January 2023

The girls started Young Women's this month.  They've had some fun get to know you activities, a service project packing lunches/dinners for a shelter and just getting used to going to activities every single week.  They have 19 girls in their 12-13 year old class so it's always a big party when they get together.

We also got an appointment and took them to do their first Baptisms for the dead at the Draper Temple.  They were a little nervous on what to do and where to go but overall I know they enjoyed it and they both said they felt just like they did when it was their actual baptism.

Aria did something that was so hard and so brave and I'm so proud of her for it.  She decided she wanted to try out for the school play, Annie Jr.  Over Christmas break, she practiced the song Tomorrow (which is high and so hard to sing I think) probably 50 times.  She then memorized a short dialogue from the script.  In January she signed up, sang her solo in front of 2 teachers, gave her lines to another teacher and then learned a dance.  She was so excited and it was so far out of her comfort zone. We were all sad when she learned she didn't make it.  I was actually so so sad for her and the effort she put into it and I really felt like this would've been such a good experience to help her be more confident and not so quiet around others.  But it wasn't meant to be but I just didn't want to forget how proud I was of her putting herself out there.  She will get to play some songs in the orchestra for it though.

The girls also got Invisalign to help straighten some of their teeth.  This will be phase 1 of 2 so we'll see how it goes.  It was a little stressful when they first got them on because they couldn't figure out how to take them back out and they had to go back to school and eat lunch.  We sat in the parking lot for 15 minutes and finally I told them to just not wear them until they got home.  I got them a little tool that helps and after a few days of practicing though it's been fine and getting easier.

Jaron and Aria both started their Jr Jazz Basketball games.  And it's been a really busy month with everyone going all over the place. Between 3 kids of 3 different teams, each having different games and practices and then Jaron also having soccer practices it's been a crazy month and I have literally lived the car.  Right now here is what each kid has going on a weekly basis

Siena: Basketball practices twice a week plus games, YW's, Piano lessons, Knowledge Bowl

Aria: Basketball practice and game, YW's, Violin lessons, Orchestra, Knowledge Bowl

Jaron: Soccer practice, Basketball practice and game, Piano lessons, Activity Days, Knowledge Bowl

Last year I challenged the kids to memorize the 13 articles of faith.  We focused on one a year and they all did it.  We took them to get ice cream in celebration.

I went with the girls' on their field trip to the curiosity museum at Thanksgiving Point.  It was pure chaos and actually that museum is a little young for them and they were all kind of bored by the end but I know the girls appreciate when I go on field trips with them.

I also volunteered to sit in with Jaron's class while Mrs. Pendleton had a 30 minute meeting.  Usually my kids get excited when I come into their class and volunteer but Jaron has decided that was embarrassing and he totally ignored me and wouldn't even look at me.  haha...oh well.

One night Michelle called me and invited me to the Jazz game with her, AT and his sister Lori.  It was a fun night and so nice of them to invite me last minute and we had a great time.

I got Tim Tams for Christmas!  I hadn't had any since before Covid and they were so good.  I decided we should all do Tim Tam slams and everyone had a fun night trying them out.

I also went on a field trip with Jaron's class to  UVU.  They have this huge stain glass window display of the history or the world.  They did some fun activities learning about that and then got to decorate boxes in whatever 'home' they would like to create.  It was a fun morning and something different I hadn't done before.

December 2022

Right after Thanksgiving I got sick.  I don't think I realized how sick I was but I was so achy.  After the 2nd day of not feeling better and feeling worse I took a Covid test and it came back positive.  My first time ever having Covid and in fact the first of anyone in our family.  I basically stayed in my room for a few days.  The kids were not happy that I couldn't interact with them but I didn't want them to get it.  Shane felt a little sore throat but nothing else so he might have had it but never tested.  the kids never got sick, yay.  Besides missing Siena's first basketball game we didn't have much going on that week so it wasn't too bad as far as quarantining.  I didn't realize I had lost my sense of smell until Shane made the kids fish for dinner and I realized I couldn't smell fish in the house (which is always so strong)  I never lost of my taste though which I was so happy for and my smell came back after less than a week.  Overall it wasn't too bad.  The bad part was the week after I got a sore throat that lingered and made me so tired for several weeks.  So overall the month of December wasn't great for me but we still did our regular Christmas traditions.

Siena started her Bantam basketball game in December.  She has games from now through February and she is excited to be part of the Lone Peak Bantam team.  She is on a 5/6 combined team so she'll be playing other 6th grade teams.

Our annual Gingerbread house.  More and More we don't have to help at all and the kids love doing this together and have so much fun and eat way too much candy.

The kids Knowledge Bowl team went on an after school field trip and I helped drive.  They were able to meet the mayor Kurt Ostler, and tour Highland City Offices.  The mayor was so nice to show them around for an hour, answer questions and they even had a mock City Council meeting.

Aria had her Orchestra Christmas Concert.  I am always amazed how well this all comes together and how good all these elementary kids can play together and sound so good.

The kids had their annual Christmas sing and I was happy they were at 2 different times so I could go to Jaron's and the girl's.  I also helped with the girl's class party where we played trivia and ate popcorn.

I was so excited that I won the lottery to get Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert tickets this year.  We only got 2 but Jennifer ended up getting some as well so we were all able to go together and it was so good...as it always is but it had been a while since I had gone so I was happy to get to go again.

We started this tradition last year and did it again this year.  We went and got pizza and then ate pizza while we watched the Christmas lights at the homes by our stake center that are synchronized to music.  It was fun and we all love watching the lights to music.

The Sunday before Christmas we had Matthew's mission Farewell and Eliza gave her homecoming talk in California.  I really wanted to go to both but they were the same day so instead after Matthew gave his talk we went back to Michelle's and watched Eliza's homecoming from the zoom broadcast.  I loved that we got to hear them both speak and they did a great job.  Eliza had an amazing mission and you can tell she was such a good missionary.  Matthew is ready and will be great and we can't wait to hear what his mission has in store for him.

I don't know if I have any pictures but the month of December we watched pretty closely a lot of the World Cup Soccer games.  The final game was between France and Argentina, Argentina won after over time and penalty shots.  It was such an intense good game and it's been fun watching since Jaron is so into soccer now and keeps up on everything.

We got our Grandpa South's trains as is tradition and the kids always have fun building present tunnels and operating the train.

I had a work lunch right before Christmas.  I don't talk about work much but I still work for 3M as a contractor and am coming up on my 25th year.  I work part time but have had the same boss for over 10 years and he has been a co-worker my entire time at 3M, Tracy Tripp.  He recently retired and it was a very sudden unexpected change but he has a lot going on in his life and needed to make some changes.  So we got together at his house for a Christmas lunch.  

We had a little Christmas Party with the Pace's, watched a movie, played games and made my homemade pizza benders that my kids love.

Annual sleeping by the Christmas tree on the night before Christmas Eve, also a fun tradition my kids may never grow out of.

We decorated Sugar Cookies which is always a fun time.

We spent Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa's with Jennifer and Ashlee as well.  We acted out the Nativity, played the chimes and the kids opened up their Christmas Eve present which were these throw back hover balls. They were so fun and we all had a good time watching them play with them.  Unfortunately they all broke by the next day from a loose wire and couldn't be fixed so we took them back to the store but they were so fun while they lasted.

I'm so bad about taking pictures on Christmas but we had a great Christmas Day.  The kids got ski passes, Lagoon passes, games, clothes, books and other things.  We went to church at noon since Christmas was on a Sunday (still didn't get a picture!) and then headed to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner, chimes and presents.

Jaron's been playing an indoor soccer season with his team and they also has a soccer christmas party where they exchanged presents and had pizza and played around.

The kids have been wanting to try this Labrynth which is a bunch of mini escape rooms so we did that over Christmas break.  I tried it out with them and it was so fun but they were also pretty hard to solve.  But we had a great time.

Shane took them for their first time skiing this season.  It was super cold but they braved it and had a fun time.  They are excited to go lots this season.

Shane and I got a gift card to Texas Roadhouse and the kids all had free meal coupons there so we had a night out right before the New Year.  We don't go out to dinner all that often especially to sit down restaurants so it was a fun night.

New Years was spent staying up late, watching a movie, making our Chocolate Chip Piezookie and playing games.  

And that wraps up our 2022!  It's been a good year and we are looking forward to what 2023 has in store for us!

November 2022

All 3 of the kids entered the Reflections contest again this year.  Jaron did an original piano piece.  Siena did a drawing and Aria did a drawing and photography.  All 3 got trophies this year.  Jaron and Siena got runner up and Aria got runner up in Photography and 1st place for her drawing.  I'll show you her drawing here cuz I thought it was really good and she did it all free hand.  Proud of them for doing this every year because it's always a busy time of year to get this done and I love seeing what they come up with.

We had our yearly Primary program.  It was the girls last program since they'll be in Young Womens starting in January.  They both had parts this year.  Unfortunately both Siena and Jaron got sick and weren't able to go to church that day.  I was sad but those 2 of course were so happy to miss it and not have to sing or Siena give her part. Aria did a great job and gave her part great and I can't believe they won't be in primary in a couple months!  It feels like they were just Sunbeams!

We had our first snow of the year and Aria and Jaron took full advantage by going outside and playing in it in our backyard.  Those 2 love to play in the snow.  Siena is not a big fan, will go out for a short time and then usually come back in way before the other 2 do.

We went and read to the cats again.  The girls loved it.

At a family dinner we took and updated cousin picture.  We always have a good time when we're with cousins and family.

We spent Thanksgiving at my parents house with Jennifer and her kids.  We of course played left, right, center and Shane won this year.  It was a fun day even if most the rest of the family were with other family members.

The day after Thanksgiving we put the Christmas tree up.  I love putting the tree up and so do the kids but it's kind of a pain but always so happy when it's done.

We gave the kids an early Christmas present - ski boots and skis.  We had to get them fitted so we went over Thanksgiving weekend.  They are so excited to be able to ski lots this winter.  Shane is getting a pass and I am not getting a pass.  The kids are a little sad but they will have fun with Shane and I am excited to have some alone/quiet time on the days they kids go skiing with Shane.

Aria's orchestra got invited to play for the Alpine school district school board meeting.  They played We Wish you a Merry Christmas while the choir performed.

We are ready for full Christmas mode at our house and love this time of year.