Snow Days/Icy Rain

We had two "snow storms" in January. The first one was late at night, but Addy insisted on staying awake. We went outside and had a snowball fight. We even saved some snow in the freezer. :-) Then, last Friday they let school out three hours early because of the threat of snow. At noon when I went to pick up Addy from preschool it was snowing. Jack was so excited to see snow, I don't think he remembers it from Utah. As I was driving home the snow turned into icy rain. It was SO cool! I had never seen anything like it, and it made for some slick driving conditions too. Addy wishes she had TONS of snow to play in, but to be honest, I'm okay with the fact that we've had at least 4 days this month above 60 degrees.

 Yummy!

 Snowball fight

 What's that?

This is how much snow we got on the ground. 

 

 Snow (I realize I'm overly excited)

Grandpa Koyle

I was scheduled to fly to Idaho/Utah on Friday, January 4th for my sister's wedding. Just two days before that my Grandpa Koyle had a massive stroke while he was sleeping. He was in the hospital when I arrived on Friday the 4th. I was able to hold his hand, tell him I love him and watch him sleep peacefully. He had many complications due to his sudden stroke; he was paralyzed on one side, couldn't speak, and couldn't eat. We had a very bitter-sweet weekend with a wedding and preparing to say good-bye to our Grandpa. By the time Sunday rolled around I was so emotionally exhausted. I drove my Grandma to the hospital Sunday morning and sat and held Grandpa's hand for several more minutes. I knew I would never see him again, in this life, and it wasn't easy to say good-bye. I also felt so blessed that I was able to be in Idaho to see him, even though I live in North Carolina. God truly works in mysterious ways. I flew home to North Carolina on Monday the 7th and shortly after I arrived home I got the call that Grandpa had passed. I missed his funeral, but I have countless memories of my Grandpa to hold on to.

 My 3 year old self with my sister and Grandpa Koyle

 Grandpa proud of my brother Ethan after he returned from his mission.

 Grandpa and Grandma

Together for almost 59 years. 

As I think back on my life and skimmed through my journals, my fondest memory of my Grandpa was that he was always around.  I was blessed to be able to live up the street from Grandma and Grandpa Koyle for 19 years of my life. Almost every day Grandpa would drive around in his old, white pick-up truck and fiddle with the sprinklers in the field, or something else on the farm. It seems like he was always outside working on something; the garden, machinery, sprinklers, or taking care of animals. He was always around on our birthdays, and Grandma and Grandpa were good about coming to say happy birthday. Us grandkids always dreaded Grandpa’s “birthday spankings”, because they hurt so bad. But, now it is one of our fondest memories. Grandpa was also around on holidays and for reunions; he made his family a priority. I will never forget our Sunday evenings gathered at Grandma and Grandpa’s house playing while the adults talked about politics and church. Us kids would play Old Maid, or spend countless hours on the teeter-totters and swings that Grandpa made for us. He was always around to help out; he would fix our toilets, our leaking pipes, irrigate our lawn, or cut my brothers’ hair.  When I have the chance to visit Idaho again it is hard to think that Grandpa won’t be up the street with his cute smile and hugs. But, I know that he is always around still, just in a different way, always looking down on us and smiling as we “work” our way through this life.

The Twins!

On Friday, January 4th I finally got to meet my twin, baby nieces! 

They are such great babies, and they love to smile!

They are great sleepers. 

They met Grandma and Grandpa Koyle for the first time.

 Meet Kyndal

  Katelyn with Great-Aunt Annette

Derek says that couples who change diapers together, stay together. ; )

 Happy to hold these two!

Katelyn is giving me a "fist pump".

My sister, Eileen, with her cute family.

Wedding Day!

All of my sisters, hanging out the night before (on the bride's 20th birthday)! 

Kristen Koyle (my little sister) married Levi Kent on Saturday, January 5, 2013. I was blessed to be there to witness their beautiful wedding. I am grateful to my husband and good friends who helped out with the kids while I was gone. It was wonderful to go home and see my family and be there for my little sister on her BIG (mostly cold) day! Below are a few of my favorite pictures from the wedding day!

Coming out of the Twin Falls, Idaho Temple: Married!

Some of the adorable wedding guests: 

 Mike and Ange were celebrating their 5th Anniversary!

 Grandpa Rulon Cook with the bride and groom.

 Mother and Father with Kristen

 Cute couple, 

their creativeness was our saving grace all weekend. 

 Best friends.

All of us with my parents! 

This was a special day for me, my sister wore my wedding dress, and this was the first wedding in the family since my wedding. It was a great day!

Welcome 2013!

Adelynn and Jack welcomed the New Year at about 9:00 p.m. with some sparkling cider. 2013 is going to be our year! We are excited for all the possibilities that await us this year!

Christmas

Christmas Eve

We planned on going out to eat for Christmas Eve, because we didn't really have any plans and I didn't want to cook. :) But, the Larkin's were very gracious hosts and invited us to join them. 

We were blessed with wonderful food and great company that evening. 

 The kids sprinkling "reindeer food" outside on Christmas Eve

 The next day Addy wanted to know why the reindeer didn't eat all the food. :)

 Brotherly Love

 Love this guy!

 Addy played dress up with Analese and Lisa Jean

We went home that night feeling the spirit of Christmas, thanks to our wonderful friends!