The pictures are in...

 

 

I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present. The pictures were placed and we got to see them on Christmas Eve for the first time. They turned out beautifully.

  It is so special to be able to see his smiling face when we go to visit him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memories in the making

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lotts of memories made...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had fun decorating ginger bread houses this year (we actually did it twice).  The best part was right after we took the picture and I told the kids they could eat it.  Talk about excitement... and what a mess.  It was super fun and we plan on making this a new tradition.

 

 

 

We braved the cold and went to see the lights at Temple Square.  It was very beautiful and our favorite tree was the bright orange one of course. 

 That made it feel a little like Ryan was there with us.

 

 

Christmas Eve

I'd be lying if I said the holidays weren't hard.  We did make it though thanks to everyone's prayers and support. 

 Thank you to all those who gave us special ornaments for Ryan's tree.  It really touched our hearts.

    Sorry couldn't resist Alex.

We went sledding on New Years Day at Syracuse High School.  It was super cold but we had so much fun.  We would race down the hill and see who could go the farthest.  I let Ethan win so he would be happy.

 

I thought this was super cute.  This was before Mike's brother Matt's wedding breakfast on Jan 2. 

 

 I can't believe I am even posting this but it is proof I don't always do my hair and make up.  Ha Ha.  We have actually been very busy the past month or so finishing an apartment in our basement for my mother-in-law.  We are so excited she will be moving in in less than two weeks.  Mike and I have been busy texturing, painting and glazing (ok I did that alone) and tiling.  It has been so nice not to be in my grungy clothes the past few days now that we are done.   And yes, check out the socks with flip flops. 

The little boys plugging their ears while Mike cuts some tile.

 January 12th marked 8 months.  We all wore orange and went out in the below freezing weather to show our love to our dear sweet Ryan.  We actually had to dress in snow clothes to make it through the foot of snow.  We cleared the snow from around Ryan's headstone.  It did look beautiful and the orange balloons really stuck out amid the white snow.  We all wrote notes to Ryan on our balloons.  We weren't sure they would even fly due to the cold temperature.  They shrunk a bunch the second they were out in the cold.  Thank goodness they did soar to the Heavens to be with our boy as we all watched and as the kids hoped theirs would ascend the quickest.

 

 

(Ethan was given this Curious George monkey.  He calls him Georgie.  He loves him and takes him everywhere.  It's so cute.  It's pretty funny to see him put Georgie in timeout and he has even gotten mad at Jaime for being to loud and waking Georgie up.  He wanted us to ground her because now he had to sing him five songs to put him back to sleep.  What a cute pair our little Ethan and Gerogie make!!)

Everyone had kept telling me to wrap my kids in bubble wrap to keep them safe so here it goes.  A sweet friend actually gave me some as a cute joke. 

 

Mike turned 40 on Dec 27th.  Wow that seems so crazy.  It has been fun teasing him about being an old man.  Ethan asked me a funny question today.  He asked me if his dad was older than Heavenly Father.  That gave me a good chuckle.  Not quite Eth, but close.  Just kidding Mike,  and I am not far behind you.

 

Last week we took Adam and Jaime skiing for the first time.  I don't think I had gone in about 10 years.  We had so much fun up at Wolf Mountain.  I have never liked skiing but I did that night.  Adam was a natural and flew down the hill.  I couldn't keep up with him.  I was so proud of Jaime, especially because moments after getting off the lift she accidentally took off full speed and finally crashed.  What a relief she wasn't hurt and that she wiped off the tears and tried again.  I admit I said a quick prayer and wonder if maybe Ryan helped a little.  It was about 11 degrees while we were up there but we were having to much fun to notice.  Amid all the fun we still had moments of sadness missing Ryan.  I had never gotten to ski with him and he loved it.  He would have been able to ride the lift up with me as I was alone.  Alex missed being able to go on the harder slopes with him.  We still do have fun but nothing will ever be quite the same without him.  I am sure he is at our sides at times but it just isn't the same.  We hold on to the wonderful memories we have of him and just keep pushing forward together as a family.

 

I can't say it enough but I am so thankful for all the love and support we continue to receive.  I know your prayers are still helping us and I thank you.  During this Christmas season I was reminded so much about the miracle of our Savior's birth.  This year I was reminded that the important gifts were ones that couldn't be purchased at a store.  They were gifts of love, sacrifice and service.  I am so thankful for the many gifts my Savior has given to me.  I am so thankful to him for being by my side through this.  I also have thought so much of the atonement as well.  That truly is the greatest gift ever to be given.  I pray I can live my life to be worthy of such a gift.  I pray I can be more kind and loving and forgiving and focus on what really does matter...  for that will bring true happiness.