January Update

We have had a great start to 2023.  Blake had another ski trip.  He invited Gilbert and Avery to come with him.  Turned out that the Toone's were going anyways, so Blake and Gilbert rode down with them.  They had a great time.  Weather was much better this time.  Gilbert had text Blake to say he had found some old ski suits and did he want to wear one. It was awesome.  They had a blast. 

Not much basketball in January.  It is always a slower month with finals and the end of Christmas break. It was a fun game to watch, even if they didn't win.

The game fell on Dave's birthday.  Since Cora started playing ball in Grade 7, he has had either a game or a tournament every year on his birthday, unless it fell on a Sunday.  Not sure what we will do next year.  Maybe we will have to go find a game somewhere. :)  Since the game was closer to where he works then home, he just stayed down and Blake and I meet him.  I was extremely foggy.  I hate driving in the fog.  We actually had a couple days of thick fog.  I now quite sure I could never live in Seattle.  After the game, Blake bought Dave a treat from the local convenience store as a celebration gift.  We made a cake a few days later and a meal he would enjoy.

Dave's back has been slowly getting better.  Has some good exercises to do and his swimming has helped. 

Wedding plans are coming along.  Leah had her final day of work last week.  They packed up and moved down yesterday.  Cute place they have.  It is going to be so fun for her to organize and put everything away.  The couch would not fit in either door we tried.  Leah loves that couch and she got such a good deal on it, it was kind of sad.  Dave is hoping he can carefully take part of it apart and try to get it in again later. 

Cora invited us to attend the temple with her and Ammon today.  We aren't able to go, but loved that they invited us.  A few months back they made a goal to get to the temple every week, and they have made it.  Sometimes travelling far and hours to make it but they have.  

Blake has only one final left.  Math was not fun for him.  He has very high marks and still said it was the hardest test he has ever done.  He is very sure he failed.  Good thing it is a smaller percentage of his over all grade then it used to be.  His teacher told the class she would be surprised if  even 2 people passed the diploma.  Great system. Hopefully it went OK.  He has done both English diplomas and his Math.  Only Chem left for next week.

Seminary is taught a little different this year and it is great.  They focus a lot more on the doctrinal masteries and topics around it.  The manual is a lot more fluent and I am enjoying it. 

One week till wedding.  We are on the final countdown and final plans are happening.

Christmas continues

Boxing Day I was up early to get things straightened up and cleaned before my family arrived.  Leah had to work the next day, so we were getting together in the morning.  I appreciate them leaving their homes early and travelling up.  It was great to see everyone.  Cora hasn't seen Star and Kailey since before her mission.  And everyone was excited to meet, Alex, Josie, Ammon and Braydon, plus McKay and Star's kids.  Lot of new people and changes in the last 5 years.  It was so noisy, I loved it.  I had no plan, but to set out food and let people munch and chat. Different groups would form and switch and it was wonderful.  Ernie had brought his bullwhip stuff.  Everyone really enjoyed that. 

After the Smith's left, I packed a few snacks for Leah and Braydon and then they decided to come down to the sand and shoot the Tannerite with us before they left.  Cause guns. 

All the boys hit it and we got to see it blow.  Leah and Braydon took off.  We had snacks and did more puzzle, nothing, and went to bed.  Tuesday Ammon, Cora and Blake went skiing.  Blake felt really bad not having Dave come. He has a herniated disc and can barley get around. (I finally got him into see a Dr first week of January and he is doing much better now.  Will take some time, but every move no longer sends his back in spasms.  He just has to remember it is going to take a while to heal and still not doing anything to push it)  It wasn't a very nice day to go.  It rained all day.  But they loved being together and did get to ski. I got all the decorations put away and my house cleaned up.  It was great to have my space back. Ammon and Cora hung out the next few day with us.  I had to work Wednesday and Thursday.  They had a bit to finish up as well.  Thursday they all preg tested.  I heard it was pretty rough.  Blake and Ammon both got kicked, more than once.  The cows were stubborn and didn't like the ice.  Cora got in to help them bring them up  and her and Ammon got charged, had to jump a fence.  I heard lots of stories that night when I got home. I was glad that everyone made it out unhurt, just a little bruised up. Friday they packed up and said a quick hello to grandma Puzey and the Atwood's before they headed up to the Hatch's.  We went to Myrna's and got together with the Puzey side.  Great fun and great food there as well.  It is always nice to see everyone. We all had a delicious breakfast the next morning as well.  Then back to clean my house and just hang out.  We had tried to convince Blake to go do something for New Year's but he wasn't feeling it.  I like that he doesn't mind hanging with us.  I was writing a talk for the next day.  We watched a movie, toasted in the new year, Dave went to bed, Blake and I stayed up as I finished the talk, he watched some videos and worked on a puzzle.  It was 2 minutes to 12 by the time I was done.  Blake and I rung in the New Year together.  My last one before he goes.  It was fun.

This year has brought so many blessing and joy to us.  It is going so fast.  Our kids are making good choices, and have good friends.  They are fun to be with and kind, considerate people.  They serve well and try to make it to the temple often.  I love my family, I love being with them and am so blessed that I get to spend an eternity with all of them. I am grateful I know I get to spend eternity with them.  I love my Savior and am truly thankful for all He has given us.  Goodbye 2022, already lots of great plans for the next year, can't wait to see what all  that 2023 brings.  Happy New Year!

Christmas 2023

As mentioned, Leah and Braydon got here Friday evening.  We had dinner and just hung out.  My dishwasher had died the death a few days before.  I wasn't too concerned about it, as while Braydon is here we wash everything before and after anyways.  Just to be sure he doesn't get sick. It wasn't going to be any different with or without a dishwasher.  Everyone got in at every meal and washed, dried, prepped food, and cleaned up again.  It was a lot of fun. I think we watched a movie Friday night, oh yea, we watched It's A Wonderful Life.  One of Cora's favorites.  Part way into the movie our neighbors stopped by with a gift of crackers, cheese, and sausage.  And a giant thing of maple syrup. Somehow the boys were hungry again and it was the perfect movie snack. (Not the maple syrup, that was later) That night the wind began to really blow.  Dave asked Ammon and Braydon if they had ever experienced a chinook, both said no.  That boggled my mind, since they are so normal for me, but of course not being from SoAb, why would they have.  Ammon got all excited and asked Blake if he had every skied with a sail.  They got a sheet, Blake got his skies on and out they went.  It was pretty amazing, He went over 1/2 mile just getting pushed by the wind. Ammon had to go pick him up. Saturday was sleep in, hang out, piano, puzzles, Blake tried to get Jeep running, few chores, and lots of food prep.  We started just after lunch to make all the appetizers for our annual feast. 

A few slight changes in the menu this year, lot of the usual deliciousness.  It all was so good. I love appetizer days. 

After dinner and clean-up we had our Christmas program.  Dave gave everyone an assignment and then gave them 5 minutes to run around the house and find whatever they could from wherever to make a costume. They were pulling off bed sheets and going through closets.  They were all so creative it was awesome. In the end Braydon won for his inventiveness making pants out of a bed sheet and having sandals, Blake won with his hat, and Ammon looked the most like an Arab with his beard and clothing. It really was fun.  We read and acted out the story and then watched A Christmas Story. 

After they all put out their stockings.  The kids stayed up for a while and just hung out. (I love that my kids really enjoy being together.  Both the girls have brought awesome men in to the family as well.  Blake loves them and they have a great time together.  It really makes all the work and effort that goes into raising kids worth it, when you can see them all enjoying time together.  Makes me very happy) 

Sunday we had thought we would do stockings before church, but didn't make it.  We had a fantastic sleep in, a good breakfast and just make it on time to church.  After, as the turkey cooked, we did stockings, presents, more hang out.  Blake flew his new drone and waited for the turkey.  I love how thoughtful all my kids are in their gift getting.  They do such a great job and I loved all of them.  They know me well.  Cora had gone to a second hand book store and found some gems for Dave and I.  There was a mystery bag of books for me.  They didn't open it either, thought it would be fun to all be surprised.  It was so funny.  Inside for a few books in German, some health books, some that will be fun to read, but all a treasure and fun to look through. Blake also got me books, and Leah got me mascara that she thought might work and a great puzzle for Dave.  Leah got a great hat for Blake, he loves it and Cora got him Tannerite.  I didn't know what that was, but later we went out and it makes a pretty good bang.  Much fun was had with that. Cora did our centerpiece again.  Not sure they were being to helpful or not. :)

I made everyone take a Christmas picture. I love that Cora found my going away dress and decided to wear it.  She looked so good. 

Finally dinner was ready.  And it was delicious. 

After dinner, more clean up, and another movie. I got to put aways a few decorations.

Alumni

Dave played in the alumni tournament this year.  It was fun to watch him play.  Blake was asked to ref a few games, he still really does not enjoy it, and to score keep, that he doesn't mind as much. The old guys won the tournament. 

That night was our ward Christmas party.  It was nice to get together and celebrate the season.  We made Blake sit on Santa's lap.  Every kid and that the missionaries got to visit Santa.  The nativity went well again.  Short program was great. 

Sunday Ammon and Cora came to stay.  They had a project in the area.  We thought a few more of the crew were going to be staying with us for the week.  Monday Braydon came, but the rest stayed in town.  Blake was supposed to have a game that Monday night.  Cora has really wanted to watch him and they were going to take a break on the project and bring the whole crew.  I was excited to have a little posse cheering Blake on.  The weather was very cold and the game was postponed.  We were all a little disappointed.  That lead to a week of most days being cancelled because of the cold.  -35ish most days. Blake went a few days to do a test and then would come home as there were only 5 people at school. Therefore he got an early Christmas break.  He didn't mind that at all. Cora and I went grocery shopping Wednesday and picked up the keys for Leah and Braydon's new place for them. Braydon went back up to get Leah on Wednesday and they got back here Friday afternoon.   Christmas break was ready to begin. 

Side story: I went grocery shopping a few weeks back.  I had bought a new mascara along with everything else.  As we seem to way to frequently lately, after I talking with Dave and saying how astonished I am at how fast prices are rising.  I was telling him that it cost me $170 that day.  He seemed surprised but just said that if it worked for me that is great.  I was a confused and asked if what worked.  He said he hoped my new mascara worked.  I realized that he had only listened to part and had thought I said I spent $170 on new mascara.  I was laughing and explained what I had actually said, but as I was laughing I thought about what a great man I had married.  And that incident just proved it again. Of course it would be ridicules to spend that much on one product, but he didn't say one word of complaint, he just supported me and if I thought it was necessary, then he would roll with it.  It is how he does all things.  Dave supports me in all my decision and thing that I want to do.  Encourages and helps.  He is a wonderful person and I love him tons.