Visiting Santa

On top of all this other stuff going on, we've had two portrait sessions...one for family pictures and one with Santa. We weren't real sure how Brenna would react with Santa. We knew Brooke would be fine (she's an old pro at this right?), but Brenna we thought we had a 50/50 chance. She *might* be ok, leery, but ok. Or she might refuse to go in the room. Then add in the ear infection (which at the time she was only on Day 2 of...with only 2 doses of antibiotics in her) and needless to say, she was not a cooperative happy camper. This age is definitely the hardest for getting pictures of and esp getting pictures of next to a big scary guy in a red suit and boots! Especially when you factor in the whole "Mommmmmy!" factor...you know, separation anxiety has REALLY kicked in. And then factor in that she is now scared of anyone who even looks suspicious. That's due to all the doctor visits where she gets poked and proded and stuck and made to vomit. Yea, I guess I'd be scared of tiny little spaces with strange people coming at me too!

Anyway, so, Brooke was a champ. She was super excited to tell Santa all about the scooter she wanted for Christmas - down to the design and color! Then she sat and posed for some pretty little girl pictures. And then we tried to get Brenna involved and nope. None of that. She screamed bloody murder and had the death grip on either Brad or I the whole time. We tried the whole plunk her down and just see what happens and she bolted every time. Finally it was suggested I just get in the picture with her! Aaaah! I didn't do my makeup or wear appropriate clothes...heck I hadn't even washed my hair yet that day! But whatever. Anyway, so here's a slideshow of most of the pics. The one of Brenna running away arms flailing is priceless. But my favorite is probably her sitting down looking up at him, screaming. Poor Brooke even tried to help calm her with marshmellows.

Just click this link to view the slideshow (then you'll have to hit 'play') or if the link doesn't work (I don't think it does actually), just copy and paste into your browser...

http://video214.com/play/4dtPRtHP074uxY4jTYF2QQ/s/dark