As the year draws to an end, I guess I better include some other important happenings in our life.

First, our December baby Remington just turned 9. How does that happen? I still remember bringing him home just a couple days before Christmas and sitting and holding him in the brand new leather rocking chair that we bought the month before. (Besides Rem, it was one our first big purchases in our early married life. :) I don't think the whole meaning of Christmas really sunk in until I sat there staring at my beautiful, perfect little boy and feeling that there was no way I could ever offer him up as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. How did Mary do it? I never felt such raw emotion for the mother of our Savior or such overwhelming gratitude for His gift to me. It was a moment I will never forget. I cried many tears. I'm sure my neighbor who came by in the midst of that life changing moment thought I was a nut case crying over homemade jam. I guess I was for a little while. Oh well, I can blame it on the time of year...I told you that December seems to have that effect on me anyway. But I'm sure it had nothing to do with the after pregnancy hormones kicking in and the whole (my life will never be the same) kind of shock that new mothers go through. I'm sure it had nothing at all to do with that. LOL! Just believe me when I say I will never forget that December day.

Well, my little cowboy is not so little. In fact he's got longer legs than me. Now tell me truly, is that not just crazy? I'm not a midget but it sure feels that way when you're 3rd grader is soon to be taller than you are. I tell you, I'm so envious of those Mendoza Long Leg genes!!!

And just look how sweet and handsome he's becoming. He has lots of little cousins who are watching him closely and I keep reminding him that he needs to set a good example. I don't think I have to worry too much though. He's a natural leader and is smart and determined to do the right thing. Here he is with his little cousin Jack. Aren't they cute? When asked what Jack wanted to be for Halloween he would point to his hat and say Rem. He wants to be a cowboy too. Watch out Blake and Judi. LOL!
Remington is certainly his daddy's right hand man and will go to great lengths to prove it ....like spending a week in a Big Truck right at his dad's side just in case the opportunity arises that he should need to take over the wheel. He enjoys anything and everything that has to do with Trucks, Cattle and Tractors. And just so you know, I've never seen a kid so excited about getting overalls for his birthday. (Last year it was Mud Boots.)

This kid never ceases to surprise me!
I love this boy!

Now, onto Christmas. You're not going to believe this but we actually got to sleep in until 7:30 on Christmas morning. It was a miracle. Our kids slept like rocks and so did we. It was the most relaxing, unhurried Christmas morning we've had in a long while. It was heaven sent for sure. Despite not having ANY snow...it was a beautiful day and I won't complain. It sure was nice not to worry about the driving conditions as we made our way to Rigby to see Eloy's family that afternoon. Yea!

Rem got just what he wanted....a trucking game and double trailers.

Ember still loves her baby dolls. This one can actually walk, fall down, and pick herself up. Those elves at the North Pole sure are getting hi-tech.

Brooklyn, well can you guess what she asked for. You said it....LIP GLOSS! You'd think 101 different smackers would cure her but she still asks for more. Do you think she's addicted? I don't know if they have LIP GLOSSAHOLIC ANONYMOUS. Maybe I should look into that.

Eloy surprised the girls with new cowgirl hats. . .maybe if I'm good he'll get me one next year. :)
Speaking of the New Year, we hope it brings you many blessings.
Love the Mendoza's

My heart has been so full. The Christmas season often brings tender emotions, but since the passing of my Grandma West they are closer to the surface. Everywhere around me I see the evidence of her love in my life and I want to keep our memories alive. I don't want to forget anything...like the smell of Jergen's lotion on her soft hands, the funny songs she taught me to sing, her distinct handwriting, how she nicknamed me Marci pie when I was little and the way she'd laugh while watching MASH (her favorite t.v. show.) Grandma loved to play cards and we played many games of SkipBo and Kings Corner and she would always say "First I draw, then I play, then I discard, that's the way." I loved sleeping in the guest room in Grandma's old house and how the ceiling slanted down and I could lay in bed and touch the ceiling with my feet at the same time. I remember how grandma would fill a large heated water bottle to put at the foot of our bed to keep our feet warm. Grandma would often fix white rice and raisins with milk for breakfast and she called it "Spotted Pup." I will always remember sitting in the living room eating mini pizza's on t.v. trays while watching Little House on the Prairie. We drank Tang a lot and enjoyed frozen push-up Popsicles from the Schwan man in her back yard. Grandma loved Lemon Custard ice-cream, roasted peanuts, pork rines and gummy peaches. She had a stash of empty wooden and plastic thread spools that all the grandkids would play with. She had shelves and shelves of books in her basement. Grandma loved to read. Her favorite color was green...just like her eyes. She loved Christmas and spent lots of time helping us decorate homemade Gingerbread Houses. Of course, these are only the beginning of many memories I will cherish.

I can't help but believe her passing in December was a tender mercy. She loved the song "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and it is only fitting that she return to her Heavenly Home at such a time.

I took pictures at the funeral and graveside. I'm so glad I did. Ironic how pictures can be so healing and painful at the same time.

I am missing you Gram,...but I know you are near!

I love you!

"This Is The Time!"

Festival of Trees

Brooklyn and I had a fun time looking at all the beautiful trees and she was not at all afraid to sit on Santa's lap. She was pretty happy with the candy cane she got too!
Remington was a soloist in his 3rd grade performance. He did a great job. He's quite the singer :) Next to recess, music is his favorite part of school.
First thing he does after walking in the door after school is sing me the latest jingle he's learned. He is constantly entertaining us.

Later that evening, we came back again to watch Ember perform with her tumbling group. Here she is in the locker room with her friend Emily!

We had fun getting her all dolled up. I think they all looked pretty sharp in their purple uniforms.

And finally....some of my favorite pics of the day.

I just love this painting?Is it just me or can you smell the fresh pine? Now that's amazing!

And if this isn't the neatest Santa ever, I must be blind :)