Ode to Fall Pictures...

Anyone who knew the DeLong family in the 80's and 90's, knows that Fall Pictures were an important part of our family tradition. Every fall, my dad pulled out an old, manual-focus camera and marched us out to some tree-filled location to capture pictures of us in the colorful foliage. It has become somewhat of a joke to those who have married into our family, as they look at the beautiful poses that Abby and I would come up with to make ourselves look like models. However, there were many great pictures taken and we cherish the fact that we have them from each and every year of our childhood. Naturally, I thought this would be a great tradition to start with my own family. However, my Fall Pictures did not turn out nearly so beautifully as my dad's did. Perhaps it was because I didn't have that old manual-focus camera, or because the foliage just isn't that beautiful in Tennessee this year. Maybe it was due to the fact that it was very cold outside (note Brax's red nose in the pictures) and he wasn't comfortable. Truthfully, though, I think that the reason is because I have a very "active" (dare I say "hyperactive" at times) 14-month-old who blatantly refused to sit still and smile for even one picture. I got a lot of action shots! The joy of running and falling in the leaves was much too fun! Well, at least I have documentation of the true picture of this phase of life!