December and Christmas

Christmas was a little different this year. We were still living with Tyrel's Mom while our house was being finished. It was weird not having any of our holiday decor and what not, but that's ok, it was fun to be with lots of family. It was everyone's first Christmas without Ted and he was greatly missed. Tytyn has had a lot harder of a time than I anticipated with his Grandpa passing away. Especially with living in Kindra's house his absence was very noticeable. It has been really hard for his little mind to comprehend all things that come with death. He had been having so many meltdowns about why his Grandpa had to get sick and die and when would he see him again and just really missing him. It breaks my heart! I tried to think of what I could do to help besides comfort him and decided to make a little book for him for Christmas. The whole book is just pictures of Ted and Tytyn and different quotes and poems to go along with the pictures. It was an inspired idea because it has helped so much. Every time he gets sad or emotional about Grandpa being gone we will get out his book and talk about fun memories we have of him. He looks at it every night before he goes to bed. My heart hurts that he is gone anyway, but it hurts even more as I see how it affects Tytyn. But we really did have a good Christmas, it was a pretty simple one this year, but it doesn't take much to make kids happy and excited for Christmas. I love Christmas with kids, the excitement in their eyes is priceless! And I am especially grateful for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Without him we wouldn't have the blessing of eternal families among so many other things.

Collin and I made these cookies while Kindra and Tytyn decorated the tree one night. 

Buddy the elf found his way to Nani's house, Tytyn was a little worried that he wouldn't know we were there.

Our house coming along:)

One Sunday in December we were coming home from church and there was a pick up parked at the bottom of the lane. It was some of our friends from Vernal! Just the Mom and one of the daughters. They were coming home from a hockey tournament and were passing through. We were SOOO excited to see some old friends! We were really close to this family. Tytyn and the husband were in scouts together and became really close friends. Their whole family just adored Tytyn and loved to come pick him up to come and hang out with them. We miss Vernal and all of our friends so much! Tytyn STILL asks to go home to Vernal.

Santa made a visit to Tytyn's preschool. He knew what he wanted this year and anytime anyone asked he said he wanted a race car track.

Oh Buddy your so silly......Tytyn is a REALLY good sleeper;) he he he

Uncle Buzz gave the boys missionary tags for Christmas.

My cute boys in their Christmas jammies. I found these at Disney World over Thanksgiving.

Checking out the stockings.

I was SO excited to give these books to Tytyn. A couple weeks before Christmas I called and asked my Mom if she had all of the old Berenstein Bear and Little Critter books. I LOVED these books when I was little, they just bring back good memories and I wanted to share that with my boys. Tytyn didn't get as excited as I wanted him too, but he didn't even know what they were. Since he got them he has learned to love them and we read itleast a few a day plus he looks at a bunch every night in his bed before going to sleep. My Mom sent me all the ones they had which were like 50 or more so I've been gifting them to him slowly. He got a bunch for Christmas and then some more for Easter and then some more for his Birthday. We have loved reading them together!

A little big, but isn't he adorable!?

Checking out his new toy:)

Santa came and brought Tytyn the one thing he wanted!

Christmas night the boys all played a bunch of basketball in the shop so we got all bundled and went out to watch them play. 

Cute boys!

Love my boys!

Right after Christmas we were all able to take a family vacation to the condo at Bear Lake. We did some snowmobiling, sledding and tubing. It was freezing! But fun! This is Tytyn on the giant tube with Logan and Karissa.

And there they are at the bottom of the hill.

The gingerbread house Tytyn made with Nani.

My cute boys in their Christmas jammies.