Our Family Tree is in Our Back Yard

In preparation for a family reunion this summer, we were asked to provide pictures of our family. We scoured the archives and discovered that we didn't have a decent picture of the four of us yet. We immediately set out to remedy the problem. Unfortunately, the solution isn't so simple as point-and-shoot.



We took a camera along to our niece's 3rd birthday party, intending to snap a photo with the help of the other party-goers. It's hard to say what went wrong -- too much sun, not the right backdrop, awkward poses -- but the family photo didn't quite materialize.



However, we did manage to snap some great candid shots of the kids.













The following day was Sunday and we pulled the tripod down from the closet shelf to make an attempt in our backyard. It was pretty chilly so we didn't have much time to work with. First we tried the swing.



Interesting, but unsuccessful.



We also tried the wagon.



Nice idea, but Katie really didn't react well to the direct sunlight.



The best result came when we used the tree. It is nice to see that the trees in our yard are good for something other than dispensing a limitless supply of twigs, leaves, seeds and assorted rejectamenta.



I thought the final results were good, especially given the rushed job that we did. I think we will have to make use of this "family tree" for future photo shoots -- especially once Katie can clamber onto a branch on her own.