One of Our Favorite Christmas Traditions

We have been Christmas Caroling with the Brown Family for more years than I can count!

It is one of the most anticipated activities of the season!

This year Grandma Charlene and Mel hosted the dinner at their home.

Ally and Courtney

 Cassidy keeping warm by the fire pit.

It was raining all day and wet and misty most of the evening,

but during our caroling it was clear and not too cold!

Hallelujah!

 So many cute cousins!

Braden, Madison, Ally

 Naaman enjoying the homemade Chalupa

 Curt, Chuck and Mel

 Part of the gang on the flat bed semi trailer.

We had over 80 people there...the more the merrier!

Chuck and JuDene do an awesome job of decking out the trailer

 with lights, tinsel and bales of hay.

Jalee, Cassidy and Alison

Hannah and Grammie JuDene

Clark, Emily and Caleb

 Baby Clarity

 David and Haley

 Santa even caroled with us and had some sweet moves as we sang!

 Carson and Jen with Jace, Isaac and Austin

 Thanks, Uncle Chuck and Aunt JuDene for the awesome ride!

Thanks, Grandma and Mel for the delicious dinner!

Hope this tradition lasts for many more years!

Brown Family Swim Party

Each month all the Browns congregate for Family Home Evening.
In July we had our annual swim party hosted by Chuck and JuDene. Loved playing games

Courtney, Baby Eden, Tia and Jen

Lisa and JuDene

Deborah, Heidi, and Addison

Matt showing off his diving skills

Celeste and Chuck

Rachel (Brandt's girlfriend) and Haley

Jalee, Cassidy and Nick

Jace showing us how to eat like a "real man"

We had a great time and appreciate all the work Chuck and JuDene did to make the night so fun!

Missing Grandpa Chuck

It was six years on January 13th since Grandpa Chuck Brown passed away.

It is hard to believe that it has been that long.

In memory of him and his wonderful legacy and example, we gather as an extended family each year in January to clean his headstone and freshen up the flowers.

Cassidy, Curt and Bennett

Celeste and Courtney arranging the new flower display...

Madison and Braden looking on...

Isaac and Haley...

and Grandma Charlene with the grandkids that were able to come...
We miss you Grandpa, but your lessons, stories and endearing quirks live on through your children and grandchildren!

Brown Family Party

We had a great time at the family Christmas Party with all the Browns.

Clint and Debbie are great hosts to all 70 or more of us!

Bennett with his buddy Isaac...

Staking out our spots on the couch in preparation of the big gift exchange...

There is a baby for everyone to munch on...

Chuck and Charlie...

Brandee and Charlie...

Stacia and Graham...

(Stacia announced that Great Grandbaby #9 will arrive the end of July)

Tia and Austin...

Grandma Charlene and Great-Grandpa Breinholt...

Cassidy, Haley, Clark, Caleb and Nick...

The gift exchange turned into "Family Feud" as Carson stole the only gift Grandma wanted...

a beautifully framed picture of Joseph and the Baby Jesus...

(my camera battery died just as the feuding began!)

Cassidy, Tia and Celeste...

Jen and Chuck...

Curt and Clint critiquing the food...

part of the gang eating the yummy mexican food...

Just in case you were wondering...Carson and Grandma are back on speaking terms,

 just in time for the big day!

08.08.08 Our Lucky Day

The Brown Family is huge! At last count there are 72 plus two babies on the way. With two cousin weddings back to back, it was a very lucky day when we were all together (with the exception of John, Bryce, Stephanie, and Charlie). We took a few pictures to mark the momentous occasion. I think next time, we ought to hire a professional photographer! The kids all love being with their cousins and nobody is ever lonely at a Brown Family get together. There is a cousin for everyone.

Wedding Bells Take Two

Our cousin, Blake Ray, and his fiance Alisa Nelson, were married on Friday, August 8th in the Mesa Temple. Grandpa Tom Clark performed the sealing and did such a wonderful job. (He has now married the past 3 out of 4 Brown cousins!). Alisa is such a cute girl with an awesome personality. We are so excited to have her in the family. Thanks once more to cousins who set the right example for all of us!

Wedding Bells

A blind date at Aspen Grove last summer began the courtship that resulted in Paul and Skye being married August 1, 2008 in the Mt. Timpanogas Temple. It was a beautiful occasion and we loved being there and participating in all the festivities. (Skye's endowment session, tour of the newlywed's apartment, blowing up 800 helium balloons, the bachelor party, wedding ceremony, wedding dinner and reception). The family support was amazing and we are so blessed to be part of such a great family. We are so happy for the bride and groom and are grateful for their wonderful examples! Congratulations Mr. & Mrs Brown!