Preschool Christmas Program

This week Abby had her school program. I must say for preschool they did a really good job. Abby was in several numbers and believe me I was one proud mama. I wouldn't be lying if I said I got watery eyed a few times. How can it be that Abby is already old enough to do these kinds of things? I was also shocked because when she saw me she didn't run off the stage or rip off her outfit like she did with her Thanksgiving program. She just waved and blew me kisses. Like I said, one proud mama. The pictures are horrible but its all I have... same with the video. I mean when you have to wrangle Briggs in one arm and keep steady another with poor lighting and an out of date camera what can you expect?

Splash Park

Nothing like the splash park in December...

Visiting Santa

We took the kids to see Santa this weekend and it was a little bit of a disappointment. Not the Santa but the kids. Abby was so excited to go and talked about it all day. But when we got there she was very reluctant. Even yelling STOP at one point. The only saving grace was the candy. Once she saw Santa was offering candy she sat on his lap (we told her that was the only way to get it), that did the trick. As for Briggs, he wouldn't even look at Santa. Once I got near Santa he would cling to me for dear life. Literally his whole body would tighten and he would start to cry. Too bad I couldn't even get him to let go to get one crying Santa picture.

FHE Christmas Tree

For family home evening this week we put up our Christmas decorations. It was a wonderful night. We had Christmas tunes playing, we drank egg nog, and were just jolly. It was nice being able to spend some quality time with the family in such a fun way. Honestly it was a refreshing change to the weeks as of late. Watching the kids was the best part because they didn't know what to think. I think this year Abby finally understood what was going so she was really excited, and her face as the tree lit up was priceless. Briggs on the other hand found a great game of grab all the ornaments and run. He was so funny, he kept trying to hide them and he was a wiz at taking the hook off. That was rather frustrating. He ate the lights and threw most everything he could touch. While Abby tried to fend him off. Now she just keeps asking where all the presents are...and of course we ended with a big bowl of Blue Bell Peppermint ice cream. YUM!

Insert in mouth then the the light socket

Rolling in the lights

Wearing the tree skirt

Handsome prince

Abbys face as the tree was lit.

Our growing nativity (thanks grandpa and Judith)

Helping dad

Abby assisting

The kids totally helping Seth put the skirt on

Putting the star up.

Tuckered out from a long night of family fun!

random Utah Pictures

Isn't this pretty

This is a lot bigger in person

I thought this was a really cool ridge

Knowing we are really close to Codee's

My cousin Lynsey and niece Jensen

My Aunt Kelly and Great Aunt Gerdy

Jamie's daughter Alex

My cousin Darcy and I

Max and Cru tuckered out from a long day.

A family gathering

My Uncle Denny and Aunt Dana

The Cope family

My grandma and Savette

My great Aunt Betty and Uncle Don

Codee, my mom Jody, Cassidee and myself

Till we meet again

Death isn't something that I have experienced before. I have had people in my life pass away but none that I have know well or been closely related to. I have come to realize as I get older I will be experiencing more of this. However expected or unexpected it may be. My cousin Jamie's death was tragic. It hit me really hard. My emotions have been everywhere since from denial, shock, sadness, anger, pain, depression, you name it I have felt it. Even now, after I have been to her funeral it doesn't seem real.

What I do know is the Lord has a plan and Jamie will one day be reunited with her family. The Lord blessed so many of us who were traveling to Utah for the funeral. There were little miracles everywhere. I really didn't know if I was going to be able to go, it was the day before Thanksgiving and plane tickets were $1000 round trip. Ghastly right? Not knowing what to do, I called friends who worked for airlines, others checked to see if they had points or miles that they could give me and still it was looking bleak. But, then I remembered the car sitting in front of my house. Friends who had recently moved to Utah hadn't taken it with them hoping it would sell. So I called them to see if they wanted me to drive it there for them...and they did (even helping monetarily as well). I was able to finagle my work schedule and I found a return trip ticket for less than $300 albeit it was on Thanksgiving day. So I made it and I know that it was a blessing from Heavenly Father. My sister was able to do the same and we went together. Not to mention they were expecting a massive (I mean storm of the century) blizzard the night before the funeral when everyone was arriving, that didn't come (which we are pretty sure my grandma prayed away.) So many little things like that happened, little miracles allowing everyone to be there together.

It was a bitter sweet experience. I was able to see many family members whom I hadn't seen in many years yet, we were there because of Jamie's funeral. Not knowing what to expect, the funeral was both spiritual and beautiful. My sisters Cassidee, Codee and myself along with my cousins Tiffany, Ashley and Lynsey were able to sing Nearer, My God, to Thee. The people who spoke including my cousin Darcy, Uncle Denny and Josh did a wonderful job at giving glimpses into Jamie's life as well as expressing their love for her.

Despite the tragedy, there was a wonderful feeling of peace at the funeral. I know the Lord has a plan, that Jamie was special, and the Lord needed her. Families are eternal and despite the sadness and sorrow we feel we will all be together again someday. The Plan of Salvation is real and Christ died so we can return to our Father in Heaven. I know that he will bless Josh, Boston and Alex with peace and comfort.

Till we meet again.

Our Sweet Jamie

(Jamie with her daughter Alex, the last time we were together.)

Yesterday, today and all the days to come will/have been terrible in my family. While teaching a flying lesson my cousin Jamie and the passenger were in a plane crash . Both she and the passenger passed away at the scene. Details are still forthcoming, all we know is that her family has suffered a tremendous loss and our family as a whole is grieving.

Jamie was a mother of two sweet little kids Boston and Alex and a wife to Josh. I know what I am feeling at the loss of my cousin so I can only imagine how her husband/ kids/ mom/ dad/ brothers/ and sister feel.

Its maddening to sit and watch reporters talk about it and hear witnesses speak of it so detached. It makes me sick. Looking at the pictures and reports was a bad idea. How do you ever get over it? Knowing that someone you love was inside the wreckage?

What I do know is that Jamie was one of a kind. She was so loving and sweet and was just a big goofball. She was always willing to help you out if you needed it. She even tried to help Seth get a job last year. She loved her family and we loved her.

I pray that Heavenly Father will comfort us all at this time. That the spirit may bring some peace. Most especially to Josh and the kids, My Aunt Danna and Uncle Denny, and of course, Darcy, Danny, Casey and Rusty.

We miss you Jamie and we Love you.