Wrappin' Up the Holidays

Here it is almost 10 days into January 2013, and already life continues to remind me everyday of what a wonderful blessing it is simply to be alive and well.  More on that at a later time.

Today I want to share some snippets of our Christmas and New Year's 2012.  This was our "off" year, meaning that the girls were celebrating Christmas with their in-laws, and would meet up with us more around New Year's Eve.  Jace actually had a 3 week break from school this year.  It was great to have him home for a while.  He really hasn't been here since last Christmas.  He stayed in school for the spring term and spent the summer on a internship in Uganda, Africa.  That boy gets around!  He enjoyed coming home for a while to catch up with some old friends, sleep in a lot, get fed well, and of course be spoiled a ton by two adoring parents who were at his beck and call (more or less!)

We watched a few movies, played board games, the guys went snowmobiling, and we all stayed up way too late every night.  On Christmas Eve we enjoyed a dinner at an Asian food restaurant.  Santa managed to find us (he always does) and when we finally woke up on Christmas morning (sometime after 9, I think), we had fun lazily opening gifts.  That afternoon we went to see Les Miserables'.  It was opening day, and it was fantastic.  I enjoyed it more than the Broadway production.

Christmas morning pictures.  Jace got clothes, shoes, games, headphones, goggles, movies,
 sox and  other "manly" gifts.   He also did some "shopping" for his Dad.
 Every year there are a few mysterious "To Dad, From Jace" gifts under the tree.

A few days after Christmas we headed to McCall, Idaho to join up with the Maxfield's and Lewis'.  Four years ago we spent New Year's in McCall and had a great time, so we decided to head down again.  For being fairly early in the year, there was plenty of snow for snowmobiling.  Brent spent quite a bit of time beforehand getting everything ready for his favorite past time.

This is a snowbike that Brent configured from his dirt bike.  That's Jace giving it a try.  I guess it's pretty awesome.  I can pretty much assure you that I won't be getting on it any time soon.

Of course I took mostly pictures of Grayson!  I can't get enough of this beautiful boy.

Jace and Grayson the night we arrived.  We had a 2nd Christmas!  We exchanged our family gifts--it was so fun.

My smiley baby!  He loves his activity chair.  It keeps him busy for hours.

Auntie Camille and Baby G.  She loves him soooooo much--he's a reminder of the miracles that await!

On Sunday, Dec. 30th, France, Lindsay, and Sam Nielson, and Jacob Bird joined us.  It was so much fun to have them there.  While the guys spent Monday snowmobiling, us girls enjoyed lunch at a pancake house in town.  Girl talk time was much needed.  We were all pretty worn out by midnight--I think I was actually tucked into bed when the clock struck midnight--but on Jan. 1st we enjoyed an afternoon of sledding and snowmobiling in McCall.  It was soooo cold that day--like 15 degrees--so we bundled up good.  It was fun to get some fresh air and sunshine though.

The Maxfield's trying to stay warm.  That's actually Grayson tucked into Stu's coat.

Grayson and I are in the car keeping warm while his Mom and Dad try a little snowmobiling.  He's found a packaged toothbrush to chew on.  I think he is starting to teeth--he may need one sooner than we think.

He's alive!  The poor little guy couldn't move he was so bundled up.

Just chillin' out in the car with me!

Just a picture of the chaos in our rental cabin.   We had a few good movie nights with the projector and the sheet!
That sheet and projector set-up goes on many a family vacation!

Sam Nielson. . . isn't he gorgeous?  That little guy could be a baby model.  
No surprise, though--his Mom  is one beautiful lady herself.
 (BTW Miss Lindsay. . . you managed to avoid every picture I took!)

So we said goodbye to 2012 without any sadness.  It was a memorable year in many ways.  We all agreed that it was full of challenges and changes.  July was by far the bright spot with the joyful arrival of Grayson.  It's amazing how much happiness and love a sweet little baby can bring.  We are looking forward with hope, faith and optimism to 2013. Whatever happens, we are grateful for the love of our Heavenly Father, the gift of the Savior's atonement, and the beautiful doctrine of forever families.