Christmas Card Fail (but not really)

So, DesignHER Momma is hosting a Christmas Card Fail contest and I thought I would enter.

First, though, let me explain. Usually I attempt to take some pictures of the boys for our Christmas Cards, but this year we got a beautiful one of all of us in front of Cinderella's Castle - so I just went with that. But that doesn't mean my boys were exempt from having to pose for some Christmas pictures.

My mother-in-law puts together the most clever and adorable Christmas Cards I've ever seen. I look forward to them every year - and every year she buys the boys (my 2 plus Mike's sister's 2) something to wear, bribes us with pizza, insists that we each bring a camera, and maybe she even says a little prayer that it will all work out. And somehow it does. I think it has something to do with the fact there are 3 cameras clicking away. This year I took over 40 pictures. Here's some of the best, or uh, the worst.

Remember I said my 2 plus 2 more. Yeah. That does not equal 3.
This would have been perfect. With one more.
So let's add him in...

There that's better. All four boys.
With only two of them looking good.
Liam is staring at Mike - waiting for his brownie reward.

Oh goodness. Now only one is looking and smiling.
And Liam? He's eating his brownie reward - not sure why he got a reward.

Okay - forget it for now.
Let them play for a bit and we'll try again later.

We got my mother-in-law's card yesterday and she did it again! Absolutely adorable. She's amazing with words and very creative. And she managed to find a good one of the four boys - and then one of the entire family.

The outside of the card reads: "We wish you the Quiet Ecstasy of a Christmas of Simplicity, A Welcome Wreath, a Christmas Tree, and always, the Bear Necessities."

And of course the "Bear Necessities" are her family.

Perfect, right? And the card I'm sending out...well, you'll see it when Meghan hosts her Christmas Card exchange. But really, don't hold your breath.