Christmas Day

We woke up and got straight to work! In our home you get to see what Santa brought first. 

Aaron got new binoculars for hunting. Grace asked for a chalkboard for her room. It was handmade by Santa! Kate got new softball equipment. Becca asked for a hover board- I may, or may not, have tried to ride it and hurt my bum. Britten wanted to be a ninja like, like on Ninjago. All their wishes came true! Santa delivered!

Once we were all ready for the day, then we can eat and open presents.

Once presents are opened, we head over to Grandma Lori's for lunch, and to open more presents, of course. This year we were able to do a little service project too. We assembled lunches for less fortunate kids. they take them home on the weekends, so they can have food in their home. We are very fortunate to have all our needs met. It is important to help others in need.

The highlight of the day was being able to talk to Ryan. He is doing well, and no gifts were late this year. He's out serving and working hard. We pray for him every morning and night. We love and miss him!

Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve we had members of my family over for dinner. One of Alissa's girls got really sick though and couldn't make. However, we still had Jeff's family and our niece, Tara and her husband, Juan Carlos over. We ate ham and potatoes, salad, and yummy desserts. We played a few games. one was pass the marshmallow. It's the only picture I got while everyone was over. 

After they left, we got ready for a few of our normal traditions. The kids always open pajamas. And, we always do our "Gift for Jesus." 

 Once everyone was ready for bed, we read the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus. Britten asked Dustin if Santa was here yet. He took him outside to see if he was in the sky. No sign yet.

Soon, we were all tucked in and waiting for the jolly man to make his arrival!!

Yuletide.

No More Braces!!

We have been on a countdown over here! Grace has been waiting three years to say goodbye to her braces. Today, she was finally able to. The last month it has been all we heard about. "30 more days, 20 more days, 10 more days, 5 more days. Tomorrow!" We can now all be joyful with her. No more countdown!! 

Grandma Betty's Funeral

My grandmother, Betty Jane McInnes Lund, passed away November 17, 2017. It wasn't a surprise. She was 94, but death is never a happy thing. We are happy to think that she is with our grandpa, Irl J Lund and other family members embracing and catching up. I like to think my dad was there to greet her and say hello.

Three days after getting news that my grandma had passed, we got the terrible news that my cousin, Christopher Hill, had passed away unexpectedly. Chris was a year younger than me. When we went to visit, he was my playmate. He leaves behind a wife and three kids.

Their funerals were over Thanksgiving weekend. I flew home to Las Vegas and spent Thanksgiving with my family. then, we loaded in cars and made the 8 hour drive to Eagar, AZ for the funerals. I wasn't able to stay for Chris's because I had already booked flights for my grandmother's, then found out about Chris. 

My grandmother's service was lovely. It was nice to see family I had not seen since my grandfather passed away in 2001- this side of the family is large and doesn't get together very often. I did see some at my grandmother's 90th birthday party, though. We took photos and ate, normal things you might do a a funeral.

I don't have a ton of memories of my grandmother, we always lived so far away. But, I know I enjoyed going to her house to have cookies and visit cousins! Family is so important. We need to do better at making memories!