December 2013 Grandma Joan

Shortly after her visit in my home, my Grandma Joan moved to California to stay with my Uncle and Aunt, Rand & Camille.  She was doing poorly and going down hill fast. We knew before she left that she had had water in her lung, along with a tumor, which turned out to be cancerous. But didn't realized how fast her health was fading. She was with them for a little over 3 weeks when she passed away on December 16th 2013.  Oddly enough, that day was the 31st anniversary of my Grandpa John's death. 

We knew that she would be buried here, so we planned the funeral for December 30th.

It was really nice to have Rand & Camille here for a few weeks, even though the circumstances were sad.  They had been in town a few times since Grandma fell in early October, but were now back for the funeral and to start going through the house.

This was the first time that Rand met Melody.  It was so nice because it was like a little part of my dad was there holding her.

These girls loved their Great Grandma dearly.

Grandma wanted a closed casket. I wonder if it was hard for Jaina and Finley to understand what was going on, but Mana was great to talk to them.

The girls wrote notes to her.

Part of the table display.

Max was having a rough time with it all. Being the oldest grandchild means that he knew her for the longest.  After I took this picture, I gave him a big hug that seemed to last forever. I wanted him to know that I loved him.

At the cemetery I caught Jaina in this sweet moment. 

It was her last goodbye to Grandma Joan.

The whole Ramey clan 

(minus Melody, she was asleep in the car)

We love you and miss you Grandma!

December 2013 Christmastime

We had the Annual Hillam Family Christmas Party.

Boy do these girls just love each other! 

They are definitely 3 peas in a pod.

Here's my cute boy.  He was feeling so super sick that night.  He had a high fever and was just miserable, but managed to make it through the night anyway.

The Santa part of the party was changed this year (for the better).  He called up entire families for a group picture, then gave the kids their gifts. It was really nice and it cut the time too!

But I had to get a pic of Melody with Santa on her first Christmas.

All of the kids had to wait until everyone had their gifts before they could open them.  That was also fun to see the kids excited at the same time!

Mara is really getting excited about reading, especially the Elephant & Piggy books by Mo Willems.

It seems that this book worm gets books every year, but they make him happy, even when he's sick.

Jaina really wanted this phone.  It was great because it teaches numbers, and that is what she really needed help with.

A few months ago I had a picture of Megan and I with our pregnant bellies.  Now here's a pic of us with our babies!!  Harper was born on November 5th, exactly 1 week before Melody.

On Christmas Eve we went to dinner with the Ramey side then went home to start a new family tradition.

The kids were so excited to get new jammies from Karri.  She was amazing this year and sewed pants for everyone!

Even Melody had matching jammies!  

They were really big on her, but she'll grow into them soon enough.

My matching girls.

Christmas morning was great for the kids.

Santa gave Xander his very own iPod

Mara her Lego Friends Dolphin Crusier Boat

And Jaina her Doc McStuffins Check Up Clinic

And I was able to enjoy my early gift = this sweet baby.

We went to Mana's Christmas morning, which is the traditional thing we do each year. But this time they (Mana, JD, Chris, & Karri) went all out and made her house into a Cafe!!  The table was set for the kids with menus & coloring pages and JD was the waiter.  They LOVED it!!!

Daddy got into the spirit and wore a Santa hat all morning

And these are my most favorite people in all the world.

I love when I'm able to catch these little moments.

Oh, how this daddy loves this little girl.

We started a new tradition this year: putting together a puzzle as a family (dad did most of it)

One day after Christmas, Jaina found all of her jewelry and had to dress up with it! 

She was so proud of herself.

Here is Melody all dressed up for her first time going to church.

December 2013 pt 1

I was able to set up a little photo shoot for Melody's birth announcements akin to one I found on pinterest.  

I think they turned out fantastic!

Here was the pic for our Christmas card

I just love how huge the binky looks compared to a newborns face.

After giving her a bath I had to document just how tiny she is.  Even though she was my 2nd biggest baby, she still seemed so itty bitty.

Jaina was always into something while I nursed.  I usually tried to put on a movie or something to keep her entertained, but nothing is as fun as making a mess.

Miss Mara was always itching to hold Mel. 

It made my heart happy.

And Mr Xander too. He sure loves his baby sister.

Keeping an eye on the little one.

Well before I got pregnant with Melody, I found this shirt and just had to buy it. At least I had a bow to match to make her look like the girl that she is.

Oh, those little hands!

This is Melody at almost a month old, wearing the outfit that she wore home from the hospital. It was so huge before, and now was starting to get a little snug.

For Christmas we got Jaina a Build A Bear, but we got it early so she could pick it out and stuff it.

Her name is Anna.

1 MONTH OLD

These are my most favorite jammies that all of my girls have been able to wear. I was so excited to be able to use them again.

And the classic picture of Daddy and Baby napping.

I have one of these with all of my children.

Before Christmas we had our progressive dinner with the Tolman side. It was so great to be together and be able to be in Morri and Liza's new home.

So many people, and yet there are 8 missing.