Christmas in Montana - December 25, 2012

Uncle Brian and Aunt Tiffi invited us to go to Aunt Tiffi's parent's house in Montana for Christmas.  Yay!  On Saturday we drove to Idaho Falls, and then to Rexburg to visit Uncle Brian at his fire internship.  He showed us around the station and Lincoln liked exploring the big fire trucks!

Then on Sunday we drove up to Dillon, MT.  We stopped at the border just long enough to take a picture.  It was windy and 21-degrees outside. Brrr!

On Christmas Eve we went to Elk Horn Hot Springs.  A very pretty drive and so fun to play in the water.  Linc still doesn't like deep water very much, but after he saw another kid having a good time, he relaxed and played on the stairs with us.

We had a great time in Montana (THANK YOU!!!). Uncle Brian and Daddy and Lincoln played ping-pong and there was always something yummy to eat.

The adults exchanged gifts on Christmas Eve.  We were spoiled by the Stoddards - first they let us crash their family Christmas and then the also had presents for us. THANK YOU.

Uncle Brian and Aunt Tiffi

Linc (15 mo) and Nathan (6 mo) on Christmas morning.  Nathan is one of Aunt Tiffi's nephews and the boys sure are cute!

Lincoln's favorite part of Christmas morning was digging into his stocking.  Then he was off to explore.  We were so spoiled.

Aunt Tiffi took him for a sled ride. Such a pretty day!  We were sad when we had to leave and get back to Utah because we had SO MUCH FUN! (Mommy had to work on Wednesday.)

Thanksgiving - November 21-25, 2012

We weren't planning to go to Idaho for Thanksgiving.  And then Oma Simpson passed away and the funeral was planned for the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  We picked up my cousin, Jenny, in Pocatello and drove to Eagle.  Thanksgiving is such a fun time to reconnect with cousins - Carter and Bree pushed Lincoln in Ellie's car - around and around and around. I can't believe this is my only picture from Thanksgiving Day.

On Friday, James and I had a movie and dinner date. Lincoln stayed with Oma and played with cousins.  We met up at the funeral home.  Lincoln and Oma and Oma-Great's casket.

I see Mommy! Where have you been? I am not happy!

Whew! They didn't leave me, I guess I'm okay.

All day Saturday we were involved in events surrounding the funeral.  The funeral program.

The Great Grand Children Choir - by this time, Lincoln and I were out in the lobby trying not to be too noisy, so he didn't participate in this one.

At my Opa Simpson's funeral 10 years ago, the grandsons were pallbearers and the granddaughters each got a flower to place on the casket.  Today, there were two vases of flowers for all the great-grandkids to participate in putting a flower on the casket.  A really nice way to say goodbye.

I just love this picture (thank you Uncle Neil for sharing all your pictures.) of Oma's lap warmers - Christy, Zoe, Hallie and Emma.

After the funeral and graveside service, we had lunch at Uncle Gord's church building. We had some group photos taken - The Simpson Boys - now the oldest generation in our Simpson branch.  Neil, Norm, Gil and Gord.

The Gil Simpsons also wanted a family photo - having everyone in the same place at the same time doesn't happen very often.  So we got a quick just-in-case-the-weather-is-terrible-outside picture in the church. Jed Simpsons, McCalvys, Kurt Simpsons, Oma and Opa, Davis' and Dotys.

And then we climbed a tree. Dotys, McCalvys, Kurt Simpsons, Oma and Opa, Jed Simpsons and Davis'.

Simpson Grandkids - Back row: Emma, McKayla, Hannah, Zoe, Carter, Jake, Tyler, Stella, Hallie, Tucker and Lincoln. Front row: Rachel, Bree, Ellie, Aspen and Christy.

McCalvy family

While we were in Eagle, I made this "frame" out of cardboard, wrapped it in Christmas paper and then Oma tied a pretty bow.  I took about a million pictures of the little cousins in varying poses and combinations in a "present".

We left Saturday night to get my cousin home in time for work on Sunday morning.  Lincoln had only napped between events during the day - 10 minute naps.  So he was asleep before we left the neighborhood and slept the entire drive to Pocatello.

It was around midnight - with a three hour drive still to go.  My uncle had given me some gas money (since we drove his daughter) and we decided to use the money we didn't spend on gas to stay at a hotel in Pocatello.  Lincoln woke up while we got situated in the room and played. But as soon as we got him into the port-a-crib, he went right back to sleep.

And in the morning, he climbed on daddy's face.

This is my favorite picture of Lincoln from the weekend - check out those blue eyes!  He was climbing the stairs to the stage in the gym during lunch. Up and down, up and down.

 I'm really grateful that we were able to go to Idaho for Thanksgiving, to attend my Oma's funeral and especially to visit with so much family. I am grateful for eternal families and have hope for a huge, heavenly family reunion someday.

Oma-Great - November 17, 2012

Oma-Great passed away at age 95. She was an active grandma in Jessi's life and we're grateful that Lincoln and Oma-Great got to meet.  In her honor, I have had honeybutter on my toast. I made my bed so that it even looks pretty. I pulled my hair out of my face. I will hold hands with my husband and I will be an involved mother with my son. I will have dessert with every meal - even if it is fruit preserves. I will use the good china because every meal, every day, is worth our very best... all things I learned from her example.

July 9, 2011 - Simpson Family Reunion - with Lincoln's onesie. I was 7 months pregnant.

November 24, 2011 - Thanksgiving - 4 generations with Oma-Great, Opa, Jessi and Lincoln (2 months).

March 23, 2012 - Idaho Ski Trip - Oma-Great and Lincoln (6 months). I love this picture - Oma's smile!

July 7, 2012 - Simpson Family Reunion - Oma-Great and all the great-grands in their traditional tie-dye. Lincoln was a bit of a Mama's boy on this weekend, but he sat in Oma-Great's lap for the pictures, perfectly happy.

July 7, 2012 - Simpson Family Reunion - Lincoln (9 months) in this year's tie-dye.

Thelma Irene Anderson Simpson
September 4, 1917 - November 17, 2012

Snowy Day - November 10, 2012

We had a wonderful snow storm last night and today. So after Lincoln's nap, we got dressed and went out to play.  Lincoln had no problem tromping around on the pavement, but once we put him out in the deeper snow, he just stood still.

Linc isn't sure how he feels about snow. I tried to help him make a snow angel, like Daddy, but he got snow in his face and cried. We also had a mini snowball fight and watching Daddy play 'hacky sack' with snowballs made Lincoln laugh.

Snowy Day Family Photo before playing in the snow.

And after playing in the snow.

We love snow!

Wheeler Farm - November 6, 2012

Lincoln and I went to Wheeler Farm with our new-across-the-porch-neighbors. Lincoln loved pushing their little umbrella stroller.  He can see and it is light enough that he can purposely change directions. We might need one of these.

Gray (20 months) and Lincoln (14 months) watching the birds from the deck of the Ice House.  The property has lots of old farm buildings. Some are just for show (like the empty outhouse), some are repurposed (this Ice House is the current bathrooms) and some are still in use (like the hay barn).

Cows!  And bunnies and goats and turkeys and horses and ducks and geese and sheep and lots of little kids to see!

It's a working farm, so there is a huge barn full of hay.

And tractors - these blue tractors are set up for hauling trailers for "Tractor Rides" around the property.  We didn't take a ride, but Gray and Lincoln took turns "driving" every tractor we passed.

Rusty yellow tractor - Lincoln is driving, he just disappears in a patch of golden sunlight.  This tractor doesn't look like it works anymore, so we didn't feel guilty playing on it for awhile.

There's my boy!

There were lots of animals and the boys were mildly interested. But they would have played on the old tractors for hours!

Lots of people at the farm were getting their pictures taken. In this field, a pile of leaves had been raked together - probably for somebody's pictures. So we played in the leaves for a while. Lincoln got a stick for each hand!

There is also a really neat playground that we played on. Lincoln loves to watch the big kids before he decides that he wants to try something. He did really well on the slides!  It was fun to spend some time with our new neighbors and enjoy this pretty fall weather.