Lence's Clothes

   After Lence died so many emotions and feelings clouded my mind like a fog for months.  Having my best friend and beloved companion suddenly torn away from me was devastating.  My deep desire to feel close to him in any way was so powerful and at times overwhelming.  My first instinct when I physically wanted to feel close to him was to go into our closet, and wrap my arms around his clothes, and bury my face into them so I could smell his smell.  It almost felt a tiny bit like he was hugging me back.  His clothes were a comfort to me.  Sometimes I'd even sleep with them.   
Lence's smell lasted for about three weeks.  I was so sad when I couldn't smell him anymore...

   A wonderfully sweet woman, Enid Lloyd, in our Thayerwood Ward volunteered to help me make a quilt out of Lence's clothes.  I wanted Laurie, Megan, and I to be as much a part of it as possible.  So I went with Sister Lloyd and picked out the flannel for the back.  We set up the quilting rack in the homeschool room and Laurie, Megan and I worked diligently at tying the huge quilt.  It will always bring back fond memories.

   Since that time we have all taken turns sleeping with Daddy's Quilt.  It's considered a miraculous thing if someone manages to get it from Megan's grip.  She somehow manages to have it the most.

It's heavy and warm and such a comfort.  It feels like his arms around us when we curl up with it.  I am so grateful for Sister Lloyd for her service in allowing us the blessing of still feeling Lence near us...

Trip To Utah

On the 30th of December we drove down toUtah so I could take Laurie and Megan to "The Savior of the World" on Temple Square.  Lee and Karen were kind enough to let us stay with them.  They had given us money for Christmas presents so I brought their wrapped presents so the kids could open them with Grandpa and Nana.  They were so kind to watch the three little ones while I took Laurie and Megan to Temple Square.  They even made sugar cookies with them while we were gone!

Hannah LOVES Ariel!

Michael's favorite toy by far is a car. 

We ate lunch at The Garden Restaurant on the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. 

 

We were there as the lights on Temple Square lit up.  It took my breath away...and the spirit on Temple Square was very strong.  We had a wonderful time as mother and daughters.

Before the show in the Conference Center started we got a tour of where General Conference is at.  It holds 21,000 people.  The size is awe-inspiring!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Michael!

Michael had really figured out the opening presents thing at Christmas.  He was NOT wanting to wait to get a picture taken before he opened his presents. 

Brian's Educational Project

After a lot of Wii and Nintendo DS playing this Christmas, Brian thought it was time for the kids to take a break from too much gaming and put their minds to work.  He engaged the kids in a project to build creations out of spaghetti noodles and marshmallows.  Look at those little geniuses at work! 

Christmas Day!

The kids woke up bright and early this year to see what Santa had brought them.  Santa always remembers the orange.  He cares about their good health.

I always wait till Christmas Eve or at least a couple days before Christmas to put the presents under the tree.  Too many incidents of accidently unwrapping presents or curious toddlers have taught me that.  This year the kids had fun organizing all the presents in piles at least four times a day until Christmas finally arrived.  Next year I think they will come out Christmas Eve...

Brian was fortunate to have Connor and Rocky this year for Christmas.  We got to spend Christmas Eve, Christmas, and almost all of the break staying up late with them every night either watching movies or playing Mario on the Wii.  So much fun!!!

All Cozy in December

I left the room for just a second and when I came back Michael had started unwrapping a brand new roll of wrapping paper.

He knows he's in trouble!

Michael crawled in bed with Hannah at bedtime.  He wanted to sleep in a big bed tonight.

My little 6-year-old devouring the second Harry Potter book.  Boy, that little Rachel is SMART!

Laurie reading before bedtime with her favorite dog, Simon.

Gingerbread Houses!

Every Christmas season we have a tradition making gingerbread houses out of graham crackers.  This year was no exception.  Brian bought all the goodies to decorate the houses.  It took a lot of restraint for the kids not to load their houses to the brim with candy mistakenly thinking that they could eat all of it.  After we were done and took pictures they had about 5 minutes to eat and then we put them away.  The kids had a wonderful time.