Not Goodbye

Not sure if I'll ever be caught up with this blog and all I wanted to document. Waaaay back in February we had a going away party for my sister Brittany, her husband Dane, and their sweet boy Ransom. They moved to the other side of the world to share the Gospel. We miss them dearly!!

A Farewell

Since the passing of Dave, my mom has kept up the property all by herself through a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. This is where Dave cleared the ten acres with my brothers, where he planted fruit trees so that he could pick apples and pears with the grandkids, where they were going to have camp every summer, where Avery spent most of her first year of life. It's where she and D-dad would walk the property, she on his shoulders, the dogs following. It was my parents' retreat outside of the city. So many family gatherings were held here, usually on a holiday that required fireworks because there was room and no restrictions. It's just a house, but it's the last house where we knew him and loved him.

So, in memory, we gathered one last time. Soon enough we'll make memories at the new house, but for awhile, our hearts will reside here.

Thanksmas

With 5 kids in my family, and all of us with families, it's hard to coordinate all of our schedules, so this year we picked a random weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas to get together. Family Thanksmas was last weekend at my sister's house. Lots of celebrating, because this also fell on my nephew's 2nd birthday.

Avery at the ready to help open presents if needed

Ransom checking out Grayson's loot

4 of 5 cousins

Thanksmas brunch!

Bri is sporting some spiffy new glasses. We decided that she pulled off the thick glasses and plaid better than my husband (see pic below)

Dane and Ransom; Luke and Eleanor

kid table

Sophie will get to join the kid table next year!

Elmo!! She couldn't wait for me to get him out of the box.

This girl was BEYOND excited over her new headband and Disney Fairy set

When I see this picture, all I can think of is this:

Cousin pic - Grayson and Eleanor were napping. And, happens to be the only pic of my brother. I'm such a bad photographer. Missed the other brother entirely, plus about half of the family. Sheesh.

The best we could get.

Ransom snuggles so well.

Luke testing out his new sleeping bag

Grayson practicing being a big brother. Not much longer now!