More Family Fun

We were able to get the van fixed in record time. Eric pulled out the alternator and put in a new one. Relatively inexpensive and something Eric could do. I think we have saved thousands of dollars in car repair over the years with Eric's knowledge of car engines. I keep telling Sierra, a man who knows cars is a plus!!


We were able to pick up Eric's rental car. And it is just in time because he will be back to work next week. He is worried because it isn't a "Man" car. It's a little Chevy Malibu. He will be so happy when he gets his SUV back. Buck up camper- at least you aren't walking!!


I made the decision today to stop teaching preschool so that I can start taking care of my nephew Skyler. He is three months old now and the dads are ready to start back to their full-time work schedule. They made me an offer I couldn't refuse. So I am sad to leave in the middle of the school year and I will miss teaching- but the money will help me get over it I am sure. So I will be at home all day again, and I am part-time at KJZZ. So things are settling down some. I hope to get the house back in order and get rid of my baby hungries. Skyler is such a sweet baby- I am excited about the change. Justice will get a chance to be a big brother instead of being the baby all the time. We hope it will be a positive change for the whole family.


Here are our latest family pics. I know Eric posted the funny one- but here are some of the better ones. Nadine cried when we gave her the family pic for her present. She said it is the first one of us all together.

Eric, Jenn, Sierra, Montana & Justice

The Whole Crew

Shaun, Steve, and Skyler

Dave, Steph, Travis, Tyson, & Lane

Christmas

Talk about a fantastic holiday! We started it off with Mom's annual Christmas Eve party. It was a complete blizzard. Everyone was late, but it turned out great. Santa made all the kids smile with his arrival! Tana kept saying "you rock Santa!". The kids in the family are all getting older- so it seemed pretty small this year- but pretty soon the next generation will start coming and it will grow again. It is fun to watch the kids as they grow. Especially as they start their own families. We had Sierra for Christmas Eve and morning . Yay! We got home Christmas eve about 11:00- so everyone was tired and didn't fight going to bed at all. Eric and I stayed up late- just to make sure they were really asleep. Luckily we had everything wrapped and ready to go- so we were in bed about 12:30. Not too bad. We got up about 6:40 and the kids excitedly went through their stockings and squealed about what Santa had brought. Mom and Dad came over to open presents with us about 8:00. The kids were totally spoiled as usual. Electronics, toys, games, clothes, and all manner of fun! We still haven't actually played with everything yet. So it was a very Merry Christmas.

We had our Christmas breakfast and settled into relax mode. Then we headed out to Eric's parents for Christmas dinner. It was delicious and fun to see everybody again. George has grown a great beard! He reminds me of Doug Miller-the outdoor sports guy on TV. He looks great. Steve's mom was here from Vermont. She is always fun to be with. So we had a great crowd. Dave was sick so he stayed home with his family. We missed them- but I think we ate their share of the dinner!

We've been playing games, watching movies, napping, and just enjoying each other today. We were going to go out to Sushi with Shaun, Steve, and Janice ( Steve's mom) but the van starting having engine trouble of some sort. So we had to cancel. Bummer ! We were excited too! Mom said she would bring one of their cars over for us to borrow. Eric's rental car should be delivered here tomorrow so that will help until we figure out what is going wrong with the van. We just got the van paid for- so it was to be expected I guess. Found out today that the guy that hit Eric, his insurance is going to pay for everything. The deductible, the hospital bills, the car repair, the car rental- all of it! So that was great news. Also- they are not going to total Eric's car- it is repairable. Which is what we were the most worried about. So in about a week things should be back to normal. Eric is feeling much better- still a little stiff- but getting his mobility back little by little. All in all, a great holiday. One that we won't soon forget. Merry Christmas!

Too funny!

Last night Eric and I tried to do a bit of shopping. Here we are, the man who can only move his upper torso and head like a robot, and me in my bionic leg boot, he is trying to escort me into the store. I start to slip on the ice- just barely- I scream and he is trying to catch me but can't move. I am still laughing about it. We both sauntered around the store looking pathetic. So we didn't stay long. Good thing we are done shopping- just trying to find those annoying last minute things. Happy Shopping everyone!

Eric is lucky to be alive!!

Today Eric was in a very scary car crash. He was going back to work in Springville after lunch. He was stopped at a railroad crossing, the warning arms had just come down because a train was coming. A one ton truck was coming up behind him and didn't slow down at all. The truck hit Eric and pushed him through the crossing, breaking the crossing arms and across the track to the other side. Eric said he heard the glass break and saw the truck in the rear view but then blacked out. Both cars made it through safely to the other side just in time as the train sped by blowing it's horn. Eric was put on a backboard and in a C-collar and taken by ambulance to the Timpanogas Hospital. His boss called me from the emergency room to let me know what had happened. I had that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was happy he was ok, but afraid for what I would see at the hospital.
I arranged for my mom to take the kids and hurried down there. He was laying on the bed still in his clothes and shoes. They had his new coat behind his neck/back like a makeshift pillow. They had cut it off of him and it was good for little else. They had taken x-rays and everything appeared to be ok. No broken bones, fractures, or fused disks. So he will be very sore with whiplash and bruises, but he is basically ok. We have been dazed and stunned the rest of the day. Literally, life flashed before our eyes. Eric could be dead, I could be a widow, what would we do now? Luckily, by the grace of God, Eric has been saved for a greater purpose.
We have been holding hands, shedding tears, and counting our blessings. Our "new" car will be in the repair shop for a while. It is pretty banged up in the back. The window, tailgate, bumper, taillights, back wiper and the driver seat all need repair. Other than that it is salvageable.
Thank you God for keeping my baby safe. I am so grateful!!

How many more days?

The kids of course are going crazy waiting for Christmas to come. We got the kids an advent calendar that has a little chocolate behind each window. It's a great way to get the day started. There are only 4 more windows!! It's too exciting.
Yesterday Montana and Justice had their singing program at school. They both had gigantic smiles and sang their little hearts out. Our pics were a little dark but I will post those later.
Sierra has the Christmas dance at school today. She really wants to dance with Hayden! Even though she doesn't "really" like him. So we will see how it turns out.
My leg is healing nicely and I am getting around much easier, although I am slow. I get sympathy from total strangers- people who have had to wear the boot. It is kinda funny- but getting annoying.
Eric and I have next week off from our day jobs. It will be fun to finalize all those last minute Christmas things together. We are pretty much done shopping, but have lots of wrapping left to do. Hopefully Santa's elves will come and do it for us!!

Does anyone know how difficult it is to get 13 people to smile

Well it is Christmas and I was having trouble figuring out what to get for my Mother and Father. So I was sitting at work and a brilliant idea came to me. Mom doesn't have a recent picture of all her kids and grandkids so why not do that. So we worked it out to all meet at a city park last Saturday. Keep in mind it is December in Utah. I spoke with a co-worker who takes good pictures and we were off to the races. We all showed up on time and the shutter began to snap. We took individual family pictures and several entire family shots. Below are the results. Enjoy.

Thanks Kirky for taking time to snap these pictures. Your skill and effort is much appreciated.

Crutches Suck!!

I have bruises under my arms and I keep losing my balance as I hop along. But I can feel myself getting stronger everytime. My good leg is getting the real workout. I went to work last night and preschool this morning. I was completely exhausted just hauling my butt around. The kids and teachers were really sweet. The kids made me get better cards-that brought tears to my eyes. They were so worried about me. They all looked at my leg like it was a bomb and they had to stay far from it. But that wore off. Luckily my assistant at school did all the running around for me. Thank you Kelly! KJZZ was pretty easy- I just pushed myself around on my rolly office chair. The hard part was just getting into the building. I have to count my blessings though. I had my husband home to take care of me, I had insurance to cover the expenses, I broke my left foot and not my right- so I can still drive and get around, AND my toes are still painted. So all in all- I am thankful. This is helping me realize how REALLY out of shape I am and how much I appreciate my feet!!! There are lessons to be learned in everything- even slipping on the ice.