Christmas 2025

 

This year, we had a good Christmas. Eric came over around 9am, and we opened presents together. I think everyone was happy with the gifts they received. I know that I worked hard to try to make sure to buy things that Eric, Sean, Noel, and Chad wanted or needed. We also do a not-so-secret-Santa, and I think everyone did a good job finding something for the person they needed to buy for which was decided in a drawing of names on Thanksgiving. My favorite reaction of the day was Noel when she opened her ironing board. I got her a small tabletop ironing board that she could easily tuck under her bed or in her closet because she doesn't like mine when she is sewing. Who knew that was exactly what she was wanting. Eric seemed to be most excited about the Dune box set. He lost his love of reading in elementary school, but he has found it again now that he can really choose which books he reads. Sean was happy about the video games he opened, but he also got a chuckle out of the shirts I gave him. Chad was excited about the cookbooks he got because they are not only filled with recipes, they also have the historical content behind the recipes. One of them even has the historical recipe and modern recipe. I was most excited about getting Elenor Roosevelt's autobiography. After presents, we played Clue for a while and ate a roast dinner before we went our separate ways. (Eric went home. Sean and Noel went to their dad's house. Chad and I took a nap.) 

Christmas Day 11

 

“The shepherds were invited to come and see. They saw. They trembled. They testified. They rejoiced. They saw Him wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, the Prince of Peace...” Marvin J. Ashton

Christmas Day 6

 

"Christmas is a wonderful season of the year. As we commemorate the birth of our Savior, our hearts are attuned to what is most important in our lives." ~Dallin H. Oaks

Noel's 20th Birthday

 

Noel turned 20 over the weekend. She was so celebrated by many people. Throughout the day, she would tell me of more people messaging and texting her to wish her a happy birthday. After some tough years in the past, it made my heart happy to know that she now has good people in her life that are willing to take even a little bit of time out of their day to do such a simple thing to make a difference in her day. 

With Noel's birthday being on the weekend, we were able to spend the day with each other on her actual birthday for a change. We started the day off getting breakfast and streaming Wicked. Then, we went to Red Robin and headed to the theater to see Wicked: For Good. We loved the movie. She is actually going to see it one or two more times this week. 

After the movie, we went home to rest a bit before going to Olive Garden as a family. Then, we went home for dessert, presents, and karaoke. (All her choices.) I hope she had a good birthday and knows how much she is loved. 

Mom and Sean Day 2025

 I made a tradition of having a day with just the birthday kid around the time I married Chad because I knew that at least one of them was having a hard time with all of the changes over the previous year. it actually started with me taking Eric with me to court for an expired license plate ticket. I called him out of school and told him he could spend the day with me. It was a simple thing that meant a lot to him. When Sean's birthday came around 8 months later, he wanted a day with me, too. I have made a point to spend a time with them for their birthdays ever since. Now, we get to do something more, and they each get to pick what we do. I am glad that they still enjoy this. 

This year, I was unable to talk off work for Sean's birthday because work was crazy in September, so we made the plan to do something the first weekend I was free. I told him to choose what we would do, as usual. At first, he said he would look to see what movies were showing. There was nothing (not too surprising). Then, he came to me asking if we could go to the escape room nearby. I booked us an appointment for this past Saturday for the room with a dragon theme. 

We had so much fun! Some of the puzzles were harder than others, but we worked together as a team and finished with 9 seconds remaining. 

Then, we went to McDonalds, as we always do for our day together. Overall, it was an enjoyable morning/afternoon. I hope he knows how much he is loved. 

Christmas Day 2024

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 

A Day of Celebration 

Today was a great day full of smiles and gratitude and fun. My oldest came over at 8am. The others stayed in their rooms until he got there so they would all experience the magic at the same time. This is what the saw as they walked into the living room.

They were all happy and excited as they went through their stockings and opened gifts. 

Then, we went to Starbucks for peppermint hot chocolate and goodies, made a ham dinner, and just enjoyed each other's company. 

I am thankful for this wonderful day to celebrate the Savior's birthday and spend time with family. I love this day, and I love this family of mine!

Christmas Day 19

 

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.” 3 Nephi 1:13

Halloween 2024

This year, Noel and I made our costumes again. I was pizza made by hot gluing felt "toppings" on a t shirt. Noel was Remy the rat from Ratatouille (her boyfriend is the chef). She bought two shirts, made one into a skirt, and made some ears and a tail. We spent Wednesday evening last week putting them together. Then, we wore them to a trunk or treat at the church on Saturday. She is wearing hers again tonight while hanging out with her boyfriend. 

Another tradition that somehow came to be is having a jack-o-lantern pizza. We used to get them from Papa Murphy's, but last time we tried, it was a disaster. This year, I made it, and I think it was better than take out. 

Noel and I seem to be the only people in our home that still enjoy Halloween, so I think I did fairly well.

Recreation Photos

I love pictures that recreate past pictures. When Eric was a senior, I really wanted to recreate a kindergarten graduation picture with his best friend from that time period. We talked about it for months, and I worried we wouldn’t be able to do it because of COVID. Thankfully, his school was able to figure out how to do graduation at a drive-in and we were able to do it. 

For Sean, we were able to recreate his eight grade graduation picture with is favorite teacher. 

When it came to Noel, only one picture came to mind when I thought of doing this. It doesn’t include anyone else which is good because she changed schools in high school. She fought me a bit on it but agreed that it looked great when she saw the result. 

I love that even when they think my plans are weird or stupid, my kids indulge me in things like this. And in case you’re wondering, they are in frames with their senior pictures. 

Easter 2024

I wasn’t allowed to do the Easter Bunny thing until Eric was in first grade and heard his friends talking about it. He was so excited about the Easter Bunny coming that I was finally able to talk the person in charge into allowing it. Since then, the kids have had an Easter basket every year. This year, I used baskets they can use for some kind of organization purpose. Noel specifically asked for the carrot, Sean wanted a fuzzy bunny but got a dinosaur because there were no bunnies, and Eric was given some Hot Wheels which he appreciated. I can’t imagine a day when I wouldn’t put together Easter Baskets for my kids. I feel like it is just one simple thing I can do to show them my love. 

Eric and Mom Day 2024

Eric made it known that he wanted to have a day with me for his birthday again. He seemed to have forgotten that he had told me he had outgrown it. The only issue we had was figuring out what to do and when. He finally decided he wanted to go to Meow Wolf, so I got tickets for after work yesterday. 

Eric had a blast. We were there for a bit over two hours and saw everything at least once. The world they have created in this odd shaped building is amazing and intricate. Eric loved it so much that he didn’t want to leave. I really enjoyed spending time with my oldest child. I love seeing the excitement and curiosity in his eyes. 

“Running” Tradition

For the past five years, Chad and I have done our best to run the BOLDERBoulder. We even did the virtual one in 2020. This year was, I believe, the hottest and least trained one we have done, and I really felt it. I still had fun though. Where else would I be able to take a picture with Elvis while he sang?

The most impressive sight was the firefighter running in full gear carrying the American flag. I love going to events with so much patriotism especially on days set aside to honor those who fought for our freedom!