Putting up the Christmas Tree
Up to this point, we have always had a real christmas tree but decided to go the fake route since it is so much easier and the fact we were able to get Grandma's tree. Grandma Mac wasn't setting her's up this year due to her complicated health status so she was giving it away. We decided to go ahead and had a great time adding the ornaments.
Kylee thought this was wonderful and re-arranged it several times throughout the Christmas season.
Taytum just loves this time of year. She was all over the tree decorating thing.
Taytum got to add the star on top!
Eva June Meacham McFarland
January 14, 1929 - Decemer 12, 2013
Obituary: Eva Mecham McFarland passed away on December 12, 2013 at the age of 84 due to pancreatic cancer.
Eva was born January 14, 1929 to Marion and Alice Whittier Mecham at their home in Milton, Morgan, Utah. She grew up in Milton and graduated in 1947 from Morgan High School and Seminary.
She married Floyd Tracy McFarland Jr. on April 17, 1950 in the Salt Lake City Temple. They almost celebrated 62 years together before Floyd passed away on Feb. 12, 2012. From this union, they were blessed with 3 sons; Rex, Kent and Bruce and one daughter; Linda.
Mother loved to go camping and truly enjoyed the beauty of nature. She especially loved to walk around Mirror Lake and Bonnie Lake. Being in the outdoors with family and friends was her favorite thing to do. She loved to also sing around the campfire, especially the song, "You Are My Sunshine". She would always coax kids and grandkids and great-grandkids to join in her singing. These were memories that brought much love to her heart.
Mother enjoyed being with her family. She loved to host the Annual Christmas party and Easter egg-hunting party. These were the times that were so special to her, because most of the family members were present. She loved her family very much and loved to be surrounded by them. The two biggest joys of her life were her family and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and belonged to the Rock Cliff 7th Ward where she held various positions. She especially had fond memories of teaching Primary, Sunday School and Young Women. She loved being around the youth.
Mother also tended children in her home for many, many years. They also were very important to her. She loved them and treated them like her own kids. She also worked for a time at Wangsgard' s bakery.
Eva is survived by her children, Rex McFarland, S. Ogden, UT, Kent McFarland, Riverdale, UT, Bruce (Janice) McFarland, West Jordan, UT and Linda (Larry) Pike, Morgan, UT. She has 19 grandchildren and 34 and counting great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Alice Faye Palmer and one brother, Loel (Enid) Mecham living in Milton, UT.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one sister, Virginia Creager and one brother and his wife, Keith and Ruth Mecham and one daughter-in-law, Nadine Code Jensen McFarland.
A special thanks to family and friends and neighbors and ward members who gave of their love, help and concern throughout the years. We'd also like to thank Encompass Health Care and Hospice for their love and care of our mother, especially Tammy, Miller, Angie and Magen. We appreciated all the kind loving concern and help you offered to our Mother. We love you dearly. We'd also like to thank the Family Tree Assisted Living of Morgan for their love and concern these past 13 days. We love you for taking such good care of Mom, and us kids, while Mom was there. "Thank you" is not enough to say for going out of your way to make our Mom's passing so much easier. We will treasure the friendship's we've made through the Hospice family and the Family Tree. Thank you and we love you all so much.
Grandma- we love you so much. I have so many memories of you and have appreciated your support at every turn in my life. I am so glad that you were so involved with us and that continued on to my own children. We will miss the grandkid parties, the holiday parties and most of all your sweet spirit. We know however that we will see you again and for that we are eternally grateful.
Dance Recital
Taytum's first dance recital. She made the cutest ballerina and did such a great job. It has been fun to see her learn and grow this dance season. She just loves her teacher, Miss Shauny.
In the middle of her routine, go Tayters.
I love this picture of my perfect ballerina.
Curtain call. Taking their final bow.
Both Grandparents were able to come and support which meant a lot to us.
Pike Christmas Party
The annual reading of the true Christmas story.
Let the spoiling, begin. Grandpa and Grandma Pike really go all out during Christmas and of course we all love it.
She got a set of animals that she just loves.
She also got this really cool bus. She loves it.
Tate got one just like so they went cruising together.
Taytum was up next. Do think she loves opening presents?
She got a toddler Belle and Tiana doll. Now she is in heaven.
Thanks Grandpa and Grandma.
We know how much this little one loves princesses.
Later we went to see Santa.
Kylee fell asleep as we were waiting in line and didn't even wake up when we sat her on his lap. It was the funniest thing.
We had such a fun time and love this time of year with family.
A visit with Santa wouldn't be complete without the traditional hay ride. We sent all the grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa since there wasn't room for all of us. Half away around they had a tire pop and their ride was cut short.
A sleeping babe as we wait for the horses.
Christmas Eve
Making sugar cookies for Santa
They loved making the shapes, even Kylee was entertained for awhile.
Taytum even helped roll out the dough.
A sugar cookie wouldn't be complete without a few sprinkles.
Cookies ready to be eaten by Santa.
We had to have our own sampling. I think this was Kylee's most favorite part.
Delicious!
Our annual Christmas tradition of new jammies and books.
Happy Christmas Eve!
Christmas Day!
The opening of the stockings.
Kylee was so much fun to watch this year since she now knew what to do.
Dad opening the present Taytum made in preschool.
We love Christmas!
Feeding her new baby.
I just had to include this picture. I laugh everytime I see it. She is so happy and is a character Kylee face expression. Her gifts included: Baby, cars, caterpillar hooking peices, coloring books, crayons, cars, sled, and some clothes. This included everything from Aunts and Uncles too.
Taytum and her new loot. She got: polly pocket wall mount, skates, cootie game, princess sticker book, coloring books, snow pants, sletd and some clothes.
We were spoiled as well. Kyle got me a new vacuum since I have cursed ours for several years. I also got a new skirt, sweatshirt and buch of DVD's. Kyle got a drill, Boston Red Sox champion shirt, DVD's and other knick knacks.
Later in the day we went to Grandpa and Grandpa Paxman's. Kirtk gave Kylee a ball and game for Taytes.
Uncle Kirk playing ball with the girls.
Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for all you do!
Family Pictures
During December, we finally got our family pictures done. A quick photo done outside.
Our Favorite Family photo.
I just love these two girlies.
Captured a great smile from Taytum. At this point in life we have such a hard time getting her to give us a "real" smile so I was glad that we were able to capture and good natural smile.
Kylee was all smiles.
We decided to get a picture in our Boston Red Sox garb since they won the World Series this year!
To those who read this blog: this will be my last blog post as I am learning about a new program. I'm going to switch to Blurb-Book Smart and Project Life. I figured I'm friends with most of you on Facebook and can keep in touch that way. I have obviously got way behind on this blog anyway so were trying to revamp things to see if this will be a better method for me to record our family memories. I don't keep a written journal; I am a terrible writer as you can tell by my simple captions but at least it is something - even if it is just pictures! I'm going to keep this blog because I love reading all of your blogs and thank you for taking time to read mine.
What a great 2013, looking forward to a new year and more memories in 2014!
