Christmas in Missouri

We spent Christmas at my parent's house in Missouri this year.  Just a few weeks before our trip we found out that my brother (who wasn't going to be able to join us) was going to be able to make it for a couple days with his daughter, Sophie.  It was perfect - the whole family, together!  Rex was in absolute heaven having about 10 different playmates at his fingertips.   

We started off the festivities on Sunday night with dinner at my sister's house.  We also got to Skype with my nephew who is on his mission in the Philippines. 

On Christmas Eve, the kids serenaded us with songs, skits and instrumental performances.

We held up a little mistletoe and let Rex give all kinds of kisses.  

We always read the Christmas story right before bed with all the grandkids on Grandpa's lap

Christmas morning was chaotic, crazy and SO much fun.  In case you were wondering...Rex got those beyblades he was wanting.  Santa is a pretty cool guy!

This is what a beyblade battle looks like

Christmas Prep

Yes, I realize that most of you have already posted your "Christmas Day" post and have moved on into the new year.  I am, however, behind and refused to be rushed into skipping these darling moments captured as we prepared for Christmas this year!

First off, Rex could hardly wait to write a letter to Santa. He took this task very seriously.

In case you couldn't tell, the kid REALLY wanted some beyblades. 

One fun little tidbit for you all - this is the face Rex makes when asked to smile. 

 

We took the kids outside to play while we put up the lights on our house (it was about 60 degrees that day).

This was the first year we bought a real tree and we were really glad we did.  The smell alone was enough to quickly bring the Christmas spirit.  Don't worry, we fixed the crooked star.

We took the kids downtown Richmond to see the building lighting.  Josh was still at work so we met him downtown.  He offered to carry both kids.

The building lighting itself was pretty mediocre, so we hit up the Richmond Tacky Lights Tour a week later to REALLY see how crazy people over-decorate for Christmas.   This house isn't even one of the worst (or best, depending on your outlook).

After we left this house, Rex asked me if we could decorate our house like that next year.  Sure, buddy.

I made an advent calendar which is an exact replica of the one we used growing up (that my Mom made in the early 60's).  It brings back lots of fun memories for me and Rex can't wait to put the ornament on the tree each morning.

We attended Josh's work Christmas party.  I realized (with about one week notice) that I would probably be needing a cocktail type dress for the party.  Found one in the nick of time and we enjoyed a nice night out. 

This is not really Christmas related, but Evelyn started standing up which was exciting but has caused me lots of anxiety and has caused her to fall, a lot.

 

Rex and I made a gingerbread house.  This was the first year I purchased one that wasn't pre-built.  I actually had to mix the frosting (if you can even call it frosting).  It actually worked well and the little people in the kit are a nice little touch.

Rex had his little Preschool sing-along.  Being overtired and overextended...I forgot to dress him in Christmas attire for the event.  Looks like I was the only one!  Oh well, at least he had fun and I'm just glad I didn't forget about it all together.  Also, he gets an A+ for participation.

And last but not least, I drank a couple of these bad boys to cope with the fact that my husband is never home and Christmas is a stressful time.  If you've never had one, do yourself the favor.  I think they will be around for a couple more weeks.

Grandpa Kerby

(Picture painted by my very talented cousin, Cristall Harper - www.cristallharper.com)

On December 4th, my Grandpa Kerby (my Mom's Dad), passed away at the age of 97.  He had been having pain since a fall in early November, but no one knew how serious the pain was until it was too late.  He died within a matter of days which was such a blessing for him.  He did not want to be a burden to anyone and his pain riddled body definitely deserved a break!  I'm glad that he is at peace, but sad that I haven't seen him in quite a few years and that my husband never got to meet him.  He was an amazing man - such a great example of hard work and faith.


Since this says it much better than I could, here is a excerpt from his obituary (written by my Mom):

"On Nov. 6, 1915, a hefty ten pound Thomas Francis was born to delighted new parents, Thomas Washington Kerby and Josephine Mortenson, on a dairy farm in Morenci, Ariz. They soon moved their dairy operation to the Douglas, Ariz. area where Tom spent all of his school years milking cows at 2 a.m. each morning and then delivering the milk before school.
After high school, Tom turned down a chemistry scholarship to Cal Poly to serve a mission for his church. He served for two and a half years in the Spanish-speaking Mexican Mission.
A few years after his return, he married Evelyn Hathcock Sept. 18, 1940 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They farmed in Arizona for five years before moving to Farmington in 1945 where they purchased 80 acres of sand and rocks and began preparing it to become the Kerby Orchard.
Tom was known as a rather determined (stubborn) hard worker and those tenacious efforts finally provided a beautiful and successful orchard business for his growing family.
Though not a large man, he possessed incredible physical strength and stamina. Into his 60's, he could still buck heavy hay bales onto the haywagon! In lean years, he worked a second job as a bricklayer to supplement the farm income.
Tom and Evelyn had ten children (who eventually tempered him in patience). His life was not without great challenges, for he lost all of the fingers on his right hand in a corn picker in 1972 and eventually lost two of his sons.
Tom was an Eagle Scout and served faithfully in service to his church throughout his long life. He was a voracious reader and loved to talk politics and philosophy or just about anything. He loved to talk.
Through the years, other Farmington fruit growers sold out to developers leaving Kerby Orchard as the main source of local fruit. Twenty acres still remain in peach, pear, plum, apricot and apple trees.
However, the years of hard work took a toll on this tough man. His once strong and limber frame began to bend and arthritic pain became his companion. He always said he was sure ""it was better to wear his body out than to let it rust out."" And wear it out he did! He leaves behind the ""fruits"" of his labor, a beautiful orchard, eight children, 37 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren which have brought him immense joy and satisfaction."

I have wonderful memories of visiting him on his farm in Farmington, New Mexico where he always let me have a ride on his tractor or in later years, his 4-wheeler. 

 What a wonderful man, who will definitely be missed on this earth, but we will be together again someday!