picture time

it is time.  time to try and get a good picture of all four kids together. i also needed updated pictures of madelyn and mason for their birthdays (we display a 'birthday' picture of each of the kids in the dining room).  we have had a lot of luck with jcp and i think they are the most affordable option so i made an appointment.  when the kids are so young, it is difficult to pick a time when you know everyone will be full, rested and agreeable - so i picked 10am (first appointment when they open).

we got there a little early so i took some pictures of the kids in their 'big sister/brother' shirts.  for some reason madelyn turns into a contortionist when you try to take her picture and mason decided to tilt his head too.

maddux was only willing to peak over the stroller shade at me.

while we were waiting, a woman out for a stroll in the parking lot asked to 'see the baby' so i move the stroller a little and we got to chatting.  she was asking about the kids and then when mason said, "hi" she pulled out her wallet "to see what i have for you".  i was a little nervous about what she was going to pull out but there were lots of other people standing near us so i didn't think anything too bad could happen.  and then she gave him a dollar!  and not only mason, she gave one to madelyn too.  she tried to give one to maddux but he wouldn't come away from the stroller so she gave it to me instead.  then she handed me one more so that i could "buy something for the baby".  that was such a nice surprise!  and then she just went on her way.  the kids were very excited!

i had another lady come up and start telling me bout her grandson (also named mason) and then showing me pictures.  matt hates the way i seem to attract 'talkers'. (my mom will say that she attracts 'talkers' too, but in fact, she is a 'talker'.  love you, mom.)  but then the store opened and we could go inside - only to discover that the air conditioning in the store wasn't working!  it was hotter inside than it had been outside!  but we made our way upstairs anyway.

i could not have been happier with how the pictures came out!  i wanted to buy almost all of them.  somehow we had four willing kids.  i did have to use the pacifier with manning quite a bit but it was worth it to get a few with his eyes open.  maddux never said, "cheese" which was a little surprising, but he also stayed pretty still during pictures and willingly followed instructions for posing.

here are just a few of my favorites of each kid:

madelyn took her task of holding manning very seriously.  unfortunately, she forgot to smile through the focus.

i was sweating like crazy by the time we were done.  it was a lot to have a wardrobe change and two poopie diapers from manning.  all and all we were there for about an hour and a half.  i was so happy to get back into the car and some air conditioning!  manning just made it and screamed the whole way home.

now that pictures were done madelyn could have her much anticipated haircut!  consider these pictures the 'befores' and see the next post for the 'during' and and 'afters'...  love.