Christmas Vacation

First off, let me just say, that there is nothing in this world that is like being with family. It is my little piece of heaven on earth. I know that things are not perfect, probably in any family, but all those problems, worries, and issues (within the family) seem to go away when we get together. Those problems that seem so big when we are apart, seem to get so much smaller and almost disappear when we are together. That is probably why I always feel it is so important to keep getting together, no matter how difficult it is. And I love it all the more when EVERYONE is there!

So now that is said, here are some pictures of our Christmas Trip/Vacation this year. Which went by WAY TO FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FIRST STOP: Bunkerville

After several stops along the way, we finally made it to my sister Cami's house in Bunkerville. Our kids, like always, had SO MUCH fun together. Here they are waiting for their dinner. There was plenty of table space for them to sit on, but of course they all want to be together on this little table we pulled out. So much more fun that way!
That also goes for sleeping right next to, almost on top of, each other.
Cami, Brandon, Tim and I stayed up late playing games (which is a favorite of ours) while our kids were doing who knows what. When we went to check on them, this is how we found them all. They must really love each other. What little sweethearts.

SECOND STOP: Logandale
Here is our master chef Brandon, finishing up his last touches on our Christmas meal. We have a little bit of a different traditional meal for Christmas at our house. Growing up we would spend some of our Christmas Vacations in Mazatlan Mexico and really enjoyed some of the food there. Thank goodness my sister married Brandon, whom went to Mexico on his mission and can make us the real deal. We just need to find the right Mexican stores to get the right ingredients. Thank goodness he is an excellent cook as well. My mouth is just watering thinking about those yummy tacos, escamochoes (spelling?), beans and rice.
My sister, Cami, giving her special touches to the meal as well. The cool thing about this year was the BBQ grill was not working, so Tim with his expert survival skills, built a fire with some rocks, grill, and some cedar chips and saved the day. Between all the men cooking the meat over the fire outside and the women doing all the chopping prep work inside..... We had a pretty fantastic meal.

Here are some of the kids playing while the adults were getting their talents set up/ready for our grand talent/show and tell tradition.
Sweet Baby Brea!
Dallas and Emery waiting for the show to begin.
Some of my family watching Tim give his talent
Back: Grandma Char, Erin, Zach (Erins husband)
Four wheeler: Lincoln, Zach, Ned, Nikki, and Gwen
Right: Jay (My dad)
Tim presenting his talent of different ways to make fire, including his favorite to show off, using the bow drill. After his talent, he gave each family one of his favorite lighters.

I wish I would have taken more pictures of our talents because they are always so fun and unique from being able to put your foot on your head (Lincoln, age 4) to shooting an arrow across the wash, in the dark, to start a massive bon fire (My Dad). This talent/show and tell night is also a different tradition of ours. We do this instead of exchanging gifts. We each put a lot of thought into it and share something special or unique about ourselves to give to everyone in attendance.
It is also a great way to see what everyone has been up to during that year.

THIRD STOP: Enoch
We actually only stopped in Enoch for about 30 minutes on our way to Delta to pick up a few things at one of our best friends, Andy and Jennys, house. I had to add this small stop just because I wanted to mention how special they are to us. They are friends that we will have for a life time and beyond. They are like family to us. I was having a pretty hard time leaving home in Logandale (thinking it might be my last trip there, because my parents are moving) and stopping at the Losees house just gave me such a bright spot in my day. That is just how it is with them. We can have sorrows together but we are always so happy to be together, even if it is only for 30 minutes. It also helped remind me that, home is not a certain location, but who you are with.

LAST STOP: Delta
We were able to make it to Tim's Parents house by Christmas Eve. Traveling on Christmas Eve was a little different, but it was nice to be able to see all of our family, so it made it all worth it.
Emery and Kaven showing off their new sleeping bags from Grandma Paula and Grandpa Alan. You may also notice the pillow that is under Emery's head from Santa. It has a pony on it and came in a whole sheet set. (I love the things she asked for this year!)
Kaven is still pretty pleased with his new train set he got from Santa. Tim in the background helping him set it up. Sometimes I wonder who has more fun with this gift. He he...
Emery and Sadie (best buds) sporting their new chef attire.
Kaven was pretty thrilled that he got a home made car mat as well.
Emery sporting her new "two wheel" scooter as she calls it. This will be perfect in our court when the weather starts warming up.

We had such a great few days off for Christmas. I have to say that this is probably my favorite Christmas and Christmas seasons that I can remember. I am a little sad to see it over but glad I have the memories and New Year to look forward to. This year we get a new member to our family. Time to start getting ready because we are excited and I know it is going to come faster than I realize!

My Sister Came!!!

In November my Sister Camrin and her family came to visit us. I LOVE it when they come and my kids LOVED having their cousins here. Thanks for taking time out of you trip to see us Parks!

Ha, ha, I thought this was so cute. This is SO KAVEN!!! He still absolutly LOVES cars (and anything that goes). He will make a road/track out of anything. This was for sure one of the more creative ideas. These are my sisters shoes.

Duncan and Kaven playing with Kaven's cars
Emery and James playing a game on my sister Cami's phone.

We really love being with family and hope that some day we can live closer to everyone so we can see them more. Not to say we are not grateful for where we are right now. :)

So THANKFUL for......

MY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!

This Thanksgiving was the best I can ever remember. All of my siblings and their kids were able to get together for 3-4 days. It was a houseful for my parents but SO MUCH fun and memorable! So here is to my family whom I love so much.

Mom and Dad,

Thanks for your examples and life you have lead so far. When ever I have a problem or a hard time raising my kids I am grateful to have wonderful parents to look to as an example of what I can do with my own kids. The older I get the more I realize how much you have done for us and how much more I have to learn. Your focus on family and the love I felt so strongly growing up is something I hope to achieve in my own home.

The Nielsons,

Thanks for always having a listening ear and warm heart. I always feel like I can talk to you about anything with no reserve and still be loved. Even when I say things the wrong way. You have always been there for Tim and I from the beginning, even with our super fast engagement/marriage. You are always so good at helping me see the whole picture or look at things a different way, with out being hurtful. You have a beautiful family on the inside and out with such GOOD kids. I am just glad Tim and I can follow your example while my kids can follow your kids examples. :)

The Hills,

I don't get to see you or talk to you as much as I would like, but I always know you are there and would do anything for any one of us. You guys are always so honest and kind. You are so easy to please and so willing to help with anything or everything. Your class and righteous living is something to be admired by all of us. Your kids are so precious and are blessed to have you guys as parents.

The Parks,

I know you don't always like to hear this but you guys are SO FUN! I wish we lived closer to you so that we could play games into the late night, make crafts as sisters while Tim and Brandon do their thing, I am not sure what that is because I am always having so much fun with Cami that I don't even know what else is going on. All I know is that Tim has TONS of fun with Brandon too. We have fun as families, couples and as individuals. You can't beat that. My favorite Ping-Pong game during our tournament was against Brandon. I can't help but sit back and enjoy myself with you guys.

Leslie,

You have been given a lot to handle in this life and you handle it VERY well. People do not always understand you or your situation, even those closest to you, but that doesn't stop you from being extremely kind to everyone around you especially strangers. You are so smart and can remember things that are unbelievable. You have really grown up and I feel so happy that you are able to be out in the world and handle it well. Sometimes when Tim and I talk about you I get this overwhelming feeling of love and appreciation for you. Thanks for always being able to make us laugh and realize what is truly important.

Erin (soon to be Higleys),

I can not believe that my baby sister is graduated from high school, engaged and determined to be all grown up. :) You have such a positive outlook to life that I wish we could all have a little bit of, even when the hardships of life and responsibilities of being adults come our way. Your hopes and dreams for the future are something I remember having as strong and hope that I do not lose throughout my life, even when people may say we are too naive. There is nothing wrong with finding happiness in everything, yet still be responsible and realistic. I think a lot of people do not think those two things go together. Just don't forget that they can. I think the key to that trait is gratitude. Thanks for always being so easy going, and easy to please.

Thanks again to EVERYONE for making this Thanksgiving and Christmas Party week so great. It is a time that I will never forget. The preparations of food, eating the food, cleaning up, ping-pong tournament, talent show, family pictures, games and more just about wore me out but sure was fun! Thanks for all you contributed to make it so memorable. Thanks to Cami and Brandon for taking these great family pictures for us. I know everyone appreciates them. Happy Holidays Everyone, I hope your season is filled with gratitude, love, family and/or friends.

Trick or Treat

How about BOTH!!!!!!!!
Well that is what we got this week BIG TIME!!!!
For the TRICK
We have a new addition to our family and Emery is learning a new trick of playing randomly on it while imagining she is in a grand hall playing for a queen or something (imaginations are great). We have thoroughly been enjoying this new addition. It is and will be very special to us for it comes with a LOT of memories and stories! I could not even begin to share them all but to sum it up: it was given to my mother by her grandmother when I was very young and played on and loved by many. It has now been past on to me and my children. It reminds me of that song, The Touch of The Masters Hand, where the old violin was considered worthless until the master played a song from within and the bids started to rise. The only difference is in this case this piano has not always been played on by masters (a few like Nikki) but from little girls playing from their hearts for their great grandmother sitting near by or their mother while working in the kitchen. It may not be worth as much as other pianos or sound as great but it is truly loved and appreciated in this household and will always be cherished. Thanks mom and dad!
As for the TREAT......
My parents were able to come and see us at the beginning of last week (to bring the piano and for a wedding). I am so grateful for the role they play in my life! They are amazing people and I love being around them. It is wonderful having great examples in life to look to and the great support they are to us!
We also had Cami (my sister) and Brandon come stay with us toward the end of last week as well. They are always so much fun to be around and some of my favorite people to visit with. It seems like Cami and I end up talking and laughing away in one room while Tim and Brandon have deep intriguing conversations in another. It was so fun to see Duncan. He has grown so much and has such a sweet special little spirit! Emery and Kaven loved to see them as well. We were SO LUCKY to have a week full of GREAT people in our home! I sure love my family! Our Halloween if fulfilled with all these tricks and treats. Who needs "Trick or Treating" when you have experiences like this! I guess it just adds to the joy of it all! Happy Halloween!