Let's get caught up

 We enjoyed an early Christmas Celebration with Scott and Jess and the boys. 

A very fun evening was at The Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale. I hope we do this every year from now on. It was the perfect event for adults and children.

Scott and Jess did a special evening reading by candlelight. The boys really like this. I appreciate their efforts to do these important and meaningful activities even if it is a few more years before the boys get more out of the words that are read than the excitement of the candles. I know they do hear and internalize some of what they hear. 

Always such good and healthy food when we visit. I enjoy it so much. I really love how Scott and Jess work on their health as a team.

I bought tickets for the Nutcracker so we girls could make a night of it.

I hope we do this every year. 

Shannon's family eats at IHOP every Christmas Eve.

I like the tradition. This year Brian's parents were here so it was a big night.

In the middle of the holidays my special forever friend Joy Abbey passed away. The funeral was held in Logan Utah. We made the trip to Corinne's to stay a few days. Shannon flew in so we all made the drive up the canyon. It was really so nice to see Howard, Melody, Melissa and Jared. This is a special family to us. So many memories. Even though it was a sad reason to get together, it was joyful just the same.

We went to the National Western Stock Show for something new and fun to do. It was a good time. It's amazing that these cowboys risk their lives riding the bulls and bucking horses. Eek

I snapped this picture because we have one just like it when M was little at the Children's Museum in St. George doing the same thing.

Some of these cows were so pretty. Big Brown soft eyes. What a creature.

First Part of December 2021

Blake and Marissa created Family Movie Night.

We have held it four Sundays now.

We are provided a ticket each week showing what movie we will see.

Each week the production takes on a new dimension. The kids set up check in tables and now menus for what treats are available. Last night dinner was provided. Things like nachos, chips and cheese, nuggets, yogurt to name a few. Then there were sides, drinks and treats. All prepared by the kids.

It is a very fun tradition. I hope we continue to do it. 

Marissa has also created a chart for Family Home Evening. 

We all take turns with an activity, treats, song, dinner.

 I think it's a moving target as far as what we do. 

We finally arranged to go back to St. George to pick up our stuff from Sharlotte. We drove I-80 to avoid road closure and so it made driving to Corinne's new home first. It was a shorter day too.

After spending the first night there, we drove the rest of the way to St. George. We picked up our stuff and were able to spend the night at our previous Bishop's home. We also went out to dinner with Ken and Jan Harris. We had to go to Zupas because they don't have one in Colorado. Also hit Arctic Circle for our favorite Moose Tracks Shake. Colorado does not have Artic Circles either. 

Fred finally took me to the Creamy on the way back to Corinne's. 

I've been waiting for years to try it out.

Another spill down the front of my shirt. Happens almost every time I eat.

The return trip to Corinne's for another night with her family. The boys opening their Advent calendars.

They also opened the Usborne Advent Calendar that Jess sent them.

Very cute little books to read each night before Christmas.

Garrett played a little concert of Christmas songs for us. He is very good.

Spencer also took a turn. Both boys are doing so well with their music.

 I'll post about our trip to Scott's in a few days. 

What's been happening lately

 Fall has arrived and our neighborhood hosts lots of beautiful trees in different colors. Since these pictures were taken, now the trees are all bare.

My new washer and dryer arrived.

Fred installed the cabinets in the laundry.

We had the big family baptism weekend for Henry and Marissa.

Family pictures afterwards. Blake does something contrary in all pictures.

Corinne and Ben's family. Richard often closes his eyes. .

Everyone in this one and there is Blake again being a ding dong.

I ordered a cake from Walmart for Henry and Marissa.

We had a hot dog feast. No one complained. It was good. Brian also smoked tri tip.

We took pictures just for Jess since they weren't able to come.

Food is always fun. We have lots of helpers and really good cooks.

I can always count on Ben to do the dirty work. He is always right there to help.

The Baptism weekend went by quickly. Everyone got along great. We played Apples to Apples and Hand and Foot in our kitchen. Henry and Marissa put together a Charades game that was really fun. 

I am always so amazed at how Corinne and Ben just get in that van and hit the road. I'm so glad they made the trip here. It's great being together and I'm grateful that my grandkids overall get along well. Marissa and Henry are very close friends. It's fun to watch. 

We make a few steps forward and then a step or two back.

We finally got the living room set up so we can watch TV.

We still have piles of boxes to take to the recycle again.

Feels like the cardboard reproduces.

Our bedroom is probably in the best shape.

We thought we didn't want anything but the bed and 

nightstands, but we realized that left no surface to put our stuff on. 

Like wallets, phones, watches some type of catchall.

We bought another four drawer dresser from IKEA.

Our master closet is getting closer to organized. 

We will store extra stuff in the dressers here.

We used to have a tall black shelf unit in our master closet

 in St. George, so we will put that stuff in these dressers.

On this side we will still need to use 1/4 of the hanging space and then we want to put in shelves. I've taken a lot of my clothes and shoes and put them in the giveaway box. Most of my clothes don't fit anymore anyway. That 10 lbs makes a huge difference in what fits. 

Plus we are almost to the season change. I like to box up my clothes that are out of season.

We rented a Home Depot truck to pick up our two new recliners. Lazy Boy Furniture wanted to charge us $139 for deliver. Ridiculous. This ended up costing almost $50 dollars, but it was still cheaper. Also fun to ride in the big nosy truck!!

There you have it.