December 31, 2021

Austin took the kids to the mountains to play in the snow.  I need to get the pictures.

After a bombed Flagstaff dance, we came home to find all these peoople awake.

Happy New Year!

 

December 30, 2021

Molly made a new game, "Healthy Lane," created after the order of "Candy Land." We each played several times, because the rounds were 2 minutes, max.  My kind of game.  Oh!  Molly mostly won.

We also stopped to play that  four-player Switch game where you beat the timer creating food at a restaurant.  I don't know what's it's called, but we are winning.

Then! I dumped all the drawers, clothing in the closet and toys into the middle of the boys' room.  Then I organized while on Google Hangouts with Mom and Sis.  I finished the project in three hours, and the whole room, "feel lighter," as Maisie described it.

 

My 41st Birthday!

My birthday is a bit of the best because it's always Christmas break, and we almost always get to sleep in.  It's been a very long time since we stayed in bed and our three friends joined us.

I invited all to my birthday party workout.  Andy dodged it, Maisie read through the stretch (Michael Vey), Nick groaned the entire time, Maddie owned it, Eddie hopped from equipment to equipment, Ryan fetched the fan and the phones, and Molly just dances around and got in the way.  I loved it! This is certainly a new birthday tradition.

After I opened a few presents, Molly made me a game with the bubble wrap, "Hop and Pop."  We had a nice time playing.

Grandma B. took me to lunch, and we were able to talk and eat in peace -- both of which never happen with the entire family at the meal.  That was so nice of her, and I'm so blessed that she loves me. (We didn't take a picture. Boo.)

Then we headed to the movies to see the new Spider-Man movie.  Molly watched shows on my phone with headphones.  I'm so glad we paid for her.

 We opened gifts and ate rice crispy treats in the evening.  I felt so loved and adored.  This year will be another year of major change, and I'm not really looking forward to the realities of it.  However, I am blessed that there are a few constants that guide me: I am a daughter of heavenly parents, Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer, the Book of Mormon is another testment of Jesus Christ and He is unchangeable, that families are forever, and that Austin is my adoring huband that will not drop me.

Decmber 28, 2021

Our new class YW presidency met for a couple hours.  I then spent the day organizing in the lights of the tree and the sounds of a Hallmark Christmas show.  Finally, I relaxed and basked.

December 27, 2021

Monday, Maisie came along to fully outfit Andy for his mission.  We shopped for hours, and he paid for all of his inventory.  I just tried to soak him up and take long looks at him, taking in his gait, his hair, his sniffles and his gaming.  It's going to happen -- he's leaving, which has been the plan all along, but again, I have to grow up!

December 26, 2021

Church came really early this morning.  Molly's new dress and four huge bows made me so happy.  Austin called her, "Snowflake" all morning long.

Andy was ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood today.  This is an important step in his eternal progression.  Austin blessed him with a life of service and faith in Jesus Christ.  Austin, Grandpa B., Elijah, President Hall and Bishop Hoggard stood in the circle.

Maddie played a piano solo in sacrament meeting, "O Holy Night."  She played so well for a girl that has learned on her own.

Maisie's new teeth are so pretty.  I'm grateful that she took these radiant pictures.

 Melijah drove home, and we miss them already.

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas 2021! 

The children awakened the parents with several carols and shouts of adoration.  We spent all the time we could opening presents and being thankful.  Of course Molly squealed, Ryan ripped into his candy, Eddie found the bikes on the balcony, Maddie quietly worked on her present pile, Nick encouaged and cooed at others' gifts, Maisie pined for her candy (She requested gold fish instead of candy, and Santa listened), Andy was very mature when all his gifts were mission-oriented, Melijah were so thoughtful and gave/made gifts for every person, Austin and I vowed that we were not going to exchange gifts, and we didn't.

Before.

During.

After.

Grandma B. always makes us the best breakfast. She works all morning, and we are so thankful and blesses.

Christmas piles of people -- I much prefer to piles of presents.

Grandpa questioned each person about their favorite gifts and listened carefully to their answers.

Three dirt bikes for the boys were the highlight.

Austin and Elijah were the resident trainers.  Andy was the only one who crashed.  He ripped his sweatshirt and bloodied several limbs.  Boomer.

It's a Christmas miracle!  Molly and I napped.  (The children were heard well after midnight.  She cried for ten minutes, "I'm not tired." I ignored her, and we both fell asleep.)

The afternoon was lazy with kids going in and out, football games on TV, and leftovers for meals.

Melijah promised these three a Circle K run.  Because they were leaving the next day, they took Mo and ran to get slurpees.  I think that was so sweet of them.

Once the day died down, the big kids gathered for their nightly snack/chat.

Elijah told us several mission stories and amped Andy up for the blessings of missionary service.  

This year was special because we still have a few believers in Santa, and we have a house filled with believers of Jesus Christ.  How blessed we are that we know what Molly reminds us daily, "Christmas isn't about presents, it's about Jesus being born."  Might I add, "God bless us, everyone."

 Austin's idea for the Polar Bear Plunge was terffical -- we invited four other families (all first-timers) to freeze their fannies in the pool and then warm their souls with soup and friendship.

Because we had so many little children, we took turns.  

Younger Group

Older Group

Tonight was one of those special nights were Christmas magic was palpable.  

December 21, 2021

We dropped into Grandma's house for a few minutes.  Meg pulled out the boxes of old pictures, and we sat in awe of Austin's lucious locks.

The Polar Bear Plunge is coming, so yard work was in full swing for a bit today.

 

December 20, 2021

Our annual Christmas Concert was a succes with so many failures.  Our hearts were light and filled with faith, family and music.

Molly's Intro 

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

Deck the Halls

Jingle Bells

O Holy Night

Here Comes Santa Claus

Silver Bells

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Lip Sync

The highlight of our night is always the recitation of "The Living Christ."  May I echo, "God be thanked for the matchless gift of His Divine Son."