Christmas 2025!

 We got home from Brianhead on the 23rd. Jared's mom had sent some presents that we set out underneath the tree. There was one that the cats would not leave alone and kept trying to steal. It was for them so we figured it had some catnip in it. It was hilarious but we finally opened it for them early since they were going to steal it anyway. It was two little mice filled with catnip. The cats had a lot of fun with them. That night my parent's came over and we had our Journey to Bethlehem dinner. I thought we got some pictures but by this time Abi was still sick, I was getting sick and Natalie, Bree and Sofia all had colds. It seemed to hit me and Abi the worst. Jared held out until after the New Year. To be fair I think half of Utah County had Influenza. 

On Christmas Eve we headed to my sister's house. We debated going but Jared was still well and Abi was on antibiotics. The rest of us still seemed to have mostly mild colds. We enjoyed dinner and the traditional singing. 

Christmas day was pretty low key. Unfortunately we all got sicker (except Jared). Abi was still fighting her asthma so we opened presents, talked to Joshua for a bit and pretty much slept most of the day hence the lack of pictures. We were still able to enjoy the holiday with yummy food and fun presents. My kids mostly got books and a few other small things. 

Brianhead

 We decided to try some skiing this year. It worked out better to go before Christmas so we packed up and headed out right after school got out on Friday. We were able to spend 5 days. The snow was kind of terrible but we still enjoyed two days of skiing and one of tubing. It was Bree and Sofia's first time skiing so they spent the first half of one day taking lessons. We also brought a few fun presents to open and some treats. We got to watch lots of movies, do some crafts and read. Overall it was a pretty chill vacation. Abi did get sick and was only able to ski a few runs the first day. Her asthma got really bad and we ended up needing to take her to the instacare in Cedar City one day. She was a little bored sitting around the hotel. Hopefully Brianhead will get more snow and we can go again as they have some great beginner terrain.

Everyone loved skiing more than I thought they would. Bree is timid on the trails but turns really well so doesn't fall at all. Sofia warmed up really well and was able to do a blue by the second day. Natalie and Abi did great as they have skied a little bit.

Sofia had a slightly swollen eye while we were there and we got to talk to Joshua one day. The best thing was that we could walk to the chair life from our hotel. Sofia said that this vacation was almost as good as Phi Phi Islands. Really kid! For me nothing will be as good as the Phi Phi Islands but I much prefer to be warm over cold! But it goes to show that sometimes we don't have to travel far for our kids to have a good time. 

December Arrives!

Natalie and Sofia are in the Rise Up Children's choir this year. They had the opportunity to participate in five concerts in December. We only made it to two concerts but they had a good time showcasing what they have learned. Natalie is one of the oldest in the choir but we needed a no audition choir as neither of my kids have had formal training in singing. I was impressed by how good the choir was with only four months of training. 

We had a giant unicorn that my kids were finally ready to get rid of. I put it in my car to take to DI but mentioned it to a co-worker and she asked if she could have it for her daughter. It came inside and we had fun rotating it between all of the providers chairs. One thing I love about our office is that we all sit in the same room together. It helps with collaboration and when I have questions or need help with a patient. It also makes it so that we know each other better and have good relationships with each other.

Our kitties are naughty with the Christmas tree and keep climbing it. I found Kit Kat at the very top sleeping! I am glad they aren't big enough to tip the tree over. 

Proof of Life...

I don't post many of Joshua's mission pictures because one he doesn't take that many and two it really is a part of his life that we know about but aren't actually there for. It is kind of a weird realization that now our kids have whole sections of their lives that we aren't participants in. We are so excited for him though and love to see his growth in the gospel. He had a rough first companion but since then has gotten along well with the others. He is still in St. John's and has been since July. He is thinking he will get transferred out maybe sometime in February. My sister, Stacey, lives in his mission so they saw each other at the temple one day.