Flashback Friday -- Christmas through the Years

This week's flashback is a walk down memory lane.  We've managed to get a Christmas picture taken and a card sent out in almost every year since we've been married.  The 3 years we missed were 2002 {I was just barely pregnant with Ethan and since we figured no one really cared about seeing a picture of just the two of us we opted out of sending anything.  Plus we were newlyweds and had no money.}; 2007 {I can't find a picture anywhere, and I don't think we sent anything in order to save money while we were finishing up the MBA program}; and 2010 {I just couldn't muster up the mental fortitude to try and get a decent picture of all the kids and then go through the stress of sending all the cards out -- our move that summer really stressed me out for the rest of that year!}.   Other than those exceptions, we've done our best each year to make the children's lives miserable by forcing them to take a Christmas picture for my sake and for posterity.  Hahaha.  Let's take a look at the Ghosts of Christmas Cards past...

2003

 Ethan was just about 6 months old here.  Taken on Scott's parents front porch in Provo.

2004

 Ethan -- 17 months, Grace -- 6 weeks? 7 weeks? (somewhere around there).  Taken at our apartment in P-town.

2005

Cute little Bobbsey Twins.  Ethan -- 2, Grace -- 1.  Taken outside good old Morningside Apartments.

 2006

Ethan -- 3, Grace -- 2,  and Sophie -- a month and a half away from being born.  Taken at Scott's parents house where we lived in the basement while Scott was in the MBA program.  

2007

 No Card.  Finishing up school.  Ethan -- 4, Grace -- 3,  and Sophie -- almost 1.

 2008

 Ethan -- 4, Grace -- 3,  and Sophie --1 {at the time of this picture}.  This year was a bit of a cheater.  The picture was actually taken before we left Provo that spring after Scott had finished up business school.

2009

Ethan -- 6, Grace -- 5, Sophie -- almost 3, and Jane -- about 3 1/2 months old.  It was REALLY hard to get a decent shot of all 4 kids this year.

 2010

Ethan --  7, Grace -- 6, Sophie -- almost 4, and Jane -- 1.  Another cheater.  If you'll recall, we didn't actually send out a Christmas card this year.  My whole family came out to visit, though, and I had my sister Laura take a picture of the kids once she was here.  I couldn't let the Christmas outfits I bought go to waste.  Hahaha.  In case you're wondering, I went with a theme of "hats" for their pictures. 

2011

Ethan -- 8, Grace -- 7, Sophie -- almost 5, Jane -- 2, and Alex -- about 3 1/2 months.  Last year's picture.  Stripes were the theme.  Hahaha.  When Ethan first saw all the ensembles, his comment was "Look -- jail clothes!"  Hahahahaha.  Capturing a decent shot of each kid looking at the camera and smiling like they mean it is proving to be very elusive.   

And there you have it.  Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  {Stay tuned for a post in the near future with this year's picture and newsletter.}