Tips: How to take your family picture with your DSLR

So you have this new DSLR and you try the timer on your camera to take a family photo and it just does not work.  Sure the camera fires, but you always have the one person not smiling.  Then you have to run to the camera and look at the picture to make sure you and/or your wife likes it.  By the 5th picture your kids begin to loose control and get restless.  Yes, I have been there too.  And ohhh boy that fun idea just became a disaster.  Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Here are some tips:...