Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Years from my family to yours!
Life has been so busy with this wonderful holiday season and it is not over yet! I have had almost zero time to work on my blog. My birthday (we won’t say which one) was on the 23rd. My husband took me out to Red Lobster, which was very nice. He hates seafood so it was a compromise. He did eat fish and chips and I ordered a seafood trio. After the bread and salad, however, I was much too full to eat another bite, so I ended up taking my entire meal home, go figure. I never did end up eating it later. Later that evening my husband and I actually finished out Christmas shopping, much later than I even thought I would. (I started Christmas shopping in October!) Life has just been a whirlwind of holiday chaos!
On my way to birthday dinner!
Christmas Eve. started out very sad for me and my children. My father-in-law is losing his battle with oral cancer. We went over to my in-laws earlier in the day to help them clean up and prepare for Christmas day dinner. I just could not stop crying seeing this precious man who was once a huge, tough invincible guy turn into a fragile, weakened shell of himself as this horrific cancer robs him of everything. He cannot speak, eat or even communicate any more. The hospice tells us he only has days left. My husband is losing his Daddy and my children are losing their Grandpa.
My sister and her six children came up from Idaho the day before Christmas Eve. and we had a wonderful Christmas Eve. dinner with her and her kids at my parents home. My youngest brother, Shaun and his wife and new baby boy were visiting from Rexburg. There was lots of family there. I love my family so much! My little Braxton adores his cousins and so that had an absolute blast together. After dinner, there came a knock at the door and in walked Santa Claus! The children (as well as the adults) were so excited! He knew each child by name and had a special gift for each child. It totally made my night, it was so magical to see the joy on each child’s face!
After Santa left, we all opened some gifts from my sweet parents. As usual there were heaps of wrapping paper and bows everywhere, but oh, so much joy!
Cassidy and baby Wesley on his first Christmas.
Look what Jonathan got!!! (Just kidding! That is Braxton’s Darth Vader.)
My handsome husband is getting lots of help opening his present from baby Wesley.
Of course, Christmas Eve. would not be complete without the manger scene! Uncle Shaun is reading the Nativity Story. This year we have a real baby Jesus! Braxton is playing Joseph.
Later that night, after we finally got Braxton to bed (at our house) Santa worked tirelessly to get everything ready for Christmas morning! At last, Christmas morning came. Braxton must have been a very good boy this year, because he got a new electric guitar and amp!
After we opened all of our presents at our house that morning, we headed off to Grandma and Grandpa Newton’s for a bittersweet Christmas. Very sad that it will likely be Grandpa’s last Christmas, but joyous because everyone was together.
On our way to Grandpa and Grandma Newton’s!
Kendallyn and sweet Grandpa Newton……we love this man!!!
Braxton amongst the Christmas mess!
Grandpa, Kendi and me…………………………….
Ever since Christmas, we have been busy, busy, busy visiting with Grandpa and Grandma Newton, doing some after Christmas shopping so that my kids could go spend their gift cards. (At the mall the day after Christmas…………………NEVER AGAIN!) My sister and I took our kiddos to SkateWorld on the 27th. My sister, Kim (who owns Shopwithmemama.com ) came into town with her adorable kids for a visit. It was so precious to have seven children ages 8 and under running around having such a blast! (Plus five teenagers.) We had so much fun together. I love my family so much!
My family will be spending New Year’s Eve. at my parents home once again with my mom and dad, my brother Scott, my sister, Jen and her six kids. Sweet Jen will be leaving New Year’s Day with her family and I will miss them sooooo much! That about wraps up my holiday celebrations and I am looking forward to a prosperous and wonderful New Year 2014!!!! I wish all of you a very happy and safe New Year!!!!