Christmas Joys ~ 2013

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Let us 
remember 
that the Christmas 
heart is a giving heart, 
a wide open heart that thinks
 of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus 
stands as the most significant event in all history, 
because it has meant the pouring  into a sick world the 
healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of 
hearts for almost two thousand years...Underneath all the bulging 
bundles is this 
beating 
Christmas heart.
 - George Matthew Adams

Christmas was a joy this year.  Cori found a cabin with ten bedrooms that was big enough to fit all 32 of us, so we all got together in Duck Creek and enjoyed a few days of laughter, love, great food and lots of fun.

Danielle, Ally, Eden, Megan, Joshua and Mason

Aunt Megan had lots of crafts and fun things planned for the kids to do. We went sledding, played games with the children until time for bed.  Had a nightly devotional, tucked the kiddoes into bed, then stayed up until the wee hours playing games, laughing and talking.

Our lovely Christmas tree ~ with a sweet sign from Grace reminding all of us to remember the true meaning of Christmas is to love each other and be kind to everyone.

Looks like Santa tracked us down!

Christmas Eve ~ soft Christmas music, the lovely glow of the tree, the warmth of a fire, the gleeful teasing and laughter of  adult children playing games in the next room, my sweetheart sitting next to me and all the little ones, so excited for what's coming all tucked into bed . . . lovin' it!

 The Dads decided that they needed an alarm to let them know when the first child was out of bed on Christmas morn . . . it worked!

Joshua's stocking is almost as big as he is . . .

A view from the top . . . on Christmas morning

Brittany and Nadia

 It was these three babies first Christmas ~ Nadia, Anders and Jeffrey Jack (JJ)

Ethan and Anders

Grammie Sandy and JJ

Jesse, Kourtni, Eden, Damien, Ally, Ethan, Charlie and Joshua getting ready for the launch

 Grandpa Ray made rocket launchers for every family for Christmas ~ and they were a great hit!

Ally, Ethan and Joshua - "Where did it go?"

 Christmas Day was sunny and just right for rocket launching - all systems were GO!

James, Ally, Grace, Joshua and Cory

 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 launch!

Ally, Kourtnie, Damien, Grace, Charlie, Ray, Grant, Cori

Joshua's snow ball maker -you better run, Grammie Sandy!

Everyone pitched in and helped plan the menus, shopping, cooking, activities, cleaning and all that goes with a big get together.  We had such a great time together.  We love being together as a family. Cori made the comment, "I love being with you guys, you are my best friends!"  That was honey to my heart . . . I kept telling the children when they were little and arguing - someday you will be good friends!  It is such a joy to see that is true.   The 18 cousins have so much fun playing together. The older grandchildren, Jacob and Sydni are so great to include and play with the little ones and the children all adore them! Several of us made the comment that this was the best Christmas ever!  We stayed at the cabin until the day after Christmas, when we packed up and headed down to the condo in St George for a few days.

My heart is so full of gratitude for my dear companion and best friend, Raymond and six amazing children and their wonderful sweethearts, and eighteen beautiful grandchildren.  You add so much joy to my heart and I am so grateful for all of you. Most of all I am grateful for our Savior, whose love and light shines as a beacon to us all.

Catching a Little St George Sunshine 3

"The family is one of nature's masterpieces." George Santayana

 Well, it's about time you got me out of this trunk!  Joshua getting his hiking shoes on

Megan, Ethan and Grant

 St George has so many fun places to explore ~ this is Red Cliffs.  It has some great hikes for families with small children, a campground, picnic tables and a few puddles to splash in!

Joshua~ 

Give a boy a puddle and he'll be happy for hours, but of course this little guy is a pretty happy camper most of the time!

Grace amd Jacob

 There were some fun tree trunks to explore as well as some caves . . .

Papa Ray, Jacob, Cori, Grace, Grant, Jesse

Brett, Grace and Tiffany

 Brett and Tiffany were the safety guides on the rope course ~ that leads to the upper pools

I love the striking contrasts found everywhere down here in the St George area.

 Grammie Sandy did a bit of exploring with Grant, Grace and Jacob

Brett & Tiffany

Tiffany, Grace, Cori & Eden, Brett

 Going back down was a little more tricky than coming up ~ why is that?

Grace

Grant, Papa Ray, Grace, Grammie Sandy, Sydni, & Jacob

The end of a great day found us at Tuacahn to see Aladdin - we are all ready with our 3-D shades on!  It was a great production and they incorporated a bit of new technology, a few new songs and a couple of new characters - we loved it!

A Few Days in the Garden of Eden ~ 3

". . . We call upon [people] everywhere to put family first and to identify specific ways to strengthen their individual families.. .  In today’s world, where Satan’s aggression against the family is so prevalent, parents must do all they can to fortify and defend their families. . . Brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents and cousins can make a powerful difference in the lives of children. Remember that the expression of love and encouragement from an extended family member will often provide the right influence and help a child at a critical time.. . ." ~ Russell M Ballard October 2005

Grace and Sadie ~ a cute Spaniel that adopted us while we were in Eden

 Some went golfing, some went house hunting, others stayed and played games and soaked in the hot tub . . . lots of laughter, games, friendly competition, great food ,  plenty of fun, lasting memories . . . that's what vacation is all about.

Ethan making a great catch and Charlie coming to help

Charlie and Sandy

A little more geocaching at the park ~ Cori, Charlie, Grant, James, Grace and Ashton

Under the Troll Bridge ~ Brittany,Jesse,  James, Ashton, Charlie and Grace

Collecting ammo ~ Ashton, Charlie, James and Grace

Splash! ~ James

A splash war across the stream ~ Ashton and Charlie getting a little wet

 A little Dance Revolution going on ~ Megan, Brittany, Ray and Jesse

Cori, Arianne, Brittany and Megan

A Few Days in the Garden of Eden ~2

"You don't choose your family.
They are God's gift to you,
as you are to them."
~Desmond Tutu

Ethan

 Our family outings the last few years have included geocaching~ it is fun for all of us and we get to hike and see some great places and the call of "buried treasure" keeps the kids hiking onward and upward!  We found three hidden caches on this trail near Pineview Reservoir.

Brittany, Hunter and Ashton

The wildflowers were breath taking !

Grace, Hunter and Ashton ~ happy hikers

The hike overlooks Pineview Reservoir

Cori ~Aha! We FOUND it! 

Geocaching is lot of fun ~Especially when you actually  find the treasure!

Ashton

Eden and Jesse

All tuckered out

Ashton and Grace

We spent another day at the lake - we had intended going to Pineview, but because of cooler temperatures and threatening storms at Pinewview, we ended up back down at Willard Bay, which was a good choice - the weather there was beautiful, the temperature perfect and the water, GREAT!

Cori and Randy



Grant

Megan and Joshua ~ he wasn't too sure about that cold water

Tickle Bugs . . . Ashton and Grace waking up Papa Ray

Ashton and Grace ~ "Well, we said we were hungry and wanted a BIG Breakfast, hmmm . . "