merry christmas (and card bloopers)

My friend and fellow blogger Kat wrote about sending Christmas cards on her blog this year.  I must say that I agree with her - it's such a nice feeling to share by sending and it's a joy to receive cards from family and friends around the world.  We don't have our pictures done professionally because part of the fun for us is the multi-hour photo shoot that inevitably ends with lots and lots of great bloopers.  We always try to include at least one silly photo-gone-wrong in the card, too. 

I thought I'd share a few of the bloopers on the blog this year.  They were not quite as hilarious as usual this time, especially considering that not only were the Bear and I involved but we had three furry babies to contend with including an old fat cat, a giant puppy and a little diva dog.  Fun times.  Needless to say, there were many trips back and forth to the tripod.

This is the front of the card.  We never really got a great photo of the whole clan so we decided to give our little guide dog star the front cover.


The quality of this photo isn't great, but you get the idea.

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This is the best shot we got of all of us together.  It made the back cover.  Yeah.

I particularly like how the animals look thrilled here. Also, despite what the cat says,
I was not trying to strangle her for scratching me just before this was taken.  She's a liar.

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At first, we thought it would be cute if Laura was wearing a Santa hat.  So the Bear went to work applying it.  Laura was really into it, as you can see here:


It's not enough that I have to poop on command - now you have to do this?  REALLY? Not amused.

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The cat took this opportunity to try and destroy the camera with her deadly laser vision.  She was unsuccessful.  This did not please her.

One thing I can say for her, she really puts her whole body into it.

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We abandoned the hat idea after we got the cover shot above because, well, Santa hat-related morale was pretty low.


Jessie: "Phoenix, it's your turn.  Put the hat on.  Do it NOW."
Phoenix: "Mommy, the cat's bossing me around again!"
Laura: "I just don't know where it all went wrong.  First they're telling me what a good dog I am, then they make me wear this.  I just don't get it."

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This photo turned out okay...apart from someone having his eyes closed.  *AHEM*

And perhaps the incredibly stupid face I'm making.  But mostly the eyes closed thing.
At least the cat seems to be getting used the neck lock.

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Then I felt it was my turn to ruin the group photo.  I think I did a pretty good job.


Perhaps just a little too much sexy for a holiday card. 

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Since the Bear and I could never quite balance goofy with serious holiday card photography, we decided that maybe we'd try our hand at solo shots.  We decided to go for "jolly" and "gleeful holiday spirit."  MISTAKE.

"...AND I want a new dolly and a bike and a new pony....where are you going, Santa?"

"HI."

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Then it just completely fell apart.

Laura: "Mommy, I have to pee."
Jessie: "Okay, little brown dog - I'm going to scratch her and when she drops you, go run for help.  On three..."
Phoenix: "Okay.  Wait...drops me?  SHE'S GONNA DROP ME??"

What's not to love about this shot?  The Bear's goofy grin, my obscured face,
Jessie's urgent need to escape, Laura's desperate need to lick Phoenix, Phoenix's disgust....
PERFECT PHOTO.
In fact, this is a spot on depiction of our family. 

Finally, the cat's agent called and said the union demanded that we release her, thus ending our photo shoot.

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We hope you have a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season - filled with many bloopers.

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