Do You Hear What I Hear?

Do you hear what I hear? Crisp canyon breezes rustling through the trees, new fallen golden and crimson leaves crunching underfoot, the gentle rush of a babbling mountain stream, a three-year old's high-octane screams echoing throughout the canyon?

What? You thought this was going to be a quiet story?

My very talented and fabulous sister Angie scheduled the annual Amonett family Christmas photo shoot on Saturday afternoon, September 24. I color coordinated, primped, and coiffed my family in hues that would not only compliment our skin tones, but be appropriate to wish all our friends and family the merriest of holiday seasons. We wended our way through Provo Canyon to Vivian Park, and then another few miles along the mountain bench to find a secluded spot perfect for our holiday photo shoot. I should have known that Xavier, my precious little miracle who refused to nap that afternoon, would want nothing to do with poses and family togetherness. He only wanted to run through the leaves and climb trees with his cousins, not be wrangled into a stand-still position where he was forced to smile and exude great joy for the camera. Instead of following his auntie's gentle directions, he fought, kicked, and cried his way through every shot, no matter how much we bribed him with pumpkins and candy, reiterated his obligation to participate in family events, or threatened to beat him into submission.

After 30 or so minutes, the score tallied: Xavier - 573 Parents - 0

As Xavier continued to run in the opposite direction of the camera,



we gave up trying to get any individual shots of him, although my sister did sneak a few right after he got out of the car.



He refused to wear the red puffy jacket vest I bought him, yet I was very thankful he at least let me put him in the shirt that blended with the rest of our outfits.



We decided to let Xavier run with his cousins for awhile in hopes that would alleviate his traumatic stress imposed by the stalking camera lens. Angie snapped a few choice pics of Thaus, me, and baby, and as you can see, she did a wonderful job capturing the intertwining beauty of family, autumn, and nature.





We attempted a few different venues for the Christmas card pose, and finally had some luck with a tree stump. We couldn't coax a smile out of my sweet boy, although Angie was making me laugh so hard I could barely keep my composure and urinary function intact. Thaus' patience, quickly confounded by both my giddiness and Xavier's stubborness, urged him to call an end to our session and proclaim making due with what we had. Fortunately, my sister can manipulate less-than-perfect conditions into stellar professional keepsakes. Amidst all the tears, Xavier's blue eyes express a soft, radiant glow that will harmonize perfectly with the incandescent season of lights.




How can you not adore this face?

Perhaps next year will prove a less raucous experience for the Amonett family photo shoot. In the meantime, don't mind the shrill echoes coming from our direction. It's merely another escalation of welcomed asylum escapades.