Like Pulling Teeth

Life's so tough, especially when you have the cruelest parents on earth.

In the past two months, our poor kids have been subjected to THREE big sessions of family pictures. Yes, we are the cruelest parents on earth. The pictures on this post are from the first session, back in September when my family gathered for Christian's baby blessing. Notice Nathan's bare feet (He took off his shoes in hopes that it would delay the pictures.) and beautiful "smile". Actually, he either scowled or stuck his tongue out for EVERY picture. (I hear Borens laughing...David made awful faces for many of his pictures as a boy.) This was the first picture of each of my siblings and their spouses. Well, technically, Michael was still engaged then, but that's okay. I still can't believe we're all married.

The second photo session was a few days before Thanksgiving, when David's family gathered at the Mount Timpanogos Temple for his sister Dianna's wedding to Matt Funk. The wedding was beautiful and Dianna and Matt looked radiant. Our kids looked like they would rather be anywhere else, with their tear-stained faces and runny noses. Granted, it was quite chilly outside. Fortunately, they recovered at the luncheon afterward, where Clara discovered the joy of fingerpainting on the tablecloth with cake frosting.

The most recent family pictures were taken 4 days later, at my brother Michael's wedding to Kristin Jensen. As we were on our way to the wedding, Nathan tearfully said, "Oh no! Are there going to be pictures at this wedding too? I'm not going to be in ANY MORE PICTURES!" Poor kid. It was not nearly as cold outside for these pictures, but Nathan wasn't going to put up with any more. As we all posed for the big group photo, Nathan escaped and ran away. David and I shrugged and said, "Well, I guess he's not going to be in these pictures."

Sorry, Nathan and Clara. Pictures are a fact of life, especially in my family. The faster you cooperate, the faster it's over. Sorry, Dianna and Matt, if our kids are looking less than happy at your wedding. We thought it was beautiful, and we're so excited for you. Sorry, Michael and Kristin, if you can't find Nathan in your wedding pictures. He had already endured all that a little boy can endure. We are glad you got married. Someday you'll be wrestling your own kids during family pictures.