Ringing in a New Decade

So there has been some debate in our house if 2020 is the start of a new decade or the end of the old. . .Steve thinks it's the end of the old but I found it kind of funny because he was just explaining to the kids a couple of days ago how you really count starting at 0 so I think he can't have it both ways. ;)

I gassed up the van in Rupert as it had been back and forth several times transporting Grandpa to Utah and while I was at the gas station I took pictures of the "beet" on the square. They are going to light it up and count down to drop it at midnight.

When I got home Steve had picked up some chicken wings from Wingstop because Ellie is trying to eat everything she's not supposed to once her braces are put on next week (he asked if she wanted them for Christmas and she said, No so she's been frantically eating all of her hard candies and things that are on the do not eat list). After dinner the kids did their traditional balloon pop with jokes and money.

Then we did this jiffy pop on the stove Ellie got from the youth gift exchange and the kids thought it was great to hear and see it pop and expand. Then we ate the popcorn while we watched a short show on Disney+ and then a New Year's countdown to do our confetti poppers and watched some fireworks from London which was super smokey so we turned on a drone show from Shanghai which was cool to watch.

The kids were real troopers and did the decorating and balloon prep while I was driving back from Idaho. I didn't buy glasses like I normally do and I forgot about the sparking sodas and Japanese sodas I had bought to drink. . .It's all good we had fun being together and I love my family who made the best of some crazy circumstances and my siblings who all pulled together to make a lot happen over a week (I don't think we've texted as much in a lifetime as we did this past week). So here's to 2020 knowing we're stronger together and accomplish anything with the Lord's help.

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

Walking home from our house Christmas day

Ok -- not really but after lunch she did get a phone call from Grandpa's facility in Idaho requesting/demanding she get there right away to sit with Grandpa even though a deal had been previously made that there would not be additional help on Christmas day. So she was upset and in a hurry to leave. We had her call Jake who went over to sit with Grandpa until they could get there. Then as I was shutting the door behind them I could hear my Dad yell, "Denice" then screaming and I opened the door to see my Mom face down on the pavement and so much blood. She missed the last step and hit her face. Dad was saying her teeth were all over the ground and I ran to grab towels for the blood and yelled at Steve to come up and help. Lila took the boys downstairs so they wouldn't see what was happening. Steve dialed 911 while I helped try to calm my Mom & Dad and notify my siblings that there had been an accident and to please pray for Mom.

When the ambulance arrived Mom was sitting and doing better they checked her out but then said we could drive her to the ER so Steve hurried and through some clothes on so he could take them. They went to new hospital just down the street from us and my sister happened to be down in the area and pulled in just at the same time they did. Steve said it was not too busy there and everyone was really nice and helpful. The x-rays and CT scans showed that nothing was broken which was good, but unfortunately they did not have a dentist or oral surgeon they could call in so around 8:30pm they sent them to McKay Dee hospital to see the dentist who was doing rounds there. The dentist tried to take care of one tooth that was bent and not allowing her to close her jaw properly and Steve said he could tell that was painful. Then he set up an appointment for them with the oral surgeon the next day.

Now I was a ball of nervous energy and I took it out on the girls rooms. They had no place to put their Christmas presents because their rooms had been overtaken with stuff. So I went down and overhauled their rooms. Three bags of garbage later and some things relocated things are back to a good and clean place for them.

Steve got home about midnight after driving Mom & Dad back to their home in Mt Green. We went to sleep tired emotionally and physically, but grateful because it could have been worse.

Thursday, Dec 26th Steve got up and ate breakfast then drove to Mt Green to get my parents to take them to the oral surgeon. The oral surgeon was hopeful he could do implants that day but when he got in he realized that there was too much bone damage so he had to do a bone graft which set back her timeline to get implants but they took an impression to make a flapper and that should be ready at her next appointment on Jan 6th. I drove up to pickup Steve from Mt Green and we visited with Dad for a while. Mom was resting. Marcus said, "yeah, Mimi fell down the stairs and hurt her face. I feel so bad." So cute to see a little 4 year-old show empathy too. We picked up some dinner as we drove home -- some yummy Costa Vita.

Friday I called my cousins Matt & April and told them we were considering moving Grandpa down here and asked if they would like to come tour the facility with us. I also arranged for all the paperwork to be ready for my Mom to sign so we could start the move process. The tour went well we picked out a room and Matt & April expressed their desire to help care for Grandpa.

Saturday my parents decided to go back to Idaho and we took the kids to the aquarium one last time before our membership expires.

Half way through we got a text from our tennis carpool friends and we realized we would have to book it home to get Ellie ready for tennis so we took in the last part kind of fast -- my bad but a lot has been going on. I'm just glad we got to go enjoy it a little.

Then Sunday, December 29th at 5:30am I received a call from my Dad. He explained my Mom was in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. He found her at 4am she was seizing her had a stroke and then she laid there unconscious -- Dad thought she was dead. He explained Jake was on the way to meet them at the hospital and he was calling Venessa next. I was so emotional and in a state of shock. I asked Steve to pray because I didn't even know how to form words right then. We knelt beside the bed and Steve prayed for my mother and father and all the doctors and that we could know how to help. Then I let Steve go back to bed while I tried to keep my mind off of stuff by organizing pictures, checking the mail, reading a book. I reached out to Nessa and we both agreed we were going out of our minds. She was ready to just drive up to Idaho, but I felt like I needed to stay and figure some stuff out. Then Jake called to give us an update -- he asked me to get on top of moving Grandpa and see if we could make it happen. So I sent texts to the administrators here apologizing for bothering them on Sunday but needing to know when we could move Grandpa. We began coordinating his move and caring for Mom & Dad. It was a little like the riddle of getting the fox, chicken and grain across the river because we needed a vehicle not to tall that would be difficult to get Grandpa in and out of and a truck to move his belongings and yet leave everyone in the right location for their assignments.

Nessa left with Nate Sunday in a truck to help out with Dad and Mom and to be ready to haul furniture. I stayed back to wait until the move was set. I finally got word around 10am Monday that the bed we had been waiting for would be there that day and we could move Grandpa in any time. So Steve, Matt, and I loaded in the van and headed to Idaho. As soon as we got there Jake called me and wanted me at the hospital so I left them there to pack Grandpa up.

I made it to the hospital in time to be there to get the discharge directions and help take my Mom home. The first 24 hours were rough as her body had been through a lot. She was a little unbalanced and nauseated and having some memory issues that had me worried. They think it was a med interaction that caused the seizure so I was being super strict on what I would let her take. The next day she was doing better, more stable on her feet and remembering more things which I took as a good sign. So I did a couple loads of laundry and lined things up so I could travel home as it was New Year's Eve and my kids wanted me home.

I could feel the love and prayers from so many friends and family because my mind was clear in knowing what I needed to do and giving me strength because I was tired. We didn't sleep at all that first night home from the hospital but I was able to drive home without being drowsy and enjoy some time with my kids before dropping into bed in exhaustion.


Oh, did I mention I signed up for Disney+ in the middle of this so the kids had fun watching some old Disney shows while we were out and about helping.

Christmas Cheer

Now that the kids were out of school and Christmas is just a few days away we were excited to find ways to do festive things together. Saturday, Lila had a 4 hour dance session to clean up one of her comp numbers. So I dropped her off and then went to the temple. It was a lovely morning. When I got out one of my young women had been on my mind so I texted her and took her to get a treat. Then when I got home Steve and I finished getting a few neighbor gifts ready and went for a stroll around the neighborhood (it was lovely weather to do that which was frustrating for Steve because he wants snow for skiing ;). Then we played a game and took Ellie to tennis.

Sunday, December 22nd we had a beautiful sacrament service with music and the Christmas story from Luke 2 read. Then we changed our clothes and went up to hang out with Mimi and Grandpa and Nessa and her family (Jake was in Orem with Marcee's family). Grandpa came out and gave everyone their traditional Christmas pajamas.

The kids stayed the night. Steve and I came home and managed to wrap Christmas presents. This is unheard of -- we're usually up late Christmas Eve wrapping and wrapping and wrapping, but with the kids gone we took advantage and watched some cheesey Christmas movie on Prime. Then Monday morning we went back up to Mimi and Grandpa's to have breakfast with everyone, Jake and his family could be there that morning. So we had breakfast then everyone parted ways and went back to regular Monday activities. When we got home the kids noticed the presents under the tree and got excited!

We convinced Steve to leave work early so we could go see the Christmas lights on temple square (we thought it would be good to go since temple square is going to be under construction for the next 4 years). The weather was lovely and we ran into some friends from Idaho and our neighborhood. We had a good time and may have followed Marcus in a couple of circles as he chose which way to go a couple of times. ;)

 





















Marcus fell asleep on the way to temple square -- he was tired from his adventures at Mimi & Grandpa's :)


Christmas Eve I woke up with a little head cold so I was feeling a little sluggish. Steve decided to take the older 3 skiing at Snowbasin which I think is great -- it's a good day to go, but we're still getting used to having season passes and planning ahead is not happening so I can't line up sitters and go with them. It's all good Marcus and I played some games and watched some Christmas shows. Then Mimi and Grandpa stopped by on their way to tour the new Assisted Living Facility down the street from us (they need to move Grandpa -- the facility they have him at in Burley has asked them to now provide 24hour nurse care on top of the facility care and the cost is sky high). Steve and the kids picked up burgers from 5 Guys on their way home and we ate with Mimi and Grandpa and then opened some crackers we got from a couple of cute sisters in our ward we visited earlier in the month and took a ham and fruit basket too.

Inside the crackers were crowns and whistles that were each different notes so you could play songs. We played a few Christmas tunes and had some fun (my feet made it in the picture ;).

Then we watched the new video The Christ Child: A Nativity Story and then sent the kids to bed. :)

Christmas morning Marcus was the first to wake up. I went and got him and he snuggled in bed with Steve and I for a bit until we heard Andrew who walked down the stairs holding his hand up to block his view of the Christmas tree and treasures. Then we sent him down to get the girls.

The kids each got a camera from Santa Claus. Each one was different and unique. And Santa Claus accidentally left a picture on Ellie's camera during test mode -- yikes, oops ;)

I helped Andrew make presents for each of his siblings including unicorn headband pictured right. Ellie drew the boys a picture of their favorite animal pictured above.

Lava lamp provided lost of entertainment.

Then we enjoyed a lovely Christmas lunch with Mimi and Grandpa.

Chinese Hot Pot

We had so much fun with the Chinese interns in October that we decided to have them over again. This time I picked them up after school and then took them to an Asian market to buy supplies for dinner. On the way to the store we talked about what their plans are for the school break and Christmas traditions -- they said they like to give apples on Christmas Eve to those they love because the translation is literally safe/peace. Then at the store they told Lila to be listening and practicing her Chinese. At one point I told them that Ellie didn't like mushrooms and they started talking in Chinese and Lila jumped in to explain that it was Ellie (big sister) not her that didn't like mushrooms. I thought that was cute and what a better time to show you're listening.

Then when we got home they put Lila to work with them in the kitchen. They were talking Chinese, chopping, getting bowls and plates and it was so fun to see Lila conversing with them and I was so happy they felt so at home to be cooking us a meal. At one point Lila turned and started talking Chinese to Ellie and it wasn't until Ellie gave her the crazy look did she realize she was talking Chinese.

Then we sat around the table and ate. The kids did great! They tried: beef & fish meatballs, 3 different kinds of tofu, bamboo shoots, 2 different kinds of mushrooms, and seaweed. Andrew was a little startled when the long strand of seaweed fell on his face because he was lifting the food up above his mouth with his chopsticks and dropping it in.

They explained that hot pot is a traditional family meal that takes hours to enjoy. They sit around  the "hot pot" cooking their food in the broth and talking. They said since it is typically a family style meal everyone just uses their chopsticks to put food in and take it out but they decided this time to have common chopsticks to move the food to and from the hot pot (or a spoon for some of us less coordinated). Half way through the meal Andrew and Ellie played some Christmas violin music for us and then Lila played a song on the piano.

We played a number game at the table and then gave them a little Christmas gift (that sparked each of them going into their host homes and bringing out a little Chinese treasure for us so cute). 

We had a great night. Little did I know the first time we talked about having them over what an impact they would have on our family. Rancho, Fiona, and Maggi talked about how getting to know Andrew has helped them feel more comfortable in his class (since that is the class they mainly teach -- they take turns teaching it a semester at a time and then help the other Chinese teachers the other semesters) and I can tell knowing them has been good for both of the kids. They have really become family friends and we hope to have them over a couple of more times before the school year ends.

PJ Masks Live

When we bought the season tickets to Hale Center Theater I felt a little bad about leaving Marcus out, but to be honest he's loved the one-on-one time with the babysitter. Well when I saw PJ Masks Live was coming to Salt Lake I wanted to take him but I didn't want to spend $60 a ticket. Then comes Black Friday and tickets dropped to $25 so I bought two tickets and awaited the day I could take him. I got out his costume and he was so excited to go. I decided to go gas up the van early and boy am I glad I did because look at this line. I finally pulled out because it was taking 10-15 minutes a car to fill up -- I found a different station that wasn't as busy but it still took me 15 minutes to fill up (ugh--maybe I should get an electric car too).

After school Andrew starting talking about how he wanted to go, but I told him he got to go to the plays (I debated getting him a ticket, but you never know with those boys if being together will be good or bad so I opted for one-on-one time with Marcus). Then on the way down Marcus said, "I wish Andrew could come too. Next time it should be me, Andrew and then you." Well now I know his priorities. ;) Here we are on our way.

I managed to get us there safely and find parking (I paid for event parking, but it's the holidays and downtown SLC so I felt good about that and we didn't have to walk far in the cold -- hallelujah). When we walked in we found these inflatable PJ Masks and Marcus ran right up to Cat Boy and hugged him.

Then we got a cushion for Marcus's chair to boost him up a bit and then found our seats.

He loved it and sat through the whole thing so good. He even quoted back part of the show to me (that I didn't remember, but to be honest I had been feeling sick that day so I was just grateful to be better enough to take him and enjoy the evening). He also said, "you know how there was two parts, Mom. I wanted there to be three." You know intermission had made it two parts, but he wanted more which I thought was a good sign that he enjoyed the evening. Love you my little boy blue!

Powder Mountain Giving Day

Steve had heard from some co-workers that Powder Mountain was having a few discounted days for Utahans -- you show your license and you could ski for $20. And he was itching to go. I sent a text to our nephew Ethan who is attending BYU to see if he was available to go and sure enough he was finishing his last final Tuesday so he rode the train up and we picked him up. That evening we took him to Steve's work party for some pizza and cookie decorating. Then Steve and he ran to rent him a snowboard and I logged on to buy tickets and found that Wednesday was giving day and you could select a charity to donate $10 to and then you would receive a free pass. Steve had been working on the girls trying to convince them to skip school and go with him, but Lila had a fun class party and a secret snowman thing she didn't want to miss. Ellie convinced Steve to wait until after her 1st period class so she could turn in some work and then she went with them. They had a good time. Steve said Ellie is a little more hesitant than he remembers but I think it's because of her running into a tree at Snowbasin at the end of last year (there was a kid stopped in a tight section so she tried to stop and avoid hitting him and collided with the tree -- nothing too serious but I think it shook her up). Anyway, we were grateful we were able to connect with Ethan and that they had a fun day out on the snow.

Marcus, Marcus

Today when I went to volunteer in Andrew's class Marcus brought his backpack full of toys. It's been his thing lately to stuff as many toys as possible in his backpacks (he has 2) and then dump them all over the house (yes so messy 😜). Then he even says things like, "I'm going to add this to my pile." Any way he had his backpack and he hung it up like all the kindergartners and thought he was so big.

Also Marcus has been seeing an orthodontist for his cross bite. They put in an expander so we see go in once a month to get it adjusted etc. They give him a coin to use in these dispensing machines and every time he picks a bouncy ball. We have like 8 more now and every time he wants a blue one and it's usually purple or pink or yellow. Well, I was saying a little prayer in my heart that it would be blue this time and guess what. . .we'll take it he was so excited!

Holly Jolly Christmas

Well here we are, another year has gone by in what feels like the blink of an eye. This year has been amazing and also stretching. We had great adventures in 3 National Parks this year where we hiked over 20 miles and climbed thousands of feet of elevation with a 3 year-old (Marcus) who knows how to work the system. ;) Also this summer Britney & Ellie enjoyed Young Womens camp together (Ellie's first ever and Britney's first in . . . well a long long time) and Steve took up mountain biking.

The kids continue to grow and keep us busy with activities like; Violin, Ellie (13) is still doing orchestra and Andrew (6) is in his second year and loving it. Piano, there is always someone playing the piano whether it's practicing for lessons or Andrew begging to learn a new Christmas song or play a duet with someone. Lila (10) is in the robotics club at school & competitive dance again so she is learning how to balance life and stay on top of things (which stresses Mom out sometimes so we're all learning to adapt). Andrew is a kindergartner this year and loving it. He really likes learning Chinese and is not afraid to speak it at home as Lila tends to be. We had the 3 Chinese interns over for dinner which was a lot of fun and are planning to have them back next week to cook a traditional Chinese meal Hot Pot for us. Marcus (3) tries our patience with his stubborn but fun loving personality. He's my sidekick and I'm so grateful that we get to spend this year working on some fun preschool activities together and having play dates.

So there you have it, we're at the exciting stage of teenage girls who cry a lot with attitudes that come out once in a while and toddler boys who fight with each other or destroy the house in a split second so we choose our battles. We're learning to find the joy in life and striving to soak up every minute we have together. We hope you have a holly jolly Christmas because "it is the best time of the year" when we can focus on family and the life of our Savior who's love and teachings strengthen us and make all things possible as we strive to be a little more like him each day.

Love,

Steve, Britney, Ellie, Lila, Andrew & Marcus

First Week of December where'd you go?

I feel a little like I'm going through the motions of things but having a hard time connecting emotionally. . . maybe it's because I feel like I have a full plate this year or maybe it's because Thanksgiving was so late this year there was no real time to prepare mentally for Christmas. I don't feel like I'm behind (most of our shopping is done and we're doing the things we normally do). . .just been a weird week. It was nice for Steve and I to escape to the temple Thursday morning for some much needed peace. I'm praying that we will continue to connect with our kids that they will remember the fun traditions we do together and most importantly feel of our testimonies and love for our Savior.

Along with our temple outing we were able to take the boys skiing on Friday and Marcus is finally starting to get the hang of it. We did several runs down Little Cat and then when Marcus was tired I took him to the car while Steve and Andrew went up Needles -- they said the snow was bad so that was good to know so we didn't plan to take the girls back on Saturday.

 



Instead on Saturday Steve took the kids to Home Depot to do their little kid project and Marcus was super excited to get his apron and project. Andrew has also really taken to putting things together and taking them apart. A few weeks ago I was getting tired of Andrew asking me what he could do every minute so I put together a list of things and one of them is to take apart something and Steve has been great about setting up a station in his office and bringing home things from the office for him to tinker with -- he loves it.

The girls and I decided to go get facials. Steve bought me some spa gift cards so I scheduled me a long facial and the girls a short facial to use up some of the bonus gift cards. The girls thought it was great and I meant to get a picture of us in the waiting room chilaxing together but I forgot and it was a nice respite for me too. Then we all went to the girls Christmas recitals. They had both worked hard on their songs and did a good job. Marcus the whole time kept saying, "my turn. I go play catboy, owelette, gecko song." I have no idea how to play that but he really really wanted a turn.

Then Steve and I grabbed some dinner after dropping Ellie off at tennis lessons. We had hoped to go out to dinner but every where seemed super busy so we just grabbed a salad from Kneaders and came home and miraculously ate in peace while Lila played with the boys then we started the bedtime routine. Not gonna lie we ate a takeout a lot this week but if it was what was needed to lighten all our loads then so be it.

While we watched the Christmas Devotional this evening we worked on our gingerbread trains.

Deconstructed Thanksgiving

We had planned to spend Thanksgiving in Mt Green with my whole family, but Jake and Marcee's daughter planned to visit them in Idaho so their plans changed and then the week before Mom felt like she couldn't leave Grandpa O. by himself that weekend (his birthday was Wed before Thanksgiving). So that left Nessa and I and I was afraid to commit to anything because Steve and Ellie were really sick and Andrew said he wasn't feeling too great and didn't want to go to school so I let him stay home for those 2 days. We had planned to do our annual pie night with some friends in the neighborhood Tuesday evening and then that morning I decided to cancel because everyone was still feeling yucky and I didn't want to spread our germs then guess what by mid afternoon I felt like I had been hit by a train -- I was the last to succumb to the nasty cold. So we spent a quiet Thanksgiving by ourselves.

Here's the yummy chocolate pie we made for pie night. We also had a yummy cranberry-apple pie and a pumpkin cheesecake.

I can't even remember what we did Wednesday. . .it was a blur of puzzle, movies, and relaxing with boxes of kleenexes right next to us.

Thursday we woke up to a lot of snow. So Steve went out to start clearing off the driveway and sidewalk and Lila and Marcus went out back to build snowmen while I was finishing up the thanksgiving meal.

Here's Daddy's little helper.

We enjoyed our yummy meal with our smoked turkey and we decided we like just a simple mashed sweet potato with marshmallows on top. We had some fun Thanksgiving trivia to discuss at the table and then we went back to relaxing.

Friday Snowbasin opened and Steve was itching to go. Girls didn't really want to go, but Andrew said, "I've been looking forward to this all year, I'm going every chance I get." He's good at getting his gear on himself and was ready to go. Steve said he froze at the top of the hill and it took them forever to get down, but by then end he was finally getting comfortable again.

They came home in time for us to take off during a snow storm for  Suesical the Musical at Hale Center Theater. We took it slow and got there safely and were glad when we left the theater that the snow had stopped and we had an easy drive home. The play was amazing and probably one of our favorites so far, it was a mix between stand up comedy and musical so fun!

Saturday Steve was kind enough to take me shopping for a new Christmas tree (we've been using one for almost 10 years that we got at garage sale for $10). We picked out a tree and Marcus liked the dancing Santa among the trees. When we were checking out we noticed there was a real Santa there so Marcus got to sit on Santa's lap -- he wasn't really for sure what that was about but was more than happy to take the candy cane treat from him. ;)

We finally convinced the girls to go with Steve skiing for a few hours and of course Andrew was all in to go again. So Marcus and I watched a Christmas movie and put up the nativities because I promised to save the tree decorating for when the kids got back and Steve even played Christmas music for us in the background.

Sunday morning I had a couple of meetings so the kids took their Kiwico boxes from Mimi and Grandpa for the month of December and went up to the craft room to create. They love those and since most of them were still sick I was the only one to attend church (well Steve went up to teach his lesson then came right back home).