Christmas Day 2012

Good Morning White Christmas!
(I often miss the view from our old back yard, it was so beautiful.
But no matter what, I love the snow!)

Opening

Beautiful Blurry Boy, Bright Shiny New Blocks

Playing

The first go at the new marble run! 

Grandpa of the Year Award for helping our Christmas girl with her decorate-your-own-headbands kit! : )

 Christmas at Melanie's 

Later Christmas Night

Dad and Grandpa's turn with the marble run...with a little help from a snow hat and underwear wearing two-year-old. : )

The Passing of Great-Grandpa Pierce Hawley, Christmas Day 2012

We found out after Mom and Dad arrived on the east coast that Mom had come out for their visit knowing that her Dad, Great-Granpa Hawley, was not doing very well. Sadly, after arriving, things turned for the worse and many phone calls were needed to ensure that all was well and help those who were local through everything going on in the days leading up to Christmas. Eventually, Mom knew that she needed to get home as soon as possible and she left us after present opening on Christmas morning, hoping to make it home to help Great Grandpa through his passing and help Great Grandma through it as well. Sadly, the beautiful snow that felt so lovely and magical here, made her getting back to CA more tricky and Great Grandpa passed while she was on her way home. Dad left the next day, eventually making it home, after even more complications from the snow : (, and Jared followed a few days later for the funeral. My heart was soft and thoughtful on Christmas Day...full of gratitude for the sacrifice Mom made, in coming and being with us at that time...gratitude that I was able to know Grandpa Hawley and that my kids were too...gratitude for the good choices that brought my husband, two generations later, to me...gratitude that Grandpa was free and enjoying the company of family that went before him. I think, what a beautiful day to pass into the next life....a day of love and light and of celebrating our Savior. It is holy and peaceful to me. We love you Grandpa! Until we meet again!