Outtakes.

So, every once in awhile I get a wild hair that I should try to take a really good picture of the four kids. (Might also have a little something to do with the emails and comments I get about my header missing one of the children. Don't worry, I know. I haven't forgotten.)

The winter, with a changing infant and a new sense of normalcy, wasn't a great time to go and get new family photos taken. And while it has been awhile since our last ones were taken, I think we'll wait until this next summer or fall. When E isn't changing on a near daily basis, can sit up on her own and when we get this whole, four children looking at the camera smiling at the same time, thing down.

Could be awhile.

But this morning, thinking it was sunny with a warm breeze going by (Which it wasn't. It was overcast and cold. Looks can be deceiving.) I thought why not go out and try to get a picture.

I make it sound so effortless, don't I? Let me tell you that there was bribing involved. It involved chocolate chip cookies before school. I am that mom. But it got the job done, didn't it?

They did the seating arrangement all on their own. E and H are in chairs instead of laps because I was too tired to listen to the arguing of who would hold who. (I'm sure you're all aware of who was being fought over.)

And while none of these pictures are perfect, I love them, because even though these would be the outtakes, quite simply they show our kids, just as they are.

H: CHEESE!!!!!

T: Is she really making us do this?

E: Whoa.

M: Can we take some pictures of just me?

H: Can I have my cookie now?

T: How many more are you going to take?

E: So this is what they call wind.

M: Did you take a good one of me and E?

T: Are we done yet?
H: Cheese!
M: Why can't I just hold her?

E: Hey Mama!! Do I get a cookie too?