one does it for me, I think because Graham just looks so…Graham. Lots of personality, that one.
p.s. I like your dress.
Thanks, friend. Old Navy!
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I think 3 is best over all
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All of them are great (does that sound familiar?), but I ho vote #3 as per your arm touching Nathan. You’re all connected in it:)
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I’m gonna go with #2. They all have great personality to them, but definitely #2.
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Uhm, I vote for #1. That photo says it all about your family. Perfect.
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Oh, and can I just say… your “Christmas Photo” is still hanging on my Inspiration Wall. So I better get another one from you this year.
I’ll take a photo of me and Stan… we’ll swap!
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I vote for number 3. But they all are gorgeous photos!
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I vote for #1 and I vote that you carve off your arms and give them to me. ME!
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