Christmas Time



It wouldn't be Christmas without our annual family picture in front of the house!

This turned out to be the best of all of our attempts at a family picture. Adaira insists on posing, whether it's spreading her dress in a curtsy or leaning on her brother, lol.

The Evolution of an Owens Family Portrait








"Adaira don't hang on your brother"
"Brighton quit pounding Dale's chest! Dale quit trying to elbow Brighton! Justin quit passing gas! Adaira, your hands, again..."

Dale trying to escape, Audra trying to threaten him to stop.


This one looks almost perfect until you notice Brighton's "Doofenschmirtz" hands.

Dale swinging, Daisy playing with the wreath.
We love our kiddos, even if they all kept slowing walking toward us while we tried to snap pictures.


Brighton and Dale, the younger brother who will undoubtedly outgrow him by the time he is 13.





Tried to snap a few of Daisy after church, she was already enjoying one of the cookies made the night before with her cousins, thanks to Grandma Jo!




Cutie

The week before we organized a cousins cookie decorating night at the Ellsworth's. I think we actually had everyone there; a miracle!


L-R: Tristen, Daisy, Brighton, Dale Kalvin




Daisy was upset about something, probably that Adaira was taking the uncooked dough away from her because she kept trying to eat it.

On Christmas Eve at our house we had a cookie decorating night with the Owens clan. We love that Grandma Jo makes the best tasting sugar cookies around! L-R: Xander, Addie, Adaira, Luke, Levi, (Lindsay & Nathan), Dale and Brighton.

Daisy didn't participate this time, we just fed her broken cookies every once in a while.

The adults frosted and the kiddos sprinkled.

Leza and I were in charge of passing the frosted cookies to the kids as fast as possible before the frosting set.
Who wouldn't be happy on a night like this?

It's good to see Justin hang out with his brothers every once in a while. Boys don't tend to take the initiative to stay connected as much as girls do in families.



After the cookie decorating came the opening of presents from Grandma and Grandpa. All the kids got new Sunday clothes.
Brighton has looked dapper in his annual suits from Grandma Jo. It's always fun that some of the other cousins have matching suits too.



Adaira had to model her dress right away of course.


Christmas Morning 2013

Brighton and Adaira had two presents they had to open at the same time.
Drumroll please...

And they both got KINDLES!

Everyone but Brighton got new bikes (Brighton already had one)


Any guess as to what Daisy got??

Yes Brighton, a picture of your present and you looking the other way is exactly what I had in mind...


 Happy with her sparkly pink shoes

Daisy fishing through the stocking contents in front of the fireplace


The post present opening carnage



Justin had talked about getting a nice shaved ice machine after our Hawaii trip, the one he got wasn't quite the caliber he was looking for, but we've enjoyed our shaved ice treats!
Christmas is so long awaited and so quickly over :( I just love the season and all the extra excuses to spend time with family. After lunch we headed up to the cabin to enjoy some winter weather in the mountains. I hope our children have fond memories, they are so quickly growing up each year!

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