MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! This is a tough time of year for me...my family is so widespread. I have my mom's family her in Idaho....soon almost all of them will be here with the news of Chris and Erin moving back next week and the news of Uncle Bob relocating earlier this month and Aunt Cindy joining him when their house sales in Minnesota. In the next 5 years we will also have Casey and Michelle back here with their kids...I am very excited for that. As our family knows, Casey is in Iraq this holiday season away from his family and we all love and pray for him every day! I also want to congratulate my cousin Jennie on her upcoming arrival, now she can join the rest of us in motherhood.
Next we have my dad's family in Oregon. We actually made it to the family reunion this past summer and it was very exciting. I am amazed at how no one has really changed since the last time I saw them ( which was 7 years ago...my bad!) The kids however have blossomed overnight and they are no longer little, now they are all in high school, and Taylor in college....wow, I used to babysit him.. where did the time go? I did miss Danny and Missy this summer which was sad, it has been a long time since I have seen them and their kids. Maybe next time...we had so much fun that we are at least going to make it every other year. And, my dad missed us so bad that he came here 2 months later for a week...it was good to have him.
My husband's family is also pretty special. My sister in law, Kristi lives in Utah with her hubby, Lonnie and we got to see them a couple of times this past year, which is always wonderful...I will love it more when they make Justin an uncle...We also spent Thanksgiving with most of Justin's mom's family at our house. Darin and Juanita, who I love to death....with Chris and Chase. For those who do not know, Chase is going into the Navy and will be leaving in August I think..we will miss him.... and Chris is following up the next year by going into the Marines. We have also spent some time with Michael and Carrie, who I also love....and Miss Paige. They also welcomed a little boy earlier this month, Michael Legion, who is gorgeous. We spent a little time with Mike and Deana and with Lee and Debbie- it was nice to catch up. We expect Justin's mom for Christmas since she missed Thanksgiving. Justin's dad has been a little selfish this year, so we haven't heard from him or seen him, which is OK I think, Justin hasn't really said.
We are also very grateful for the wonderful friends we have. We don't really see each other often with everyone being so busy all the time, but I think that we all still care about each other and think of each other often. Congratulations to Clint and Jennie on the new baby...I am so excited! So, from our family to yours...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Maybe this will be the year that we all connect again!!