Reflections of 2010

Well, I guess it's time to face reality. I never sent out Christmas cards and our traditional family letter this year. Bummer. I had planned to. I had the best of intentions. But, I didn't. I'll blame it on going to Texas the first couple of weeks in December. That's when I normally get our pictures and letter together, but I was on vacation mode. Then we got home during the middle of the rush of the holidays, and well, here it is February! By this point, I would generally just skip it all together, but because I turn my blog into a book every year, I wanted to get something down on paper. As I reflect back over 2010, one word keeps coming to mind: change. This was the year of change for our family. As with all change, some was good, some was okay, and some was tough, almost unbearable. Here are the highlights: -Payton turned 2 in March....and with it came a BAD case of the terrible two's! -Darron's dad was diagnosed suddenly of stage 4 pancreatic cancer on April 1st -Darron became the sole partner in his Financial business overnight after finding out his dad was sick -Parker was born June 17th -At three weeks old, Parker spiked a high fever and was admitted to the hospital for a week -Darron enjoyed several trips, including one to Hawaii, with his family -Jen braved flying to Texas with all three kids and was successful -We said good-bye to Darron's dad August 31st as he went to be with the Lord -Jen quit her job at Trailside, took a 20% position with the school district to be home most of the time with the kids -Preston started pre-school four days a week -Preston turned 5 in December Amid all the change, we enjoyed a kidless trip to Las Vegas in Februrary for Jen's birthday and again in December for our 10 year wedding anniversary. We also enjoyed many weekends at the family cabin surrounded by Darron's family, along with a trip to Texas in December to visit Jen's family. Change is change. It's usually not easy. It's a big adjustment filled with mixed emotions. 2010 was a joyous year for us as we added sweet little Parker into our family, but it was hands down the toughest year in ten years of life together. Watching someone so dear and close become sick and pass on is something I don't ever want to experience again. But I know I will. And I know our marriage and our family will survive, and possibly even be stronger because of it. God is a good God. A perfect God. He never forsakes those who seek Him and He is always there when we are ready. God showed us many things during this year of change...the biggest is the realization at how blessed we are: with our marriage, our beautiful, healthy children, incredible and supportive friends, and close family members. Good-bye 2010. We are looking ready to climb the mountain in 2011 and continue to sing God's praises as we travel this road together. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to give you and hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

New Year's Eve 2010

After Christmas, we came back to town for only a few days before heading back out to the cabin for New Year's Eve. This time it was just our family, T's family, and Grandma. Again, we had a very relaxing, enjoyable time together. After a week or so of very, very cold weather, it finally warmed up enough to dump some fresh snow and allow us to play outside some.

Saturday afternoon we decided to load up on snow machines and in the van and drive around the corner to a huge sledding hill. Scott and Darron would drive us up the hill on the snow machines, we would sled down, and then do it all over again. It was so much fun! I took turns sitting in the van with Payton (who rode the snow machine to the hill and didn't want to sled, she wanted to eat crackers in the van instead) and Parker. We couldn't hardly peel Preston, Max, and Brookelynn off the hill when it was dark and time to head home!

Darron, Preston, and Payton geared up to go riding and sledding! So fun!

We also spend time just playing outside, having a snowball fight, and sitting by the fire. Brookelynn and Uncle Scott built this huge snowman! It was a school assignment for Brookelynn. Preston, Max, Payton, Brookelynn, and sweet Maverick huddled together around Frosty.

We set off fireworks, watched fireworks, played games, and watched movies together. Again, Grandpa Keith was very missed, more stories were shared, more laughter, and more tears. And after a tough year of 2010, I think we all ad mixed feelings about ringing in 2011. Happy and hopefull for a new year, yet sad to ring in the first year with Grandpa.

May 2011 be a year of growth, healing, great memories, and blessings. Happy New Year!

Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. And look, I'm even posting about before months have gone by!

This was our first Christmas without Grandpa Keith. T's family, our family, and Grandma were able to spend about four days together at the cabin. Chris and Suzy's families joined us for a couple of the days. We had a great time just relaxing, eating, playing, and spending time together. Although the cabin is still not completed inside, it is nice a cozy and was a perfect place for us to be! Parker (6 months) enjoyed ripping the paper open on some of his presents. And we even managed to grab most of it before it went into his mouth!

Preston and Max just relaxing with a snack on the spiral staircase. Those boys LOVE the cabin!

As you can see, Payton was VERY excited about her Dora Memory game. She had so much fun opening presents!

Preston is totally into Star Wars right now. Although he's never seen the movie, he and his daddy play Lego Star Wars on the Wii. He got several new action figures and was thrilled! (Those are my teenage nephews in the background! They were only about 5 when I joined the Rizer family!)

As always, the adults had a Chinese gift exchange. Along with the movie tickets and babysitting I gave, I also put in a framed picture of myself in an Elvis mask with my signature. T ended up with the gift and thought it was hilarious. I'm pretty sure my picture is on their coffee table now! :)

Spending time with family was perfect. We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas together. We missed Grandpa. We talked a lot about him, shared memories and stories, laughed, and even shed a few tears. But we know he would have been so happy celebrating with family at the cabin, and so it just felt right to be there!

And while we opened gifts and celebrated, we also remembered the REAL reason for the season...Jesus' birth and saving love.