Sunday, December 31, 2023

New Years and 42




Another year has come and gone. It has been a fantastic year with so many highlights. I can't believe how fast time seems to go. I go through old pictures and see our boys when they were so small and it seems like it was yesterday. I look at them and am amazed at how far they've come and who they are becoming. As another year goes by they turn more and more into who they will be. I am so proud of them and what their future looks like. Based on the decisions they are making and who they are, they all have bright futures. My greatest wish for you 4 boys is that you can see in yourselves what your mom and I see in you. You can do and become ANYTHING you want. Make bold moves, take chances, and don't be afraid of failure. If you can embrace that mentality, especially when you are young and have time to make mistakes, then you will accomplish great things. 

I can't believe I'm now 42. I feel 25 Cass made an amazing raspberry pie for me for my treat. My folks came over. Bridger, McCoy, and I stayed up and watched Monty Python. I know my late-night New Year's Eves are limited and almost over with those 2, and I'll miss it and am thankful that Marsh and Quaid are right behind them to help me carry on. 

Friday, December 29, 2023

9 mile canyon



With our family being sick most of the break, I've been itching to get out and have an adventure. We got our chance and decided to go check out 9 Mile Canyon near Price. My dad, Drew, and Graham came with us. It took most of the day to get there and back but I'm so glad we went. The boys are telling me that their favorite part was watching movies in the van, and toward the end of the canyon, they didn't even want to get out of the car to see the petroglyphs. For me and my dad, it was awesome. We had never been there and there was so much rock art to see. The BSA ruined the biggest piece of art with their keep-out sign, but the great hunt panel and the owl panel did not disappoint and were our favorite. 
 

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Christmas














 The buildup is over and it's finally Christmas! For Christmas Eve, after church, we had the Hansen Party. Big dinner, program, talent show, the whole deal. It was super fun. Bridger is still sick and stayed home for the whole thing, which was super sad. 

The next morning we got up and did presents. We took our time, played records, and enjoyed the morning. After we were all done, and after breakfast, the Hansen's came over. We had one more present for the boys to open. It was a scavenger hunt that went all over the house and ended up at the mailbox. We are going to Disneyland!!! We had a perfect quiet day, with Bridger feeling better FINALLY. We ended our night with a Jerusalem-esque charcuterie dinner while watching The Chosen's Christmas Nativity story. It was a great way to end a fantastic day at home!

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Christmas Stuff














As always, we have had a ton of fun this month celebrating Christmas. There is so much going on, but I think we've done it all:

  • We went to a living nativity at the reception center near the temple. It was super cool. They did a super great job taking us from room to room. So many people dressed up singing and narrating. We all liked it a lot
  • We also went to the living nativity in Alpine, which we have been going to for years. We were lucky to get in right as the sun was setting. It was still warm, not too crowded, and extremely pleasant.  
  • We did Secret Santa with the Sincichs again, the time for the Hardmans, a new family in the ward.
  • The boys had fun making gingerbread houses. 
  • Cass and I went to an ugly sweater party with our friends at the Kitchens house.
  • Quaid's class did a Christmas program. He was the cutest Shephard.  
  • Cass and I went to The Forgotten Carols at Mountain View. It was the best year yet.
  • Cass and I snuck away for the night to enjoy some time together at Little America, I had a work thing. 
  • The youth went to the open house of the Orem Temple.
  • We were lucky enough to join Emma going through the Cedar City Temple for her endowment. It was a quick trip south but we wouldn't miss it. 

Friday, December 22, 2023

Bridger is 15!!!




I can't believe I'm writing this, but Bridger is 15! It's amazing. He is smart, thoughtful, a loyal friend, has a quick wit, and a great sense of humor. He's (usually) kind to his younger brothers and is becoming very independent. That little ginger baby who lay under our tree is becoming a man. For his Birthday, he wanted to sleep in (he woke up early), go see Hunger Games with his friends, and hang out with all his friends. Unfortunately, by the end of the night, he was starting to feel sick, and it looks like he's getting his turn with the family sickness that has plagued our house this month. 

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Long December
















 In addition to all the Christmas stuff, we've had a really busy December:

  • Marshall had Basketball in late November through December. He had a super fun season with his friends. Cass and I didn't know many people on the team, but Marsh knew and loved them all and had a great time. He dominated with his size and his shooting. He had some really great games and it was fun to watch him play. 
  • Cass also went with Marsh's class and the 2nd grade to Christmas Around the World and the Bean Museum at BYU.  She was a good sport, even when a girl in her group threw up all over the place.
  • I also did a Christmas around the world for Marshall's class and spoke to them about Christmas in Palau. It's always amazing how kids are willing to eat a bunch of spam from a stranger. 
  • Cass and Quaid went to the zoo. It was a great warm-ish sunny day and they had a great time seeing the animals, especially the polar bear playing in the water. 
  • Cass went to SLC with her friends from the ward to the Friends exhibit, which was super cool!
  • Marsh was also the star student in class and I got to spotlight him.
  • Not pictured, our family has all been sick in phases consistently since coming home from Thanksgiving. It seems like it will never end. 

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Family Pics











 While in St. George, we did some family pics. With Emma leaving on her mission soon, this was a last-chance opportunity.  We thought it would just be a quick snap for our Christmas card, but Emma had a friend who could take them and she did an AWESOME job.