a tree seeing virgin. and a christmas picture.

I got my Christmas cards out late this year.

I know!!  I'm usually so on top of things!  The problem is Kara.  I totally blame her.  Because obviously I can't send out a Christmas card without her on it, and getting her in a picture with the other kids is becoming harder and harder these days.  It's not like she lives across the country or anything, but still, she works and everything - we don't see her nearly as often as I would like.  She lives in the city and we live in the country - about a 2 1/2 hour drive.  It's not that bad really, but just getting everyone together has gotten harder.

So we went down to the city to meet up with Kara and go get some dinner and see the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.  Let me tell you what a shitstorm that was!  As a New Yorker, I am ashamed to admit that I have never gone to see the tree - I was a tree seeing virgin.  I love going into the city, the crowds don't bother me, the beggars don't bother me, the noise and chaos doesn't bother me.  Those things are kind of weird because by nature I don't do chaos.  I mean, I can manage outwardly, but in my head I don't like it very much at all.  So yeah, who knew that it was so crazy at the tree?  There were so many people, my photo op was basically a joke. People were pushing, elbows were flying.  It felt like that time I was probably trashed and mashed up against a million people at a Horde Tour and somehow managed to pass out standing up.  Hm.  Moving on.  Luckily we took some pictures back at Kara's place and I was able to mess around and make do with one of those pictures for the infamous Christmas card.

our 2012 Christmas card photo

And guess what guys?  This year I didn't have to scream once!  I didn't have to threaten anyone, cajole (isn't that a funny word?  cajole), make anyone cry.  It was definitely a win.  I did have to take a bunch of pictures because of course it's hard to get everyone just right and I am kind of a freak about those things, but it really wasn't so bad.  My kids definitely get it.  They get me and usually just humor me and do what I say.  Years past though... ugh.   I'd take 50+ pictures and maybe end up with two decent contenders.

If I had to do it all over again, I think I'd send out blooper Christmas cards.  That's actually a good idea. In fact, it's such a good idea that I think I will graciously post some doozies of the past in follow-up post.