Grandma and pa Bleak's house

Tanner and Benson had a lot of fun with cousins they don't get to see very often.

Benson was made to be a country boy... he always wanted to be outside.

New Year's Day

After deciding what we should do and who we should send out for grandma's funeral- flying the family out was out of the question. The cheapest one-way flight was $360. So we thought we could just fly Andrew out and me and the boys stay home. Andrew didn't want to go out alone and talked me into driving out (something I said I would NEVER do again). So we hurry and packed our bags and left at about 2 pm. We drove until midnight and stayed at a hotel in Colorado about an hour past Denver. The next day we got up to start our trek again. We hit a little snow storm that didn't even last an hour out of our days drive. So we were very lucky! The trip wasn't AS BAD as last time. The kids did much better but it still is just a WAY TO LONG drive. We will probably do it a couple more times while we are out here since Benson is going to be turning two and then we'd have to pay for 4 plane tickets. But flying is so much better.

It was good to see family and have a HOMEMADE (not fast food) meal after two days on the road.

Martha Hollinger Bleak

December 23, 1911- December 31, 2009

We all loved Grandma Martha so much.

Some of my favorite memories of her are passing out Christmas cards to all the grand kids saying, "Ho Ho Ho". Eating her delicious lemon meringue pie. Listening to all of the wonderful stories she had to share. The story of the orange she got to see and eat just once a year at Christmas that her dad bought her and all the other kids in the small town of Eagle Valley. Almost like the children's book sold at Deseret Book (BUT BETTER). One of her and all her friends breaking down between Eagle Valley and Pioche and her trying to walk to town in pantie hoes and heels and thinking she was going to get in so much trouble. Having her visit our little family in the hospital after Tanner was born and holding him- Four generation difference.

I have many more stories and Andrew would have even MORE stories to share about our lovely Grandma Martha. But those of you that know her will already know a lot of them and know what a wonderful women she was. We miss you grandma!!

New Year's Eve

Aaron and Kjersta

At about nine o'clock on New Year's Eve we decided to not be such party poopers and hung out with three other couples to bring in the "new year". We ate (or I made Aaron eat) a ton of little smokies and other appetizers. Then spent the rest of the three hours Wii-ing it up. At about 11:30 two of the couples headed home so it was just as and the Smith's. At around 11:45 Andrew's dad called and said that Grandma Martha had passed away. Making the night not quite so fun but we knew it was a good thing for Grandma. She turned 98 on the 23rd of December. So it was time for her to go, although I would have loved to see her stick around forever. But now she is reunited with her husband and our loving Heavenly Father. We will still miss you Grandma Martha.

SNOWED IN!

With about a foot of snow and then the wind blowing 30-40 mph we had huge snow drifts. Andrew shoveled for about an hour, then I did, then he did again. Almost THREE hours later both of our cars were finally dug out of the snow. The people just across the street from us could have probably drove out of the snow around their cars. Ours were ridiculous!!

Dad and Benson

Mom and Tanner

We were officially snowed in on Sunday. I think with the holidays no trucks were out plowing and since the Wednesday before Christmas lots of businesses or things have closed on and off. Christmas Eve masses were cancelled and on Sunday our church was even cancelled. I think it's probably the first time in my life that I have seen it cancelled. A few other people have said they've seen it happen before. I was kind of bummed since we have been stuck inside for a week today. I needed to get out of the house. But we decided to get dressed in our warm clothes and head out to play in the snow for a bit. I was fun playing with the family until our faces couldn't bare the cold anymore. Poor Benson was just shaking!

CHRISTMAS 2009

Santa found our house and gave Tanner everything he wanted and MORE! Tanner's list: 1 Bumblebee (transformer), the painted Lightening McQueen, and the planes in the tube. For month's he has kept this list and he must have been pretty good to get it.

Benson on the other hand couldn't tell Santa... so he was just surprised. Although Tanner said Benson asked for "hard blocks"... which he did get.

They both got a little rocking chair. And they both push them around the house where ever I am then sit down. In front of the stove while I am trying to cook is an example.

Benson didn't care about anything after he found a mini box of Fruit Loops in his stocking. He brought it to me, sat on my lap and didn't move until it was gone. I think Tanner actually opened all of Benson's presents. It was okay though... he was one happy kid.

My family has had the tradition of every Christmas morning breakfast eating ham, scrambled eggs, blueberry muffins, and Bran muffins. (I didn't do the Bran muffins because we already had WAY to much food.) But what we had was great.

HAPPY BOYS!

We stayed in Omaha this year for Christmas. It was our very first Christmas by ourselves, and my first one without my parents. I was a little nervous it wouldn't be as fun... but it was GREAT! Both Andrew and I really enjoyed it. It was a fun day spent as a family.

The days after Christmas has been a different story... a little boring with all our friends gone, but we will survive.

Christmas Eve

The boys got to open one present on Christmas Eve... of course they were new pajamas. SANTA ones at that. Tanner liked them. Benson LOVED them, he kept pointing at Tanner's and his own saying over and over and over, "HO HO HO!"
Couple's pose.
We had the Wait's over for a delicious turkey dinner with all the fixings. I forgot to take any pictures so that's why there is the random one of Andrew and me. After dinner and pie we played a game before sending the kids to bed. Thanks for the fun night!

Sunday before Christmas

The Family pose

"Benson just hold still...one picture is all I want."

Benson's best picture.... argh!

Tanner....great CHEESE!

An Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

The Smith's
The Taylor's

The Ever's
The Smith's
US!!!!
The Wait's

Fun night full of games, laughes, contests, ugly sweaters, yummy food and desserts.

December happenings

We've had two big snow storms this month. With the wind blowing it made huge snow drifts covering our doors.
This is what Tanner and I did on the first snow day to keep us busy!

My mom had one of these when I was growing up and I loved it. Now my kids do!

Reading some Christmas books

Cre

Caught up- FINALLY

Well I just finished about 3 months worth of blog I was behind in. Happy reading... or looking. It might take you a while if you want to see everything!