Grandpa Ben's Funeral

A lot happened in December all at once. Devin was in charge of the Ward Christmas Party and also needed to complete his dissertation by his Birthday. We celebrated Devin's birthday and almost completion of his dissertation real quick by going to Mellow Mushroom, then he stayed up late to for the finishing touches.

During all of this, my grandpa passed away. The day after Devin's birthday, we headed up to Boise for the funeral. All the Airharts stayed in the same hotel, and all of our kids loved this spontaneous "vacation" we were taking. 

Vienna and Wells hanging out in the hot tub

Top Left- Devin carting Myla around in the pool. Jamey and Wells give the pool 2 thumbs up, Cambry loving the shallow end to practice swimming with her head under water.

We kept it classy and went to Chik-fil-A for dinner, and met the Santa Cow. 

The viewing the night before the funeral. Our poor kids were stuck in the car all day, and had their swim time cut short. They were bouncing off the walls in here... we didn't stay too long.

We went on vacation with my grandpa to Lake Powell almost every year growing up. He was a quiet man that had a good heart and a dry sense of humor. He came to all of our mission farewells and homecomings, and all of our weddings. We went up to visit him every once in a while. During my fist year of marriage Jessica, Jordan and I road tripped up to stay with him. We interviewed him about his early childhood, early married life with grandma Dorothy and raising our dad, and then his later years. I learned more about him that weekend than I did my entire life. I learned he was a dare devil country boy as a kid, and a very hard worker and avid golfer. He loved Dorothy and was very difficult on him when she passed away. He worked very hard to provide for his family, and once he found the gospel of Jesus Christ, was very committed to the Savior and his callings. 

I'm grateful for all the memories I have of him and am so grateful he is with his first wife Dorothy again, and look forward to the day when he can introduce me to her.

Morning swim over bacon

C and V swam in the morning with Jess and Mert and their girls.

The morning viewing and family prayer

Closing the casket. Jarom said the family prayer, Jamey and I said the prayers for the funeral service, my dad gave Grandpa Ben's life sketch, and aunt Toni and uncle Curtis shared memories of him. It was a very nice service.

Pall Bearers

Grandma Lynette's grandson Fisk was able to present the flag to her.

Lynnette, Aunt Toni, dad, and uncle Curtis

Toni's son Bret was there with his wife and 4 kids, as well as Jarom, Jamey, and Jessica. Some of Lynnette's posterity is in there too.

Temple Square and Sledding

We kept up the tradition of visiting temple square at Christmas time. We dressed up nice and warm, and were happy to see the beautiful festive grounds.

Under the red pine tree

We were all enthralled with Mary and Joseph at the Reflecting pool. Also one of the last weeks where my coat still comfortably zipped over my big belly. 

Cambry and Vienna opted to walk backwards most of the night.

The girls thought this rolly polly Asian nativity set was pretty funny.

Myla loved the bags with candles in them more than the lights and cultural nativities. 

Myla is happy on her throne in her kitty cat mittens

The valley didn't get too much snow, but the mountains received tons! The girls and I ventured up the Big Cottonwood canyon and found some excellent sledding by Donut Falls trail.

Cambry is a pro at making snow angels now. 

Vienna loves freezing her face by eating mitten snow. Yummy

Myla was a good sport, She can't really bend when she's all bundled up, so outdoor adventures in snow gear isn't ideal for her... until we got going fast down the hills. Then she was all about it. She'd say "gain?" (again?)  every time we made it back to the bottom.

Christmas Dance Recital

Cambry and Vienna had their Miss Julie Dance Recital the first Saturday in December. They had great support from family.

Hamming it up before the show

Frosty the Snow man Tap. Cambry is 4th from the left, Vienna very right. Their cousin Rachel is 3rd from the left.

Myla snuggled with Grandpa the entire time.

Slient Night ballet. They're doing the star right now (says Cambry). They both decided after the fall, they're going to take a break from dance and try out soccer in the spring. 

Thanksgiving & Other Tidbits

Grandma Beck took all her granddaughters and their moms to the play Rudolph at the Capital theater. It was a lot of fun and Cambry and Vienna got really in to it.

Cambry practiced holding Baby Brinton by carrying his snow suit around before he was born. 

We went to the Hogle Zoo a few days before Thanksgiving. Vienna wished she could've stayed on this elephant's trunk for a long time. Alas, the line of kids made her stay shortened.

These guys were pretty impressed with the polar bear galoshing around in his habitat.

Myla was beside herself with joy riding this little train. All aboard! Sometimes it's so easy to please this little flock.

Happy Thanksgiving! We celebrated at the Beck and Greg's home. It was a lot of delicious food and a lot of kids. The Airhart crew is taking seriously our charge to multiply and replenish the earth. Lot's of chaos!

Nice cooking Gregor! Greg told us all that the reason the pilgrims settled on Plymouth rock was because they were all out of beer on the ship! Ha! I think he got that "fact" from a beer commercial and started spreading it like it was real history. hehe

Cheers Abi and Lydia!

After dinner, Beck started the tradition from when she was a young mom with little kids- to make gingerbread houses. I remember my aunts working hard on these while we all ran around the gym at the church after thanksgiving meal, and stopping by to try to steal a candy cane or gum drop. It's fun to have the kids involved in this while making these.

Saturday after Thanksgiving, Devin had to buckle down and write his dissertation, so I took the girls bowling with Jamey & Michelle crew, Jordan & Margaret crew, Jessica and her girls, and Beck and Greg. We only got 2 lanes and a handful of shoes, so we (mostly kids) took turns rolling a ball down the lane.

Vienna, queen of the ball dispenser

Most of the bowling crew

Cousin happiness

Myla's first time bowling and she was more excited than I can even describe. Fun Outing.