9 Month Christmas Pictures

The girls turned nine months old right around Christmas.
So, it was fitting to do some Christmas themed pictures to capture their sweet faces at nine months.
Christmas pjs and Christmas dresses it was.




Bree was all about getting her picture taken this time.
She was playing and laughing with the photographer the whole time.
All smiles.







As far as Clara being happy about getting pictures taken, well, let's just let the pictures speak for themselves...


She hated the hat on her head, so we compromised on setting it beside her. Eh, close enough.



Bree=Happy. Clara=Sad







After much sweat and tears(from both myself and Clara), we got a decent shot in each outfit of them together.
Clara didn't smile in either, but she still looks pretty darn cute.
Also, she gets points for keeping her Santa hat on for more than one second without ripping it off...enough time for us to snap the picture.
And Bree, oh Bree, your little face is too sweet for words.

December Festivities

The Christmas festivities were in full swing this year.
Here are a few of the fun activities that has filled our December:



Our annual 'Dayton Family Christmas Get-Together' was a blast.
Unfortunately, Clara got sick on our way so we turned the car around and took her home.
Rick stayed home with sick little Clara, and Bree and I met up a little late with my family for dinner at Nauvoo Cafe and Temple Square lights.
It is great spending time with family during the holidays. As always, we had a great time.
Nothing seems more like Christmas to me than the lights at Temple Square.

Rick and I made sure to get out again later in the month with our little family to see some lights
because Rick and Clara missed Temple Square.
We headed down to Provo's Riverwoods where they have some beautiful lights on display.
We walked around, had some dinner, and got a little shopping in after.
It was a fun(and bitter cold) night with our family of four.

The week of Christmas, my sweet mom treated me to a night out with just her and I to see
David Archuleta's Christmas concert.
I know everyone out there thinks they have the best mom ever, but it isn't true. I do. :)
She would literally do anything for our family and is the most giving person I know.
I'm so incredibly grateful to have her.
The concert was great.
The best part of the night was right before his encore performance when he announced for the first time to the sold out crowd that he would be serving a mission for the LDS church!
He then sang my favorite Christmas song, "O Holy Night". So powerful and spiritual.
Great night with my momma!

Christmas Card 2011

Photography and card design by Dana Sorensen

Well, Hello There Santa

We originally had planned to go meet Santa for the first time last weekend at my dad's work.

No crowds, endless time, and free.

As we were leaving town to head up, Clara started throwing up in the car.
That plan didn't work out too well.
So, we decided to bite the bullet today and go to the mall, where it very boldly states, "no personal photography" and you spend the big $$ to get a shiny picture with Santa.
I was betting that Bree would cry. She has been a little on the sensitive side lately, but she pulled out the big guns and gave us a smile.
No tears on either side....success!

Bree and Clara, meet Santa.
Santa, meet Bree and Clara.

Babies' First Christmas Tree

Happy First Christmas Bree and Clara.

My Heart Explodes

I couldn't adore this girl more.
I love you Bree.