Wednesday, December 30, 2009

December was FULL of excitement!

We enjoyed...
christmas cards,

shopping,

wrapping presents,

santa's lap,

train rides,





feeding reindeer,


catching snowflakes,

trying to stay warm,



avaree being a reindeer for a week straight,

going to baylee and griffin's basketball games,

lots of friends and family gatherings,

colter, gus, and frankie
(it was a year of boys, we missed you simon!)

and best of all spending time with these cuties!

oh, and we watched the grinch way too much.


last but not least- the classic "avaree forcing frankie to smile" picture again.

unfortunately we also ALL had the stomach flu.
i'm sad the excitement is over but glad the flu is gone!


Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas!

Franklin slept through us opening presents...




We had all my brothers and their wives with us on Christmas morning to open presents and for a big breakfast. It was great to all be together. I love my siblings. I'm grateful they want to spend time with us and keep up on our family traditions!

We went over to Jason's Mom's for Christmas dinner and it was GREAT that I didn't have to cook!


Frankie's 1st Christmas.

My favorite gift this year was from Griffin. He picked it out all on his own. It was so thoughtful!
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas Eve

The traditional deli sandwiches on croissants and my Mom's potato salad for dinner.


The reason for the celebration

Weston didn't want to be Joseph so Uncle Trevor filled in and we had the perfect baby Jesus this year!

Baylee the angel appearing to Griffin the shepherd.

Traditional Christmas Eve pj's



Snacks for Santa and oats for his reindeer!

Weston watching for Santa

Once the kids were in bed, Santa did come and these two were his helpers! Santa was very grateful!!




Sunday, December 20, 2009

December 20th

i have some catching up to do but i had to post today for my own therapy.
today my mother would be turning 56...

my grandmother's words-

"No other love so brighlty burns on earth as love lit by the miracle of birth. MIRACLE! That is what Karol has been to us. December is such a special month to have a darling baby placed in a Mothers arms. Everyone is joyous during the Christmas season, that a real baby in our home capped the climax. We named her Karol, and lovingly called her our "Little Christmas Karol". She fit this name, for truly she has been like a song of happiness in our lives."

i am a daugther of an amazing woman.
i am a granddaughter of an amazing woman.
i've found great strength and comfort in their examples of womanhood, especially this past year as i've struggled with my own daily trials.
i feel so blessed to be their posterity.

christmas time is full of memories that i cherish of my mother. i love to reflect on her life as well as my Saviors, the ultimate example.

this picture hung in my mother's room and now hangs in mine. i'm so grateful that she instilled in me a love for Jesus Christ . I know because of his "gift" to us, we can be a family forever. It is my prayer that each of you can feel of Christ's love this Christmas season.