Picture Day

I have so many posts to catch up on. My President Posts are woefully late and I've made a couple baked dishes - one using turnips of all things - that I want to share. But, since my brain is still a bit fuzzy from the triptephane, I'll just re-cap Picture Day.

Rachel agreed to take our family pictures this year. She is an amazing amateur photographer. I love the shots she takes of Benny and Joe. She just has a way with natural lighting and shadow.

We woke up and, after a late breakfast, headed over to the Christmas Tree farm in Atascadero.

Note to self: Christmas tree farm owners not happy if you take pictures without buying a tree.

I was nursing a stomach ache from too many helpings of rich food the previous two days and feeling a bit pale and grumpy. Joseph was coming close to nap time, but we were willing to risk it.

Note to self: Don't risk it when taking pictures.

Rachel had one session prior to ours and by the time we went in front of the lens, I was grumpier - though no longer pale, thanks to Melissa's make up fix - Joseph was two seconds from a total melt-down and Chad was hungry. The pictures reflected all this. At one point we decided to climb an oak in the hopes of getting Joseph to smile. He likes climbing trees. I scrambled up in my two-inch heeled boots and planted myself behind the J-man. Chad tried to climb after me. It quickly became obvious that the man rarely climbed trees. He just couldn't get up. Finally, after Rachel demonstrated the foot and handholds, he was able to haul himself into the crook of the branch. Rachel posted a few pictures on her blog. We decided to try again this week when Joseph is more well-rested.

We followed pictures with a three hour nap and Chinese food and then an early night.