Because we happened to be dressed like this

It's challenging to get four people to look good in a picture simultaneously.

It's also challenging to get two kids not to move too much when you're taking pictures without a flash.

Sometimes, when everything else lines up, the lighting turns a weird greenish color.

Other times, the yellow pants on your three year-old that weren't supposed to be in the shot creep in.

Other obstacles notwithstanding, sometimes one of the grown ups moves.

Or blatantly sabotages.

Still other times, one of the children might be a little too excited to see what the picture looks like and jumps up to see before the picture has even been taken.

This is what I get for trying to pretend that we're the sort of family who dons matching casual sweater wear and then hangs out in front of the Christmas tree. I almost considered buying the kids a golden retriever, just so our Christmas card picture would have that little something extra. Good thing I realized that would be ridiculous.