Auger Family Party

This is our third year since we started having our family party out at the farm. We all get together and eat yummy warm soup, drink hot chocolate and sled behind the 4-wheeler! 

We even got Gramma Dee to go for a Ride

This is one of my favorite traditions that I look forward to every year. I hope there are many more to come!

Christmas Eve

This year we spent Christmas Eve with my mom. We all met at the Galivan Center to go Ice Skating! It was so cold but we had a lot of fun. Braden was really excited but once we got there decided he didn't "want to do anything." It took a lot of convincing to get him on the ice, and when he did he wouldn't wear his skates.

First Dad tried to talk him into coming...

Then peter tried...

And after thinking about it for a while...

he decided it might be okay.

Probably helped that this guy was having a great time.

And we bribed him with a Coke!

After we were completely frozen, we headed to Megan's house for hot chocolate and yummy soup. We also sang Christmas songs and read the Christmas Story from the scriptures before drifting off to sleep awaiting our visions of sugar plums and Santa's surprises in the morning

It's Christmas!

Christmas day was wonderful because we got to spend it with everyone and I mean everyone. Our first stop was at Aunt Megan's house where Santa Clause left lots of goodies for the boys. Braden got just what he was asking for, a Fishing Pole, and Carter got building blocks! They were both so excited and Braden was just ecstatic that Santa had eaten the cookies and milk left out for him.

One of the best parts of the morning was making Gary do this...(Cry)...

...because we gave him this...

I'm pretty sure this is the first time I have ever seen Gary cry. It was such a treat that he and my mom were so excited about their gift from us kids.

After the excitement of Santa and eating breakfast we headed to the Henries for some more Christmas fun. We all waited patiently for everyone to arrive and then all headed downstairs. There was wrapping paper and boxes everywhere!

Carter knew just where he wanted to be.

Braden and Grampa

Lastly we headed to my dad's house. They were so wonderful to spend their day driving up from St. George to be with us on Christmas day. They even somehow managed to make our BIG traditional Christmas feast which is always something I look forward to. This year we decided as a family to simplify but Heidi and my Dad didn't listen very well. Just like everyone else they completely spoiled us!

Before we opened any of our presents though we made them open the present from us kids. Each of us kids gave them a small item that gave hints of what the real present was. I just love how confused Heidi was!

But once they opened up their "date book" it all made sense. (We put together a scrapbook with dates that each of the 8 kids planned for them. The book contained instructions of what to do on their dates and had pages to write their thoughts about the dates as well as places to put pictures of them on their dates.) It turned out so cool.

We truly were so blessed and completely spoiled by everyone! It was so wonderful to be able to spend the day with all the ones we love . Thank you all for making our Christmas one of the best ever!

Some Pre-Christmas Adventures

Our first stop on our trip home for the Holidays was St. George. I just loved being with my dad and Heidi for the weekend. Everyone came down, even my sister Ashley and her family met us there on their way from Cali. That weekend we took family pictures and made gingerbread houses. The best part was Braden deciding he wanted to be Rudolph and Anut Ashley helping him make a shiny RED nose.

On the Sunday before Christmas we left St. George and headed north to be with my momma for our first annual Bozung/Johnsen Family Christmas party. It was so much fun! We had a yummy dinner, acted out the Nativity in costumes my mom made, had a white elephant exchange, and a surprise visit from Santa!

Braden was the Donkey

I thought for sure that Braden might warm up to Santa after watching Kennedee jump up on his lap and even give Santa a hug but he still wanted nothing to do with him. This picture is Braden keeping as far away from Santa as possible. He did however tell Santa that he wanted a Fishing Pole from his safe spot on top of the couch.

Good bye

The day before I left with the boys to come home for Christmas we got the call that Gramma Henrie had gone home. It was really hard to get the news but we were so grateful for the opportunity we had to go home for Thanksgiving to say goodbye to her. The funeral was held on the 23rd of December and it was a beautiful service. The theme was "Homecoming." The grandkids sang and there were many beautiful tributes that shared of her love for everyone and her life legacy of selflessness. Gramma Norma was truly an elect lady of grace, good taste and love for any and all.

During the viewing the night before we had the opportunity to go early and while there the funeral director took time to share with Braden why we were there, where gramma was, and about how we will get to see her again. The way he talked with Braden was so special. I tried telling Braden what was happening and what we were doing but he really helped the understanding even more.

The Pal Bearers

(Jed, Doug, Nathaniel, Kam, Kollin & Kris)

With Grampa Henrie

Braden couldn't help but play in all the freshly fallen snow

We will miss Gramma very much but we are so grateful of our knowledge that we will be together again after we die and we know that she is happy and now pain free. We love you Gramma!