Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Wrapping Up 2011 With Family, Fun, And Tons Of Love!

So another year is over and the new one has just started.  As I look back over 2011 I am once again amazed and humbled by the many blessings in my life.  Jim and I definitely have our trials- mostly health issues- but we are abundantly blessed with the joy and love of our family.  We watch as our children are raising their children - living lives of integrity and decency and love.  Each of them with a partner in life that they adore and that gives them the love and support they deserve.  We watch as Brooke Anne continues to grow- how she is starting to "outgrow" some things and learning to appreciate new things.  Her world is ever expanding- and again, I am so grateful for the people that live and work with her. 

As the year drew to a close, as we celebrated the birth of our Savior, we were blessed again and again to be with and celebrate with much of the family.  

Our "first" celebration was of course, just Jim and I and Brooke Anne- as has been our Christmas every year-especially mine since her birth.  She was happy to be home once again, just hanging out with us.  For the first time she tried to say Scooter instead of Muffin (she has called him "Muff" because he looks so much like our little Muffin we had years ago).  She was not overly interested in opening gifts... she'd open one, then after a while open another. It has been this way with her since she was little. I think Jim was more excited to have her open the necklace and earrings he gave her than she was... although she proudly modeled them later on.  We just love her so much and I can't imagine my life without her. 

Next on our "holiday" agenda- Malaya's baptism.  Jim took a really bad turn with his pain and his back the day before we were to travel to Pocatello and Shelley. The doctor firmly restricted him from traveling, so I went alone as Jim desperately wanted at least one of us to be there for her.  It was very sweet.  We bought her a white dress and when she came out of the dressing room after being baptized I found myself in tears. She looked so sweet and beautiful.  Got to see a lot of that side of the family too- just didn't get enough pictures there... I think I was too busy visiting.   

After the baptism and luncheon at Josh and Tringle's, we had my side of the family holiday get together at Donnie and Katie's house.  Oh my goodness we had so much fun!  The girls loved their tutu skirts and fairy halos.. Mailei got a sequined hat... and the boys each loved their toys... Nash and Haedon especially loved their little flashlights.  I think the big kids liked theirs too.... Jim had picked out all the grown-up kids' gifts this year and it was fun watching them open them.  Donnie, Mike and Brady of course each got a knife and Heather, Katie and Jade got - what else?- jewelry!  We had this activity where we each told what we loved and appreciated about our parents... the kids were all so sweet and the grownups were very thoughtful and funny at the same time.  It was a wonderful moment of sharing that I will treasure always... and I think a new tradition for us each year.  I sometimes am overwhelmed at the depth of love and joy I share with my children.  I am truly, truly so very blessed.  

I took so many pictures it was hard to pick which ones to post. These family shots were really fun... I love the one of the grownups where Donnie is pulling a funny face (he thought we were doing a funny face pose I guess)-  The one with Gramma and the kids pulling faces looks to me like River is saying - What am I supposed to do here?  I think River managed to get in more pictures than anyone... everyone wanted to hold her and her mommy and daddy are never far away from her.   
The day after the party with the kids, Heather and her kids and I headed out to visit with Great Grandparents.  First we went to Grandma Esther's- the kids just love going there.  It was so sweet-Mikey just kept giving her hug after hug- and when we left he said, "I just felt like Grandma needed a lot of hugs today."  He is a sweet boy and very thoughtful of others.  (I hear Grandma Esther has been raving about Mikey's hugs to everyone she talks to!)   Then off to Granny & Grandpa Toomer's (or as Molly says- Granny and Grampa Tuner).    It was so good to see them.  I miss them all the time.  My mom is getting more and more forgetful and it's hard to see, but Daddy takes good care of her.  It is going to be really hard for him when he can't and some of us are afraid that time is coming sooner than he realizes. I don't know if she has ever truly realized just how much he cherishes her.  They were both very happy to see us all!  Grandpa kidded and teased the kids just as he did Heather and her siblings when they were growing up and Granny just kind of loved on everyone.  It was a good visit and I am really thankful that Heather and kids came with me.  It is hard to travel alone so much.  

While we were at Grandpa and Granny "Tuner's"- Molly had us each sit with her little ballerina bear so she could take a picture of us.  That's one of the things I really love about my family- we are not afraid to be silly and goofy and still know how to play.  We love each other deeply and no matter how many years or miles may separate us from each other, we are there in a heartbeat when there is a need.  


Finally - our last Christmas celebration was this past weekend.  Jon and Katrina came here with the kids so we could open gifts with each other.  Again, we had a blast!  These kids are so thoughtful... it has been such an honor to see them grow- especially Sam. He is now 13 and has become quite an awesome young man. Oh he still gets crazy and silly with Gramma, but he is a good, good boy.  I love all these kiddos so so much.  Trying to get pictures with everyone smiling or looking in the same direction was quite a conundrum!  Jacob cracked me up so much with his Paper Jamz guitar... he was born to rock that kid!  Tabitha was all princess in her tutu and had fun playing with some of Gramma's baby dolls...she was very gentle with them.  Aaron and Ben had tons of fun with their new toys too!  It was a great time for all of us and it really made Jim's holidays complete.  He was just beaming with love and happiness to have his kids come here to see him.  

All in all this was a fabulous holiday season for us! Jon and Katrina gave me a beautiful Children's Songbook that I have been longing for... made me cry of course.  Besides all these family times and blessings,  I got to sing the Messiah with Boise Master Chorale and Orchestra, participate in our ward Christmas program for Sacrament meeting on Christmas Day.... and it all means that much more since we know the purpose of this glorious time of year - to celebrate the birth of our Savior- to be reminded again of the gift of His life and all that it made possible for each of us.  

So- goodbye 2011 and welcome 2012!  Can't wait to see and experience all that the new year has in store for me and mine.   Whatever comes our way, we will all be in it together in love and joy and the knowledge that we have a loving Heavenly Father watching over each and every one of us.  



Posted by a humble, grateful Gramma.