HO-HO-Horrible

...or otherwise known as Happy *&%@#(&* Christmas to you.

This is the Christmas spirit that has been kindled in me after spending the morning with a family photographer. Oh Holy Morning.

We have long known that Spencer is not a big fan of the camera. Ok. Not a problem... we will take the pictures at his best time of day (morning); we will make sure we have all had a great morning and fully bellies (breakfast at Good Day Cafe); we will include their beloved blankets; we will have the pictures taken in our own home.

Should work, right?

Misery.

From the moment our keisters hit the couch, Spencer was a mess. Laying face down on the sectional, laying face down on the floor, going limp with any attempt at putting him in the frame. Once forced into the picture, lest you think we traded in one of the twins for an infant, there was crying, there were huge tears, there was snot... you know, your ideal family photo fare. Then, Calvin didn't really want Spencer to feel isolated in his sorrow, so he started in as well.

If there was one thing we learned loud and clear, it was this - you can force a kid into a picture, but you sure as hell can't make him smile. We finally resorted to photos with everyone in one tangled mess on the floor, tickling and goofing around. Spencer blessed us with his voluntary physical presence, but he wasn't happy about it. I think the only salvagable shots will be once we dove straight to the bottom of the barrel and went for Fart and Poop jokes... that always slays 'em.

If there is one thing these X-mas photos will show, it is our true family dynamic. Sing it with me... It's the MOST wonderful time, of the year....