Christmas Photos Through the Years

Each December my family sends out a letter, handmade card and family picture to about 70 people. We always save one copy of each to put in a scrapbook. When we got home from school, my sister and I found ourselves looking through the books (yes, there are three), reading the old letters and laughing at the pictures. Here are some of our favorites. 

1989: This is Coho, my parents' first child. Probably more photogenic than all of us combined. Rumor has it he got to go on his very first trip to the mall in order to take this photo.  

1990: Look! It's me! These were the good old days. Also, isn't my mom pretty?

1993: Still rockin' the only child thing. Look at those bangs! Also, tights. Also, I wish I had that dress in my current size. Also, I wish I had a german shepherd to cuddle with.

1995: Holy digital camera, Batman! Also, what is that other child doing encroaching on my territory? And why can't I tan like that now? I'm pretty sure we had this picture on a mousepad in our den for about ten years. So 90s.

1996: Umm... so now there are six of us. Clearly nobody consulted Reilly on adding two boys to the family. Michael is in the blue and Steven is in the yellow (I think). 

1997: So this is the year we acquired Photoshop, in case you hadn't guessed. My parents were really proud of this card because they made it on the computer! With such beautiful Christmas colors! Little known fact: Steven's head was photoshopped on from another picture because in the original he wasn't looking at the camera. Magic! 

2001: JAKE!! Isn't he cute? So attentive. My mom was probably standing behind the camera with a biscuit in her hand. Why is there a dolphin hanging out of my hair? Why does Reilly's shirt look like cake frosting? Why do Michael and Steven look like they actually like each other? So many questions from the year 2001. 

2002: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! Matching outfits! So much awesome in one picture. The names had to be added to the bottom because Michael and Steven look so damn alike. In other news, SPIKY HAIR!! 

2004: Oh my god, I don't even know where to begin. Can you say AWKWARD? Clearly we were running out of time and needed to take a Christmas picture. Even our fat labrador looks uncomfortable. Nevertheless, Reilly looks adorable as always. Sigh, this was a dark day in our family's history. Also, SPIKES ARE STILL COOL?

2006: After a string of predictably stiff photos, we decided to change scenery and take the picture while on vacation in Cannon Beach, OR. My hair looks awesome. I just realized it looks like we are standing in front of a green screen! Perhaps the colors were enhanced with Photoshop. Sneaky sneaky. 

2008: This is the year I went to college so of course we all wore WSU clothing for our picture! This was taken on a rare sunny day in Seattle. Also, Jake. So stinkin' cute. I guess the boys are okay, too.

2009: This might be my favorite. Also taken at Cannon Beach, we took about 50 takes before this photo was chosen. I like everything about it. Especially Reilly's hair.

2010: Five minutes before this photo was taken:

Mom: "It's snowing! Everyone get outside so we can take a picture!"

Everyone else: "Really? Do I need to put on shoes for this?"

Mom: "Hurry up! I want a picture in the snow!"

Five minutes after this photo was taken:

Mom: "See, the snow is melting.                    Aren't you glad we got that picture?"

                                                                                                       Everyone else: "Thrilled."

So there you have it. This year's picture was a boring collage of pictures from our Alaska cruise. Nothing too exciting to report there. As we get older, it gets harder for us to all be in the same town at the same time, let alone the same room.

I hope your holidays are filled with family, friends and awesome Christmas photos that you can laugh at years later