Christmas in Heaven

On Christmas Eve we walked over to the Cemetery to put candles on my Dad's headstone. Some of the kids an I had made Luminaries. We sang a few Christmas Carols and shed a few tears before leaving. It was really cold and the snow/wind was really bad. Still it was a nice way to remember and pay tribute to my Dad at Christmas. I really miss him as I am sure the rest of the family does as well. He was a wonderful man. I love you Dad, Merry Christmas in heaven.

I see the countless Christmas trees, around the world below, With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow.

This sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear, For I am spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs, that people hold so dear, But the sound of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here.

For I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring, For it’s beyond description to hear an angel sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart, But I am not so far away, we are really not apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear, And be glad I’m spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.

I send you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above, I send you each a memory, of my undying love.

For after all “Love” is the gift, more precious than pure gold, It was always most important, in the stories Jesus told.

So please love and help each other, as my Father said to do, For I cannot count the blessings, or the love He has for you.

So have a Merry Christmas, and wipe away that tear, For I am spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.

I can’t tell you of the splendor, or the peace here in this place, Can you imagine Christmas, with our Savior, face to face?

I’ll ask Him to lift your spirit, as I tell Him of your love, So then pray for one another, as you lift your eyes above.

So please let your hearts be joyful, and let your spirits sing, For I am spending Christmas in heaven, and I’m walking with the King!

Author Unknown

It's Gingerbread time!

I started this tradition with the kids a few years back. I can't recall exactly which year but it's been a few. It started with just the two girls but as Eryk got older I started to include him. Every year during our after Thanksgiving shopping trip I buy the kids Gingerbread house kits and then some nigth before Christmas the kids come over and decorate them. I have learned from past mistakes it is easier for mt to assemble the houses a few day before their arrival. Then this year, quite by accident, I discovered that you can buy them already assembled. Each kit comes with all the candies the powder to make the "Royal Icing" and an icing bag and tip. It is much cheaper to do it this way than to actually buy candy and make the Gingerbread yourself and it saves ones sanity. I really think the kids enjoy it and I enjoy having them here and getting a chance to get to know them a little better, plus I like taking pictures :)

Eryk thinks that decorating is serious business

Kaitlyn really got into it as well

Cheyenne making icicles

Concentration

Eryk is really enjoying himself

A wreath for the door

Mmm.. this frosting is good

Showing off his finished product

Cheyenne's proudly display her finished project

Kaitlyn's masterpeice

After we got the mess cleaned up and the kids had dinner we watched Christmas shows until Kollette came to pick them up.

Happy Birthday Brian!

We all gathered on December 17th to celebrate Brian's birthday

#39

A scratch and sniff gift card

Happy Birthday brother dear!

A Christmas Carol

Cheyennes school activities kept us busy as well. She played the part of Martha in her Schools Production of a Christmas Carol. We also attended her Choir concert as well. This is one of the reasons I love living so close to them. As going to they kids' events are a lot easier.

City Lights on and a Visit With Santa Claus

Kollette and I took the two younger kids to see Santa at the City Lights on celebration. It was a little bit chilly this night but the kids had a great time.

Festival of Trees

December came with a whirl wind of must do activities. One of which included the Festival of Trees. Jared and I and my mom all went. Ireally enjoy walking around looking at all the different trees. I think I took pictures of every single one. I have post only a few though.

Gingerbread!

Mr & Mrs Santa

A Teddy Bear Christmas

Ronald McDonald

You're a mean on Mr Grinch!

A Nut Cracker Christmas. This one reminded me a lot if my dad

They have a section for door hangings as well

Lights Parade

After a full day spent braving the shopping crowds the dayafter Thanksgiving we all bundled up and went down town in Spanish Fork for the annual Lights Parade. We had a great time but camera died so these were the only two pictures I was able to get.

Oh Christmas Tree

I managed to have 4 days off from work over Thanksgiving so we thought we get in as much fun as we could. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving we joined my mom, Brian and family and Kacey and family in their search for that perfect Christmas tree. They had all gotten the permits several weeks earlier and this seemed like the perfect time.

Here we are arriving at one of the many spots that the searched. It had been snowing so the ground was covered and it was cold.

My mom led the search.

Ruby all bundled up

My mom found a swing some one had made and had to have a little fun, racing the kids to it.

She did allow the kids to take turns on it

Ruby was so good but got a little hungry and needed to be fed.

The kids really enjoyed playing in the snow but by the time all the trees were found they were cold and ready to go back to grandmas

Here Cheyenne is displaying one of the many different trees in the forest. Sad to say no one took this beauty home

My mom found the perfect tree and so began the task of cutting it down.

Everyone took turns cutting at it and alas it finally fell.

So with a heave and ho dogsled style Brian and Kacey managed to get it up the hill.

Kacey found the strength of 2 Grinches times 10... wait that was a different story.
Kacey proudly displays the tree he got for Ruby

Mush, mush..... Brian and family found their perfect tree

We really had a lot of fun despite the cold.