We drove up to the mountains last weekend hoping to see the beautiful fall colors. We make the trip every year to the same sweet spots, and I won’t mention any names, but someone got us lost twice! TWICE!
The trip ended up being a total bust. We spent 3 hours in the car and a half hour in the mountains. By the time we got there the sun was setting and it was getting chilly. I have to give props to Ryan, he was man enough to pull over and ask some very nice firemen for directions. It didn’t help that during this whole adventure we made 645 stops to let the kids go potty; that’s no exaggeration. It was one of those trips when you wonder why you thought this was such a great idea in the first place. We even missed the timing of the leaves, they were more neon yellow/green than the nice deep orange/yellow/red.Â
Every year we to try to take a family picture by balancing the camera on a mound of dirt. The kids think its funny to watch me run back and forth trying to beat the timer. The first few frames look like this, the camera slipping down the mount of dirt while I awkwardly try to throw myself into the picture. And look at my dirty jeans, all in the name of a good picture, right?
Brinley had a knack for looking away just as the picture was taken. And Ryan is 9 feet tall.
Nice canned smile I have there.
Drew’s got the picture takin’ thing down to a science, but he had to take a turn looking away.
Trying to keep the kids interested, but still can’t get everyone to look at the camera at the same time.
I think this is the closest we are going to get even though I look like I’m trying to make a quick get-a-way. Maybe I was?
This one would have been perfect, but it was Rowan’s turn for a meltdown. If only my photoshop skillz were up to par, I could do a headswap. Nah, I like the imperfections. It’s our life, and 10 years from now the “outtakes” will mean more than any perfectly posed picture.
I think we will be going back this weekend for another try. And this time Ryan will be taking a map!
Amy this is beyond CLASSIC! You are such a trooper. You have one nice husband if he is going to make the trip again. I know your feeling of trying to get the camera right, the family perfect and dealing with a husband…hmmmm did I say that? I think all of them are keepers. I love, love your spot!
Amy I love the pictures. I love what you said about in 10 years the outtakes will be your favorite. My favorite is the goofy faces picture.
i remember those times
Ahhh i love the one where Rowan is having a meltdown! So cute Amy:)
Ha! I can only imagine. It was hard enough last year just to get the 3 of us looking decent for pictures. You’re right though, definitely keep them as is. Real life is better anyway!
LOL, don’t you just love those kind of trips where you ask yourself what you wee thinking? The pictures are adorable and it is so true, some of my favorite pictures are the not so perfect ones! Go here and you’ll know which one I mean http://maegantb.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html
Those are awesome. And they will totally mean more in years to come. The goofy one is too cute. They make me smile. Also, I have been meaning to ask you. I’m pretty sure you have the same camera model as me. Is their a way to use all 9 AF points at once. It’s driving me crazy. I can’t seem to get a crisp photo when I’m focusing on more than one thing/person. I shoot in aperture priority 99.9% of the time.
Girl, if that’s what you get when you are in the picture, I want you to do a US tour and come take our family pictures. I love these pictures. I love the one where you are all goofing off. You guys sure do have fun!
I love the pictures! Your kids crack me up all the time! I totally like the real life shots – much more interesting than the perfect ones.
Oh wow, Amy! How cute! The last picture is my fav. I can’t decide if I like Rowan’s “get me outta here” meltdown or Ryan’s obviously deformed legs! So cute!