It doesn't seem possible it's 2009 already! I remember when I was young, people would say that time goes by so fast the older you get. It is SO true!
Christmas was wonderful! At the Spur, we did a full-blown Christmas for two less fortunate families in the area this year. It was wonderful to help two families who REALLY needed it. All of the children made out their wish lists to Santa and I posted them by the ticket booth. Everyone pitched in and went shopping. We had a great response! The larger gifts waited until Christmas week when I was able to get out and finish up the shopping. The 50/50 proceeds went for the larger gifts and gift cards to both of the mothers. We gave them to each mom for groceries and other necessities. We were able to raise about $1,400 in cash. I estimated all together with presents and gift cards, we raised over 3,000 in cash and presents. It was so much fun and it really felt good to hug both of the mothers and know they appreciated it so much. I swear Santa has the best job in the world!
The best thing would be for us to have a REAL North Pole here and be able to watch the children on Christmas morning when they saw all of the presents! Now THAT would be great!!
At home this Christmas it was great for all of us brothers and sisters to be together for the first time in five years. The last Christmas we had together Darcy was pregnant with Branson. They moved out west when he was 8 months old. Shortly after that, Buster moved out there. So to have everyone home for the holiday was just perfect. We were missing my oldest niece, Heidi and my oldest nephew, Michael and their families. We missed them and wished they could have been there. They are both married and Heidi has two boys and a step-daughter. Michael is married with two girls. It was so nice to see mom and dad so happy with everyone there. You could see the contentment on their faces.
We hated to see Buster and Mandy go back to Utah and TRIED to convince them to stay here...but it didn't work. Dad said maybe if we all pray a little harder it might happen. He leaned over to Branson and said, "Heavenly Father does answer our prayers doesn't he!?" and Branson nodded his head yes. Then dad asked him what prayer did Heavenly Father answer for him (meaning dad) and Branson said, "That our family would move back to Maine." It was pretty cute! Anyway, here are a few pictures of the family at Christmas time.
The Family
top: Dicky, Donny, Buster, Erland
bottom: Me, Dad, Mom, Darcy
Grandkids (missing Heidi & Michael)
top: Kacie, Courtney, Branson, Garrett
bottom: Desarae, Tannon, Kristy, Kaedon, Nicholas, Sadie.
