Merry Christmas!

Well, this year this is as good as it is going to get for Christmas cards... I have to admit that I got a little caught up in my Christmas sewing and just didn't get around to it like I had intended to... James informed me tonight that he is "Tired of being a sewing widow & it's time to put the sewing machine away"! Maybe when the boys Christmas pajamas are all done...


This was our best attempt at a family photo... I guess that two out of three kids looking at the camera isn't all that bad! And by the time we got to just the kids Cannon had had more than enough....


With Christmas just a couple days away the boys are more than excited. They REALLY get it this year and that makes it very fun and exciting for James and I. But, more important than that McKay really understands this year the real meaning of Christmas & for that I am even more grateful. We had the opportunity to take McKay and Carter to Temple Square last night to look at the lights. We met Jason and Kristin and their family and had a really nice evening. On our way home James asked McKay what his favorite part of the night was... It wasn't riding the Trax (which he loves) or hot chocolate and cookies (which he loves) & it wasn't even being with Gavin (who he REALLY loves!) It was "Seeing Jesus" & that was the answer that I loved!


I am grateful this year for so many things. For James & my boys, for my family, for good friends, for our health, for my Brother and Niece's lives being so miraculously spared... But, most importantly I am grateful for my Savior & I am grateful for a Father in Heaven who truly knows me and blesses me so abundantly. It has been a long year with many ups and downs... But, through it all we were blessed and I know without a doubt that the Lord has truly carried us in the hallow of His hand.


I look forward to the new year with much excitement. Life is good for my little family and I am truly grateful. I wish you all a very MERRY Christmas and I pray that you will be blessed with much love, happiness and prosperity in your lives.


Merry Christmas,

James, Erin, McKay, Carter & Cannon

It's Their Story

I have received emails over the last few months asking about my Brother Travis's accident. When the accident happened I didn't give very many details. I didn't feel as if it were my story to tell. I still feel as if it isn't my story to tell. However, I can share with you my Sister-in-law Rebecca's (Travis' Wife) account of that day as she posted on Travis's blog.

"June 10, 2009 was a day that changed our lives forever. The day started like any other, but ended upside down. Travis has always been an involved and loving father. He loves to take his girls with him fishing and hunting. He purposely seeks for one-on-one times to make them feel special. This was one of those times. It breaks our hearts it ended so traumatically, but we are lucky to still have our Travis--husband, father, brother, son, grandson, friend, and teacher. Travis and his daughter Emily were on a date. The motorcycle was always a fun one-on-one way to be together. They planned to go to Reed's Dairy, then out to Army Surplus. Emily still remembers eating a chocolate shake and buying her dad an ice cream cone. She does not remember anything afterwards. For that we are grateful.

The accident occurred by Dad's Truckstop. A left-turning truck pulled immediately in front of Travis and Emily who were southbound, heading for Army Surplus. Several people saw the accident and said Travis threw his arm back to protect Emily. Through miracles, the right people were there for them. Travis' leg was bleeding profusely and a man almost immediately on the scene, who had some medical training, was able to stop the bleeding with his belt. The belt had holes all the way around it--a belt he rarely wore. He saved Travis' life. We are forever family now.

Both Travis and Emily ended up in ICU. Both had head fractures and bruising. Both had severely broken right legs. Travis' was so shattered and the bleeding so unstoppable that his leg was removed to save his life. We are devastated for him, but every cloud has a silver lining. We can get him a new one.

Emily ended up with a plate and 10 screws in her right leg. She has steadily improved. She moved up to pediatrics two days after the accident. She was able to leave the hospital a week after the accident. She sees double at times, but that is improving. She will have her leg wrapped up/cast for about 6 more weeks.

Travis' injuries are extensive. The main focus has been his head injury. Everyday has seen small improvements...baby steps always in the right direction. Hope shines out. Know that your prayers are carrying us. There has been a tremendous outpouring of care and concern. We have been rocked in a cradle of love".

So, as you can see my family truly does have much to be grateful for. Rebecca has kept a blog since the accident to follow their progress. The address to that is www.walltravis.blogspot.com.