The William's Family comes for Christmas

We had the treat of having Meredith & Bryan's family come for Christmas. They will be in Hawaii for the next 3 years or so for Bryan to do his Residency, so they knew that this might be the last chance to be with us for Christmas. Gratefully, Bryan had earned some good credits through SW airlines when he had gotten bumped a number of times, which made this trip nearly free for them to fly. They arrived late Wed., Dec. 17th. On Friday, Dec. 19th, Meredith & Bryan drove to Seattle to enjoy a short get-away together. It was our delight to tend the children while they were gone. Sydney & Julia came over that Friday evening to help me with the children until Saturday afternoon. They were good to keep the children happy playing games, making cookies, and taking them in the hot tub. Grandpa took them on walks and I played with them in the basement building with the Lincoln Logs, and Legos. Emily arrived home on Sat. evening. Crismon drove to Herminston where he connected with Bronson at his grandparents home, and brought Emily home from there.

I wanted to add this picture of Hudson last year when they were here for Christmas in 2013. He has grown! Wonderful to enjoy all of them 2 Christmas' in a row!

I loved taking these cute William's children to church with me on Sunday. I received so many comments on these beautiful grandchildren. That evening, while on their way back from Seattle, Meredith went by the Vance's home. She tended the Vance children while Gary and the girls went to hear Ondalynn perform in a special group for their Stake Christmas Music Festival. Bryan returned to our home and the children were delighted to see him. Dad, Vivi, Meredith, and I went to the second performance of Ondalynn's musical fireside. The entire evening was full of such incredible talent. We were so proud of Ondalynn's double quartet as it was quite difficult song, singing acapella "Little Drummer Boy" with unique vocal sounds.

Monday, Dec. 22nd we went back to the Vance's for the BYU vs. Memphis game. in the Miami Bowl. The children decorated sugar cookies, and we had so much fun cheering and laughing together. Then on Christmas Eve we were at the Vance's for the Christmas program and a light supper. We came home and got pictures around the tree.

The William's children had fun playing with their cousins throughout the holiday break. There was plenty of time for stories, games, and climbing all over Grandpa as they did on his birthday to let him know they loved him. Grandpa is a good sport. Before Bryan & Meredith left, Bryan asked Dad to give him a blessing as he was making an important decision to change his medical career focus from General Surgery to Pediatrics. He has decided to be a pediatrician and he will be terrific at that.

I recorded in my journal of how I wished I felt stronger so I could do more with the grandchildren. The family went bowling together, but I couldn't because of weakness and pain. I appreciated the meals Meredith help make. She and Bryan were so good to lift my load and took over the ham and potato Christmas dinner with family. Evelyn cried almost the entire way to the airport on the evening of Dec. 30th. She gets so attached to everyone, it's hard for her to leave. Our home became far too quiet after they left.

x

Between Christmas and New Years

All the events leading up to Christmas were wonderful! It's so fun having family close by to enjoy the holidays with together. On Dec. 26th Crismon and I went to the temple. It's always so peaceful to be there away from the crazy after Christmas shopping. That afternoon everyone went bowling expect, me. I just didn't have the strength to go. I needed the time to rest.

Sis. Clara Hinshaw was turning 90 years old in January. Her family put on a sweet birthday party for her at Heidi's restaurant. We home teach her and I love her like she was my Mom. She and my Mom were born just a couple of months apart. She is delightful!

We gathered to celebrate Crismon's 66th birthday on Sunday, Dec. 28th. Sydney and I put together a fun trivia game about Crismon's life. Since it was Ondalynn & Gary's 13th Anniversary, we asked questions about their college days and their falling in love. While we were upstairs playing games, Paxton and Hudson were having a great time unloading all our books in the bookcase. Grandchildren are great! The cousins had so much fun playing downstairs in their make believe worlds. 

Earlier that morning I taught my Relief Society lesson. I'm grateful for Heavenly Father's help.

One morning Meredith and Bryan had taken their children to Multnomah Falls. There kids are use to the cold and it was a miserable experience for them. Good thing they're moving to Hawaii!

On Monday, the 29th, all the sisters and me gathered for lunch at a quaint Mexican Restaurant. We missed Alice-Anne and Julia and our daughter-in-laws. That night Crismon gave Bryan and Emily Priesthood blessings. Dad had set apart Clark Anderson as a missionary earlier that evening.

Bronson came just as the William's were leaving to fly home, on Dec. 30th. As Meredith was packing that day, they couldn't find Christian's two transformers, his special Christmas gift. We searched the house, all of us looking. Then just an hour before they left, Meredith happened to look inside a decorative box in the living room. There they were! Christian had put them there so no one would get them. 

New Year's Eve day I was thankful for the opportunity to serve in the temple. Crismon came to the 2 p.m. session where I was the First Follower. Then on to the Vance's for a New Year's Eve party. Emily and Bronson joined us. We had lots of fun playing games and eating, of course. On our way home that evening, we went to Milwaukie building for the Regional Youth New Year's Eve Dance. We appreciate the great work by so many good members.

Our Christmas

How grateful I am for the humble birth our of Savior, Jesus Christ. This glorious time of year brings such joy. We praise His name for his life and mission that makes eternal families possible. Sharing this special time of year with family is the best. 

It's kind of become a tradition that we go to the Vance's for Christmas Eve. They always make it so fun with a terrific display of yummy food, games, and then the nativity. We were glad we could all be together along with the Caudle's and the William's families. Although, sometimes the acting out of the nativity can become a little on the noisy side, I'm grateful we can enjoy these precious children remembering the true meaning of the Christmas season.

Some gifts were exchanged afterwards. Vivi made clever gifts from their children. The picture of Clark and Daisy inside a soap dispenser and a picture of Kaeley with her arms and legs as the hands of the clock.

Returning home, the William's children were excited to open a gift--new pajama's. That made going to bed on Christmas Eve, even more exciting. We took pictures of the couples, too, that night.

Christmas morning brought much excitement. We were all blessed with way too many gifts, but what fun to give and receive on this special holiday. I had put together a book for each of our children of our family reunion this summer, with grandchildren kid kwotes and kid kwotes from our children from when they were little, too. It was a special gift for us to give this year. I hope we can enjoy Christmas with each of our children and grandchildren in the future.

We enjoyed Skyping or Google Chatting with each of our children on Christmas, too. We talked with Crismon and Danielle the day before. Each of the grandchildren were excited to share one of their special gifts that year.