Come and Gone Updates

These Virginia Bluebell flowers bloom in our woods every year. When I was little I thought they were a gift just for me. They come in early spring, but don't stick around long. They are already finished blooming this year.

It's been an interesting couple of weeks. Two weeks ago, one of the most important people in my life passed away. My grandma Nick was ready to go, and her funeral was more of a celebration of what a great person we all had in our life. I'm happy she is with grandpa again...But I still miss her.

I really love this picture.
It reminds me to be faithful and endure.
My grandma had her hair ripped out by a utility fan, when she was still a mother of young ones. She told herself she would not wear a wig, because she had faith her hair would grow back. In all her pictures in this time period she is wearing a scarf wrapped around her head. After 13 years, she prayed her hair would grow back in time for my aunt's high school graduation. If it didn't she would know it was time to wear a wig. Apparently a couple weeks before, she about gave my grandpa a heart attack when he walked in on her washing her newly grown locks.

There is so much to say about by grandma, but if you know me you know what she is like. I talk about her all the time. She was a writer, singer, musician, artist, comedian (according to her grandchildren), and the perfect grandma.  I'll probably share a few more things in the future, but this will do for now.

It was nice to see family and share tons of stories, and sing her old songs. My brother and his family were able to stay for a while, and that was great to spend so much time with the kids, before they move off to Kansas.

Easter weekend was nice too. We had brunch with Jeff's parents, before they headed to KY to stay with Jeff's grandparents, and see his sister. We are hoping to save up some to be able to visit them all soon.

We've been busy most weekends with college visits. I'm so excited for Jeff! He got a teaching assistantship at one school...and we are thinking that's where we are headed in the Fall! I'm happy too. We get to stay in Ohio :)

Lot's has been going on lately, and they have all been good. One thing that makes it all good is Easter, and what it truly means. I am grateful for the knowledge we can see our families again. I'm grateful to know we can be forgiven, and live with our Savior again; for he has risen.

New Years

 Sooooo, we really splurged for New Years/Jeff's birthday. First we walked around a little in downtown Cincy (which happens to be what we did on our first real date), before meeting up with Jeff's friends where we made reservations. We went to a Brazilian restaurant, where they come around with different cuts of meat, and it's amazingly tasty, and awesome, and yummy, and filling beyond belief. It was worth it. 

 ^sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hot^

 

 

Afterwards the night was still young (as in 6:45pm), so we went to see Mission Impossible. It was good...I think old people go to see movies on New Years Eve though, because we were definitely the youngest people there...and that's what my parents did too...

The guys were wanting something sweet afterwards, so as tradition for Jeff's birthday (or so it seems to be becoming), we suggested a cookie monster. At the pizza place back in Idaho, they had a little cast iron skillet with a freshly cooked giant cookie on the bottom, ice cream in the middle, and whipped cream, pecans, caramel and hot fudge on the top; which they referred to as a cookie monster....and what I like to recreate for Jeff...and his friends...at 1am on New Years. Makes me miss it just typing about it.

So, we rang in the New Years well fed, watching the modern Sherlock BBC series. We tuned in 10 sec. before the ball dropped...or in our case, before the fountain square sign flashed HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I leaned over and gave Jeff a kiss. :)

We are getting quite old though, because we had to roll down the window and sing as loud as we could the hour ride home at 2am to keep from falling asleep, where apparently my little sister (who got in a half hour after us) had a pleasant, non-groggy drive home...odd what a difference a few years can make...or is it marriage.?...We did see a movie on new years eve....  

We did happen to save my triple chocolate moose cake from the restaurant, so on New Years day Jeff and I ate it with some sparkling wild berry we were supposed to be home in time to break open the night before. I was much happier with how our plans ended up.

 And now today. The day resolutions arrive. We made goals.

 (New Years Eve: Green)

 (Today: White)

 

 Snow covers the old, and allows for the new to start.

I really like this song for today.

 

<3 from us

 

Our Christmas

The week after Thanksgiving I was on a mission to find a Christmas tree out in the wild. While Jeff was at work, I got the desire to hunt it down. My dad pulled in the driveway curious of what I was up to with a saw in my hand. I explained, and he joined me. After scouring the property from one end to the other, we found it. The one and only sorta Christmas tree.

 

 It turned out exactly how I wanted it. :)

The days leading up to Christmas were warm and fun with my niece, nephews, and sister here.

 

^One of my new favorite pictures^

 Brennen: Why aw thewr spwinkleth on yow faeth? (referring to Jeff's stubble)

 Then came Christmas morning. 

Jeff and I opened gifts from each other, and enjoyed our first Christmas together.

After Sally got her gifts (including the ham bone), we didn't see her much the rest of the day.

It was beautiful outside, with a thick layer of frost and the sun rising over the trees.

 There was even a doe enjoying the morning rays.

Next was church, where Jeff and my brother-in-law, Phil both had talks. The talks were perfect in keeping the day in perspective. 

Then was the chaos of kids; what makes the day feel like Christmas the most.

 For the afternoon Jeff and I went to his side, for a great meal and more kid chaos. It was great! And my mother-in-law made us something I'll soon share. I love it. I love Christmas.

 Oh, these girls are adorable.

We are sad to not get to see everyone, but Jeff just got on four 10s at work, meaning...LONG WEEKENDS! The list of mini adventures is growing in my mind.

Next is New Years, and Jeff and I have some VERY special plans in Cincy. 

Jingle Jangle Every One!

Sharin' the Love

I couldn't pick which Christmas card to share with you all, so I'll share them both. I think they have the feeling of "baby it's cold outside" to them.

I'm sure you love the backgrounds. Especially the second one with the Greek column between us. Very fitting for the north pole...And you'd think Jeff would be as excited to see Santa as I am...

Merry Christmas Y'all

Speaking of Giving Thanks

With my whole family in town (minus Miranda), we put together a rather wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Wednesday the adults decided to go shopping, while my mom and I watched the kids. So, we did what usually happens when I'm around kids. We painted.

 ^Brennen's classic smile^

The boys love to wear overalls, just like their grandpa. :)

 

And then we went to see the new Muppet's movie.

Thursday being Thanksgiving, we went to my aunt's to stuff ourselves.

 ^This is Ella. She looks at us, props her foot up to show off her boots, and says she's being sarcastic...or is she?

^ 4 generations. I love listening to my grandma play piano, and it's really fun to see each generation carry on the interest.

After being so full, Jeff and I ran over to Jeff's parents house for a little while. Jeff's mom went to Kentucky, so we brought some food for his dad...and had a bright idea to surprise his mom.

 We put up their Christmas decorations! Jeff said it best. You know when kids wake up early to make their mom breakfast for Mother's Day? That's about how well we did... :)

Friday my family decided to do something a little different compared to the normal Black Friday tradition (and something I hope we continue to do every year). We decided to do a little service project. We went to the church and mulched around the building and trees. All the kids had their job, and they were great! my favorite to watch was Brennen. His job was to look after his baby brother.

Where's Brennen?

Oh! He was just getting into character.

"you aw undew uwwesss!"

Nick and Preston wanted their picture taken in their club house.

This was the perfect service project. The boys got to play in dirt, and it took the exact right amount of time (before the kids lost interest).

And a family weekend wouldn't be complete without a hike.

And our last full day of fun included ANOTHER huge dinner on my dad's side,

AND 

HOLIDAZZLE!

 I just love taking pictures of Chase, and his big beautiful brown eyes.

 There was a presenter from the Cincy Zoo, and trolly, a bouncy slide (that was the coolest one I've EVER seen!...and funniest to watch), free samples up and down the streets, the BEST parade ever (and I'm not really a parade kind of person)...AND

TubaChristmas! I went to one in DC a couple of years ago with a friend, so I was excited to have one in my home town. Jeff and I were kind of herded into our old historic theater not totally sure what was going on. Once we were inside we were deciding where we wanted to sit. There was an open door not saying we couldn't enter. So we entered. It lead to box seats overlooking the performance! I called Mindy, and told them to come on over for a TubaTastic time, because we got the best seats in the house.

 Reserving our awesome seats.

 We were so close, when the conductor announced The First Noel to be the next song, Ella let out a "YAY" to get a reply "One of my favorites too" from the conductor. 

 When I was little, my dad would always say "Remember this moment right now. Don't ever forget it." usually when we were just spending time together. And I always remembered (even though he might not. haha) So, I was sure to tell the kids who were there with us to always remember this experience...We will see how long it lasts.

I'm not sure how I didn't hardly get any pictures of the babies, but they were beautiful and adorable. Thanksgiving gave me some wonderful traditions I want Jeff and I to implement into our family.  Being together. Service. Free fun!

I love the holidays.