Christmas 09

Christmas was good this year…a pretty quiet holiday. My Dad and Alli were in Belize for 2 weeks during this time  so we just really hung out with Bryce’s family which was always relaxing and fun.

Christmas morning, we had to wake up Elias! Does that ever happen? lol. Bryce and I have really started to feel like Christmas should be about family and the kids. Elias had been asking this whole last year if he could get a Power Wheels for Christmas and we kept saying, “Maybe, if you make good decisions.” Well, I found a blue jeep and it was the right price (ok, it was a bit expensive, but TOTALLY worth it) so I bought it. Christmas morning we opened the other presents (which weren’t much b/c of the jeep) and it was so cute because we had the jeep over at Bryce’s parents so he didn’t see that yet. I thought he was going to be a total brat and be upset b/c he didn’t get his jeep but he was the complete opposite. (This kid never ceases to surprise me) I asked him on our way to Bryce’s parents:

“So, Elias, did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?”

E: “Yup! I did!”

Me: Sorry we couldn’t get your truck/jeep power wheels this year. Mom and Dad just couldn’t do it….

E: “Thats ok. Maybe for my birthday or something.

Awwwwww!!!

Then when we got to Grandma and Grandpa’s, we surprised him and he was sooooo happy. It was so cute to see his face light up. That day, we exchanged gifts with the rest of the family and ate a yummy dinner. Bryce’s family’s tradition is to wear these paper “crowns” and drink sparkling cider. They also usually do a light show about the birth of Jesus Christ….they pin up a big white blanket and have to big lights so all you see is the outline of the figurines….and they tell the story of J.C. and get the kids involved. 

It was a great Christmas but what really stands out now to me more than ever as I look back is that we didn’t spend a ton on expensive gifts (except that jeep that burned a hole in my pocket. :) just kidding. ahem. kind of.) but that we had our little family. Our beautiful boys that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with. What stands out is the MEMORIES that were made. The laughter, the love and the Gospel. I feel a lot of gratitude to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It has changed my life and I am eternally grateful.

Here some other pics from that day:

What a ham!!! Uncle Craig The beloved Jeep.

Elias Tball

So…Elias did his 2nd season in Tball and he really is super athletic. It is pretty apparent. He hits the ball so well, so hard and runs so fast. It amazes me. We took a break b/c it was a tad cold outside but will hopefully resume again in a couple of months. Bryce has always been good at “hitting balls” and playing baseball with him. My heart warms when I see them do this together.

Pribyl Reunion 09

  I have a lot of posts to catch up on! Whoa. The day after Xmas (which I will catch up on next) we had a Pribyl family reunion at one of Bryce’s cousins home in Gilbert. It was really nice to get together with Steve’s side of the family because I haven’t really had the chance to get to know them all before. They are very kind people. Bryce’s cousin, Jeremy, held the reunion at his house and it was beautiful. They had a jumpy thing in the back and all of the offspring (:)) played and jumped and got rowdy. It was such a sight to see that many 2nd cousins/kids together…all family in some way. My father and mother’s side of the family have never been that way. I love that the LDS church really encourages that kind of relationship with family.

T’s cousin with Grandma Pribyl

Over the last couple months, Lorraine has watched Tyce a lot for Bryce and I while we go to appointments or date nights….he has really warmed up to her!!! He loves Grandma!

Amber and Derrick-Newlyweds…it was nice to have them here visiting!

The Geigles and Pribyl’s.

Steve and his sister Dana. And below, the twins and I. 

That night, the family went around telling stories and memories of Ray and Mary and celebrating the family they made. It was a nice reunion.