JRIBS minus 1

You know J-Lo (Jennifer Lopez), P-Diddy (Sean Combs), Jackie-O (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis)?   Well, my sister Lori came up with the nickname JRIBS (Jeff, Robyn, Ian, Bailey and Sam) for us.  This is how we sign cards, letters and emails when referring to my whole Toppall team. 

This year we were without a very important part of the nickname JRIBS, the "B" was no longer here.  It was our first annual family photo when Bailey did not join us.  As previously reported in the past, the morning of the photo appointment is one of stress and anxiety for me.  No one wants to do this picture but me.

We had a lot going against us.  I had thought our 9:00am appointment was the first one of the day, as this is the time Portrait Innovations states they open on their website.  However, when we walked in at 8:55am, the place was packed with kids and adults everywhere!!  Apparently, they started taking appointments as early as 8:00am and had no problems double and triple booking the two studio rooms.  It was a crazy, chaotic scene and I instantly thought about the disposition of my husband and two kids  waiting an hour until we got called for our photos to be taken and I shuddered in panic.  It was not going to be pretty.

For those that know Portrait Innovations, they encourage outfit changes, doing many different poses, and changing backdrops.  Ha!  It's nice to dream, isn't it?  All I ask is that we get one photo with all of us, wearing the clothes we walked through the door in, with one neutral backdrop.  IF (and this is a big IF) the kids (and of course, Jeff) haven't melted down by the time this one shot is taken, then please, by all means attempt a picture with the 2 kids together without me and Jeff in it.

It took 45 minutes for them call our name.  Melissa was our photographer and we explained our situation.  Work fast and don't worry about doing anything fancy.  We explained the kids are ticking time bombs and you never know how long you'll get.  She understood and was up to the challenge.  We were done within 15 minutes and then it was another 30 minutes to view the pictures.  Oy!  Fortunately at this point the kids are happy to be running around and playing with the lego table. 

I could not be more pleased with how the photos turned out.  And, as you can see, Melissa was able to change up the backdrop and our poses.  Goooo Melissa!!

I'd like to point out that no bribery was used in any way to get the above smiles.  :)

We can now cross this off the list and rest easy until November 2011.  More than likely by then, we will be back to a full JRIBS in the annual photo. I believe every time Sam looks at Jeff  and says, "New dog please, new dog" his tough exterior on not wanting another dog soon is breaking down little by little.