Jason and Jennie Aanenson stand in disbelief looking at was once their three-level home that flames brought to the ground, Christmas Eve.
"I couldn't believe that was our house. It went up in flames," Jason Aanenson said.
Jason's a Hardwick Volunteer Firefighter and knew, from the moment he first saw his house on Christmas Eve, there wasn't much left.
"I've put out fires for others but being on this side of it, words can't explain I guess," Jason Aanenson said.
His wife Jennie says she's upset knowing how much they lost inside.
"That's the hardest part. Losing things you'll never see. Baby things, that's hard for them," Jennie Aanenson said.
None of them expected this to happen. 6 out of their7 children live inside the house. One of them sits among the rubble stunned by what she sees.
"How do you tell them they don't have anything left. Christmas day is supposed to be a happy memory. But they wake up and find out they don't have a house, that was the hardest," Jennie Aanenson said.
Though this is not the Christmas Day she had in mind for her kids, she couldn't be more proud of how they're dealing with it.
"They're encouraging us and telling people 'I don't need anything' so we're very blessed that we have great children," Jennie Aanenson said.
They tell me they quickly realize the benefits of living in a small community with the love and support from everyone around them willing to help.
"We didn't realize how much friend and family we have until something like this happens, we're truly blessed to have lots of friends and family in this community," Jason said.
