Saying Goodbye to 2012...

 Looks like Kyler is sad to see the year end.

 We actually spent our night at home not feeling well.

 

 So we celebrated by ordering pizza, drinking sparkling cider,

and the highlight of the night was setting off some

FIREWORKS!!!

 

 

Making a toast that 2013 is better than the past year.

2012 had many ups and downs.

 We started the year with a failed adoption for another little boy.

May brought a change for Jason's employment. After 7 years of working for a company

we decided to take the leap of faith and have him be 100% independent with his insurance business. It has been kind of a scary/rocky road, but hopefully with a lot of work and dedication it will start to pay off in the coming year.

In August Grandpa Max's health took a turn for the worst and he ended up passing away.

About the same time Jason's dad was put in the hospital for several health issues.

After suffering for a couple of months he passed away in late October.

Throw in one more failed attempt to adopt and that pretty much sums up our year.

 

Here's to a new year and a new start.

Highlights from Christmas 2012

Here's a look back at our Christmas Day.

Highlight from our house Christmas Morning:

Kyler's new drum set that Santa brought. 

Kyler has played his drums nonstop and he is actually pretty good.

Poor Dora. She isn't a fan of all the noise.  

 

 

 

 

Highlight from Christmas Day at the Cooks:

Receiving this beautiful keepsake from Gary's Funeral.

 

Shirley had taken the flowers from Gary's funeral and had them preserved

in the same arrangement that he had at his funeral.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Highlight from Christmas night at the Walkers.

Receiving a call from Elder Walker.  

We LOVED getting to hear his voice and hear all about his mission so far.

After seeing all of the posts on Facebook I was kind of disappointed that his mission

president is so strict It seems like most missionaries got to Skype with their families and some calls lasted as long as 4 hours. Our 1 hour phone call just wasn't enough.

Aunt Goofy, as the kids call her, gave the 3 of them the cutest Snow Dogs

that interact with them when they read stories.

She  is always so thoughtful/creative with her gifts:)!!!



 

 

 

Overall Highlight from Christmas:

Our health & being able to spent time with the

ones we LOVE the most.

(and having a White Christmas was pretty sweet too.)



Christmas Eve...

 

It's 11:34 p.m. on Christmas Eve

and boy did we make the most of today.

Here is a look back at our day...

Kyler writing his letter to Santa.

 



Traditional Christmas Eve Breakfast.

 



Helping dad/playing in the snow.

Nothing better than a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!! 

Baking cookies for Santa. 

Playing with cousin Annie at the Walker Christmas party. 

Sprinkling magic reindeer food before

going to bed. 

And last but not least,
opening new Christmas Jammies and a game.





 

Merry Christmas from our

family to yours.