Aunt Becca!

My children love all of their aunts and uncles. They have been particularly lucky to grow up near many of them. Aunt Rebecca was only in 5th grade when we got married. While in 6th grade, she watched newborn Matthew for me on the sidelines, while I coached volleyball. Basically, she was like a sibling to my four boys, but even better because she never fought with them, just spoiled them. They love her so much! She would always give up time with her friends in high school to be with them. They were HEARTBROKEN when she left for college. When she married, it was hard for us to let Caleb take her far away to Arkansas. But..................we have survived. We still get to see her once-in-awhile!

This month was one of those treasured times! We got to see Caleb, Rebecca, and little Jack! We were so excited to have them come. Jack is one of the cutest 2-year-olds ever! We loved spending time with them, and are glad they are willing to come all the way WEST to see us!

Unfortunately, this injury happened at our house :(

Jack LOVED our bunk-bed ladder!

Rebecca gave me this baby quilt for Emma! What a treasure for me! I wish we lived close so that we could quilt together!

Christmas at Grandma's

We love spending time with family at Christmas. There is something especially wonderful about gathering together, visiting, sharing, giving gifts, and playing games. Children run around with cousins and squeals of laughter. We watch movies and eat goodies. We talk and laugh and take naps. I know that my children will treasure these memories.

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Kelly's house this year.

Daryl was the gift passer-outer. The children wait in anticipation.

The treasured gifts of the year were blankets that Grandma made for each grandchild! They love them! What warm love to wrap up in!

Grandpa's 60th Birthday

We all celebrated the big 6-0 by going out to dinner together. Ryan's dad was really dreading the approach of this day, but hey---60 is the new 30.

The Wedding

Shayne and Kortneigh are official. The last of 5 Kelly brothers to marry, and he chose a wonderful girl! We are so excited to have Kortneigh in the family!

All the Kelly siblings, except Crystal and Kathryn--we really missed them!

Could someone control their kids? They are eating all of the snow.

Partying down at the wedding reception. We definitely drank our share of hot chocolate from the hot chocolate fountain!

Grandpa's Funeral

We were able to travel to Kooskia, Idaho for Grandpa's Memorial Service. It went beautifully. My dad and uncle asked me to do the eulogy. Of course, I cried a lot. It was very special for me to have that opportunity. My grandpa and I spent a lot of time together recording and discussing his life story. I was grateful that we took the time to do that and that I got to KNOW some of the stories of grandpa's life. It was nice to see my cousins, for us to gather with extended family. We were so blessed to have fairly clear roads for traveling. It could have been treacherous. We are so grateful for Grandpa's life.

My dad welcoming family and friends

My dad, mom, aunt and uncle

Grandpa served in the Navy. He was honored with a flag over his casket. Here is Ryan, my brothers and my two cousins carrying grandpa up the mountain cemetery hill.