Great Grandpa Jack

 Arnold W. Bradshaw

November 1, 1918 - December 27, 2014

 We lost a wonderful man in our lives a couple days after Christmas. Our dear Grandpa Jack died at the age of 96. I am so grateful I have been able to be a member of his family and have gotten to know him the past decade. He was always so kind and loving towards me and my family.

When Grandpa was taken into the Emergency Room a few days before Christmas, I had the opportunity to go visit him. At the time they were running some tests and didn't really know what was going on. I was hopeful he wouldn't have to stay in the hospital on Christmas.

Despite his condition, he still greeted me with a smile. We chatted for a while and I decided I had better head home to Benj and the kids. I'll never forget holding his hand and telling him I loved him and that I hoped he got feeling better. He looked me in the eyes and said, "and I love you too, Dear." Those words struck me and I'll always remember that precious memory.

I enjoyed compiling a few pictures over the years. One of the things we enjoyed doing every year was having Easter Brunch at Oakridge Country Club, hosted by Grandpa Jack and Grandma Mel.

Here is the first year I was there (2007)

 In 2009 (I had Logan 5 days later)

2010 (with the Easter bunny)

Visiting brand new baby Norah - November 2011

At Norah's baby blessing - Feb 2012

Easter 2012

December 2012

 Thanksgiving 2013

4th of July 2014

Grandpa had a wonderful service. The weather was frigid during the funeral, but the wind stopped during the graveside service. We think of Grandpa often and will miss him.

Poor Little Max

 This poor little guy is at the age where he is constantly falling or bumping into things. The worst was when he fell and hit his eye on the corner of the TV stand.

 I took him over to Bryce's house (my awesome sister-in-law who's a nurse!) and she glued it back together. Max's cousins, Cameron and Colton, kept his attention with a cool light saber toy. The glue started coming off after a few days and by then his eye was nice and purple. It will probably leave a scar, which makes me sad. His perfect little face!

Right around Christmas, Max started getting all 4 of his molars. He also caught a cold in the middle of it. He was not a happy camper. He abruptly stopped nursing and well, eating much all together. I got really worried about him and was thankful after a week or so, he had his appetite again. One thing he didn't want to do was nurse. So we made it about 15 months.  It's always a bittersweet time for me. I'm glad we're moving on and I have my body to myself (I've been nursing or pregnant for the last almost 4 years). I get emotional thinking that my baby is getting older and doesn't need me (in that way) anymore. I really have enjoyed nursing all my babies.

Although sick, I didn't mind the snuggles. I'm glad as I'm writing this that he's back to his happy self.

Here's hoping to a healthy beginning to the new year!

Christmas 2014

 We had a wonderful, magical Christmas. Truly the best one yet. If I could use one word to describe it, it would be full of JOY. Seeing my children's faces light up on Christmas morning, looking out the window at freshly fallen snow, and spending the day loving each other and being together, it was so so wonderful.

Here are the kids on Christmas eve in their festive jammies.

Christmas morning - I was the first one awake!

 Santa came!

Beautiful snow in our backyard.

Hugs and excitement!

 Norah in her new Elsa dress. She is very good at being a princess.

 Traditional photo of each kid with their gifts.

 Mom and Dad did well too.

 This kid was in heaven putting his legos together and watching the Lego movie!

 Max's new train set. It is a hit!

Benj enjoyed the toys too.

We went over to Grandma Bradshaw's house later in the day and enjoyed being with Benj's side of the family. We saw Grandma and Grandpa Croft earlier in the week. Definitely missed our brothers and families (on both sides) and hope we can see them soon.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Activities

This year it was especially fun to do a Christmas countdown with the kids. We did several "countdowns" in fact. 

The first and most favorite was the 25 Days of Christ countdown. Each day in December we would put on a new ornament and read or watch a video about Christ's birth, life, and resurrection. I loved doing something daily that reminded us of the real reason we celebrate the season.

December 1 – Decorate Christmas tree

I was not on the ball when it came to new ornaments, but the kids didn't remember and LOVED decorating the tree!

December 2 – Letters to Santa

Logan's letter requesting Legos (I love his drawing of the lego guy)

This is Norah's letter. She wants a dolly.

December 3 – Send Christmas cards
 This was the cute picture we used for our cards.

Would you believe the Santa is Benj?

Haha. I love that picture. Here is another cute one from our session. I loved the photographer! We went to Fotofly!

December 4 – Make Ornaments
 We made some cute photo ornaments for the grandparents. No picture and ours are put away now.
 

December 5 – Christmas Magnets

A fun gift from Grandma Bradshaw
 

December 6 – Wrap presents

December 7 – Christmas Devotional
Always inspiring. I especially loved hearing President Monson speak.

December 8 – Gingerbread Houses

We did a gingerbread "village" instead of a single house, which worked out really well since everyone could create one of their own.
From top left to right: Norah's, Dad's and Logan's
Bottom: Max's and Mom's.

December 9 – Deliver neighbor gifts
 We did a fun gift with a Redbox code and popcorn
 

December 10 – Playdoh Fun
I laminated these fun Christmas "faces" and attempted homemade playdoh. It was a lot of fun.

 

December 11 – Temple Square & Christmas Concert

This was such a fun thing to take Logan to this year. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir concerts are usually for those 8 and up, but because the Muppets joined them this year, they changed the age to 5. Logan loved it! I wish the concert would've started a little earlier, but other than that it was so much fun! Grandma Bradshaw joined us too!
 

December 12 – Snowman Pizza

December 13 – Polar Express

December 14 - Game Night
A fun night of board games!

December 15 – Christmas Lights
We love visiting the Layton Park. It was warm enough this year that many people were walking through it. I like to stay in the comfort of my car.

December 16 – Craft

December 17 – Library Storytime
We love going to the library and attend almost every week. We picked out a lot of Christmas books this year.

December 18 – Teacher gifts
Logan was so excited to give his teacher, Mrs. Robbins, a gift. He put it under the tree in the classroom so I'm not sure she saw it right away!

December 19 - Visit Santa

 We just went for a visit (which 2 of the 3 kids loved - you can take a guess in the picture above) and they generously gave us our pictures for free. I have the lovely Mrs. Claus to thank for that. So sweet of them and it made me want to pay it forward!

December 20 – Sledding/hot chocolate
No snow yet, but we guzzled plenty of hot chocolate this month. The kids loved it with marshmallows. Benj and I preferred whipped cream.

December 21 – Red and Green Dinner
A fun fondue dinner by candlelight. My parents always did a candlelight dinner growing up, so I am carrying out the tradition. I was going to pull out our wedding china, but let's face it, we are a plastic plate and cup kinda family right now. Maybe in a few years!

We also had chocolate fondue for dessert. The kids LOVED that part!

December 22 – Read Christmas Books
We got several new ones this year, including The Sweet Smell of Christmas and The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever.
 

December 23 - Sugar Cookies
   Always a favorite. We made sure to save some for Santa.

 

December 24 – Christmas Eve
A nice blurry shot of our Christmas Eve party. We always appreciate the Krogues for inviting us!

Whew! We made it. On to Christmas!