You'd think it would get easier....

We have been taking family pictures for our yearly Christmas card since Ryan was a baby.  

You'd think by now, and with 21 years of practice,

 that it would get easier...

...but you'd be WRONG!

Prior to taking this beautifully serene photo 

these perfectly behaved children

there was:

Ryan jabbing John Paul in the back with a stick.

Mary Grace putting pennies down my cleavage.

Danny and Kyle were arguing.

Danny was digging in the dirt.

I was yelling at everyone to behave for ONE freakin' picture!

Doug had to run back and forth to set the camera timer.

Oh yeah...and the dog crapped less than six feet away from where we are all sitting.

Luckily, Doug was able to dodge the dookie every one of the 25 times he had to go reset the camera timer.

Maybe next year will be my year,
but I'm not going to hold my breath.