What is your inheritance

Many years ago Dara (family friend) had surgery.  She didn't have anyone to care for her after surgery so she came and stayed with us until she could be on her own.  

When my mom was sitting by her bedside as she was waking up from the surgery she was really loopy.  Dara thought she was dieing so she started telling my mom her entire will and last wishes.  As she rattled through everything she got to her most important desire; her cats.  My mom was going to be blessed with the gift of her cats.  To put it lightly, mom was not thrilled about her inheritance from Dara.  LOL, luckily Dara pulled through and mom didn't end up with two cats.

I can't help but laugh at that story as we have inherited, for the next two years, my parents cats.  

The first week was a little rough.  Duke was plotting out how he was going to murder us all.  Thankfully Duke finally calmed down and he has become a very loving and entertaining friend.

 This was Grandpas final good bye to his buddies.

 Our dog Buddy, loves the cats.  He is a very kind dog so if the cats aren't happy he stays out of their way but nearly everyday Buddy and Duke play a little cat and dog chasing game.  It really is playing and they both love it.  Actually let me clarify...Duke chases Buddy.  It is so funny to watch.

 These two like to be in middle of everything!

An Example to Follow

This past year it has been a huge blessing having my parents close by.  When I started having kids my parents were still raising their younger children and busy with work.  We lived in Vegas so we didn't get to see much of my family.  Even after we moved back to Utah we lived far enough away that it wasn't easy to see them between distance and their busy schedule.  

This past year my kids have been able to see my parents here and there just stopping by.  (Before it was always on a Sunday for a formal dinner and the time was shared with other cousins and only a little time)

I feel like my kids have finally had the chance to know Grandpa and Grandma.  One of the big blessings in living close is being able to be with them when they were set apart as missionaries and to hear their testimonies.  

Tradition

Adam and Briggs had a good father and son moment when we had a tire blowout on the way home from Park City.  Unfortunately the lug nut was striped so the lesson wasn't completed.  

 It was just our family together for Thanksgiving and we had eaten Turkey earlier in the week so we decided to break tradition and eat a delicious smoked Brisket for Thanksgiving Dinner. 

 We don't do a lot of puzzles in our house but around the holidays we like to pull out one or two and work together on it.  We have already finished two puzzles this year and we are hoping to get one more done before New Years.

All I want for Christmas...

Mom told all of us that all she wanted for Christmas this year was some updated family photos.  This kind of request is one that you are kind of stuck with when asked.  I didn't really feel up for going to the effort, time and expensive of visiting a professional studio so one Sunday afternoon we all got dressed up and set the timer on the camera/  Within minutes we were finished with our photo session.  

  Avram is 14 years old.

 

 Ila is 7 years old

 Briggs is 12 years old

 Of course as quick and painless as I tried to make this on everyone, we still had a few moments that just can't be helped when a camera is pointed at you.

Hip Replacemnet

A hip replacement is the best!  It was way easier then having the knee done.  Despite the fact that Im still healing, I feel so much better than I did before the surgery.  It is shocking how little pain I have when walking up and down stairs.  I am so thankful that I was able to have the surgery and that the Lord blessed me with such a good recovery.