December 31, 2020

My dad is in the hospital and I’m here in self quarantining in South Jordan away from my Covid family. So frustrating to not be able to do anything. 

Having a me party for NYE but was able to face time with the fam.

December 28, 2020

That one time yesterday when we all went to get tested for Covid. 5 spit tests and 1 nose swab for Rylie. Apparently spitting grosses her out. And apparently some spit faster than others. (Cam for the win.)

Covid for Christmas.  5 out of 6 positives (lucky negative me).  Tanner ends up coming down with it as well.

 

December 25, 2020

Merry Christmas! What a wonderful Christmas it was. Just so wonderful to have us all together. 

 

Mosiah 3:8 - And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.

Darren was again gift giver extraordinaire. Kids were happy and surprised with gifts. It was the Christmas of drones, thread wallets, and poop bags. :)

Watching the kids together was awesome. Ry and Cam on the couch opening presents, Cam and Kenz making a Tik Tok and putting on makeup, Cam and Sadie painting and putting up stars, Kenz and Sadie making bracelets, Mason and Tanner talking drones, Mason and Ry figuring out rock band with Kenz joining in, and everyone playing Just Dance.  I always love how Tanner gets excited about his gifts. He was first to have his drone up and running and as soon as he got his hat and sweatshirt he put them on.

Christmas Eve started out with a little Roxberry from Ry.  It then had a puzzle and games and Minecraft and lots of hanging out with Rice King for dinner.  We ended the day watching Justice League.  Go Wonder Woman.

 

 

December 23, 2020

Long drive in a day trip to Arches with D where we did two hikes that made it totally worth the drive. Two lesser known hikes were awesome! I told D, I find the arches online and he finds them in real life. Good teamwork. :).

Ring Arch you park at the cottonwood wash pullout. It was less than two miles to the arch and incredible 360 degree views! Like views for days. It was such a cool spot with no other people the entire hike. This was added as one of my happy spots. (The clouds were so cool on this hike.) I could have spent more time here but since daylight is limited in December, we left to check out Christmas Tree Arch in the Windows section. What a fabulous hike to do in December. It was a bit short but fun to find. And it did look like a Christmas tree. Sent the kids a picture and Rylie was not impressed. But I reminded her it was made from wind - out of rock.  (I would also be OK if it was called Snowflake, Ornament, or Grinch Head.)

Then we drove home via I-70 through Salina  and home, to avoid slick roads. Another gas station pizza for dinner.

December 22, 2020

Successful Bethle"ham" dinner tonight. Before dinner was sibling gift opening. I just love that my kids have each other. After dinner was games. Lots of fun with all of us plus two extra in Mason’s friend and Rylie’s friend. 

December 21, 2020

Threw out some Just Dance tonight with M, C, and S. Way fun. Plus Cam and helpers defeated the dragon thing in Minecraft that I don’t understand, but apparently was kind of a big deal. Cam is pretty amazing at Minecraft.

December 20, 2020

We took a quick Sunday afternoon trip to visit my parents.  We all masked up and tried to keep distance, so hopefully no one spread Covid to Richfield.  

It was really good to see them.

 

December 19, 2020

Because of the Savior born two thousand years ago in Bethlehem, there is hope—and so much more. There is redemption, release, victory, and triumph. “The wrong shall fail, the right prevail”. No wonder a choir of angels suddenly appeared as a heavenly exclamation point to the angel’s announcement of the Savior’s birth, singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” No message could ever be more reassuring. No message was ever filled with more good will toward men. - L Whitney Clayton

December 18, 2020

Good - after it finally snowed - day. Shoveled some snow, threw snowballs with Russell, and helped (but mostly watched) Sadie build a snow Winnie the Pooh. Then I played pickleball at the church with Mason, Rylie, and Darren.

December 16, 2020

 Sometimes setting your expectations low is a good idea. That was true of the Yellow Fork hike.  It was very enjoyable (and steep at the end) but maybe because I wasn't expecting the view at the top of both Utah and Salt Lake Valleys.  

December 13, 2020

 Good Come Follow Me lesson that Sadie led this morning. 

I love David Archuleta’s Christmas song “He is Born”.

December 12, 2020

Had a good southern escape with Tami and Kelly to celebrate Tami turning 50.

We tried to snowshoe Cedar Breaks but such minimal snow, even at 10,000 feet, had us walking the closed road. We made it to Chessman Lookout which had a cool view of Cedar Breaks. It was cold and windy but a great stop. 

We also adventured a little on Saturday with a bike ride along the Virgin River trail. We biked in the rainy drizzle for a bit. I stopped for a moment to enjoy two hawks circling and perching on the rocks. 

Heading home we stopped at Red Cliffs and hiked the short hike to the dry waterfall. The walls were pretty and it was a good little hike. 

Good birthday celebration. 

December 9, 2020

Went on an icy hike with Lorien, Sariah, and Deb.  Donut Falls was kind of sketchy getting to the cave but we had spikes for the win! Pretty cool site with the icy donut hole.  We also found a Christmas tree.

December 6, 2020

I love the First Presidency Christmas Devotional every year.

December 5, 2020

Tonight’s entertainment was Arctic Circle (nothing new there - we have been 3 times this week) and finding Christmas lights. We found a house that had music and lights and even played “raining tacos”. :). Also - we just love when they put the star up on the barn by the cows.

December 4, 2020

A couple of things that make me smile. 1. Coming across Sadie art. 2. When Cam plays hide and seek with Baylie. 3. Going to lunch with Kelly - everyone should have a friend that is a therapist. Lunches with therapist friends help with my mental health state. 4. Texts with old pictures (from Patty). 5. Mail from Brynn with the best drawing.

December 2, 2020

Finally got on a hike with Lorien and Sariah. It has been almost a month since we were last able to get out. We hiked the road from Tibble up to Silver Lake Flat. Not a pretty hike, but you get some mileage (6) and a little incline plus there was a frozen lake at the end. It had the coolest sounds of water moving under the ice. 

December 1, 2020

Cam and Ry went to Panda and left a fortune cookie for me.  I opened it up and it could not have been more perfect.  "A vigorous hike and fresh air are just what you need."