Sunday Best.

In my day, this outfit would mean you got dressed in the dark....

Or, in the immortal words of Jimmy Neutron:

"My clothes don't match, my clothes don't match, I'm out in public and my clothes don't match! "

Oh, Bethany.

Bye Bye.

I tried so hard to wait til the day after Christmas 

 to take the tree down.

But alas, Christmas night found it here.

I'd Rather Eat (With) Randy.

My brother Randy came to town for Christmas.

We don't see too much of him so it was a great thing.

Today we capped off his visit with lunch at Market Street Grill.

Oysters for him, and none for us.

(We are not the adventurous type anymore).

It was a happy time.

I feel sad that we all get so caught up in our individual lives, we sometimes forget that before we were Labits, or Paynters, or Backus', we were the Brown kids.  

We've got to do better at staying connected.

Love you Randy. 

Til this summer.... 

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve began at Gorgoza Park, a tube run, in Park City.

 FREEZING. 

 Some were well prepared for the weather,

and some were not.

When limbs went numb, we were done.

It was lots of fun.  

After hot showers and last minute preparations, we headed to the Cooks for Christmas Eve dinner and a program. It's been a long time since we have had little ones around, so we put together a live Nativity. Some were more cooperative than others...

Mary and Joseph (looking awfully sassy!!!)

 They were soon joined by baby Jesus...

 ...and some shepherds whose flock consisted of one

 little black dog.

Then, an angel joined Mary on the donkey...

...and they were visited by an uncooperative wise man with an unusually large head.

We read the story of Jesus' birth, 

and sang every Christmas song we could think of.

We even did a little opening of presents.

 Michaela got a new shirt...

Finally, we headed home and had our own traditional 

Christmas Eve opening of one present each. 

Somehow it turned into the opening of three presents.

 Some of us were really excited...

 ...and some of us weren't.

Then, we headed to bed so Santa Claus could come.

And come he did.

Christmas Adam

In our family, the night before Christmas Eve is called Christmas "Adam," you know, like Adam and Eve. I don't  know who came up with that but nonetheless it lives.

So, on Christmas Adam we went to Temple Square with the cousins to see the lights. Despite the fact that Elijah basically photobombed all group shots, here are some to enjoy:

Onward to Christmas Eve.

Carpe Diem.

 Today we hit Rock Canyon park for some pre-Christmas sledding.

Though we took a good little group, 

the day belonged to Elijah.

He seemed determined to catch some air,

wherever and whenever. 

He also seemed to have quite a few outfit changes. 

Not to be outdone, Zachary put on his own little show!

Also along for the ride were:

Will the Beast...
 

 ...who caught a little air.

Jake the Snake...

...who had something strange goin' on.

Kaitlyn the daredevil...

Hayden, who had some extreme moves of his own...

...and Alyssa, who was content just observing. No crazy sledding antics for her!

Already two days into Christmas vacation.

Good Grief. 

Make it count I tell you.