Grandma Janes Funeral

My Grandma Jane was an amazing woman. It's hard to believe she is really gone. She always amazed me how she could do so much. She even worked a job til the end, not because she had to, but because she wanted to. If only her body could have kept up with her mind and spirit. It was hard to watch her the last few weeks as her physical body was giving up on her. I'm so grateful to have the knowledge of the gospel. I know where she is and I think it is so neat that after 44 years she can meet up again with her husband. Its been a long time. Plus her brothers and sister and countless others. But we sure do miss her here. We have had many family traditions with our Grandma, many memories, and I hope we will be able to continue with them. I wish she could have been here for Christmas. Instead we said our goodbye on Christmas Eve.

We love and miss you Grandma!

Christmas Trees

We wish you all a

Very Merry Christmas!

Here is one of our new trees we planted

in the back yard a few months ago.

Our plan is to decorate our little

pine tree every year as it grows tall.

A picture of our inside Christmas tree taken with the lights off.

Devyn's Christmas Concert

Here is a little video of Devyn's Christmas Concert that she sang at her school, Silent Night.

Here is Devyn with her teacher Ms. Baird

Live Nativity

Last night we went to a Live Nativity in Draper. Can I just tell you how awesome that was. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't what I saw. It was like we traveled to Bethlehem to see the newborn son. We were there. What neat experience! Devyn and the Camel.

We also saw llama, goat, sheep, calf.

Going to Bethelehem to pay taxes

Carpenters

(May remind us of Joseph, Jesus)

Lepers

Woman at the Well?

Mary - Jesus - Joseph

Notice the Chickens all around.

Snow Fun!

Down came the snow and the kids played

all day outside! They had so much fun!
Ethan

Devyn

JacobHeidi

(next door)

Jacob and Dan started building a T-rex until Jacob wanted to climb up on top of the T-rex and decided to slide down. He thought that was more fun than a T-rex. So they started sliding.

My sideways video.

I can't figure out how to turn the video

I guess I can't take them sideways. oops!

Gingerbread Houses

Every year we make a little gingerbread house at Grandma Strongs.

Ethan was so funny, because he mostly ate the candy.

Saying CHEESE!Jacob decorating his house. Kallysta - Devyn - Cassie
Devyn's Gingerbread House

Seeing Santa

I don't remember seeing Santa talk over the top of his mustache

before. This must have been one of Santas helpers.

CHRISTMAS GET TO KNOW YOU

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags ? Christmas time I use wrapping paper, for birthdays a gift bag.

2. Tree--Real or Artificial? I prefer real trees but are still using our artificial tree, which is fine.

3. When do you put the Christmas tree up? Day after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? Day after Christmas, I'm usually ready to make more room in the house.

5. Like egg nog? No, but I think I liked it when I was little

6. Do you have a nativity scene? Just a Little People nativity, a fun one that the kids can actually play with. One day when the kids are older I would love a nice one like the Willow Tree one.

7. Favorite gift received as a child? I think is was the year I received a triple combination and a VCR because I thought I would only get one or the other and I got both.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Dads, or boys

9. Easiest person to buy for? Me, and Devyn or really any girl, I know what girls want.

10. Worst Christmas gift? The baby boy cabbage patch doll, I remember crying because I wanted a girl cabbage patch with hair that I can play with. But I did end up liking my little boy doll, he had a pacifier.

11. Mail or email a Christmas Card? Mail Christmas cards! I love getting real mail at Christmas time and reading the letters. I try to send one out every year myself.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Home Alone, I think, its fun to watch with the kids.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try to get it all done before Thanksgiving so I can relax and enjoy the holiday. But there are always the last minute things that I forgot about. I'm about done this year and its before Thanksgiving still.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I'm a pretty easy person to please, and am happy with about everything. But rather than recycle I would usually take it back and get something else.

15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? I love Grandma Janes sausage dip, and just always having a vegi tray and lots of food around.

16. Colored or clear lights? Definitely clear lights, I don't know why I just like them much better.

17. Favorite Christmas Song? I don't know I love all Christmas songs really. I love it when the Sunday before Christmas they just sing Christmas songs during the whole sacrament meeting. I am sad when they haven't done that in the past.

18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? Stay home, I love to be home.

19. Can you name Santa's reindeer? Yes, when singing Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.

20. Angel or Star on Tree top? I grew up with always an Angel on top, and I like to keep it that way with a bunch of odd ornaments that I have collected every year since I was born. I keep the tradition up with my kids. They get to pick out a new ornament every year. I love looking at the tree with lots of different ornaments on it. Its more interesting to me and brings back lots of good memories.

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? New pajamas on Christmas Eve and the rest Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? How many people have lost the meaning of the holiday

23. What is your favorite Christmas Candy? Orange sticks, or Cashews with white chocolate.

Please copy the questions and answer them in your blog, I would love to know!

My Cute Kids!

We went up the canyon so I could take a few pictures before it got too cold! I want to go up and get more because it was hard to get pictures of them together. But I think I am too late! But here are a few of the photos anyway!

Devyn's New Haircut!

Okay so Devyn has been noticing there are lot of girls at her school that have short hair and they always wear a barrett to the side. She thinks it is so cute and has been wanting to cut hers. She always wants me to cut it right before school and I don't have time. Then on Saturday she wanted it cut so we just did it. She has been wanting long hair her whole life and it just doesn't grow. Now we cut it short! It's really cute but it kinda makes me sad at the same time.

BEFORE

AFTER