January 12, 2012

Christmas in Utah!

So the Thursday after Tawni had Oakley, Alan and Tyler arrived in Utah. We had one day and then the rest of the family flew in from Kentucky. Tawni was able to have a few days to settle in with a new baby and then she and Ryan graciously opened up their home to the whole family. Thankfully they have a good sized house with a finished basement and a bathroom in the basement too.......THANK YOU RYAN and TAWNI!!!!! It was awesome to all be together. I was able to do all the food and keep the house in order and loved playing the role of Grandma and Mom again. Christmas Eve was the day they all arrived so we were able to have the grandkids act out the Nativity while Poppi read. We did the quick version since the natives were restlesss, but it was very sweet and special. Afterwards everyone got to open up their jammies. It was one big party. Alan made his awesome Prime Rib for dinner and Christmas morning was a big brunch after presents. Then we were off to church. We feel so blessed to have all been together and we are thankful that everyone was willing to travel at this busy time of year. There is nothing better than family at Christmas and we are so thankful for the Birth of Christ!


Christmas

We were so happy to have our WHOLE family together. I think that Alan and I were more excited than the grandkids Christmas morning. The Zastrow grandkids came in our room at 6:30 AM and Emy shouted, "MERRY CHRISTMAS to EVERYBODY"!!! She had so much emotion....I almost cried.

Tawni and Tyler
The Zastrow family!
The Griffitts Family
The Piggotts.....minus Athen. He was busy....

Christmas

Coen was a Wiseman for our live Nativity.
Oakley
Atlas and Emy were "Mary and Joseph"
Ryder in the shirt that Aunt Meagan made him.
Jammie Party. For Christmas Eve everyone got Jammies from me. It was fun to just be comfortable.


Christmas

Our guys in their Jammies!
Girls with Jammies on!
As long as Athen had his candy cane he was happy.
Atlas
Coen


Christmas Day

Coen, Emy and Atlas in the cute outfits Meagan made them for Church on Christmas day. Meagan made skirts for all the girls including Oakley and little ties, and vest for the boys. She made ties for all the nephews too. Awesome job Meagan!
Emy and Gigi



LeilahAiden and his Dada
Meg and Leilah

Christmas cont.......

Aiden

Megan and I before the race. Thank you Tawni for being a trooper and driving with the kids to be our picture taker for the race. You are amazing after just one week after giving birth!


Cute little "Mousy"Oakley looks like she is smiling.



The Snowman Family Fun Run

Ryan was kind enough to put together a family 5K fun run the day after Christmas. It was so fun. He even had t-shirts made for EVERYONE! Including babies. It was a good thing to do the day after all that Christmas food.


The participants


This was how Brad felt about the race. He hadn't had time to get ready for this race so it was a little rough. We will excuse him since he IS in Medical School without a life whatsoever, but we are proud of him for being part of the fun!!!

Our Runners

Tyler
Ryan
Alan
Meagan

Sandy


Holiday Happenings

Aiden getting ready to head outside!
Cute Mama's
Ryder loves sitting in the Bumbo chair.
This was the view we had most of the time.
The only real picture we had with all of our grandkids. It was like ants on a hill.......constant movement. They just wanted to play with their toys.


Baby Oakley arrived!

On Sunday, December 18th I flew down to Utah to be there when baby Oakley was born. The next morning Tawni and Ryan went to the hospital very early. I stayed with Athen until about 8 am and then brought him over to his Aunt Heather's house. Then Kathy (Ryan's mom) and I went to the hospital. At 9:40 AM little Oakley arrived. It was a very quick delivery and birth for Tawni. Oakley weighed 6lbs. 5 oz. and is adorable. I am so happy that all went well for mommy and baby and that I was able to be there. We are so blessed, and seriously, who looks this good when they are in labor?
Mama Tawni and Oakley.
Cute little family



Thanksgiving in Utah

We were able to pick Tyler up in Rexburg and head down to Utah a couple days before Thanksgiving. We were so glad to all be together and it's always fun to be with Family. The Piggott family was nice enough to let us crash their family Thanksgiving dinner. What a nice day we had.
Tyler at the Temple. We loved going to see the lights!


The Griffitts and The Piggotts

Salt Lake Temple

I couldn't get enough of all the lights. After we looked at the lights we went up to the top of the Joseph Smith Building at the restraunt The Roof. Ryan and Tawni come every year and this year Alan, Tyler and I were able to go too to help celebrate Tawni's 24th Birthday. I can't believe my Tawni is 24! We had a fabulous dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the company and view.