She better LOVE this gift!

So my mom's 60th birthday is coming up.  She is the type mom that says she doesn't really want you to get her anything and actually means it!  Or she'll give me a quick little idea of something you can quickly go out and wrap up so she'll act all surprised and I can feel good that I actually got something for her.  So as this pivotal birthday approached I hadn't stressed a whole bunch about what we were going to get her.  Then out of the blue she tells me, "For my birthday I want a new purse."  Okay, easy enough, I can do that.  Then she adds, "...with a picture of all five grandchildren on it."  All five!  With my three kids being the OLDEST!  So, a six year old, four year old, three year old, two year old and one year old.  Come on mom, do you want all six kids on the SAME purse or can I just give you six different purses?!  Awww, this means a photo session that involves my own kids!  Now, let me explain, you think photo sessions for you the mom is difficult...try being the mom AND the photographer, oh yes, and on this session throw in the aunt in that scenario as well!  No small task!  Let me be completely honest with you- I view taking portrait sessions of my own kids like I do exercising- I do it because of the after effect and NOT because of the joy of the activity!  Just like a long, hot run a full photo session involving all three of my kids is downright painful!  Oh, and did I mention my husband refuses to come to these photo sessions...yes, after one bad Christmas card attempt he swore he would NEVER take part in one with our kids again...so I don't even ASK!  One parent losing it with the kids is enough!  Anywho, luckily this session was not as bad as some of the ones we have had in the past...maybe it was having the cousins around to dilute the situation.  Anyway, the session was completed without me having to apologize to my kids even once...oh wait, maybe just once.  ANYWAY, most of you know my kids, so meet my niece Sophie and my nephew Sam.  These are my brothers kids and are they cute or what?!  Sam is quite possibly the happiest baby I have ever met and so easy going!  (Obviously didn't come from the Higgins' genes!)  I love this portrait of him...look at those eyelashes!  He is going to be a heart breaker!  And Sophie, she reminds me so much of McKinnon at this age- soooo cute and soooo talkative!  Chatty Cathy for sure...and to watch she and Elliott together is a hoot!  I got a bunch of them together but this one made me giggle out loud...look at Sophie holding her tummy as she belly laughs!  What ever Elliott said must have been hilarious!  Lastly, this one with all four is one of my favorites because it really shows who they are...Sam curiously watching as all four of the older ones abound in from a day of playing.  So, no these are not the ones going on the purse (that is a surprise for her!) but thankfully we got a lot of great expressions and had a not-too-miserable time doing it!  All I have to say is she better LOVE that purse because it certainly was NOT an easy purchase this year!  :-)