Sneaking Soda Pop

We went to Grandpa and Grandma Langston's house Christmas Day evening. We had a yummy dinner, exchanged gifts, and played games. Evie and Tate were trying to be sneaky and hid behind the barstools with the soda pop. I love how they didn't think anyone would notice. It was a fun evening!

More Highlights from Christmas 2009

The kids love having Anne and Mitch over for Christmas morning, they almost always get to come to our house! Also, Troy put together a surprise ski trip for the whole family on January 23rd. It will be the first time any of the boys have skiied, even Troy. They will be having a private lesson, and then we'll all hit the slopes together! Troy got two suits for Christmas, he looks so sharp in them! And I finally got a KitchenAid stand mixer, I can't wait to put that to good use. Also, above is the before and after pictures of the bench press. For about a year Troy and Haden have used the "make-shift" bench press, it will be so nice to use the new one!

Christmas Day

The boys all slept in the same room, so that Grandpa and Grandma, Anne, and Mitch would have a place to sleep. I guess they hardly slept at all, if any, and made several trips to the kitchen to "get a drink of water." Which only made the anticipation worse as they saw all of the wrapped and unwrapped presents around the Christmas tree. Troy and I were oblivious to this all, as we slept well! We got up around 6:30 a.m.; Evie was not too happy about this at first, but as soon as she saw her doll house, she warmed up to the idea!! Haden was excited to get a bench press and Andrew the Nintendo DS (I think Stratton was almost happier though), and Stratton well, he just liked everything! It was fun to have Grandpa and Grandma Harris, Anne, and Mitch spend Christmas morning with us!

Christmas Eve

Decorating Christmas cookies for Santa!

Evie loving her vanity set from Lola.

Anne showing her great love and enthusiasm to the boys. She flew in from Portland and was able to make it to the tail end of the party!

Mitch and Ashlyn lip syncing Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer with the "hand" talent of Aimee and Jason.

We celebrated Christmas Eve at the Raddon's home. These are pictures of the Nativity, the kids all had a part, along with Uncle Mitch who made a super realistic Joseph.

Christmas Dress

Evie looked so beautiful in her red Christmas dress. I put her hair in a bun for the first time and I think it looked adorable. Her hair is getting so long and she is really growing up.

December 14, 2009

Grandpa Buswell's funeral was a wonderful tribute to him and a celebration of a life lived well. As Uncle Keith so eloquently stated, Grandpa died living. He always lived life to the fullest and was a great example to all of us. We will miss him greatly! It was so nice to see and be with family.

Tribute to Grandpa Buswell

I have so many memories of Grandpa Buswell. I will narrow it down to three main lessons he taught me and related experiences.
First, Grandpa loved life and loved sharing it with others. I remember how Grandpa loved to ski. One particular time our family went skiing with Grandpa at Brighton Ski Resort (our family favorite). I don’t remember why exactly, but Grandpa skied with just me for much of that day. I remember the talks we had on the lift ride up. He was so interested in me. He wanted to know anything and everything I could tell him. I remember how he specifically pointed out the beauties around us and expressed his gratitude for the world in which we live and how we should enjoy it and take care of it. After enjoying much skiing with Grandpa, the inevitable plague of skiing set in; cold toes! I asked Grandpa if we could take a break and go into the lodge to warm up. I know Grandpa would have loved to continue skiing but he graciously granted my request and we went to the lodge to warm up. He bought me some hot cocoa and didn’t seem in a hurry at all, just took time to be with me. Grandpa taught me gratitude and how to take time to enjoy the journey.
Second, Grandpa and Grandma had the coolest house to visit ever. I definitely felt I had bragging rights! I would ask my friends what they got to do when they would go to their Grandpa and Grandma‘s house. It would usually pale in comparison to the fun I had when I got to visit my Grandparents home. As we turned into the long driveway with their house tucked in behind, my excitement as a child would soar. I loved the farm, the orchards, and the swing set (where Janika and I would spend hours perfecting our circus act to later perform); rolling down the hill out front, riding horses and the list goes on and on. Grandpa would usually have a chore or two for us to do. I remember bailing hay, picking cherries, picking apples and helping with farm chores. I didn’t mind a bit, Grandpa taught me the value of work.
Third, Grandpa and Grandma were always so supportive of my various activities throughout my youth. They were always there for birthdays, baptism, dance recitals, drill team performances, choir performances, homecoming shows, school musical, etc. Grandpa was so impressed with the caliber of school performances at Bingham High that he actually wrote a letter to the school principal. He begins, “To introduce myself, I am Dr. Don Buswell of North Ogden, Ut. The important thing is that I am the grandfather of Jenny Harris.” He went on the express how impressed he was with the school and the excellence in school performances and activities. He went into great detail and congratulations. My choir director read it to our A’cappella choir during class time. I remember being so proud that my Grandpa would take the time to write such a fine letter to my school.
His support over the years did not stop there. He has supported me throughout my life and has come to all of the baby blessings, baptism, many of the birthday parties, and sporting events of my children. Just last year I have a picture of Haden with Grandpa after one of his football games in Layton. I will relate one more special experience with Grandpa. We blessed Evelyn in May of 2007. Grandpa and Grandma came to the blessing. Afterwards, at my home, Grandpa gave me something very special. In the night he had a dream. He dreamt that he gave my little Evelyn a grandfather’s blessing. The dream was so vivid and so real that he immediately woke up and wrote it down. I have a typed copy of the blessing. It is so special and something I will always treasure. Grandpa taught me the importance of family!
Love, Jenny