Sometimes I think the out-takes are the ones that should actually make the Christmas card. (What we sent out is back here.) 
I mean, that’s real life, right?
(Gotta love Claire in that one…) We carried a plastic chair and a few pillows around a beach at Lake Powell where the light was all wrong for the picture I had in mind. 
The camera was perched precariously on that pillow, my camera bag, a couple rocks under one leg of the chair to try to even things out.
Lucy refused to walk. We had to climb up some rocks she wasn’t about to take on. I was frustrated at Dave for not being very cooperative. He was frustrated at Lu…and me too.
But oh man, they are good sports.
Of course we had to do a few individual shots too.
They are such good smile-fakers.
Oh man how I love them for that 🙂
My favorite two shots:
You never know what kind of a mood you’ll be met with by Lucy. 
Ready to be done…
In the end, a moment of time was captured. That’s how we looked in 2012. And how I want to always remember these days. The good that shows up on the card, AND the bad and frustrating moments behind it all. Because that’s what makes up life. And the downs are what makes the ups that much better. So long 2012. Thanks for being good to us.
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Such a beautiful fam! 🙂 Love the organic expressions.
I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas cards.
Sometimes it's just plain torture! 🙂
But a few years ago I decided to frame about 12 years of Christmas card photos of our fam and it's my favorite Christmas decoration! I love seeing our family and how it has evolved over the years. All I see now are the smiling faces and they are priceless to me.
Love your photo this year!
Love what you said at the end – so true. I pray many blessings for your family in 2013; thank you for always being such a great role model for young women! 🙂
Dave is too funny. I got five minutes. And then there were tears. Always tears. At least I get to remember that everyone happily accomodates for the first shot .. And that's the one I get to go with. Happy new year to you all!
I love Elle's pink hair. I would have thought something that trendy looking would have been frowned upon by your church. I'm glad to see that it's not.
I REALLY got a giggle out of the one of Elle where she was like "MOM..stop already!" Great pictures!!
Happy New Year to you and your family!!!
Thank you so much!!! Our photo shoot was so stressful this year because I had a clear picture in my mind that just….well it was difficult to even attempt. Looking back at the pictures I was reminded that the moments from behind the scenes are what I truly enjoy seeing and being a part of anyways!
amen! love it. so glad my husband isn't the only one who loathes family photos… 😉
elle is gorgeous. she looks like a model
TOO CUTE… NOW THAT I SEE DAVE'S SHIRT… MY SON TRAINS AT THAT GYM FOR FOOTBALL WITH ONE OF THE COACHES!!! I KNOW I HAD READ YOU STARTED CROSFITTING A WHILE BACK. SMALL WORLD!!!!
Beautiful pictures at Lake Powell, I have wonderful memories of Lake Powell. I grew up in Page, the small town by the lake.