She passed away last year (2013) in November, about 3 weeks before the scheduled Santa Party. I knew that we needed to continue this tradition in her honor no matter how hard it was to not have her there. I knew she would have wanted it that way. She loved having everyone together, laughing, and playing as a family. Here are a few pics from the past 10 years.
2005 My brother Kevin (last Christmas together)
2005 Santa Party with Grandpa and Grandma Rhea and my mom and Dad
2006 Santa Party with Grandpa and Grandma Rhea
2006 Grandpa was in a care center due to his Alzheimers, so we just took our Santa party to him.
2007 Santa party again at the care center with Grandma and Grandpa Rhea
Grandpa Rheas last Christmas with us. He passed away 1 month after Christmas.
2008 Santa Party at my mom's house
2009 Santa Party (Cutest pic of my Grandma Rhea)
2010 Santa Party with Grandma Rhea and my parents and fan
2011 Santa Party with the family
2012 Santa sitting on Grandma Rhea's lap (Last Christmas we had with Grandma Rhea)
2013 First year without Grandma Rhea! We miss her sooooo much!
First Christmas with our first grand baby Ireland!
Plus my hubby had to work tonight!
This year we had less and less extended family members, but still have my parents and my two brothers and their families. One thing I noticed this year was the love and laughter we all felt during this Christmas gathering. No one was unhappy but only filled with excitement and love for one another. My mom and I both agreed later on that we knew Grandma and Grandpa Rhea were watching over all of us and enjoying the fun we were all having playing keep away. We laughed so hard as Kacetin( my 8 year old nephew) would choose J'Dee and his date (Madison) to wear the rudolph nose and antlers and sit on Santa's lap.
It was a simple party but a great time to enjoy one each others company. Although we greatly missed my younger brother Kevin, who passed away 8 years ago and both of my grandparents, we knew they were there in spirit watching over us and laughing at all the fun we were having!
It is amazing to me how your entire outlook changes on what is important when you lose loved ones so close to you! You realize just how precious life is and to never take any moments for granite.
Especially at Christmas time. Do not let bad feelings creep in or the hustle and bustle of the season overshadow the love and happy times we can share with the ones we love. This is the true meaning of Christmas and how we show it is a reflection of our love for our Savior.
2014 Santa Party (In remembrance of Kevin and Grandma & Grandpa Rhea
Ireland and her daddy pointing to Santa when he came in shaking his jingle bells
C'Jay with his sly look in the background
WOW who is the Santa guy?
Ireland not too sure she likes Santa
The lip came out right before she broke out in sobs
Even the jingle bells did not work
C'Jay and Santa ( age 24)
Andrew(my son-in-law) (age 24)
Kaylee and baby#2 (coming next June 2015)
J'Dee and Madison (age 19)
J'Dee and Madison with Ireland
Niah on Santa (age 16)
Still not too sure!
Ireland and Shanaih waving goodbye to Santa…Ireland was happy to see him go! haha
The family minus Kim…Temple square Christmas concert calls again
The whole family (minus my honey) with my parents
What a fun family Santa Party it was tonight!
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