We had a fun time celebrating Christmas with our families this year. The first party we went to was with Karson's family. Every year on the Saturday before Christmas, Karson's family has a progressive breakfast. The highlight of the party is always the Dance party. It took Korver a minute to figure out what was going on, but soon enough he was dancing with everyone else.





The very next night, We were off to the next family party. This year we had the Lyman family party at my grandparent. Korv loves going over to grandma and grandpas. He didn't have much interest in anything but trying to get the toys out of the cupboard which Grandma wasn't liking too much. The highlight of the night for Korver was probably playing the bells.

I had a goal this year to take Korver to a different Christmas light display every week of December. We almost made it. The only week we missed was the week after Christmas. We were going to go to Zoo Lights but he got an ear infection. That's the first one on the list for next year.
The first thing we saw was the Electric Light Parade that Kaysville City holds every year. It's about 7 minutes long. Which was a perfect way to start out the season. I forgot my camera so I only got a couple pictures on my phone before the battery died. The highlight of the parade for Korver was this 50 foot Santa on the back of a trailer. The people riding on the trailer had the pull the stings attached to Santa to pull him down to get under the traffic lights. It was pretty funny.



The next week, we drove through Layton Park's lights. I think this display was probably Korver's favorite. Luckily we went early enough that there weren't too many people there yet, so we were able to drive around the loop like four or five times. I let Korver stand in his car seat so he could see better. Lets just say he wasn't thrilled to get back in his seat when we were ready to leave. I think he could have kept going around and around all night. He just kept saying WOW! When he'd see something he really liked he'd say, "WOW WOW WOW!!!!" It was so cute. He recognized several of the animals and would make their sound when he saw them.



Later that week, Santa came to Bowmans. I know this is totally cheesy but I love having pictures of Korver at the same place where I would get mine taken with Santa each year growing up. Korver didn't even cry. As you can see in the pictures, he wasn't super thrilled about the idea of sitting on his lap. While we were waiting in line, he kept saying, "Ho ho! Ho ho!" He even waved to him good bye. He just didn't like sitting with him too much.




The next adventure almost didn't happen. Karson will probably kill me for writing about this but I want this in my blog book for later. We had planned that we would go for family night. Well Karson had worked the night shift on sunday night. I believe this was his first night shift ever. He probably shouldn't work them either but I'll get to that. Karson came home about 9:30 that morning. He looked so tired. He came in and sat on the couch. I told him to go get in the shower and then go to bed. He said he wasn't tired and he just wanted to sit a watch TV for a bit. He finally decided to go up to bed. A little while later I heard a big bang. It was garbage day and Korver was eating breakfast at the time so I didn't think much of it. But then I got thinking that it sounded like it came from upstairs. I walked upstairs to find the toilet seat up and Karson curled up in a ball in the shower sound asleep. I was like oh great how am I going to get him out of there. In the mean time Korver's screaming "ALL DONE!!!" I finally got Karson awake enough to coax him out of the shower, but that was not after some difficulty and some swinging arms. I got him all nice and tucked back into bed and then headed downstairs to the next disaster. I got Korver all cleaned up and in his playpen playing toys and watching a movie. I went back upstairs and found Karson with his face laying on the toilet seat. TOTALLY DISGUSTING!!!! Now I was getting a little ticked because I thought he was faking the whole thing. I woke him up and told him to go get in the shower. Well after about an hour of arguing with him about where he was, what he was doing, what he had done the night before, and this stupid bump he thought he had on his head he finally got in the shower. I kept going in the bathroom to check on him and he seemed fine. Well the next thing I know he's out of the shower but his sister is at my house. I went downstairs to check on him and he had been crying. He said he was so confused and didn't know what was going. I tried and tried to convince him that everything was fine, but he would not listen. I finally had him convinced to lay down on the air mattress downstairs while I went out to talk to his sister. After explaining to her what had happened that morning, we were both laughing. When I went back in he was FINALLY asleep. When he woke up, he didn't remember anything about that morning. Even with such a crazy day, we still decided to go with our plan of going to see the Temple Square lights. Luckily we had already planned to ride the Frontrunner. Korver loved the train. It was a little cold seeing the lights, but I swear it wouldn't feel the same walking around Temple Square not freezing your butt off! The ride home was really fun too. There was a group of older ladies, all grandmas, that loved Korv. In fact he sat with them most of the way home. They were so cute with him. It was a good thing they were there because I have a feeling that the way home would have been a little more difficult than the way down.

Every year, my work has a hayride to the pumpkin patch at J&J Garden. This is the first year we've gone and it was a blast. Korv loved the tractor that pulled the hay trailer. He was so excited until we started moving. I think he got a little scared. We still had a good time though!

Kars and I like to put our Christmas lights up before it gets too cold. It's something that I inherited from my Dad I guess. Korver insisted on being outside while Dad was on the roof. Well after a few minutes he got kinda bored so we started playing in the leaves. He loved it. Korv loved getting buried in the piles and then digging himself out.

Halloween was really fun this year. Korver didn't quite get it at first but he soon caught on to the getting treats. He wanted to eat them as fast as he got them though. We started the night by going to Bountiful to see Grandpa Herrscher. He had recently moved into Avalon Care Center. Lots of Karson's cousins and their kids were there. It was really fun to see all the kids dressed up. Korver didn't quite know what to think of Grandpa laying in his bed but we did get him close enough so Grandpa could talk to him.
The next stop was to Uncle Mikey's. Korver was more interested in seeing the puppies than showing off his costume.
Next we stopped at Grandma Sprague's. Korver loves Grandma! We didn't want to get him to close because I was afraid he's get green paint on her. She though he was so cute!
After Grandma Sprague's, we stopped to see Pop's and Grandma. Of course he headed straight for the toys. Like I said, he didn't quite get the trick-or-treating this year. Maybe we'll have better success next year. He still did like performing for everyone though.
Our last stop was to Grandma and Grandpa Lyman's house. We weren't there for very long because Korver was ready for dinner. I think his favorite part of the night was handing out the candy to all the kids. He loved watching all the kids walk up and down the street. Korver's little friend Carter even stopped by to get some treats. Korv really liked his dinosaur costume. I wish I wouldn't have taken Korv's costume off so I could have taken a picture of them. Oh well maybe next year I'll be better at taking pictures.

The first part of October brought an experience that I hope to never have to experience again. Karson's sister, Kelli, lost her sweet little baby girl after living only a few hours. What an amazing example of strength and endurance through trials their family has been for Kars and I this year. This is a song that was sung at Ali's funeral that I just loved.

He knows your heart
He knows your pain
He knows the strength it took just too simply breathe today
He sees the tears that you cry
He knows your soul is aching to know why
He hears your prayers each humble word
When you said you couldn’t face another day he understood
He knows the path that you will find
Though you felt alone he’s never left your side

He knew there’d be moments when no earthly words
Could take away your sorrow
And no human eyes could see what you’re going through
When you’ve taken your last step and done all that you can do
He will lift your heavy load and carry you

He’ll bring you peace and leave you hope
And in the darkest night he’ll comfort you
Until you know the sun will rise and each new day
You will have the strength to live again

And when there are moments when no earthly words
can take away your sorrow
And no human eyes could see what you’re going through
When you’ve taken your last step and done all that you can do
He will lift your heavy load and carry you

He hears you when you’re crying in the night
He hears you when your soul longs to find
Till the morning will come
And the light of the dawn reassures

That in the moments when no earthly words
can take away your sorrow
And no human eyes could see what you’re going through
When you’ve taken your last step and done all that you can do
He will lift your heavy load and carry you

The first part of November, Karson's grandpa passed away. Kars loved his Grandpa so much and really looked up to him. This is his obituary.

Our loving husband, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Russell Lund Herrscher, went home to he Heavenly Father November 8, 2011. He was born January 20, 1929, to Paul Eugene and Lethie Labell Lund Herrscher in Salt lake City, Utah. He graduated from East High School in 1947 and attended the University of Utah on a football scholarship. It was then he met the love of his life, his own Southern Bell, JoAnn Floyd. They were married May 25, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple, and were blessed with 5 children. He was employed by Burrough’s Corp until 1960, at which time he left to form his own Company. He is a Man of integrity with an incredible work ethic and was very successful in his business. He is a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as Bishop, Bishop’s councilor, Stake High Council member, Young Men’s President, and as a councilor in the Temple Square Mission Presidency, and as an ordinance worker in the Bountiful Temple for 8 years. He is a kind, honest, forgiving and charitable man with a deep love for the scriptures and an unwavering testimony of His Savior and the Atonement. He valued his family above all other things and kept us close with rich family traditions. He is survived by his loving wife, a brother, Paul E. Herrscher, his children, Rebecca (Val) Cullimore, Cathy (Roger) Reese, Barry (Janis) Herrscher, Danette Clark and Ronda (Neil) Cowley; 27 grandchildren, 48 going on 50 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. preceded in death by his parents, a sister Celestine, and 3 celestial great-grand children, Kimball Rae, Amelia Jane, and Ali Lyn. I’m so glad you asked to be introduced to me those many years ago. You are a wonderful husband and my dear Eternal Companion. Thank you, Dad, for your example, for your unconditional love and for the legacy you leave with us. You taught us well, we love you much. We will miss you. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the Bountiful 13th Ward Chapel, 1365 N. 650 E, where friends may call from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. A viewing will be held Friday, November 11, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Mortuary at 295 N Main in Bountiful. Interment-Bountiful City Cemetery.