Perhaps International Geophysical Year was a letdown

This is an unusually glum-looking picture of the family (Mark, Dad, Mom, David, and Cathy) from 1957.

I know that subjects of older pictures intentionally posed without smiling (as in this picture of our grandfather).

• Were they meaning to choose this somber pose?


• Upset about Hurricane Audrey?


• Pondering the significance of the announcement that the Brooklyn Dodgers were moving to Los Angeles?


• Or considering that the arrival of the most beloved member of the family was over four years away?

This is the only family picture I have found from this era that was in color except this one other from Christmas.