The Day Before Christmas

Cherisa and Mikie loading up dart guns.

Roux and Sy shooting Mikie.

Josh shot Heidi once too often. Heidi, Sy and Roux were out to stop him.

Christmas Eve dinner

The kids' gingerbread house

Vi and Deegan decorating the kids' house.

Roux and Sy "helping"

Nonna and Heidi's house.

Nonna and Heidi having fun decorating.

Deegan and Nonna practicing the organ. They played a Jingle Bells duet.

Decorations

The Christmas wreath on the front door and Ranell giving me the "stink-eye" for taking the picture.

This was the threat for the kids when they were younger.

Ranell's cross stiching

Gpa Wakefield and I made this bird house for her.

Air Darts

Ranell got air darts and guns to go with them. We had the PVC pipes that Keith and Austin are using. Talk about loud and wild and crazy in the family room!

Roux with safety glasses loading up.

Deegan and Poppa are loading up.

Josh was hiding under the desk to get a great shot at Deegan.

Christmas

Ranell loves this time of year! She is so much like my mother who took such joy in this time of year.

On the wall of the kids' pictures, (drawings by Opa, Ranell's dad) she has found a home for her Santas.

We have had this nativity scene for years that the kids could play with and put together as a puzzle. They have all loved it and put it together way faster than their Dad.

Well after all these years, Ranell mentioned that she would like a nice nativity scene. So Gpa Wakefield and I looked all over Logan. While we were going to Cox Honey to get stuff for our cracked and bleeding hands, they had a great sale on their Christmas stuff and I fell in love with this one. Ranell really likes it. Choosing Nativity Scenes for someone else is really a challenge!

I Married the Best of the Best

How could I have been so blessed! Truly, I have the best husband in the world. Now, I realize that many women think their husbands are the best--and it may be so, for them. Why do I think Mike is so great? Read on...

• He puts up with my moodiness, and even helps it to go away.
• He can read my mind, but only when necessary.
• He puts the lid down.
• He vacuums and mops floors.
• He cleans bathrooms.
• He cooks breakfast in bed for me (not that I am in bed very often for him to do this)
• He has dinner ready for me when I come home from work.
• He calls the kids and checks up on them.
• He calls my mom and talks with her.
• He calls my brother.
• He goes to Rexburg and includes my sister's daughter (Rachael) in the Wakefield activities.
• He is worthy to give priesthood blessings.
• He is worthy to work in the temple.
• He sacrifices so many things for me and for the family.
• He has brought home and tended a four-year-old grandson for three weeks.
• He loves his grandkids and knows how to play with them.
• He is a father to five, and all love and respect him.
• He checks up on his family (dad, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews) and is there for them.
• He has taught our children about the gospel and the Savior.
• He is an example.
• He has been a positive influence for hundreds of teenagers.
• He loves the Lord.
• He loves me, unconditionally.
• He is talented and shares his talents with others.
• He encourages me to stretch and grow with my challenges and responsibilities.
• When things get tough, he keeps on going.
• He says "yes" when asked to serve in the Church.
• He will drop everything to run to my rescue.
• He will drop everything to help the kids, and any other family member.
• He teaches an awesome Gospel Doctrine lesson.

The list goes on, and on, and on, and on. After 25 years, he is more awesome than I could ever imagine and my love and appreciation for him continue to grow. He really is the Best of the Best.