And Christmas Afternoon

One more Christmas party.  Another crazy loud get together, but fun and not done nearly enough.  Merry Christmas everyone, it was a great holiday.  Thank you everyone, I love you all!

Gator will not put poor Jace down, he is attached to her hip when they are together.  Good thing he is a small guy. 

I got a picture of all the kids.  It isn't too often that we have all 19 with us.  But I was being sentimental knowing Owen wouldn't be here next year and all the kids agreed to be in a picture for me. 

The nut winners from todays party.  Owen won both times, he made quite a bit of money this weekend.

 

Yay, finally enough snow to play in, and make some koolaid snowcones. 

 

 

Christmas morning

After about 2 hours of sleep, Gator was awake again ready to have Christmas morning.  She went and woke up Davis and they waited not so patiently for Owen, I finally had to go downstairs and get him.  But then we had fun opening presents and hanging out.  I love just going slow on Christmas morning and talking, laughing and being together.  Owen got a weighted blanket, in hopes it will help him sleep better and not feel so anxious hoping he doesn't sleepwalk so much.  He also got a pillow, book, charger, car seat massager/heater, and a concert ticket.  Besides bindings for his skis, and a concert ticket, all Davis wanted was clothes.  He is my Mr fashion, he loves clothes and shoes.  Gator got a camera and sewing machine, along with some legos.  She has been building her legos all day.  My favorite gift I give them every year is their picture books.  It's so fun to go through all the books I've made and smile at the memories.  I take so many pictures in a year, the books are quite the job, but I love doing them.  We are having a little bit of down time before the family all comes to our house for our soup party.  Just enough time for me to post some pictures before I take a ton more. 

 

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was just a little different this year without Grandma Jones' party.  We had a smaller party with Clark's bothers and families instead of the whole entire family.  We tried to keep a couple things similar like the ham and cheesy potatoes, nativity, and the dessert with the nut, and of course we went out to ice cream before the party even started.  It was a great Christmas Eve except for the nagging thought that it just wouldn't be the same next year with Owen and Chris on missions.  This year is going to bring a lot of changes for the family with Jess getting married and missions, but we had an enjoyable evening together, and the snow finally came!!  We will have a white Christmas after all, it was a beautiful storm with all the Christmas lights and snowflakes. 

Live Nativity

Every year I read about a family that does a live nativity and I say I want to go.  Tonight I just thought okay time to start going and stop just wanting.  I loved it.  Gator and Davis went with me.  It was a cold night, but it was fun wrapping in blankets and watching the birth of Christ brought to life.  I think a new tradition has been started for me.  Even though we were freezing, Davis wanted ice cream.  Okay, they don't have to work too hard to talk me into ice cream. 

He's a Bengal

Today Owen signed his letter of intent to play football for ISU.  He didn't intend to sign today, but wanted to wait until February for national signing day.  But, some stuff happened and he decided to low key sign, we just went to breakfast with a few of his friends.  We will have a big party when he signs again in February.  So, Owen is officially an Idaho State Bengal.  He will serve a mission after graduation, then he will move to Pocatello and attend college and play football.  What a crazy year he has in 2018, so many changes.  But it is a relief to have the recruiting over with and know that he is being amazingly blessed with a full scholarship to get his education and also be able to play football. 

Temple Square

Last night I was making dinner, and I just needed to go out.  I put the dinner in the fridge for tonight, grabbed the kids and we drove to Temple Square.  I don't do things spur of the moment very often, our crazy schedules don't allow it, plus I usually like a plan, but once in awhile I just need a fun activity.  I need to get out and away from basketball, football, soccer, school, work, life, laundry, homework etc etc etc.  I sat there at dinner with my kids and I told them I didn't want to go home.  Although I knew we would eventually have to go home, I just didn't want the night to end so I sat back for a minute and just smiled.  Tucked away in my heart and mind was the sad thought that this is the last Christmas with Owen at home.  The last Christmas like "this".  It is almost too much to handle.  But I will keep that thought tucked away, and enjoy the now. 

 

Committed

Owen has been is St George for a basketball tournament.  I knew he was going to be committing soon to ISU, but I didn't know he was going to do down there and not here.  I got a snapchat the other day that led me to believe he had decided.  Then I got a phone call saying it was done.  So Gator and Davis sent a little snap of their own.  And we planned a party for when he got home tonight.

ISU

This weekend, Owen had an official visit to ISU.  This is all getting so real, and brings up so many emotions.  Never in my wildest dreams would I think I would have a son thinking of going to Pocatello, where I lived for 2 years, to play football.  But he is so excited, this isn't the end of his goal, but a huge stepping stone in getting to the NFL. 

 We spent a ton of time in the van, getting driven from meeting to meeting or activity to activity.  It was kinda nice not having to drive, and the coach had Christmas music playing every time we got in the van, which I of course loved. 

Touring the locker room. They of course loved this part, because there was a table full of clothing and shoes, socks, jackets, and sweats that will all be theirs when they commit and sign to play. 

 We were taken out for every meal this weekend.  And it wasn't just burgers and fries.  We were told to order anything that we wanted off the menu. I was actually a little uncomfortable doing this, but it was so fun. 

 We had tickets to the basketball game Saturday.   Owen doesn't love basketball, and he is feeling the stress of the recruiting process, so he asked his host if they could leave.  Instead they went bowling and to play some mini golf. 

The weekend was fun, but the decision will be tough.  I hate seeing Owen so stressed out about something.