Christmas at Grandpa Mike's

Every year we get together with Dad and all the siblings that are in the area for a Christmas celebration. This is the only time all year we see some of these family members. We had a nice time visiting with everyone: Aaron and his family, including Samantha, Ryan and their three little ones, Ali and Alejandro, Jacob and Trish, Jonathan, Naomi and kids, and Brittany, as well as Great Grandma Wickham. It was fun to see everyone.

Carri, Samantha and Samantha's new baby

Aaron with jingle bells in his beard

Miriam, Ruth and Rebecca with Great Grandma Wickham

Ruth holding Samantha's new little one

Derik

Rebecca with Santa

Miriam with Santa

Joseph with Santa

Ruth with Santa

Brittany Huff

Fun TImes with Ali

This summer, my niece Ali came and stayed with us for a few weeks.  We were mutually helping each other-- her dad was having surgery (again) out of state and they didn't want to leave any of the kids home alone, and I am getting to the point in my pregnancy where I really need to take it easy.  

                                              

On the drive to Pueblo to pick her up, we were able to stop by and visit my Grandma who had knee surgery about a week before.  She was moving and walking around, but she was having a lot of swelling in her leg and was still at the rehab facility.  Grandma made it home soon after we saw her, though.  

We were also able to be there for my other niece, Samantha's surprise 15th birthday party.  How fun.  It is amazing that those kids are getting that old!!!  It was good to see them all and spend a little time together.

I had Ali help out a lot while she was here, but we had some fun times, too.  She and Rebecca went and saw the Ramona and Beezus movie.

She got to go rollerskating for the first time in many years.  It wasn't so easy to pick it up again...

She went swimming with the kids multiple times.  They played outside in the water as well.  The kids wanted to get out the water balloons, but they hardly let Ali fill the balloons before breaking them on her!

We all went horseback riding at a family from church's farm one evening.  Ali was thrilled about that because she loves horses.

We had a fun time with Ali and enjoyed getting to know her better.

So Grateful

Holidays tend to be stressful to me. Even though I know that the point of holidays is to enjoy family and the time together, I often get stressed out by all the less important stuff-- meals, gifts, being timely to events-- as well as the every-day type stresses.

Thanksgiving was no different for me. We were planning on leaving home about noon to drive to Colorado Springs to spend Thanksgiving with family. That morning, I was feeling my stress level rising. I was concerned that we wouldn't be ready in time. As I realized this was happening, I took some time out, prayed, and decided that I wouldn't let myself get stressed out. It didn't matter if we were a little late.

We managed to get out of the house just a few minutes after 12, so we were right on time. In Castle Rock, we hit some stop-and-go construction. There were construction signs, but no construction. As we were going through this, we were rear-ended. As we sat on the side of the road, I realized there were many things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving. I am grateful that no one involved in the accident was injured, especially the children.

I am grateful that the guy who hit us has insurance.

I am grateful the children were so calm about an extra hour added to a two-hour trip (and that they went to sleep!).

I am grateful Jack is able to take care of the situation and remain calm about it all.

I am grateful that the pies in the back of the van were undamaged. Here Joseph was so tired after making pies yesterday, he went right to sleep!

(Rebecca, Becca, Maren, TJ, Robert)

I am grateful we were able to see my brother Robert and his family that drove out from Utah for the holiday.

I am grateful the cousins all played so well together.

(Miriam, Maren, TJ, Samantha, Rebecca, Joseph)

I am grateful that we were able to spend time with my brother Aaron and his family as well.

(Ali, Ann, Jacob, Trish, Miriam, Samantha)

I am grateful we were able to be there for my niece Ali's 16th birthday. I'm not surprised all the girls liked the New Moon game she got.

I am grateful I was able to visit with my Grandma and that she has found a treatment that is helping with her dizziness.

(Joseph and Jack)

I am especially grateful for my husband and children. They mean the world to me.