This little piggy tail...

How would we survive childhood without blankies?

Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam

James:

"Mommy, Jesus calls us sunny people. That's what He calls us."

"You mean 'sunbeams'?"

"No, sunny people"

Family

My sweet husband gave me a weekend trip home to visit my family for Christmas this year. I took Ruthie and journeyed to South Carolina. Heather and Katie drove in from North Carolina and Virginia to spend time with us. It was such blessing to be together for a few days. I miss my family so much.

Ruth and Cousin Jayden with Grandpa Mumford

Mom and sisters.

Me and my dad.

Grandma and Ruth

The whole bunch. Thanks for the fun visit, guys!

I must add that Joseph patiently dealt with disaster while we were gone... beginning with running over the phone with the car and ending with James throwing up in the middle of sacrament meeting.

We have had weeks of cousin fun over the holidays. Here are a few snapshots from one of the many afternoons spent at grandma's house with cousins.

Ruthie and Eleanor, only about 6 months apart in age.

David and Kent, one year apart to the day.

Legos: what else does James do at Grandma Larsen's house?

Utah

During our Christmas break, we made the 10 hour drive (not too anxious to do that one again anytime soon) to Salt Lake to visit my sister Jessica and her family. Along the way, we stopped in St. George for a quick hello to Joseph's grandmother, and then stopped in Provo for a nostalgic visit to BYU. We also also visited the gravesites of our deceased grandparents. We made it to all of them except my Grandma Wright, who is buried in Ogden, UT. A few days later, Jessica watched the kids so that we could do a session in the Salt Lake Temple. We were married there about 8 1/2 years ago, but haven't been back since. It was a memorable day and probably my favorite event of the trip. Thanks Jess!

Joseph and the kids with Grandma Lundeen and her husband in St. George.

Quick stop in Hurricane, where Joseph's Grandpa Lundeen is buried.

Much needed stretch near the cemetery before the remaining 4 hour drive to Provo.

Lovely view of the Y. We bought T shirts at the BYU bookstore, and then took the kids to the bean museum.

After our tour of BYU, we visited three more gravesites between Provo and Salt Lake. This one is my Grandpa Tracy Wright, whom I have never met. The kids were a little confused at his name. David said, "Wait mommy, but your name is Tracy." Yup, it sure is.

My great-grandparents: Joseph Alma Wright and Kindness Ann Badger Wright just happened to be nearby.

The next stop was Jessica's house. I feel bad that I didn't get a picture with my sister. It was so fun to be with her. We took a girls night out to see the Ballet West's the Nutcracker while the men attended a BYU basketball game... another highlight of the trip.

The boys up close to the Salt Lake temple. David was careful not to step on the stones.

Family picture

Our last day, we drive into the canyon with the Bradys to play in the snow. Despite the many episodes of crying, cold children, we managed to make a snowman and have a few snowball fights.