Grandma Helen

On December 29th, 2011 Ryan's Grandma, Helen Baumgartner, passed away. It didn't come as a surprise, she was 91, and the last few weeks were very evident, but it's still always tough when it actually happens.
I was glad I got to know Helen for 8 years of our marriage and when I first met her she was a very smart, funny lady who's body was giving out much sooner than her body. She had lost her eye sight and her hearing quite a while ago but she always knew exactly who we were and was up to date on all that was happening in our lives. I'm honored that she was present at our wedding and got to know Andrea as long as she did.

The last time Ryan and I visited her was in October and she was the same old Grandma, was even kicking a ball down the hall with the grand kids, it's amazing how quickly things can change.

Ryan and I love trips to Cedar City, it's so nice to spend time with Ryan's brother Matt and his family. This time was different, no trips to St. George, no shopping, just a lot of family time, and time spent remembering Grandma :)

Each of the grand kids and great grand kids were able to write what they remember about Grandma on a note and place it in the casket. Ryan's note made me cry, he really is a sentimental guy even though most people would never know it. The things I remember about Grandma Helen is that she always wore a dress, she made cookies with gumdrops in them (which I had never experienced before), she could remember so much, and one day her and I were sitting alone and she told me all about her wedding day. She could remember every detail, the name of the store she bought her dress from, that her Mom didn't want her to buy a new dress, so she had to buy it with her own money, how most people gave them gas coupons for their wedding present. Made me realize our economy isn't quite as bad as we make it!

Grandpa wanted all the women in the family to go through Grandma's jewelry and Sara and I both agreed that our daughters should have some type of jewelry that belonged to their Great Grandma. The both of us also picked out a broach to were to the funeral while we sang a duet as part of a medley with the grandchildren.

Matt and Sara were such good sports to let us stay with them during the funeral, they immediately went from their Christmas/Anniversary trip up here to having relatives stay with them down there. I never tell them enough how much I appreciate the visits we have and what good hosts they are (hopefully Sara reads this post). Andrea just loves playing with her cousins and it takes her a few days to adjust being back home and entertaining herself again. I'm always sad I don't take more pictures while I'm down there, I know Matt does so I'll have to ask him for some.

Here is Meryn and Andrea in the bath and Daddy and Andrea wearing their shades before the funeral.

Christmas

Yes, it's about time, I'm finally posting about Christmas. This year was so fun with Andrea! All month long she loved looking for "Christopher Pop-in-Kins" each morning, he is our elf spy sent by Santa. She loved doing the count downs each morning and she had a lot to do... Move the mouse to a different pocket, pin the bear to a different location, put an ornament on the countdown tree, change the dice to a different number on the nativity, and eat a chocolate.

Christmas Eve we spent with family. We watched Arthur Christmas at the movie theatre with Grandma and Grandpa Lee, Matt, Sara, Peyton, and Meryn. Andrea didn't make it all the way through the movie, it was during nap time, but the rest of us still enjoyed it. We also had dinner with the Lees, looked at some lights, and opened our Christmas Eve pajamas.

When Christmas morning finally came Andrea didn't even stop in our room, she headed straight for the living room where Daddy was watching TV, but she noticed the new presents pretty quickly. Santa didn't go overboard this year, which we are all happy about.

Andrea received:
A teaset
Mickey's Shoe Garage

 New clothes
A Mobigo and two games
A suit case and sleeping bag from Grandma and Grandpa Lee

An Elmo puzzle from Grandma and Grandpa Williams
A doll and me dress from Grandma and Grandpa Williams

Ryan received:
A remote control car

A model truck with paints and glue
A sattelite receiver for the bedroom
An ipod alarm clock
A new bathroom reader
A new sander from the Lees
New gloves from the Williams
Kristy received:
Pearl bracelet and earrings (from Shane Co)
An ipod docking speaker for the TV
A home made jigsaw puzzle box built by Ryan

Boots
Picture frames for the hallway
A new bedset from the Lees
A new wallet from my parents

Christmas day was sure a frenzy with church interrupting things ;) I can't believe we had to go take the sacrament on Christ's birthday. After church we had lunch and more presents at the Lees. After that we were all exhausted and had a nice nap. We later stopped by my brother Eric's house to see what Santa had brought Brigitta and Roland.

I'm glad I wasn't sick this year, and although Ryan was feeling a little nausaus Christmas Eve he made through the holiday without incident which is pretty good for us!