*sigh* We did it. It may be a good 4 years since our last family photo, but at long last, we do have a family photo worthy of hanging on our wall. And photos of each child. And even a few photos with Grandma H.! Whew. Yes, Eve’s first portrait studio experience may be at the ripe old age of 2, but I’m just rollin’ with it. We do have lots of photos taken by yours truly, but to be honest, ever since I stopped using my “old-fashioned” SLR I’m not thrilled with most of the pictures I take. They just lack…something. At any rate… here we are! In all our glory. I’ve not posted ALL of them, but some of the better ones. And some of the worst. A HUGE thank you to Grandma Heiselt, without whom this was not possible!

The whole shoot took about 30 minutes and I think by the end every grown-up in the studio was exhausted! But the kids were happy, they had a good time (for the most part) and Grandma took them all 2 doors down for ice cream while Mom & Dad deliberated over the purchase. I was thrilled.

Here is my ultimate fave:

Much better. Though still my crazy kids.

This one is my favorite, actually.

This is one we ended up framing. I know. But Everyone’s so happy! I love it.

The boys. So SO handsome!! I love it. I told them just one day out of the year do they need to dress to please me, and comb their hair the way I like it. Every other day they can do what they want. Conan was okay with that. Some of the others had issues!

The photographer kept wanting to take the stuffed animals away at the last second for a “clear” photo. But seriously, can you beat that face?? Nah. Not worth a sobbing child picture. And this is SO her.

Neils cracks me up. He really REALLY wanted this cloud background. It looked a little odd with him just floating in space, so she added this little cloud pillow… umm… okay…. isn’t that usually for little baby cherub shots? *shrug* Neils loved it. He looks like he’s having a moment of deep thought.

Here’s my pick. In retrospect I should’ve had him take another one with a white background, but we were getting to the end of the shoot and Eve was getting out of hand, so we just went with it. He’s a handsome kid!

Burke was awesome. Sat so perfectly still with this calm, happy smile plastered on his face… you couldn’t even tell the difference from one take to the next. At all. He’s got this down.

Again the stuffed animal issue with the monkey here. Who cares if it’s not significant or symbolic…Wait… isn’t that a monkey? OK, well, either way. Happy faced kid? Two thumbs up.

Eve was a little live wire and would float around the picture taking place, plop down for a snap or two, walk around back behind the backdrop, giggling and laughing, plop back down for a snap or two, and run back around… she was hilarious! So, unfair, I know, but here are a few of her:

She picked her own props, though the boys insisted on the #2 block.

So sad her little nose has a sore from being runny & blowing it all week or this one would have made the wall. They couldn’t do touch-ups. I know! Crazy, right?

Just passing through…

Good smiles, but again, with the nose! So sad! I wish I’d thought to use make up. Ah well.

And this one’s my favorite. It’s just SO… Evangeline. Always on the move. Absolutely adorable.

There you have it folks. It was crazy, but worth it. At least my kids will now know from looking at our walls that they are important to me. *sigh* So in love. My family is the best.