January

Yea, a whole month post in one.  :/ I have been debating for a year or so when to stop blogging.  I feel our lives are really boring and mundane.  Should I do Chatbooks instead? Actually try journaling again? Or continue on? Well this is the easiest, so..... I just keep going till I decided. First part of January Cora hit her year mark.  As is tradition she burned a shirt.  When she first told me this I did slightly panic, until she sent the picture.  Cute girl is creative as ever.  Apparently it is a big deal to have a black out year on your mission.  One full calendar year that you wear your black name tag.  Cora was disappointed that she didn't get one.  But she got set apart Dec 31, 2018 so technically she was a missionary for a whole 2019 calendar year and has decided to count it. :)

She said her new companion is super sweet and fun, but very quiet. From Wyoming I think?? Cora had always wanted to donate blood.  She was fascinated by the fact that I never could and tried as soon as she turned 18.  To discover that you can donate when you are 17 but that she was to small.  So Leah thought she would give it a try when she turned 17.  But it never seemed to work out with her being in town the days they were open.  We finally got her down there at the beginning of January.  She was a bit nervous to see how she would react after.  She has had so many vials taking with tests that she figured she would be ok, but still.  She was totally fine.  She had her snack and we went shopping. Blake really needed new snow pants and Dave picked up his birthday present. About 45 mins later she got light headed and had to sit down.  The next day we were playing basketball and again she almost passed out.  So we discovered, very fine, but take it slow for a week after.

Blake was a little upset she wouldn't finish the game with him.  No matter how many times we said her body literally does not have enough oxygen he still thought she should continue.  Haha, kid! Dave is never effected at all.

After donations we headed to do a temple session and the kids did baptisms, with a short visit with my parents.

Then back to town to watch a University basketball game. And dinner at Costco.  (Big spenders!!)  Monday was everyone back to work and school.  Week filled with games and practices.  That weekend was the JR Home Tournament.  Blake played well and did lots of scorekeeping. Leah reffed as much as she could fit in between coaching her little girls on Friday and then Saturday took off to watch her boys in their home tournament.  Dave's birthday was Saturday.  We had won a gift card to the local grocery store and decided to use it to splurge on steak for his birthday.  We celebrated Sunday when all were back at home. Again lots of practices and a game followed.  We were hit with some very cold weather.  Some days were -32.  We had Leah start her car and let it run for a few minutes at lunch time, after school and then after practice so she wouldn't be stuck at the school in the evening after tutoring with a car that was to cold to start. It was also the week that it was Dave's turn to feed cows.  Most of the week was fine, just biter cold. He went out Friday to feed, which usually takes about an hour and then was going to play ball with Blake.  It turned into a two day job.  Tractor wouldn't start for hours, then after it finally did, it died in the field.  Saturday was mostly spent with tarps over it and propane heaters.  Jared had to make two trips to two towns to get propane and batteries.  Blake, Dave and Jared worked for hours.  Luckily it had warmed up to -22.  Blake said under the tarp it was nice.  :) 

Finally it was going again. Crazy! Leah made it through her diplomas.  We are anxious and terrified to get her report card next week. Blake did awesome on his mid-terms.  Dave has been taking Blake skiing every Friday.  They are loving it. Leah and I had planned to go back with them last Saturday, but it was rainy and foggy.  Not nice to ski in.  That Friday Dave and Blake had met us for a College game and we got back very late.  Not nice conditions and we slept in, so no ski.

Cora wrote to tell us about going on splits during her last mid-trainers meeting.  They were held in Bristol. (She has been hoping to get a chance to serve in Bristol since her very first mid-trainers meeting last February.  Every transfer she crosses her fingers and prays.  She says it is so beautiful and she loves everything about it.)  Right now the Book of Mormon Musical is also playing in Bristol.  At their meeting the MP instructed them to dress as close to the cast members as they could and take a ton of pamphlets.  They were to just give them out as fast as they could.  A couple of years ago we went to Salt Lake for General Conference. Cora loved watching all the people handing stuff and had heard of missionaries proselytizing outside of this musical in New York.  She always thought it would be super fun and was beyond excited when she heard she was going to get the chance.  She said it was a definite high light of her mission so far.  Later that week when she called us, Cora said that her MP went one day as well, and it just 'happened' to be the one day that the Bristol TV crew was there.  Her MP got interviewed.

Last week I completely forgot our anniversary.  When I mentioned it to Dave he seemed surprised as well.  I then ran Blake into YM's.  When I got back he and Leah were making lunches for me.  I thought it was so kind since I hate making lunches.  The next morning, our anniversary, I was quickly getting breakfast for the kids and ran into the pantry.  I thought, 'Gosh we have a lot of cereal.  That is weird we haven't bought much cereal the last few years.' But was in a hurry and didn't think anything else.  Later I walked in again and started looking around.  My pantry was packed full.  Come to find out Dave had been buying and hiding food for a few days.  He had Leah take pictures of our pantry and items we did have.  Then when I ran Blake in they scrambled to pull everything out of its hiding place and get it put away.  They were making lunches so I wouldn't go in the pantry and see it early.  I loved it.  Best gift ever.  And Leah loved being in on it with her Dad.

I had a great birthday.  I planned to have no plans and it was excellent.  Last home games werevthis week.  Leah's girls keep asking if she will please come back next year.

Blake had his best game yet.  They won 42-28.  He was high point score with 22 points that game.

Leah and I were sitting through, yet another, practice yesterday and watching him.  He is faaaassst.  Like at least half a gym ahead of his teammates on every drill.  And to think he almost didn't play.  He now says that was just to tease me, but I don't know.

Second semester has started.  All of us are doing great.  Cora wishes her mission would slow down a little, but has made some decision about when she gets home.  Leah and Cora are so excited to live together for college next year.  Only a few weeks left of basketball.  It is always sad when it ends.

This ended up being much longer than I thought. Maybe next month I will have to break it up. 

Memories Jar

Last year was so fun to read all our slips of paper we decided to do it again.  After I posted about it my cousin Katherine said she would like to do a jar and she thought it would be fun to write down what each slip of paper said after to keep a memory of them.  I thought that was brilliant and was kicking myself that I had thrown them away at that point. So this year I am making a list. I really thought I wouldn't do it again.  But man is it fun to go back and remember and read things we had forgotten.  Not everything gets blogged and Instagramed ;) It is also fun to see what was fun or interesting enough to the kids to write down and the repeats we had if it was a moment everyone enjoyed.

Jan 3: Cora arrived safe and sound at the England MTC.  Was very happy to get her name tag.  She travelled with 5 Elders.
Jan 4/5: Leah had a fantastic time at the Claresholm boys tournament
Jan 5: Cora got to go to the Preston Temple
Jan 12: Leah got many compliments and thank yous for reffing the jr high tournament
Jan 12: Blake had nice breakaways, steals and rebounds and quite a few baskets at his tournament
Jan 23: Cora got Jersey as her first area
Jan 25/6: Blake and Gilbert went on a winter camp.  The weather was perfect.  They had lots of fun, shot guns,built fires, cooked.  Fun times
Jan: Leah got a 100% on a book report for a book she never read. :) Whistlestop
Feb 8: Leah won a T-shirt at a pronghorns game
Feb 14: Blake organized a great Valentine's dance for his Jr High
Feb 18: Went to the church to play basketball as a family.  So many games of bump.  Our foul shots were amazing.  We were all on fire.
Feb 18: Mission communication standard is changed and we got to talk to Cora this morning. She is doing awesome
Feb 24: Leah ACTUALLY flirted a tiny bit with a certain boy earning herself zones tickets:)
Feb 27: Leah has 100% in Social, Bio AND Physics
Mar 3: Leah did an amazing job of speaking in Stake Conference
Mar 23: Blake got invited to do baptism with Avery and Moses and had an awesome time
Mar 25: Blake got glasses
End of Mar: Leah decided suddenly to play softball
April 5: Leah got to do a job shadow at the hospital for X-ray and ultrasound. Had a blast.  Looked at lots of her old x-rays.  Discovered she had a broken rib and finger in the past.
April 5: Blake raked at Sis Smith's for 6 hours
April 5: Leah had a wonderful birthday.  Got to skip school, job shadow, and spend the rest of the day with Emily
April 13: Leah had a fabuous priest/laurel conference.  Went down with Emiy and got asked out on a date.
April 15: Blake did well in his badminton tournament
April: Blake ate a granola bar for the talent show
April 29: Leah got a job at Little Bow Park
May 4: Blake had a nice time at his first youth conference and was a great brother to Leah
May 4: Leah made sandwiches with the boy :)
May 20: Leah had an awesome double date with Emily (and boys)
May 23: Blake got to do another performance with advanced band.  He is really enjoying it
May 24: Blake and Dave attended Stake Man's Camp. Fun times
May 31: Leah got her first paycheck
June 1: Blake won't stop begging to arm wrestle Leah.  Had a blast. Guess who won??
June 4: Char had a fantastic trip to Utah for Brody's baptism.  Fun to be with Taylor and my sisters
June 13: We got to (mostly) watch the Raptors win the NBA Championship.  It was in Spanish, but still...
June 15: Leah won coaches award for basketball
June 28: Crazy car trip today! Got past Noble and belt fell off.  We pretty much coasted home.  Hot engine, battery dying it was an adventure
July 12: Blake and Leah got up on water skis
July: Blake and Dave taking apart dirt bikes and putting them back together
Aug 7: Leah got to go on a mini one day road trip :)  HAHAHaaha with Emily.  Hiking in Waterton, ice cream, Mama Mia play in Cardston, hanging out with Bailey
Aug 20: Leah had an awesome time at Whoop-Up days and meet some fun friends
Aug 21: Blake passed his learners first try because he is the prodidgy child!!
Aug 22: Blake went to his first Stake Dance
Aug: Dave and Blake drank my smoothie
Aug 24: Blake totally waterskied, Even tried to do a bit of jumps
Sept: Blake beat Dad in a shot gun shoot off at Bro Findlay's.  P.S. Blake hit all his shots
Sept 21: We got to go to Banff.  Hike was fantastic.  Beaver Tails delicious. And Red Rock Pizza awesome
Oct 10: Leah got great pictures with her boys after the football game
Oct 17: Fun trip to Edmonton
Oct 31: Blake had a fun Halloween party
Nov 24: WE WON PROVINCIALS!!!
Nov: Cora taught an illegal discussion in a cathedral
Dec 6: Blake was on fire in his game today.  Connor and him played so good together
Dec 6: Leah's girls won their game and had so much fun
Dec 14: Blake got to play a little ball with the HS team
Dec 17: Cora is training again
Dec: Cora has seen so many miracles and had her bishop tell her he wants his daughters to be just like her.

To the End of 2019

This year for Christmas Dave got himself, Blake and Leah WOW cards for Castle. It stands for Wonders of Winter and is 50% off every time they ski.  He said it is paid for by your third ski and then savings after that. He likes it much better than the Cruise the Castle he used to get. So Monday we headed to the ski slopes.  Leah was a bit nervous.  She had not been able to ski much last season. It was beautiful weather.

Not much fresh snow lately so it was a bit icy on the slopes.  Dave loves skiing with his kids.  He spent so many years patiently teaching them and staying on the lower trails with them to build their skill.  Now they all, but Leah, go to the top and ski all day with him.  Dave said Leah has the ability but not the confidence to do it. She went up once last year, but it was not a nice ski day and she pysched herself out.

So they skied and loved it.  Came in for a short lunch and right back out.  Leah came in about an hour before they closed as Blake and Dave went to the top.  Her knees had held out, but she was pretty sore.  Blake's feet don't bother him at all and even his tendon has stop hurting.  He had a great ski day.  Dave is hoping to take him skiing on the Friday's he doesn't have school. 

New Year's Eve started by attending the funeral of a dear friend.  She had had a very long battle with MS and the last few years had gone down hill quickly.  It was sad to have her gone.  I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of life after death.  To know that she is running and jumping in heaven with her family.  She will be missed but happy that she has been released from this mortal body.  I loved her humor and happiness right to the end and feel lucky to have know her.  Till we meet again Joanne. On the way home we dropped Leah off at Emily's house.  They were to hang out until it was time to get ready for the party before the stake dance. When we got home Blake quickly vacuumed out the car and then his friends arrived and we headed back to town.  He had asked a few week before if he could take his friends to Get Air.  He has one friend moving way up north and they wanted to have one last get together. He got it all arranged with the guys.  I dropped them off for their hour of jumping and ran some errands.  They then chose 5 Guys for dinner and back home.  I wanted to get a few last pictures of these great friends.  He will be greatly missed. 

After all the boys had been picked up Dave, Blake and I opened our sparkling juice and cheered in the new year.  We had said a Happy New Year at 5 since that was Cora's new year.  We watched another movie. (We signed up for the free trail of Disney +.  I knew we were not keeping it and so we crammed a lot of movie watching into that 7 days)  Dave worked on the puzzle after the movie.  We have done a LOT of puzzles this month.  Dave can do them pretty quickly.  Just a few days for 500-1000 piece puzzles.  I am not great at them.  We have a giant size 48 piece puzzle of the world,  I did that one as a joke to race him. Anyways he did some more puzzle as Blake played Skate 3 with his friends online for awhile.  Then they went to bed as I waited to pick Leah up at the corner.  As I was waiting Cora messaged in Happy New Year. (New Year's Day was her P-Day this week).  When I replied and she saw I was up she called.  I thought it would be a quick call as I expected to pick up Leah at any minute. I had anticipated 1 o'clock. After Leah and Emily got ready and hung out they were picked up and went to a party in town.  She had a blast and then they headed over to the stake dance.  It was a bit latter as it was new year and they drop balloons at midnight. Chatting and pictures after would put her about 1....

But as it turned out Leah's ride did not leave for a long time and we ended up getting home at 3 in the morning.  She had called to let me know and we were trying to figure out if I should come get her, but 3 trips to town in a day is a lot so we waited a bit.  She wasn't in personal danger.  It ended that I had a nice long chat with Cora.  She was saying that she was kinda sad that she would not have a black out year.  Which apparently means you got to wear your black name tag for a full year.  I reminded her that even tho she didn't go into the MTC until Jan 3 she was actually set apart Dec 31 2018, so technically she did.  She was so excited. I guess it is a thing. When it was time for her to hang up I called Leah to tell her I was going to come get her.  They had just left town. Finally!  Both of us were pretty dead the next day.

2019 was another good year.  

Merry Christmas

We did absolutely nothing for Christmas and loved it.  We had a nice sleep in Christmas Day.  Blake claimed he was up a couple hours before Leah but she was fast asleep so he just read until she woke up.  Once everyone was awake we opened stockings and presents.  Cora had said she was going to call around 11 our time so we  saved  the presents she sent to us for when she called. Had a great breakfast. Did puzzles, cleaned up the presents.  Leah was laughing at me as a started laundry in the morning, but I told her clothes still get dirty even if it is Christmas and it was laundry day. Lunch was excellent.  Everyone voted for salmon again this year.  We waited and waited and lazed around waiting for Cora's call.  I had gone for a run and was waiting to shower.  I knew as soon as I did she would call.  Finally I said answer my phone if she calls.  Sure enough as soon as I turned on the water I heard Dave say Hey! How are you?  Seriously child it was 2.  But of course we loved talking to her.

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Cora had forgotten to bring our gifts to the DA and went straight to the church to call after.  So we didn't get to see her open our presents.  She gave Dave and Blake cool ties from an antique store in Gloucester.  I got giant cards and Leah was given a sweater.  The logo is the British Arms.  Cora said it is absolutely everywhere on everything. She had also sent us much british candy.  Cora had found a Christmas story book for us as well.  I get a new book each Christmas for the family.  This one was about Santa visiting Gloucester.  As Santa is flying over the city, the story talks about different landmarks he is going past and streets he is flying over.  Cora had put a lot of sticky notes in the book to explain places she had been.  One was she had taught a discussion in the cathedral, or this is the street they live on, here is our church,  or a cool fact she learned about the docks etc.  It was a really neat idea and we loved reading her notes.

It was so fun to talk to her and hear all about what it is like to be a missionary at Christmas time.  Dave and Cora shared experiences that they have both had as missionaries during holidays and stuff.  After we were done talking we worked more on puzzles, played games, read and then that night watched a movie and ate the left over appetizers.

Boxing Day we got the house all cleaned up.  Everyone asked me to please not undecorate yet. So I waited until the 28th. :) But we put things away and got all straightened back up.  At noon we headed over to Myrna's for the Puzey Christmas.  We had a lovely ham for lunch and played games, white elephant for kids and presents from grandma. Way to many treats. But all so good. The  next morning Dave and Blake went back over to have breakfast with everyone and then we went to the church to play basketball and nerf guns. Back to Myrna's for an excellent turkey dinner. After dishes were done the kids watched some shows and we hung out until appetizers that night.  Dave and I and were very tired and we all came back home after the dinner and promptly went to sleep. It was a fun get together with lots of great food as usual.

Christmas Eve and a bit before

Leah's skit was awesome.  Everyone was laughing and she had so many compliments on it.  The youth overacted just enough with out making it to much.  And everyone was right in there.  It was great.  Emily and Avery came to hang out with Leah and Blake that night. The four of them agreed to go see Santa as long as they didn't have to sit on his lap.  They thought if they went in pairs they wouldn't.  But Santa made them.  Hence the slightly uncomfortable odd pictures. :/ It was a delicious dinner and the whole program was excellent.  Top Notch ward party.

We had a nice Christmas Sacrament Meeting. Leah sang with Myrna and Emry.  They always sound so good together. Monday we went to town for one last grocery before Christmas.  I had gotten all I needed the week before, but then Dave decided to have a potluck at work and Blake informed me he had a Secret Santa at school.  So we had to go back and replace what food and items they had used for those.  We also did some grad dress shopping with Leah.  Blake was very excited to be involved with that. As we dropped the food off to Dave for his potluck we did a quick tour of the his plant. Leah did not have closed toed shoes on and Dave gave her these awesome yellow metal things to cover her toes.  Haha she sounded like a horse clip clopping through the plant. 

I'm sure I have mentioned before that Myrna has a Grandkids Tree.  We each make ornaments each year with our kids on them to give her.  It is really neat and they all love going and looking at past ornaments and their cousins ornaments through the years. I regret not making extra for myself while I was at it, but it's a little to late now.  Some years I love what I do and some years I think, 'well that did not turn out great'.  This year I loved them. And as my kids grow and move out this will be the last year with separate ornaments.  Next year just one for them all. 

Dave and I have been having appetizers as our Christmas Eve meal since we first got married.  I love appetizer meals and Christmas Eve is the perfect time to splurge.  Although this year I was smarter and made small amounts of everything.  But each year we try to remember our favorites from the year before.  So to follow is a long borrow spiel about my food that no one cares about but I want to just look up next year. (Dave says no one should take pictures and blog about their food unless you have a food blog. And should NEVER use the word yummy.  Unless you are 10 :)) So this is for me.

Our constants are Lazy Potato Skins, Shrimp, Veggies and Dip, Panko Chicken Bites, Oranges, Meatballs, and 7-Layer Dip. We saved the meatballs and dip this years since we were having it two days later at Puzey Christmas get together.

We used to do Bacon Wrapped Wiener, but two years ago, Cora was at a New Year's Eve party and they served Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts. Last year she wanted us to try making them.  I am not a big fan of water chestnuts, but she was very excited to share this with us. 

totally converted first bite.  I don't like wiener and always just eat one for the crispy caramelized bacon. But the water chestnut was so good. You don't taste the chestnut, it just takes on the flavor of the bacon and gives it a crunch. This has been added to the must have list. 

Three years ago I pinned these Goat Cheese wrapped strawberries.  They looked incredible good, but I could not wrap my head around cheese and strawberries.  Again, but, I wasn't willing to unpin because I was intrigued. This year I had some free money with my PC Card and decided to just go for it. If it was nasty it was free money wasted.  They were not nasty. Unless you ask Blake.  He did not enjoy them at all.  The rest of us decided they were good enough to eat each Christmas and they were a beautiful colorful addition. But the more bites I had the more they grew on me. The flavorful herbs and crunchy nuts with the soft cheese and sweet strawberry was truly wonderful. 

Later I used the left over goat cheese with some raspberries in a grilled cheese sandwich, with a little cinnamon.  Very delightful dessert grilled cheese. (I dream of owning a Grilled Cheese only pop up restaurant and have been experimenting over the last year with different combinations.  We have had some very very tasty concoctions) Anyways I digress. 

I usually enjoy a good cheese ball.  I don't like to eat much and if I do I enjoy the outside best.  So this year we tried a cheese log. That way everyone got the tasty outside in almost every bite. And for my family halved the recipe, we still had lots left over. It was a Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Log and will also be added to the must have list. 

Our Must Have Christmas Eve list is getting longer.  We enjoyed lots of the left over Christmas Day in the evening.

 I stole one of Dave's sweatshirts a few years ago. It is way to big but had no hood and was perfect for just wearing around the house.  He thought it was funny so one day he washed it and folded it up and officially presented it to me.  The kids thought it was hilarious.  Anyways on many an evening we end up matching in our sweatshirts as we watch a movie or play games.  Dave started to joke that we needed making pj bottoms as well. So for our Christmas Eve pj this year that is what I did.

After appetizers and opening of pajamas it was time for the Christmas Nativity.  I was struggling this year about what to do.  As the kids get older I wanted to do something different than just read the story or act it out.  I feel like we were just doing that to get to our movie. So I started thinking about the true meaning of Christmas. And to me it wasn't necessarily the birth that was significant, but because of whom the birth was. Does that make sense?  I am not downplaying that important event in history, but was just thinking there is not a huge holiday for example my birthday  It is Christ and because of what he did and does for us that we celebrate his birth. We read the nativity story and watched The Christ Child again, but then we went through the Light the World calendar and talked about what/if we did something each day and how we felt about it. We talked about the power of repentance and the blessings of the Holy Ghost. The blessings we have from knowing Christ.  How our lives would be different without Him. What getting to know him and following his commandments really means to each of us. It was a nice discussion with our kids. Then we did watch our movie.  Our traditional movie is A Christmas Story, but we could not find it this year.  Very disappointed still. Blake and Leah had a sleepover and off to bed we all went.