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. 

Quick Update

I realized I needed to do a quick update before I have all the Christmas stuff to do.  That would make for a very long post.  Somehow Dave got put in charge of doing our ward live nativity.  He is very good at delegating and had lots of great help.  He was watching weather and getting nervous about it being too cold and windy, but it went off beautifully and there were lots of compliments to all.  It was a lot of work to get all the bales into town and everything set up.  They added a lot and Dave was glad they decided to do it.  Dave, Blake and Jared spent many hours and many trips back and forth. 

They are going to do a shortened version for the Ward party tomorrow as well.

Basketball has been going great for Blake.  He dunked the ball and was very pleased.  His ankle has not been giving him any trouble.  The first game he was really nervous, even felt nauseous.  He said it was crazy and felt like a bit of a cop-out but he felt like he had a little PTSD from the season last year.  But I think that is what it was.  He and the other grade 12 players are determined to keep things positive and encouraging.

It has been fun to see this team come together and play.  The encouragement and team work. They have done well so far too.  As high school players, they ref for the Jr High team.  Blake and Gilbert were asked to ref the first home game.  Neither were very excited, but they do get paid for it.  Had had no training before and so were unsure about it.  After when they got asked again, they said maybe someone else should take a turn.  And the teacher said, well no one else has had training.  When she found out they had not either it was kinda funny.  Blake did not think so. 

But again I am so thankful for this friendship they have.  Has made HS a world of difference for Blake. 

They had a fun tournament and placed 2nd.  Blake got a lot of fouls, which he never does.  We had to closely watch and try to figure out what the refs were seeing.  I think we got it. 

We tried a new computer system at work.  There were two days of training and then we ran with it.  It was so much more work and many things that just did not work for our clinic.  4 and a half days into it they niched it and said no way and went back to old system. However we are still having a few problems from it that I think will take a few months to sort back out and, man, are people complaining and upset.  It has been good times. 

I made a quick trip to Edmonton with Leah's dress.  We met with the lady doing the alteration. (Leah got it back this week and sent me pictures.  I looks so great. She said she loved it so much, and it is so comfortable, she just wants to wear it all the time all over her house).  Next we all went to the fabric store to pick out material.  I am making ties for the wedding again.  Dinner at Earl's and a long chat after since out waiter waited a bazillion years to bring the check, even after we told him we were done. Good thing I love hanging out with my girls.  And then we went to Tim Horton's and met Braydon's mom and sister.  It was nice to finally meet them and sort out some wedding details.  I stayed over with Cora and left early the next morning to make sure I got home in time for Blake's game.  Lovely time had with my girls. We sat at Earl's at a table of 4 and both girls said how excited they were to some day included Blake's wife in all the things we were doing. 

Dave bought a swim pass a few months back and has been enjoying doing that on his lunch breaks.  He is starting to feel a bit healthier as well.  Things are going well for him at work also.

We made chocolates, went to Brandley's Crazy Rook party.  Presents are ready, menu sorted. I think we are just about ready for Christmas. So there it is.  Basketball-check, wedding plans-check, Christmas-check, seminary-oh also good.  Love teaching with Sis Oliver, she know so much.  Work-check.  On we roll, another year almost complete.

Full Week

Halloween this year, Blake went with a group of friends trick or treating.  They all went as pirates.  It was a grand time.  It was 2 days later that he finally got to do the traditional candy dump and sort.

Just had to much going on.

We took Blake to Bryan Adams as an early Christmas gift.  Ammon and Cora had seen him on tour in Montreal and told us it was coming our way.  We got tickets and surprised Blake.  I hadn't planned on going.  It was too much money to buy 3 tickets, but Dave convinced me.  At that point there were no more seats by them, so I sat way up in a balcony by my self.  Halfway thro, Dave text me and said there were empty seats by them and no one had come.  I snuck down and enjoyed the rest of the concert with them.  It was really well done.  Always enjoy Bryan Adams.  I love how he took requests as part of the show from the audience.

Ammon and Cora flew back from Montreal and a couple days later Braydon made it back.  Everyone was finally back in Alberta Thursday.  Ammon and Cora drove down here Thursday night and Braydon and Leah came Friday by noon.  As soon as they got here, Dave took all the boys and went to do a move for a lady.  He kept telling them all that only Blake didn't have a choice in coming, and Braydon had literally just walked in the door, but he really enjoyed showing up with all the boys.  I think he was a little proud of his pose. :)  When they got back they all got in and helped with the shop.  It was cold and dark.  They were all great sports.  I sure at some point that Ammon and Braydon will stop coming, as we always put them to work. :/

Leah, Cora and I went wedding dress shopping.  I had no thought that we would actually find a dress.  I just knew we needed to start the process at some point.  But we DID!  And it is beautiful.  Seriously you could just see it on her face that this was the dress.  I always thought that was a myth.  But you could absolutely tell.  It was fun to be with my girls and finding a dress.  Cora did an amazing job of documenting all the action.  

There were dresses we didn't personally love.  Sure they are great for someone. 

Leah very grateful for her dress as we went a little over budget.

When we got home, Cora and I went out to help the boys.  I was told they were starving, so I came back in and Leah and I got the tacos ready.

Saturday we got up early to make it to the temple.  Blake drove down with us so he could at least hang out on the drive. Then went to the Gs and did homework.  Leah had been wanting to take out her endownments for months, but wanted to wait until Cora was back. It was a beautiful day.  Almost all of her aunts and uncles were there, all grandparents and Levi.  So many people came to be with her on this special day and she really appreciated them all coming and driving so early. 

Look at my cute family.  It was such a neat experience to be there all together and I got to sit with my 2 girls.  Very special.  Leah has a tendency to talk through movies, she had a few questions during the session, and after we were teasing her that she even talked through the temple 'movie'.  

After the temple, we had a snack and then Cora and the boys dressed up warm again and went back out and finished getting all the posts in for the shop.  Then Dave, Ammon and Braydon went back out again to clean the garage so I could park back inside again. We ate late but it was good.

Sunday right after church Braydon and Leah left to get back to Braydon's house.  They were having dinner with his family.  They had not seen the two of them together since they got engaged.  Ammon and Cora hung out with us for a few more day.  Blake had no school Monday.  We went for a walk and didn't do much. Cora made an excellent dinner.  Tuesday Cora thought it would be hilarious to decorate my house for Christmas while I was at work.  I was very surprised when I walked in.  It was so early.  They both thought it so funny.  I am grateful I don't have to carry boxes and set up, but seriously, so early.  And as Cora said, it's was a great prank because it is not like I am going to take it down and put it back up in 3 weeks.  Although tempted.  I am thinking, can I undecorate December 12th then?? 

Leah's engaged!

For me this story starts back a few years ago.  Just goes to show that the Lord truly has thing under control and in his timing. The very first time we met Ammon, Leah was quite smitten with this certain kid.  We weren't super happy about it.  There were things we just think didn't jel with the two of them.  Ammon kept telling her to get over him because she was going to marry his friend Braydon anyways.  The name sounded familiar and I later learned that Cora had been good friends with him before her mission, he had even picked her up from the airport when we flew home from Montreal.  At the time he had a month left of his mission and Ammon and Cora said they were going to set them up.  A month goes by, I hear Braydon is home and pretty much goes straight out to BC to work with them them all out there.  Ammon and Cora get engaged, then married. They are having lots of fun working with all the guys out there and from time to time I hear some story about Braydon, among other co-workers. 

Cora and Ammon go to Regina and are gone for a few months, Leah almost dates this other guy and then they don't, I hear Braydon is dating someone and life goes on.  Come January last year and somehow Leah and Braydon final meet at a party.  I am still unsure if Ammon and Cora took him to Leah's house or if he was friends with someone else that went but none the less he was there. That night I got many text from Leah.  He was funny, easy to talk to, tall, and very good looking according to her, Lots of exclamation marks and caps in these texts. But that is the jist. 

Leah falls pretty fast.  Braydon I gathered had just gotten back from BC, had barely been around Edmonton since his mission and was ready to meet people. He went on lots of dates with lots of people and every time would either stop by Leah's or call her on the way home.  Leah says they didn't go on a date for a while, Braydon says they had a few.  He would pick her up and take her to a group movie or a party.  He thought they were going on dates, but he never said the word date officially so Leah thought they were just hanging out. She is getting a little frustrated, she wants to date this guy, is very interested and he is dating other girls, but still seeing her almost every night. February Ammon, Cora, Frank, and Braydon are on a project in Calgary when Cora calls and asks if the crew can crash at our house for the night and Sunday dinner.  I was very happy to have them.  Have always liked when my kids brought their friends home, but also very interested to meet this Braydon in person.

We enjoyed having Braydon and Frank here with everyone and they were both easy to get along with and lots of fun.  We didn't know if we were supposed to mention that we knew at this point he had taken Leah on a few dates or just pretend we didn't know.  When my mom asked them both if they were dating anyone, we were very interested in Braydon's answer.

I think it is the best way we could have meet him.  With out the first meeting pressure.  Just meeting a long time friend of Ammon and Cora's. And we really liked him.  Blake was in full support before they even started dating.  As they were leaving, I said that they were all welcome back any time, we enjoyed having them.  And Frank mentioned he was pretty sure that Braydon would be back.  It was only a few days after that that Leah and Braydon officially started dating. 

I always felt that Leah let people walk over her a bit, she was loyal to a fault and would put up with more than I thought she should.  I have loved watching her and Braydon together.  He treats her with so much love and care.  He does so many little sweet things for her.  They are so happy together and I love how she is with him. (Blake thought they were a little to cuddly and did not enjoy sitting in the back of the mini van in Halifax with them:)) We have hung out in Edmonton with him and he has come home many times with Leah. Around end of June Leah started talking about marrying him.  But they knew he was going away on this project and were waiting for that.  In Halifax we were pretty sure Braydon was going to talk to Dave.  After coming back from PEI, he text me and asked for Dave's number and could I keep him by his phone.  We were all very excited.  But also didn't know if he was just asking permission that night or also asking Leah that night.  We waited up a very long time and when she got back, she had a beautiful ring to show us.

He had taken her to a special place to him and she said yes.

So Leah is engaged to Braydon Barrett.  He is from Edmonton.  Served his mission in Halifax.  Is 25 and we really like him (honestly both our daughters chose so well)  Ammon was right, it just took some time.  Braydon works for Blackcard with Ammon and Cora.  He is hardworking, kind, so good to Leah, thoughtful and we are happy to have him around forever.

Congratulations Braydon and Leah!