Family Christmas

Our traditions are a little different than most. The year that our son died two months before Christmas we were feeling a bit like there was a hole in our family and in our hearts. We weren't sure how to have Christmas and somehow include our little Kevin. We knew from this year on things would always be a little different.

When Kevin died we found we had joined a club that most don't want to be a member of..but when you do become a member you are glad for those who are also there, those who can understand the sorrow and pain. The club was one of those who lost loved ones in the Orem City cemetery. We were surprised at how many there were who lost children as we did.

We discovered that each Christmas eve the families go to the cemetery and place candles on the graves. It is amazing how beautiful it is, so we decided to begin this new tradition. That first year a family who had lost a 6 year girl built a very large snow mound and placed candles all around it. "What a great idea!" we thought. Kevin loved the snow and love to build snowmen. So the tradition began. this year was no different and with the large amount of snow we had we knew it could be great. So we packed up the kids and headed to the cemetery. Now if you drive by and see a kind of fort looking mound that is Kevin's.

Here are pictures...the last one is of our family at the Slade family Christmas party on Christmas eve. Great to have us all together. Enjoy!

These are pictures from two of my most memorable/ favorite Christmas's . I love Christmas. I don't particularly enjoy all the hustle and bustle, instead I prefer the simple side of Christmas. I like to keep decorations to a minimum and keep the spirit of Christmas and giving as a live as I can. I only like to have one tree because for some reason in my mind the tree represents Christ and I only need one of him in my life. I enjoy not having too much stuff to put up because I don't want to spend hours decorating...for me it seems to take away from the spirit of the holidays. I enjoy cooking, but more so when my family is around me helping me. I love when they are sitting rolling things out, or just talking with me and listening to music. I prefer simple meals and love to have snack items just laying around all day.

Anyway, one picture if of one of the last Christmas's I had with all four of my children at home. After this my son passed away and it always feels like someone is missing. For a few years after his death we would give him gifts...Gifts that would help us to be better people so that one day we could return and live with him again.

The other Christmas is last year.. The first time in a lot of years I was able to spend with my Father. It was a long road to get there but I did...and this picture reminds me of one of the miracles of Christ's birth.

Merry Christmas to anyone who may be reading this. I wish you and your family the best...what ever that might be for you.

Thanksgiving 2008

O.k. a very brief synopsis of what we did...ready....

Drive, see Las Vegas, Drive some more, See Dad, Barbara...meet some family of Barabara's...walk in the hills...walk along the beach...eat, eat and eat some more....drive....shop at outlet mall...try to sleep in worse hotel ever...drive some more...HOME! Clean, clean, Spend Sunday with Trevor. Loved it all! Even the driving was bearable...kids were great, even fun at times. Listened to 2 sessions of conference during part of it.

Oh, my favorite thing I saw.. Our old Cadillac. My parents bought it in 1966 and it was our family car for years...then it wasn't and we kept it in great shape. I have memories driving this thing to prom (well my date drove it) two years and even driving around town. enjoy!

also...movie is of the ocean...I really justed was enjoying the sound and my kids playing. Hope you do too.