say cheese!

Elise turned 18 mths old, and Braden will be 5 in just a couple of weeks (eeek! how do we have a FIVE year old??) . . . so we scheduled a visit with our favorite photographer, Sandi (who has taken all of our kids' pics since they were newborns).  

I commented to Mom (who graciously accompanied us on our outing so that Billy could watch the Hawkeyes play) on the way to take pictures that I had a feeling that Sandi might have her work cut out for her this time . . . Braden is not a huge fan of having his photo taken and does not do very well at following directions on how to stand/where to look, etc.  And Elise is just so on the go, I wasn't sure if she would stay still long enough for good shots . . .

 . . . turns out, I was right.  Sandi had to WORK for her paycheck, but, as always, she came through with some winners.   I ended up buying a cd with all of the images, so I have some of the "out takes" too.  

enjoy . . .

We first tried the "together" pictures - it is so hard to get both kiddos to look/have a good smile at the SAME time!

Don't they just look like they are having a ball? ha!

Love B's expression/pose in this one . . . but of course E looks goofy.

 

This ended up being my favorite of them together - it's real life!


Still trying for one with two good smiles . . .

that's better . . .

 . . . and we're done!?


Next up we tried some individual poses.  Love B's ornery look here :)

favorite.

really, Mom?

Elise's turn . . . she had a hard time finding her smile and really just wanted to run!

Love her wild curls in this one!

a little hint of a smile . . .

love her.

Finally - a bigger smile!

 . . . and another goofy face!

She was done at this point, and had seen B with a sucker and started crying because she wanted one too . . . so we took a few with the sucker.  You can she her tears in this pic . . . but she was much happier.

Overall, we're calling it a success!