Utah 2019-2020

I just love my annual Utah journey.  This year I traveled without Austin, so Meg helped me drive.  We arrived to homemade noodles and soup that Grandma Goodell made.  Delicious.  She taught me how to make those noodles when I was 9 and spent the summer on her farm.

 These cute cousins spent the week together.

 Maisie entertained these cute cousins.

 New Year's Eve was the traditional dance party.  John wins because he bought tons of glow sticks so we glowed.

 Being able to control the music and endlessly laugh is the best part of the night. 

We did sled for three hours Wednesday morning.  I need to have someone send me a picture of that perfect sledding day.

 Wednesday we actually stopped and watched a movie, "Togo."  Mother and Grandma cried, so did I.  We we snuggled and warm and our hearts were filled with the unconquerable spirit of man and his courageous animal.  It was ideal.

 That night was a delightful sleepover.

 Thursday was our annual "Girls' Day."  We always begin at the temple -- Ashley picked up Grandma and me.  Mom served in the temple that day, and we were able to work along side her in the initiatory booth.  Oh, my testimony grew 100 sizes that day feeling of her love for the Lord and His work.  I did the same thing about six years ago when Grandma was working in the Idaho Falls temple = soul filling.

 Afterwards we went to lunch.

 Then came the gift exchange.  I sewed birthday chair covers.

Seriously, receiving 10 glorious gifts is the ultimate gift exchange.

 I love my mother's expression.  Boss Baby is so lucky to have her smile in his life daily.

 Friday morning we went to see Meg's dorm at BYU.

 She gathered a bit of laundry.

 These little darlings made themselves comfortable quite quickly.

 Then, off to sushi -- another tradition.  We eat our $15 and then some.  The company is the best part.

 Our last night Grandma read her favorite books to her posterity.  This is just a small grouping of her 49 grandchildren.  Every person that comes into her presence leaves feeling loved and wanted. 

After a week of feeling the love of family and God, I am changed for the better.  I know where to focus my goals and how to try harder, but I'm not discouraged.  Choosing family is what this life is all about -- choosing to obey so that we can be apart of God's eternal family, choosing to love so that our earthly family knows God's love, and choosing to feel His love is what matters.

#39 on the 29th

It was my birthday today!  Austin and Meg made it a 10/10.  A lazy Sunday morning with quinoa power bowls and presents was lovely.

 Brother Keesler is my birthday twin -- I made sure to take a picture with him.  (I did bake him some cinnamon bread this morning.)

 Selfie.

 After church I wanted a picture where we actually looked like I had spent time grooming and cleaning everyone.

 Birthday hugs are the sweetest.

 Eddie gave Ryan a bloody nose, and Ryan wanted me to take a picture with a bloody nostril and a snotty nostril.  You're welcome.

 Journal Edition copies of The Book of Mormon was the perfect party favor. I even got their names put on. I am so excited about personal a family study.  Here it goes!

 Tacos for dinner and birthday cookie cake with 39 candles almost burned the house down.

Austin planned a surprise party that evening.  I was busy making family choir happen when my little choir was joined by an army of friends and their families.  I could barely play, it was all so magical.  I am bless with have such friends.  Everyone brought treats, so we ate, sang primary songs, talked, laughed and loved.  The night was just so magical.  

 At the close of the evening Austin pulled out Meg's bone grafting stitches.  On my bed.  With a flashlight.

39 was a huge year of growth.  I learned how to pardon the unpardonable, partake of the grace of Jesus Christ, and consequently love more deeply than ever before.  I tried to testify each time I left my home, so I made several friends in the community. My husband and my children are still my favorite place, that will never change.

The Days After

We had tons of rain all week, so we couldn't hike until Thursday.  It turns out that it was!

Austin and Molly hiked onto that tiny ledge.

Recreating outside together is a place where you find lots of happy talking, lots of impromptu singing, and lots of stares from the tourists as they count us.

Friday morning we bowled.  Meg won by a landslide. 

Austin's friend gave him an arcade card that was good for 20 minutes as many swipes as he wanted.  He swiped every 30 seconds for the entire 20 minutes. We played all the games.

 Grandma B. rode the motorcycles -- look at the wind blowing in hair.

 Grandpa fought zombies.

 We had such a fun time watching each other and trying all the games without tokens.

 Ryan writes me messages almost everyday.  I love Ryan.  I love that all my kindergarteners do this.

 Molly painted me a portrait.  I love my melting mouth.

We spent Saturday packing and relaxing.  Having Meg home this entire week was certainly our best gift.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning is always magical.  Today was not exception.

Each person opened about five presents from under the tree, 50 presents sure looks like a lot.

 This is our couch filled with stockings.

 These are the basement stairs filled with children.

 Here is our morning.

 Eddie found this rock on our hike and carved it into a heart for me.

 Grandma and Grandpa had us over for buckwheat blueberry pancakes and all the breakfast meat and fixings that filled our bellies and watering mouths. 

 Then we sat.

 Home again for a quiet day of toys and treats.

 The polar bear plunge was a cold one.

Polar Bear Plunge 2019

 We dried off and ate dinner.  Then we played "Telestrations" in such a way that Austin, Grandma, and Grandpa all had tears running down their faces.

 The final moments of our magnificent Christmas day were glinty and shiny and heart warming.

The dreary day which never allowed the sun to peek through the clouds was the perfect atmosphere contrasting our day bright and shiny inside our hearts and home.