My dang brothers...

...suck at having their pictures taken.

I noticed it this year when I was trying to make a calendar for my parents. 

Finding pictures of them where they look happy is hard. 

Which is weird because they are happy guys. 

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury I present to you:

Exhibit A:

What is he saying here?

I'll tell you what I'm saying:

How about a smile because we are in freaking Italy?

Exhibit B:

Um....is that supposed to be a smile.

That look is saying "take the dang picture already"

The oldest brother is no better. 

In fact he is worse. 

Clearly he was mad at me. 

I think it was because I tagged along on dates as a child. 

I was trouble. 

But wait just a minute!

I've noticed something.

The pictures improve dramatically when this is added in:

Thanks, ladies!

You make my brothers smile!

Since I've given them a hard time I'll end it with this page from my 1998 journal. 

It was from a trip to Montana I had taken alone and apparently it was making me a little morose. 

I was recounting a trip we had taken when I was 10 to Chicago.

It says:

"...

Wait a minute - even back then I was a big fan of the ellipsis.

Hmmm...

anyway, lets try again.

It says:

"...sitting on the plane tonight reminded me of the time that Joey and Robbie and I flew to Chicago alone to meet mom and dad. I had slept most of the way up there and wasn't feeling to good. Joey and Robbie took care of me. It was a really sweet feeling..."

Awwww.....