Christmas Card

Last year's Christmas card was the first time we had done a silly picture. It all came together so organically and we got lots of positive comments and feedback. 

Problem was, I sort of felt like I had peaked. How could do I do better than a faded in 70's picture of our family? So I determined I wouldn't. No card this year. Save money. Save time and stress. We all have social media anyway. No need for Christmas cards. 

Then two weeks before Christmas it came to me. Pick a different decade. What if we tried to recreate an iconic 90's picture? Complete with denim and cliche poses. All of a sudden, my already packed schedule was put on hold while I scoured multiple Goodwill's for any and all denim. I steamed my white backdrop and tried to turn our living room into Contempo. We had only one day to make it happen. Styled Collin and Tanner's hair into "butt crack hair", reminiscent of Travis's look, back in the day. Gave Weston and Travis a flat top. I almost went fluffy on Olive's hair, but remembered that the 90's really had more flat hair. The ratted look was more 80's. Perhaps that will be next year.

I used a small curling iron to do tight curls just at the very bottom of my hair. It's a shame you can't really tell in the picture. Then I used a large curling iron to give my bangs a nice, wide barrel curl. Honestly, while I was doing it I started tripping out a little bit. It took me RIGHT BACK. I mean, who can really tell how many times I did this exact thing in junior high and high school?? Getting that curl to land right above my eyebrows. I think I was experiencing a little PTSD, haha. Then putting on that jean jumper with the jean jacket.... oh my heck. I swear I had something JUST LIKE IT when I was 14. When I walked down the stairs, Travis looked at me and just started laughing. Then said, "Kids, meet your 8th grade mom." 

He was 100% correct. I looked like I had just walked off the page of my Taylor Jr. High yearbook photo. Like I was getting ready to go to a fireside for YW that night. 

We had a few inspo photos to go off of.....

The ironic part about all of this is that even though these were a joke, it felt like taking real family pictures. All the arguing, whining kids, "when is it going to be over" comments. Exactly the same. I was just using a tripod so I had to get everyone situated, push the button, then run for my spot. I had trouble with my camera and the lighting so the first several sets of pictures were unusable. Ugh. Eventually, with lots of bribing of Tanner, we got some good ones. They completely crack me up! Travis's white Reebok's are on point. I feel like the family on Home Improvement. Travis lamented we really needed a white ladder to finish the job. He was so right. The kids only pose is a favorite for sure. And the pose with just me and Travis is the exact one I saw on my parent's bedroom wall my entire childhood. 

On the back of all the envelopes I wrote #wewannagoback

And I'm not lying. After a year like 2020, I think all of us would gladly take Steve Urkel, beanie babies and the Macarena back in a heartbeat.

 For a handful of people that just don't know us well enough to "get" the other card. I also printed a backup. We can be normal too. ;)