Grandma Bev's Funeral

Tim's Grandma Bev passed away on December 23, 2008. She was the last Grandparent on Tim's side. We are happy that she will be reunited with Tim's Grandpa Gib (Tricia's dad), but will miss her sweet presence at our family functions. One thing that I will always remember about Beverly was how she accepted me into the family as soon as Tim and I were married. She would sit and talk with me as if she had known me forever. She always made me feel welcomed and comfortable at big family functions. Her Christmas ornament tradition to all the grand kids will be forever cherished as a good reminder of Grandma Bev. Her funeral was up in Show Low on December 29th. We made it a weekend trip to meet up with all of Tim's family (with the exception of Jeremiah and Heidi, who was too pregnant for such a long drive). It was a really well rounded trip with lots of laughter and tears!

We were the first to arrive at Grandma and Grandpa's. Abbey was way excited to go out and play in the snow. Tim bundled her up... it reminds me of the little brother, Randy, in the Christmas Story movie.

The next day Abbey was happy to see her other cousins make it to Grandpa and Grandma's. The kids loved playing in the snow again... the more the merrier. Uncle John was good to pull the Abbey, Megan and Quinn around on the sled.

That evening, after a good home cooked meal, we made some chocolates. Good food, especially if it involves chocolate, is always something I get excited about! Here are my chocolate dipped pretzels...

which I was more than happy to eat a ton of!

Then there were the chocolate covered Oreo truffles (which were nicknamed little balls of heaven). Jill showed us all how to make them... they are so good and rich. It was one of those things, where you can't stop eating them even though they make you feel sick!

Unsurprisingly, Tim was a victim of eating too many.

The next day, Monday the 29th, was Grandma Bev's funeral. It was a really good funeral! I was aware that it might be a little bit touchy, with it being almost a complete year since Mom's funeral. But it was really good and therapeutic for me to attend. I was reminded of our Savior's love for us and his plan of happiness. David gave a really good talk about the plan of salvation, which touched me and of course made me cry... but it was a good cry! Here is all of Bev's family!

Later that day we were hanging out (notice our rock band in the background) and Abbey decided she wanted to get dressed to go back out in the snow. She forgot a few essential clothing items!

Me and Mike hanging out together.

Our last day at Grandma and Grandpa's we made sure to get as much snow time in as possible. We went out to a popular sledding destination. Abbey was excited to go... but the snow was really icy and packed down. So the rocky ride kind of dampened her spirits. Tubing was a lot better ride, smooth and easygoing. We had a lot of fun.

Every once in a while you get lucky and catch someone, like Lee and Megan, totally crash. I laughed so hard looking at these. You can barely see Megan's hands and arms behind Lee.

Abbey wasn't as much of a dare devil as we thought she would be. She enjoyed the fish crackers and water probably more than the sledding.

On our way out, there was a guy who got stuck in the snow. Good thing he had our burly men there to help.

Here is Lee's boyfriend Aaron in the black hat (update: he is now my newest brother-in-law!, I had a feeling he would be at the time)

Look at John's face... such concentration and strength!

Success!

It was a fun trip, as it always is when we go up to Pinetop!

Saddle Sore

For about two weeks, at least, after Christmas this was all I saw all day long!

Abigail was loving siting on her rocking horse in front of the TV. One day she got off and said "owww" rubbing her thighs!

Christmas in February

Okay, so we didn't really have Christmas in February. But we are going to relive it all the same... December was packed with fun leading up to the "big day!"

Temple Lights
We had a trip to the Temple lights where Abbey was so excited to see Baby Jesus and all the lights that we walked around the grounds twice!

Mike was happy to just chill in the stroller with the hot cocoa!


Christmas Parties
Then there were the parties on both sides of the family. First was the Webb family get together at Christine's and Jared's. We were going to met at the Temple lights, but it was raining. Instead we enjoyed hot cocoa, cookies and treats at Christine and Jareds.
Me and Carrie

Lynn, Julee and Misty holding Stella

Wyatt, Luke, Abbey and Mike opening up gifts

Next was the Merrill white elephant party at Heidi and Jeremiah's. This will have to be a tradition every year, it was a lot of fun!
The kids were having fun with Bode's trains, it kept them happy the whole time.

David and Tricia were given a early Christmas gift from the kids, a picture of the St. George Temple where they were married! I think they liked it.

Here Tim is telling stories with his hands. It was probably a police story!

I love sneaking pictures of grandparents with the grandkids!



Christmas
After the parties it was on to the big day. Tim worked Christmas Eve so I was lucky to have Carrie spend the night and be a fellow "Santa's helper ;)"

Santa brought Mike and Abbey a rocking horse, and Abbey a cool princess bike!

First thing Abbey went to was the horse... she was so excited! This girl loves horses!

Mike was excited about his new balls, this boy loves to play with any kind of ball!


This has to be my favorite part of Christmas morning. The first pictures of the adults looking all sleepy and tired, yet happy!
Carrie knows better and hid herself pretty good with her stocking gifts!

Tim wins with his red puffy eyes for sure!

Why do our noses swell when tired? Mine always does, and gets red too!

I guess just because you're an adult, you don't out grow the Christmas excitement. Tim's new i-touch i-pod. He made no secret that this was all he wanted!

One of my favorite gifts... the Bose sounddock for my i-pod. I love it!!


Christmas Brunch
After our early morning gift opening was over we went to Christine and Jared's for the Webb Christmas tradition of Christmas brunch!
I was in charge of making pancakes, Christine was cooking the sausage.

Here Cameron is playing with Carrie's Mac. You can video yourself and manipulate your face to look so funny. It was so funny that I cried laughing!

A rare good picture of Abbey (you can see Jenny laughing at Cameron's face on the computer in the background!)

This was not planned... but all of us girls were wearing a shade of blue. Don't we all look good, we had to get a picture.

And like Jenny and Jared say... we had to get some sibling pictures because we were all together! (which happens quite often!) It was hard keeping a straight face for these. Cameron and Christine were doing the High School dance posing.

Merry Christmas (this was the best shot of Abbey believe it or not!)

Oh yeah, we had as close as you can get to a white Christmas here in the valley... Rain!!

New Year, New Focus

I feel really bad about the lack of posting. I stopped right before Christmas and haven't caught up. Its worse, because I feel like this Blog is my book of memories. And I have to blog about the past events even though they happened a month in half ago! I don't know why I haven't been motivated to blog. I think it has to do with the time it takes. It takes time away from my family. I have been trying to focus on new priorities this year. I felt like last year was just caught up in surviving day to day life. I don't feel like I was taking steps to actually progress forward in my life. Does that make sense? I don't know. But my focus has been elsewhere lately. I hope I can feel like I make a difference in myself this year. So blogging and turning on the computer (which sucks me in for hours) has taken a back burner for awhile. I know that everyone misses our mind blowing thoughts and cute pictures... just kidding, but I do know Grandma Merrill misses the updates on her grand kids! So prepare yourself for some catching up. I know its Valentines... but Christmas here we come!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today was Mom's birthday. She would have been 51!

(Mom and Dad with Abigail)
It was a happy and extra special day today, because Stella Kate (after mom) Webb was given her blessing today. But before that, yesterday, Stella was sealed to Cameron and Jenny. I am so happy that these events took place at the same time of Mom's birthday... it was fitting. With out a doubt, mom was with Stella, Cameron and Jenny yesterday in the temple. It was a really neat experience.

(Mom with Abigail on mother's day 06)
Mom and Dad were sealed with Cameron when he was just a baby. I remember her telling me about that experience. Bringing Cameron out in his white outfit to be joined with them was a sweet memory she would remember. I know she was there yesterday! I am thankful for our Heavenly Father's plan of salvation. It truly is a plan of happiness. I am also thankful for tender mercies... I was given one last night when Mom was so vividly in my dreams. It was amazing to see how clearly my subconscious remembers her. I love you mom and can't wait until we can meet again!
(Good times in Payson, summer 06)