Christmas

I just wanted to do a quick Christmas post.  I remember every year as a child growing up in the small town of Page, AZ, my Dad would pick a couple families to take Christmas boxes too.  They were usually Navajo families with several children who lived in the trailer park area.  He would buy some of his favorite foods, staple items, and fun treats and toys, and we would help divide the items evenly into  boxes.  We would then go drop the boxes off on doorsteps and drive away.  I loved doing this anonymous service with my Dad. 
I'm always trying to think of ways to get my children to feel how wonderful it is to give, especially around Christmas time when it is so easy to get a greedy mindset.  Last year we did the twelve days of Christmas to a family in our ward with 13 kids.  I was on maternity leave with Grayce then and had the time to make/prepare each days gift.  This year I am working full time and knew that I didn't have the time available to commit to the twelve days of Christmas.
I have a Disney credit card that I use for each months bills (and then pay off at the end of each month).  You get points accumulated through your purchases that can be redeemed in the form of a Disney gift card.  I decided we would use the gift card I'd received to buy a few gifts at the Disney store for a sweet family in our ward who is on a tighter budget.  My boys naturally wanted to keep the gifts for themselves and were a little torn about the fact that we were wrapping them for someone else.  We went and dropped them off on the doorstep and drove off, just like I used to do with my Dad.  She later posted pictures on Facebook of how excited her children were when they found the gifts.  I showed my boys the pictures of the kids and how happy they were, and it made my boys happy.  I felt like they finally got it and it sunk in a little.
I'm not writing this to brag about having done such a small deed, but I hope someday if my boys are reading this and reminiscing on their childhood, that they will remember this and remember the joy that giving brings. 

Look who's walking!

Grayce loved showing off for my Parents her standing and stepping capabilities, and thrived on the attention she got every time she did so.  It was enough that now she is determined to walk everywhere she goes.  It took three days of trial and error, but now she walks like a champ!

More extended family fun!

My beautiful cousin Lindsey got married in the Gilbert Temple this weekend. 

 My dear Grandpa performed the Temple Sealing.

My brother Brian came from Texas, and my Parents from Page, 

and it was so fun having them stay with us!

Reese got to see his favorite cousin Reese. 

The boys had a blast running around with him!

 I love my family so much and am so grateful 

whenever we are able to get together like this!

Thanksgiving in Page

Two peas in a pod:

Hayden helped my Dad rake leaves:

My Dad was impressed with his hardworking dedication.

For being only 3yrs old it's impressive how he sticks with a task till it's done,

and works up quite a sweat doing it!

 

Grayce got lots of Grandma time :)

We went on a post-Thanksgiving hike to the toadstools:

This hike is becoming a tradition. 

This last pic became our Christmas card:

My Mom made ham along with the turkey this year.  

It was moist and tender and the best ham I've ever had.

 Hayden loved it and kept asking for more "pink turkey".

2nd cousins!

My cousin Jamie was passing through Phoenix on their way to CA for Thanksgiving.

Her cute family was able to stay with us on the way too, and from, and it was such a blast. 

We loved having them.  My two boys had an especially fun time.