We love you, Grandma

I just want to write a brief post on the passing of my grandma, Violet Kueffler. She was an amazing, strong woman. She loved babies, and enjoyed the chance she had to hold all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Here she is hanging out with Logan (I was six months pregnant with McKay at the time) and feeding and smiling with McKay.

A couple of memories come to mind. My grandma was my kindergarten teacher and elementary school principal. While I was in kindergarten one of the students called her a mean name. Well, mean to a five-year-old. I punched the kid. Pretty sure I gave him a bloody nose. But when my grandma found out she refused to punish me.

If I had to sum up my grandma in a word it would be tough. By sheer force of will she accomplished so many things. I remember being a second grader and hearing the parents talk about how they were worried about my grandma retiring because she was the only thing keeping St. Joesph's running. They were trying to figure out how to keep her. Turns out, they were right to be worried, a year after she retired the school closed. She was amazing and gave so much to the school and the parish. We love you and will miss you!

Christmas with the Chases

Christmas is always a happy occasion in our household, and this year was no exception. Logan still doesn't know who Santa is, but enjoyed all the trappings of Christmas. He was a little scared of Santa, but McKay just sat down for a nice little chat. A lovely lady in our ward dropped off a Little People's nativity set for them, which they just loved. McKay especially loved pushing the angel and making music. We had a tiny little Family Home Evening on Jesus and the nativity and Logan kind of got it. When we got out Jesus he said, "Jesus needs his Joseph" and put the whole family together. McKay just put a shepherd in his mouth. Baby steps.

We went down to Casa Grande for the holidays, which the boys just loved. They got to play with their grandparents and cousins, and we got to go to nine o'clock church. Everyone was happy! My favorite picture is the one with Logan sitting down on a little chair with his little cup and a book. Such a cutie!

McKay has started saying sentences, short ones like "what's that?" and "I poop." Actually this is more handy than one would think. Logan has taken to copying us, like when I suddenly had to brake for a coyote yesterday and I hear Logan in the backseat "son a monkey!" Ah, nothing like a three year old fake cursing.

Our refrigerator, dishwasher and disposal have all stopped working in the past three weeks so lets hope for a better time soon!