More from our Christmas in TN

This was such a cute idea! My brother works in the accounting department for John Deere and so they made his grooms cake a "Jordan Deere" tractor. Super cute!!!

While we were in Tennessee, on Christmas Eve, my sister Amy made cookies and we went caroling to a bunch of people in their ward. It was a lot of fun!

Merry Christmas!! Here is Randy helping Ashton open up one of her presents. We had Santa leave presents at home, but we brought a few gifts with us for the kids to open.

Todd lost his wedding ring so Amy bought him a new one for Christmas. She figured it was her turn to ask him to marry her... he said yes!!!

More from the wedding...

I thought I would add some more pictures from the wedding. This was my first time to meet Jen's family. They were so sweet! Here is her mom and dad and her grandparents. And of course my mom and dad.

We almost had all the siblings! We are missing Sara who had to work, but she was there in spirit! Trying to not think about the cold is Ann, Amy, Jordan, Jen, me and Joe.

Jen is the oldest in her family, so she married into a big family of nieces and nephews who already love their Auntie Jen!! Addie wasn't too excited about a picture, but I have to say the only way we even got her in the picture was because of Kyson... she loves you Kyson! And Ashton loves you, Kaylee! You guys are great babysitters!

I had to include this picture because it says it all! It was so cold outside this day. In fact, just before we finished up the pictures it started misting. We were all bundling up with eachother and Randy went and grabbed our car so all the kids could pile in and keep warm. The funny thing was that Jen didn't even act like she was cold. She said she knew she must have been cold because her arms had goosebumps, but she didn't feel anything. Now that's love! :-)

Jordan+Jen= Forever

December 23, 2009. The big day!! This was the last time we saw Jordan single! Kyson, Jordan, and Jordan's best friend Bobby Goodman left early before the rest of us. I love this picture with the saying on the wall behind them. I'm so proud of my brother and the decisions he has made in his life. I know because of his good choices he was able to find an awesome girl with the same great standards.

The temple ceremony was so special and there was such a special spirit there. It has been a long time since Randy and I have been to a temple marriage and it brought back a lot of the memories I had from our wedding. Here is Jordan and Jen just exiting the doors of the temple after being married.

I got pretty emotional in the temple. I told Jen that I felt like I prayed her to us! Jordan has had many health difficulties and I have spent many times on my knees praying for him and wanting so much for him to find someone who would love him through thick and thin. I really felt the Lord's love for him and knew my prayers had been heard. I adore Jen and feel very blessed to have her as my sister-in-law.

Jen and Jordan- I want you to know how happy I am for both of you! I wish you all the best in your new life journey together.

What's up, Buddy!

The Jensen's bought a horse when we were in Tennessee this past summer, and we couldn't wait to get back out and see Buddy the horse. However, I was so worn out I didn't make it on this little adventure. In fact, I should point out at this time that I did the unthinkable... I forgot my camera completely! This is not like me at all. I almost made Randy turn the car around and go back home when I realized what I had done! So all the pictures in Tennessee are pictures from my mom's camera. Waiting patiently for their turn to ride Buddy is Avery, Ann, Austin, Kaylee, Addie, Kimball, Kinley and Karrington.

Avery really enjoyed riding Buddy. She was a little nervous but Uncle Todd was a big help.

Enjoying a nice December day in Tennessee is Kyson, Jordan, Austin, Joe, Amy and Todd.

Addie decided she just enjoying watching everyone else, but Austin was brave and took his turn riding Buddy too.

Bounce U!!!

The next day after picking up Ann from the airport, we went to Bounce U. My kids beg to go here every time we visit the Jensen's. Ashton even let go of me so she could join in the fun! Here she is after sliding down one of the slides with Kinley.

Bounce U had two huge rooms full of bouncing toys, but this slide was a favorite. It was more fun when we went down in groups. Here are Kinley, Auntie Ann, Avery, Austin and Ashton.

Ashton even got Daddy to take her down the slide. He'll do anything for his little girls!!

And Nana will do anything for her grandkids!! She went down the web slide before I got the courage up to try it! In fact, she climbed the web 3 times!! I was very impressed! Auntie Ann, Kinley, Avery and Nana... all smiles!!

Time for Tennessee!

 

We were so excited when my brother Jordan told us he was engaged. We love Jen and couldn't have been happier for the two of them. But when he told us it was going to be December 23rd in the Nashville, TN temple we had to change our holidays around a little bit. Normally we go to Nashville for Thanksgiving, but this year we stayed home for Thanksgiving and went out there for Christmas. Austin loves going to TN and spending time with his cousin Kyson... and his uncles. He gets some good boy time in which is a good change from having only sisters around.

 

Ashton takes a little bit longer to warm up to everyone, but as long as I'm holding her she will smile for the camera!

 

Kyson is a lifeguard at the YMCA so we went there one day to swim. I guess because of all the crazy people in the world, camera's are no longer welcomed in the pool area. I got this picture of Addie before I knew. Their YMCA was super nice and included a "pool park" as I like to call it. The kids had a blast!

 

We were all really excited to see my sister, Ann, again! Kaylee and Joe dressed up as Napoleon and Pedro to pick her up. It had been 9 years this Christmas since I had seen her last, but we picked right back up like we never missed a beat! My kids were so excited to finally meet her!

Finding comfort through the pain

 

Though we never expected to say goodbye to Brian so early, it was a real comfort to be there with his family during this time. Everyone spoke about Brian's smile, it was a permanent fixture on his face... and he has passed that on to his daughter, Hallie. When I see her smile, I see Brian. And Colette is amazing! I can't imagine going through all that she has had to go through. I was comforted as we sat on the back row at one of the viewings... watching Colette, pregnant, sitting next to Brian as hour after hour she gave comfort to those who came to say goodbye to him. I knew at that moment the Lord knew her and loved her. I remember telling Randy that the Lord must have really needed Brian, and only because He knew Colette was so strong could He take Brian at this time. I love Colette. I have learned from her that the stronger your love, faith and testimony are, the more strength the Lord will give you to make it through every trial you are given.

 

Brian's son, Cole, is a very intelligent boy. On the day that Brian passed away, and right around the same time of the accident, Cole began asking Colette about heaven. He had never asked her this question before, but he wanted to know where heaven was and he didn't want a simple answer. He kept asking Colette until he was satisfied that he understood enough about where heaven was. I know that Brian will always be with his children, watching over them. I believe Brian was whispering to Cole where he was going, and it gives me great comfort.

 

One of the things Randy and I have always admired about the Buttars is the closeness of their family. I've always noticed the close bond between Brian and his dad. Dan is one of the best men you will ever find. Both he and his wife Jan our such great examples to me. They are completely genuine, compassionate and caring. Jan said that the night before the accident they were all out to dinner and Dan helped Brian and Colette get the kids to the car, get them buckled and gave Brian a big hug and told him he loved him. She, like I would have, said goodbye as she jumped into her car. Its so easy to take those little moments for granted. Of course Brian knows how much his mom adores him, but I know she would have loved one last hug. I hope I always try to give that one last hug.

 

Courtney went to her Christmas party and a lady came up to her and told her that her father died while her mom was pregnant with her. She wanted Courtney to know that she has always felt her father with her, even though she never knew him personally. That gave me great comfort. Bruce Simkins (the Buttars neighbor and friend) spoke at the funeral and said "it wouldn't hurt so much if we didn't love him so much" and that also meant alot to me. I will miss Brian terrible, but I'm so grateful to know that he is with the Lord and has started another mission in heaven... I know he was an amazing missionary on Earth! Colette gave birth to their 3rd child, Elijah Brian Buttars on December 14th. Here I am with Courtney, Jan Buttars and Colette Buttars. We are headed back up to Utah in March and can't wait to meet little Eli!