Sunday, January 19, 2025

        Happy new year.  Before I can get into 2025, I have to finish documenting the rest of 2024.  In November, we had family pictures.  It was kind of hard with the dog being in them but of course I did not know that until I saw the pictures. The dog was always looking away and the kids were always watching the dog.  There were about 5 pictures out of the many taken that were good.  I like to decorate my house with family pictures, so the few good ones are displayed with photoshopped back grounds to give a variety.  Hopefully no one will notice it is the same picture in different frames.  I think I am o.k. because I showed McCabe one of the pictures and he asked, “when did we take that?”  I laughed because it was one of my photoshopped backgrounds.

     We had thanksgiving at our house.  It was a big spread with family.  Everybody brought some food, and we had a feast and good times visiting.

     November 30, 2024, was a very special day.  It was the day my entire family got to go to the temple together.  We were able to do baptisms and confirmations.  Tim and I have been waiting many years for this special occasion and it was fabulous.  Afterwards, we went to Nielsen’s frozen custard and ate a yummy meal.

     December kicked off with Teagan getting braces.  He selected gold instead of the traditional silver.  I have to admit that the gold looks good because it is less noticeable than the silver.  Teagan has the straightest teeth out of all the kids (pre-braces).  He will only need to wear them for about 14 months.  One that is done, all the kids should be set now with straight teeth.

     Tim and I had a little get away.  He took me to St. George to see a Christmas carol.  It was amazing.  I love seeing the magic that happens on stage.  The costumes, the lightening, the dancing and music is so fun.  Tim and I got all dressed up for the occasion.  In fact, when we entered a restaurant, someone asked who we were.  I don’t know if they thought we were famous or something.  Not sure what was going on in her mind.  The restaurant had a live band and they dedicated a song to us.  It was fun.  Of course when we go to St. George, we stop and see Gary and Jacque Ballard (our aunt and uncle).  These two are the funniest people.  Jacque is always so happy and loving.  Gary is always telling fun stories of his youth.  They make us laugh.

     December is the month of baking.  For our neighbors, I made Russian teacakes, toffee, and coconut balls.  I love to bake and always feel accomplished once all the treats are delivered.  The only issue is that I must keep the family away from the goodies or else the neighbors are not going to get any.

     I came across this photo of Tim and Fozzie.  This is proof that Tim likes the dog even if he says that nobody likes Fozzie.  I see him snuggling with the dog.  Tim is so busted.

     Xadia made the Jr. High basketball team.  She plays on the J.V. team and is learning the sport.  She had never played before.  She is having a good time learning and trying her best at basketball.

     Teagan had a choir concert for school.  It was so fun to listen to him sing.  I could pick out his voice on some of the songs.  It is amazing being a mom and knowing my child.  I really enjoyed all the effort the students and the teacher put into putting on the concert.  I especially loved that they sang untraditional Christmas songs.  Some were from different countries.

    

     Each year we have an annual country Christmas dinner where we select a country and eat food from that area of the world.  This year was Mexico.  There were some yummy creations.  I loved the tamales.  One of Matt’s coworkers made them, and they were delicious.  We invited friends and family to the dinner, and it was a success.  There were 30 people in attendance.

     Here is a picture of my work Christmas party.  It was held at a restaurant in cottonwood canyon.  It was quite lovely and nice to be with my co-workers and their spouses.  

     Christmas time was spent in California.  We went on a cruise and spent time with family.  Here is a video of the fun.

     January brings lots of events.  McCabe’s wrestling tournament where he took 3rd place.  He did a terrific job.  I had to contain myself and the cowbell ringing.  You can hear on the video that I keep telling Tim I want to ring it.  McCabe pulled so many good moves on his opponent.  By the time 3^rd round came, I was tired for the boys.  I cannot believe the stamina needed to keep going.  Well done McCabe.

     Xadia is doing Hive Volleyball.  She is loving it especially when she plays against her friends.  She has a great time smack talking to them.  She just had her first tournament, and her team did well.  They are definitely learning to play together as team. 

     BJH had decade days and Teagan decided to dress from the 30’s, the 1430’s that is.  As you can see, he is very happy being a king.

     Audrey and Brandt got married.  It was fun to be part of the celebration.  Even though my mom was not there, my siblings did things to make her presence known.  Roxy wore a necklace that belonged to my mom.  I made dishes that my mom liked such as frog eyed salad and Russian teacakes and Mimi wore a bracelet that belonged to my mom.  It was a special day.

     Teagan and I tried our luck at the squid game cookie challenge.  It is a cookie made with sugar and baking soda.  Then you make a design and remove from the parchment paper without cracking or breaking the cookie.  The first try resulted in a burned pan.  The second try was perfect!

     I am so excited for Jacinda.  She is in the process of turning in all her paperwork for a mission.  She has bloomed so much since going to BYU Idaho.  She has awesome roommates and good friends such as Hunter and Remington. I miss her but I know she is learning a lot of great things that will help her be a more amazing person.

Sunday, November 24, 2024

               I am not sure why it has taken so long to catch up with journaling.  I could blame it on a busy life but my life is as busy as it always has been.  So here is a summary of what has happened during the past 3 months.

              Xadia, Emily Stockton, and I got Jacinda moved into her apartment at BYU-I.  Jacinda is thriving and getting to meet a lot of people.  I love it when she calls and tells me about scriptural insight.  She asks me to look at scriptures in different ways that add positivity and useful understanding in my life.  Jacinda is baking a lot at school.  That is her way of serving and sharing with others.  I am very impressed with the cheesecake she made recently.  She came down for a surprise and made some goodies.  It was so wonderful having her at the house.  Today she talked to her bishop about serving a mission.  I know she will be an outstanding missionary and will touch the lives of so many not only in a spiritual sense but in a loving human way.  She is a girl who loves to care.

              McCabe is a senior and is prepping for the ACT test.  Each Saturday in November he goes to a class that will help him improve his test taking.  I am very excited for him.  McCabe is big into playing the electric guitar, working out at the gym, and driving the corvette.  He likes to take the corvette on dates and also likes to take it out for a late-night snack with his buddy MJ or Richard.  For Halloween, McCabe dressed up as the guy from American Psycho.  Then for another dance he dressed up as a prince (as if he even needed to dress up).  It is fun to see the kids grow.

              Xadia finished off the volleyball season with BJH.  She did a great job and got a district award and the team award for most “mojo.”  Xadia had her 15^th birthday.  She took a bunch of friends to hear the tabernacle choir at Temple Square.  I thought is was odd so I asked why she wanted to do that.  She said that some of them have never heard the choir before.  It was an amazing experience to hear them practice.  Then afterwards we went to the pink Cane’s Chicken owned by Post Malone.  Xadia went out trick treating this year and came back with a garbage bag full of candy.  It was so big and full we weighted it on a scale, and it weighed 40 pounds.  That is a lot of cavities waiting to be had.  Xadia just got her learner’s permit.  She is so anxious to drive.  She is doing a good job.  Today she drove home from the church.  The other night, she took Tim to Farmington Station.  I think the only hard part for her is remembering that she is not trying for a spot on the Fast and Furious franchise.

              Teagan is putting boxing on pause and has taken an interest to wrestling.  We signed him up at a local gym and he has given strict instructions not to drive the corvette there.  If I do, he needs to be picked up around the corner at the Mandarin.  He does not like to appear flashy.  I told him that no one even cares what he rides in.  Teagan also had a great time trick or treating and going to Fan X.  He got a lot of candy which has lasted a month.  I think my kids eat too much candy.  Teagan just went to the dentist 3 weeks in a row to have cavities filled.  Teagan enjoys sledding, the computer, and going hot tubbing, especially in the snow.

              I had a great birthday in October.  I got to eat lunch with my childhood friend.  It is always so good to catch up with her.  Tim took me to St. George to watch The Jersey Boys and Anastasia at the Tuacahan Theater.  The productions were amazing.  While in St. George, Tim bought me a corvette for my birthday.  It is a beautiful smooth driving car.  I like it a lot.  The only issue is getting in and out of it because it is so close to the ground.  I have been working on some sewing projects.  For Fan X, I repurposed a costume and put some creativity into it.  Then for another project, I took some sun faded curtains and created an Edwardian ensemble.  I really enjoy sewing and creating unique outfits.

    October was a special month for Linda Butterfield (Tim's mom).  She turned 80.  We were able to go to California and celebrate her birthday.  Tim and all his siblings were able to be at the party.  Only Doug was not in person, however, it did not stop the mood from getting a family picture.  It was amazing to be with family and also to visit the beach.  Anytime we go to California, I want to the beach.  Tim is always game for the beach and I love it.  Also had a good time making Tim's halloween costume.  He was a baby on a grandma's back.   He wore the costume to work and got a lot of laughs.  He is such a fun guy.