Some Things Don't Go as Planned

Christmas this year was full of surprises. My Grandma Jacobson rather surprisingly passed away the Friday before Christmas after a week in the hospital. The next day my 18 year old cousin also died in a bad car accident when his car slipped off the road down a riverbank into the Snake River. Rather than spending time in Boise like planned we went to Eastern Idaho early to attend two funerals. Just when we thought we were done and getting ready to head to a cabin on Christmas Eve, as was originally planned, we received word that my Grandma Weed also passed away.

Needless to say, our best made plans were thrown out the window and the whole week was an emotional adventure with highs and lows. Some of our memories include:

• Arriving in Winnemucca at 1am searching for a motel with an available room for the night. We went through 4 before we found one.
• Almost being creamed from behind by a truck going a little too fast on a downward slope in snowy conditions. Luckily they went off the road first. Nate ran back up the highway to make sure they were okay and spent 30 minutes helping them get out of the snow bank.
• Feeling the Spirit as the funerals focused on the glorious Plan of Salvation. My Uncle Doug spoke at both his mother's and son's funerals and did an amazing job. Despite the sorrow felt by all, there was an underlying comfort provided by the gospel and plan on salvation.
• Lots of snow and bad roads - one highway was closed right after the funeral procession went through because it was white out conditions. You could barely see the car in front of you!
• Getting stuck in the snow in Jason's driveway - it took us about 30 minutes to get our car out.
• Being together as a family in Island Park at the most amazing cabin
• Treking through the forest to cut down our own Christmas Tree for the cabin. Jason got his car stuck on the way and we had to dig him out.
• Receiving about 3ft of snow from Christmas Eve to the end of Christmas day
• Going in the hot tub. Jason and Nate would jump out into the snow, then back into the tub. Tyson thought it was funny and followed their lead.
• Playing Buzz Word
• Snowmobiling
• Spending time with 4 cute nephews.
• Taking nearly another week off of work to attend my Grandma Weed's funeral. Since the funeral is in Utah we made an unexpected trip to visit Nate's family for a few days in Utah.

Christmas 2008 will never be forgotten. We loved being with family and are grateful to know families can be together forever.