Jacob's Funeral

Lizzie went into labor almost a month early.  She wasn't supposed to be induced early until January.  When he was born it was clear that his one lung wasn't able to convert oxygen to carbon dioxide.  He had several other problems including one completely closed ear.  He lived for about 8-9 hours and was able to be held by each of his siblings and two of his grandparents before he returned home to his heavenly family.

Becca and Preston were already on their way down to NC for Christmas.  So Preston and Ben stayed behind with all the kids while Becca and I flew out to Seattle.

The day before the funeral, Lizzie, Mom, Becca, Brian's mom and sister, and I all went to go dress baby Jacob.  He still had so much color!  It was so sweet holding him and feeling his soft hair.  He definitely looks like his siblings.  I was blessed to be able to hold him and get tons of pictures of him being dressed.  Then we let the kids come in and each of them had a turn to hold and kiss him before he was placed in his sweet, tiny casket.

This was the first time the Whale family has all been together since Becca's wedding 6 1/2 years ago.  It was definitely great to all be together again.  As usual, Becca and Lizzie played duets from their earlier years.

Since I don't get to see my nieces and nephews on the other side of the country often, I of course had to bring some art projects to do with them.  :)  I highly recommend Aquarellum products.  They turned out so beautiful!

We were able to play tons of games with the kids for hours and hours.  We played hide and seek, sardines, and black magic.  I'm so grateful that we were able to make great memories with them since I don't know the next time I'll get to see them again.

Sweet little Jacob on a miraculously sunny day.

Joseph and Helaman weren't able to go to the funeral because they had pneumonia.  :(  When it rains it pours.

While it was sad to see Jacob gone so soon, the spirit made witness that it was meant to be and that it was truly for the best.  We are so grateful for the Plan of Salvation and for the sealing power that means we will see Jacob again.  He was simply "called to serve" and is busy on the other side of the veil.

The Nativity

"...The angel Gabriel[la] was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin... and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  

... And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."

"...the angel of the Lord appeared unto [Joseph] in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem... to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid."

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?  For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

Christmas

Becca, Mom, Dad, and I were able to fly back to NC in time for Christmas.  Unfortunately, my mom got food poisoning the day she flew home and so she was unable to join us for our festivities on the 23rd and 24th.  But the rest of us had fun playing games all day, eating Christmas treats, and sharing hilarious stories.

Opening their Christmas jammies on Christmas Eve.

This is what you get at our house when you ask your kids to pose.  This is normal, right?

Some of my favorite photos are of Colby photobombing.

"Ring around the rosies, catch a tiger's toesies..."

Christmas morning came and all the kiddos were so thrilled to see that they each got what they asked Santa for, even though he didn't bring tons.

Lily and Skyler got new bikes.

Ella got her Cinderella wand.

Lily was thrilled to get an owl beanie boo.

The girls both got mermaid tail blankets.

And when Colby woke up he got to see all of his fun surprises.

Ella took about 100 selfies with her new tablet.

After 8 AM church, we came home to breakfast casserole and presents!

"Ella pose with your new necklace."

"Like this, Mom?"

Then we played Pie Face as a family after Christmas dinner.

She ironically was not wearing the goggles she got from Santa when she got hit.

But Skyler clued in and decided to do that.  Not that it helped....

We had a wonderful Christmas as a family (even though some of us were sick), and were grateful to be able to spend it together.  We are thankful for our Savior and that we get a whole season dedicated to remembering Him.