Easter Family Pics 2018

Another sad aspect of the kids not feeling well on Easter was that we they did not get to wear their beautiful new Easter dresses (thanks, Grammy and Granddad) on Easter Sunday.  We did get any sweet Easter pictures of the kids together because only Kolbe ever wore his Easter finery that day.  And we didn't get any group shots with all Chris' siblings, the Bissonnette side cousins, our family.  Nothing.  Nada.

In fact, the flu bug lasted so long after we returned home (yes, we drove 18 hours home with sick, tired children who were cranky and quite literally at least one kid was crying almost all of the time).  The following Sunday we still had kids who were not 100% and I was sick as a dog, so not only did we miss out on the Easter celebration we'd hoped for, we also missed out on Divine Mercy Sunday. 

But finally, two weeks after Easter, we had our "make-up Easter" and dressed up in our Easter finery to get some late pictures and really celebrate the glory of the Resurrection in full. 
This year it was especially wonderful that the Catholic Church celebrates the Easter SEASON for 50 whole days because we pretty much missed two weeks of it, but we still had plenty of days to sing Alleluia and proclaim Jesus as Lord over death and the tomb. 

And now without further ado, I give you a bunch of pictures. 
First try was pretty good!  Couldn't get Sophie to smile though!

Now Sophie and Kolbe aren't smiling. 

Sophie was being a goober, but Kolbe was being so cute that I snapped this sweet shot of the oldest and youngest. 

Finally got Sophie to smile, but now Kolbe isn't looking (still smiling though!)

Soooooo close to perfection.  Just one little hand in the face.  

Allllmost!  All smiles but Sophie looked away. 

Annnnnnd we have the winner! 

My reward for pushing that little circle button on my phone about a thousand times and making goofy noises and waving my arm and  basically acting like a complete fool.  

A basically perfect picture capturing everyone smiling at once.  

I mean, we have great kids, so I can't take all the credit.  They cooperate really well.  

I snapped a few individual pictures of the kiddos in their Easter outfits too. 

Kayla (nearly 9 years old)

She's definitely a first-born.  She likes to be in charge and tell the others what to do and how to play.  She's an avid reader, a creative crafter, and focused ballet dancer.  

Elise (7 years old)

She's a silly sweetheart, always joking, laughing, and ready for fun.  At times she lets her fears rule her actions, but she's learning to let go and trust.  Her reading skills have really picked up in the last few months.  

Ava (5 1/2 years)

She's sweet and sensitive.  She doesn't like to do things unless she is confident that she is good at it.  She's sometimes quiet and to herself and sometimes loud and begging her sisters to play.  She started tap dancing in January and is a sweet, shy little performer. 

 

Sophie (3 years old)

This kid is a ham (can you tell?).  She is full of giggles, but also full of 'tude. She's determined and independent and it's fun to watch her grow and develop.  Never a dull moment with her.  

 

Kolbe (19 months)

This boy is such a joy and so completely full of life and mischief.  He loves to wrestle, tackle, snuggle, and hug (and it all amounts to pretty much the same thing in his eyes-it's his love language).  He's talking up a storm these days as well.  

 

Our first family self-timer shot was a failure. 

We figured out how to get us all in the shot, but still had some troubles getting everyone to look at the camera at the same time.  

 

This one is totally Chris and I not looking!!!

But we eventually got a shot where everyone is looking....and SMILING too! 

We may have been late to the Easter picture (and truly celebrating) game, but we sure got a great family picture in the end.  

Alleluia!  He is Risen indeed!