December 31, 2025

NYE included a puzzle while finishing listening to my favorite book of the year (Thursday Murder Club #5 - The Impossible Fortune) and that’s about it. It wasn’t exciting but it was relaxing and enjoyable.

December 27, 2025

While in Moab we got news that President Holland passed away.  I will miss hearing from that servant of Christ.  He always seemed to give hope and in the process make you smile.  What a gift.  I have too many favorite talks of his to list but here is one quote I love:

There really is light at the end of the tunnel. It is the Light of the World, the Bright and Morning Star, the “light that is endless, that can never be darkened.” It is the very Son of God Himself.

Today’s hike was Syncline Loop at Island in the Sky. Every time I come to this part of Canyonlands I am in awe at the views you can see from the road. But we hit the trail and hiked 8 miles that felt like 12. It had a steep side of the mountain boulder field which is the kind of stuff that makes me hate a hike. 

The climb out was brutal but also had the best views when you turned around. Also - there’s a super sketchy part that we will only put up a few signs with arrows for but at another part we’ll put in rocks steps and switchbacks.  Overall we decided it was a lot of work for such a small payoff. 

So Mr Bean and Einstein…

December 26, 2025

Darren and I are ending the year like we started the year - in the Moab area. We had a fabulous afternoon. We hiked to Morning Glory Bridge and then Jeep arch in not cold weather. Just before the sun set, it broke through the clouds and lit up the slick rock. So cool. You also had round red rock hills with fins behind that and mountains behind that. Pretty pretty. We tried a new place for dinner at Susie’s Steakhouse.  We were worn out from our hikes and this place came through. We will definitely eat there again. The burgers were good and the salad and fries so good. We chatted about what a good and relaxing Christmas we had with the kids. Then we watched a little Pirates of the Caribbean hotel style. 

December 25, 2025

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world. (The Living Christ)

It’s “The Magic of Christmas Day” (sung like Celine Dion). The morning was spent with Cam and Sadie (“looks like a suitcase”) and then Kenz and Tanner came. C and S had so much fun with the printing camera. Ry and Cole joined us for Bethleham dinner and games. We pulled out Marbles and Jokers where the girls won both games. Then it was some Just Dance. That game has been revived this Christmas break. Good times. And Cam has serious dance skills. The magic of Christmas Day indeed. 

December 24, 2025

Spending some time with the Drapers eating Chinese food is a good way to spend Christmas Eve. Clayton sent Sadie home with a pomegranate.  

December 23, 2025

Merry Christmas! Rylie won Christmas with her blind boxes - so fun and cute. Today was a fantastic Christmas celebration with all of us.  We played games and had Christmas breakfast for lunch. Present opening was a huge hit. Whose socks are these? . Sibling gifts are always great as my kids know each other well. Sadie crying excited over her famous footwear socks from Cam. Jazzminton was a hit and since it’s been warm we played it outside. The kids pulled out Just Dance for some entertainment before their movie. 

December 22, 2025

Good pre Christmas Day. Some games and then a movie with Mason and Rachael. Zootopia 2 with all the other 10 year olds was quite enjoyable.  

I miss my parents so much at Christmas time. I miss when they were healthy enough to come spend Christmas Eve and miring with us. I miss the last few years when we would go visit and my mom would have come up with a funny game or Christmas thing to do. I just miss them. I would be better at Christmas with them if I knew then what I know now and the stage we’re in. 

December 19, 2025

Started the day walking on ice with my friends. Stewart Falls trail had such minimal snow (sad) but plenty of ice (spikes for the win). Then it was an evening of hanging out with Cam, Ry, Cole, and Kenz with them playing Just Dance and Minecraft while Darren and I listened to Christmas music like old people. 

December 16, 2025

Being ready for bed by 6:30 is winter at its finest. Add a good movie with Darren for a lovely evening. 

December 13, 2025

Got to spend some time today with Mary Ellen, Patty, and Tara. Mary’s mom passed away and we went to the funeral. As always I’m reminded that I’m so glad we have each other. 

Tonight I went to Mozz Pizza in Provo with K and T. After dinner we saw the very funny Michael Palascak at Dry Bar. This was plan B since plan A was with Darren but he is sick so Kenz and Tanner came through and I had a great time with them. 

December 12, 2025

Got some mountain air today and it was really nice to get out. Even nicer was the Christmas gift from Deb. She gave us each a national park quilt she made. It is awesome and I love it!

 

December 8, 2025

A few little things that brightened this sad moment anniversary. A thoughtful text from Becca, a walk with Claire, and this throwback picture from 2014. 

December 7, 2025

Saw a post on Instagram about hiking stats from the year and I decided to do a bit of a hiking wrapped.

 

December 6, 2025

Somehow ended up with everyone watching the Jo Bros Christmas movie tonight.  We laughed at how not good it was.  Unlike Prep and Landing, it won't be an annual watching.

For some reason today, our little Christmas tree upstairs filled me with contentment.  Merry Christmas!

December 5, 2025

Wishing this morning’s breakfast was a Banzai Bowl on the beach. Instead I’ll just put on my warm socks for the day because it is cold. 

December 3, 2025

Funniest Wednesday ever. Saw Ryan Hamilton tonight and of course laughed and laughed. And the two openers we’ve seen before had new stuff that was funny. Wahoo. 

Cam sent us this picture today which also made me smile.

December 2, 2025

Did some dish washing tonight and stacked a few to dry. No one could stack dishes like my dad. Thinking of that gave me a smile and a “washing the dishes” song line (he made up) in my head.

I sent this picture to Kenzie the other day. It's from our Christmas tree hunt in 2008.  He always had these big orange UDOT garbage bags that came in handy for Christmas wrapping paper gathering and making a sled.  :)

November 30, 2025

Woke up thinking what a blessing to have a home. And my Christmas cactus is bloom-ming! Plus the church released their Christmas video short and as always I loved it.

November 29, 2025

We finally made it to Bunnyhenge.  :)  We also went to a mall with a food court and enough stores to pass the time before our flight (which had a sunset and cool clouds from above - I think flying is miraculous.) We all made it home safe and sound with another California trip to remember.

November 28, 2025

This morning we all walked to Banzai Bowls for a yummy breakfast.  Plus Sadie got some Seaside Donuts.  It was confirmed by Darren this trip that Seaside Donuts does in fact have the best apple fritters. We spent most of the day just hanging at the beach - some reading, some eating a burrito (even though its just dehydration), some chasing waves, and some just relaxing.  We saw more dolphins (with some water spray). Then it was a gelato run where Kenzie assured us that this is the best gelato she's ever had.  Dinner was Sadie's famous alfredo. 

November 27, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving.  We started out the day at Crystal Cove State Park.  Low tide was a bit inconvenient this trip but we hit a somewhat low tide this morning at 8am (which most of the kids voluntarily woke up for).

I took one for the team and did an oven shuffle for our TG meal while most were at the beach.  Costco came through with yummy food.

Back to the beach for a gorgeous sunset.  Our evening beach time was so much fun! We snapped some photos, played the hand push game, and had so many laughs.  Oh, and we saw a dolphin swimming with the sunset going strong behind it.  Sigh.

Evening had us playing games while watching Sky High (classic) and eating pie. This was a really good Thanksgiving!

November 26, 2025

Wednesday started off with a run (why does it feel good? Oh yeah - sea level) and then some Seaside Donuts. (Cam does not like filling in her donut.  How could I forget?)

Tanner and Darren took one for the team and went to Costco to secure our Thanksgiving dinner.  Then we all went to the Aquarium of the Pacific.  Sea cucumber, octopus, and archer fish feeding were pretty cool.

Dinner was the tradition of Red Robin when in Cali.  It was one of our best visits with a balloon hat and Tanner getting the birthday dessert meant for Darren.