Christmas 2010: O Christmas Tree!

Picking out our tree at our favorite local tree lot is always a fun tradition. We added Krispy Kreme donuts into the mix this year. Donuts + hot cocoa + decorating the tree = a favorite family activity. This year it was especially freezing when we went tree hunting and luckily we found our tree right away. I think this year we made record time in picking the perfect tree. And it actually did turn out to be our favorite tree we've had.

Our (My) Favorite Mothers Day Tradition

Katie, Grandma Bonita, McKenna, Brooke, Meg

Every Mothers' Day we go and visit my late Grandma Hopkin at the Orem Cemetery. We bring her flowers and take a picture by her.

She is our Grandma Bonita. I was named after her (my middle name) and we passed her name onto McKenna (her middle name too). We brought her flowers, sat by her grave, and talked about the sparkle in her eye. She was a remarkable woman who showed Christ-like love in all she did. I love that we live close to her, can visit her, and remember her often.

Mothers' Day Tradition

When I was growing up, we had the tradition of going to Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Watertown, MA every Mothers' Day. The cemetery is huge, and full of beautiful landscaping, fountains, statues, and architecture. The blossoms were always at the peak of their bloom on Mothers' Day. We would always go right after church, in our Sunday clothes, spend the afternoon walking through the cemetery, wading in the fountains, and paying our respects to all the dead Moms (and celebrating our own mother too, of course!) She loves the beauty of nature, which made this tradition very fitting for Mothers' Day.

Last year, I requested to start our own tradition of visiting the dead Moms out here in Utah on Mothers' Day. I, like my mother, also love being outside and enjoying a beautiful, relaxing, spring afternoon in the sun. I can't think of a better way to spend and afternoon with my family. And since I get my way on Mothers' Day, to the cemetery we go. My Grandma Hopkin is buried in Orem, so of course we visit her, bring her flowers, and spend some time there. This year was extra special because my parents, brother Brian, and Aunt & Uncle joined us.

And of course, each year we will take a picture of the three Bonitas.

(my middle name is after my Grandma Hopkin's first name, which is also McKenna's middle name - in case you needed clarification)