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Last weekend I went to Seattle for the memorial service for my beautiful Great Aunt Lenora. It was so wonderful to see all my extended family, and (as much as I love my kids) enjoy some time alone. I seriously didn't know what to do with myself on that airplane! No diapers, or pacifiers, or toys or anything. It was pretty weird actually. There was a mother with two young kids on the flight... and her baby had a really horrible time, he just screamed for most of it. How I felt for that mother!! I have a compassion now for mothers that I don't think I used to have. Not that I was judgemental before... I just didn't understand the way I do now. But I have to say, I was pretty glad it wasn't my kid this time. ;)

The service was held at this Methodist church where my great-grandfather was once a preacher, so it was special to have the service held at a location that was so significant to my family. And it was such a beautiful service. There were some wonderful tributes, my mom sang, "The Lord's Prayer", my brothers sang a duet, and my mom and I also sang a duet. I felt so honored to contribute to such a sweet service in celebration of such a lovely and faithful woman.

One of the greatest highlights of my trip was that I met my beautiful neice for the first time!!! She's only a few months old, and I was so thrilled to meet her!!

So here she is... my neice Belldandy:

Haha!! ;) My older brother Joey has wanted a pet pig for as long as I can remember, so this Christmas, his girlfriend Tessa got one for him. She is the CUTEST, but she's probably as high maintenance as a newborn... or maybe a toddler, since she throws tantrums when she doesn't get her way. She's constantly making noises, she eats everything (including Ben's homework once), and she is SO smart! They've taught her all sorts of hilarious tricks. And I think from the messes, to the potty-training, and the talking back, they're getting a glimpse of what life will be like as a parent! Here a few more pictures of sweet Belldandy...

Isn't she adorable??!! Ahhh!! I just love her!!!

My little brother Ben, and I. Ben makes me laugh like no other... except my hubby.

Some of my family at at Chinooks in Seattle before the service.

From the left: My big brother Joey, his girlfriend Tessa, me, Dad, Boppa, Mom, Uncle Jay, Aunt Emily, Uncle Chris, Virginia, Ed, Megan, Peter, and Gabriel. And I love every one of them!!

So the first day of my trip, I felt so free, and thrilled to finally get a break. But by the second day, I really started missing my hubby and kids, and couldn't wait to get back home. So when I walked in the door, I got tackled my my sweeties, and then Celeste gave me this note. I am one lucky mommy.

Christmas Morning

We had such a wonderful Christmas with my family this year. My parents and brothers all flew here to visit us for over a week. It was SO nice to be together, and to have some help with the kids and keeping up with the house. We went caroling on Christmas Eve, watched the Nativity movie, read from the scriptures, played our favorite game (Loaded Questions) and exchanged gifts. One tradition we have is that the kids get only 3 gifts each, to symbolize the gifts that Christ got from the wise men. But after you add in all the gifts from the grandparents too, the kids got pretty spoiled! But they were so thrilled. Here are a few pictures of what Christmas looked like at our house this year... (Hmm, I guess if I wanted to be totally real, I should have added a picture of a tantrum or two, but I didn't take any pictures of those moments ;))

Benny is obsessed with Mr. Incredible! Nana Jodie gave him this doll, and the matching jammies. If he could, he would not only wear these to bed, but to school too.
Nana and Papa got each of the girls their very first Barbie!

A special moment with Nana

It was a sweet and intimate Christmas celebration with the people I love the most, and I'm so glad we got to spend it together this year. Hope you had a Merry Christmas too!

Home Sweet Home

I was able to go HOME to Washington State last week with baby Jakey for my cousin's wedding. I had the most wonderful time. As much as I love my life here in Ohio, I often miss the fresh air and the TREES in the Pacific Northwest. In my opinion, it's the most beautiful place on earth.

My beautiful cousin and her new hubby. It was such a gorgeous wedding... so heartfelt and full of meaning, I'm so grateful to have been there. Congratulations Megan and Ed!!

Jakey was just a dream baby. Even though he was sick during the entire trip, he didn't cry once on the plane. He doesn't get much one-on-one time with me around here... so it was nice to lavish all my attention on him this week.

I hadn't seen my Uncle Dave and Aunt Terri for a couple years, and I just about fell over when Terri met me at the airport. She had a weight-loss surgery, and has lost over 190 pounds. She just looks AMAZING!!!

These are their daughters... Mackenzie Kathleen and Madison Nicole :) I've always been super close to them... they were my flower girls. They used to live next door to us, and I got to watch them grow up. I love, love, LOVE these girls!!!

My brother Joey on his Ninja bike. Isn't that a sweet picture?!! Um, yeah... he's pretty much a stud!

Baby Jakey meeting Nana Jodie (Jon's mom) for the first time!

Wow, what a whirlwind of a trip! I have to say, Jon was sure happy to have me home. He was practically ready to worship me when he came to get me at the airport. As much as he appreciates all that I do, I think playing Mr. Mom for a week was good for him to really understand how demanding it is to be a homemaker. I don't think he's the only one who will be happy that Mommy is back. When I first saw little Charity at the airport I asked, "Sweetie, what did you guys do with daddy?" She replied with one word... "pizza". It cracked me up!!! These kids might enjoy a little variety in their diet again. :)