In Memory

In memory of Louise Brenay...an amazing wife, mother and grandma. I truly feel blessed and privileged to have know such a remarkable person. The fact that she battled cancer for 9 years shows her strength and determination in life. She could light up a room even through her pain. We hold many wonderful memories of her dear to our hearts. She will be greatly missed...WE LOVE YOU!

Snow at Grandma and Grandpa's

A couple days after Christmas we headed up to Young. There was a little bit of snow on the ground in Young, but we stopped on the way home where there was more to let the kids play. When we got there, Grandma and Grandpa had gifts for the kids. Grandma had made them pajamas and slippers. Derrick's were green frogs and Emma got a pink nightgown...perfect! Derrick refuses to go to sleep unless his green slippers are on his feet! They were wonderful gifts especially because they were handmade by Grandma. It's hard to write this right now because Louise isn't doing good at all. This trip will end up being the last time the kids and I were able to visit with her. Jon is there right now with his brothers and sisters and Louise is only expected to live a couple more days, if even that. For those who don't know, Louise is Jon's step mom and she has been battling cancer for several years. She is an amazing woman and we love her very much! As we were leaving Louise told me in a happy voice, "I had a good time." Even though I knew she was not feeling well and she laid down most of the time we were there, I know she was glad to see the grandkids and I am very thankful they got to see her one last time. So here are our snow pictures from Young, where I am sending all my love right now.

Merry Christmas!!

We had a a really good Christmas this year! The kids woke up around 7am and could hardly wait to get out to the tree. Every year up to this point we have had the kids eat breakfast before opening presents, but I knew that wouldn't fly this year! We also say every year that we aren't going to go crazy with Christmas, but why even say it because we always go overboard. It's just too fun! The kids opened their stockings and gifts and then we made them eat breakfast and told them they had to get dressed to go outside to see another really big gift that wouldn't fit in the house. Emma thought maybe it was a giant snowman! :) Emma was lucky enough to receive 2 of the same gift! Santa and Aunt Stevi think alike, but we are going to exchange one pony play set for another at the store. Jon and I already got our own gifts. I got an iPod touch and Jon got a new bow. But we still filled stockings for each other. Jon's had cologne in it and mine had an iTunes gift card! After breakfast it was time to show the kids their swing set. Jon put in about 20 hours of work putting it together. Luckily Ron was able to help with some of it. We told the kids that he was building a fence and every time he would get a big piece put together he would hide it on the side of the house. One day Derrick looked out the window to see all the wood in a pile and said, "Whoa, dad is sure doing a good job buldin' that fence!" Good thing 3 and 5 year olds are easily fooled! Their reaction to the swing set was exactly what we hoped for! They loved it and stayed outside most of the day. It was probably in the 30's when we first took them out there, but they didn't care! That afternoon we went to my parents house for Christmas dinner and present exchange with cousins. My parents gave us money, which we will use to take the kids to the Wildlife World Zoo in Phoenix. It was a wonderful day and I found myself crying in my prayers last night just being thankful for such an amazing husband and 2 great kids! We are truly blessed! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve started by me deciding we had to get out of the house for the day after being couped up for 4 days! So we made some gooey butter cookies and took them to Jon's work. We first met him and Ron at Rosa's for lunch and then went to the office for a bit. I finally got to meet Jon's not-so-new anymore boss and the kids loved all the attention they got around the office. That night we read from the Bible and then Emma told us "Twas the Night Before Christmas". She had made pictures at school to go with the story and she actually had a lot of it memorized!





After the stories it was time to open the traditional pajamas! Derrick got Lightning McQueen, Emma got Hello Kitty, I got polka dots and Jon got the usual plaid!

Derrick wanted to be wrapped up!

After the pajamas were opened, Grandma and Grandpa Trafzer came over to bring the kids their presents. Emma got a Dora Links doll. It is pretty cool. She connects to the computer and you can play games in the virtual world. You can even change the color of Dora's eyes, jewelry, make-up and make her hair grow! Yes, it is a little creepy, but Emma absolutely loves it! Derrick got a basketball hoop. We made him close his eyes while it was brought in and even though the look on his face looks like he is a little frightened by it, he was actually really excited and played with it the rest of the night!

After the kids went to bed Jon's brothers came over to help him put the rest of the swing set together. Then the stockings were hung, the presents were out, Santa's cookies were eaten and Christmas was about to come!

Sunday Best

Here are some pictures of the kids in their Holiday church clothes. It was a really great meeting at church on Sunday. But, on the way home Derrick fell asleep (we only live 5 minutes from the church). I thought it was just becuase we were out late the night before, but then the fever came and his cough that he has had for a little over a week got worse. It hit fast and soon his temperature was close to 103. On Monday I took him to the doctor hoping it wasn't what I thought it was...but it was. He has pneumonia. This is the 2nd time he has had it, poor little guy. We have him on some antibiotics and breathing treatments so hopefully he feels better by Christmas. We made it a whole 1 year and 1 day without breathing treatments. We'll push for 1 year and 2 days next time!

Bonkers

Last Saturday was the annual Christmas party, Bonkers, at Jon's moms house. We always have good food and great fun and this year was no different! Thanks to all for a fun evening!

He really hates when I do this!!

Easily Entertained!

We recently got a new washer from some friends of Jon's parents. It is a front loader and the first time we used it we all just stood there and watched it wash for a while! It doesn't take much to entertain the Brenay Family! :)