Happy 2012!!!

These last few weeks have been so amazing!  We have had the opportunity to spend so much time with each of our families.  I feel so blessed because of it!  That was my Christmas gift :) All of Jon's siblings were in town the last few weeks of December and we enjoyed the time we spent with them and his parents.  It was such a blessing to be able to see everyone!  We were able to get our family pictures taken too!

Other things we did as a family: we went to Galveston to see the lights at Moody Gardens, decorated sugar cookies, lots of family dinners, watched a few movies, spent Christmas eve together and acted out the nativity story.

Last week we spent our week in NH to see my family.  We left on Christmas day and got back New Year's Eve.  It was the most successful trip we've ever had.  What I mean by that is we were able to go over to each of my sibling's homes and spend time together multiple times.  Usually we're lucky to go over 2 of their houses.  I have 4 siblings and they all live within a half hour of each other.  We stayed at my dad's house and were able to spend quite a bit of time with him. 

There was one day that Jon and I took a walk around my dad's home.  About a mile down the road there is a farm.  So, I took Jon over there and we fed the cows and some donkey's too :)

Many of you know that we are  sort of cat people... or at least we always say that I (Crystal) married a crazy cat lady :)  However, for me, I have always loved cats.  My family had cats for as long as I can remember.  There is a cat that still lives with my dad and her name is, Pickles.  My mom gave her to me when I was in the 4th grade.  I'll do the math for you. It was in 1994!!  She is 18 years old!!  We would've brought her to TX with us when we first moved here, but I am afraid she wouldn't make the trip.  After seeing her this time, I can't imagine that she has much time left.  She is a special cat and Sookie has a lot to live up to :)

We were also able to spend quite a bit of time with our nieces and nephews too.  My oldest nephew, Seth, was getting ready to leave for BYU-I while we were out there and it was special to celebrate that with him.  We played Apples to Apples with all the kids and one of my nieces, Serena, loved playing it with Jon.  It was really cute :)  I apologize for the lack of pictures of Jon... I kept trying to take his picture, but it turned into him taking the camera and taking a picture of me instead... figures.

L-R: Madison (12), Serena (9), Shannon and me

One of the night's we had our family Christmas party at my sister Leah's house.  This is a picture from that:



My dad is on the couch next to my sister's mom-in-law and some of the grandkids in the room getting ready to play "grabbies"..  oh! There's Jon in the very right corner well.. his arm and hands at least :)



Our last night there we went to my brother Scott's home and watched the BYU bowl game there.  Scott was kind enough to record it so we could all watch it together at night when everyone was available.  It was so fun.  While Jon hooted and hollered during the game, I brought my straightener to do hair for my sisters and some of my nieces :) It was a really fun time.

I am so grateful for our families.  It doesn't matter how we spend our time together- just as long as we DO spend time together.  I am grateful for this season and for the opportunity I have to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am thankful for eternal families and for the knowledge I have of the gospel that we will be reunited with those who have passed on.