New Year

 Amazingly it is almost the end of January.  I haven't updated the blog in almost 4 months.  

The end of 2025 was a doozy.

Our 7th grandchild made her appearance a few days before Thanksgiving.  This was sort of a surprise to much of the family.  Stef and Glen and their boys managed to keep it a secret from almost everyone.  I was allowed to know (along with Hailey) from the end of August on.  It was one of the hardest secrets I have ever had to keep.  But I did really want my kids to realize I can keep a secret.  I think I succeeded!!! They definitely surprised a lot of people when they arrived to visit and there was a brand new baby girl.  Baby is a delight and I was able to spend time with her brothers while her parents got her earthside.    Thanksgiving was a quiet affair.  Amanda, Dad and I spent it at her boyfriends house where we were welcomed warmly and fed a great meal.  Kris traveled to Utah to help his mom for Thanksgiving. 

December I performed in the holiday concert playing the bells and accompanying the choir.  

Christmas came and we had Brooke home for a few weeks.  Amanda went hunting in November which was a new experience.  Christmastime for my mom was punctuated by a special dinner with musical entertainment at the Memory Care facility she lives in.  Dad visits her  twice a week and is a faithful companion.  One of the joys of these years is having Dad live with us.  He is a very relaxed guy who appreciates every meal and goes for drives exploring the hills and back roads.  He likes to frequent the many natural hot springs in the eastern part of our state .  It is a great comfort to me to have him with us.  He especially likes watching Frazier.  

We missed having a lot of our kids with us for the holidays but with Marco Polo, phone calls and FaceTime we seem to keep in touch.  What a blessing tech is for that. 

January has come and we are experiencing a dry almost spring like year.  

After last years floods and the year before fires... we are holding our breath.

We have started having dinners with some of our empty nester friends ..   These happen about once a month or every few months.  Dad comes with us.  

Time seems to just be flying ... This year we are excited for a summer family trip and for making as many memories as we possibly can.

We still are working ... 

I have Jury Duty....

Summer

 In August we went to visit Shelby's family.  It was a great time!  We visited lots of parks and Kris had a great fishing trip with the guys.  We got an Air B n B and it had the bath tub with jets.  The kids loved playing in it and one day we had a bubble explosion.  The kids have gotten so big.  They are darling and we loved seeing their cute personalities.  We explored a lot of parks and also played in the yard.

We also took a trip in July to the St Joe River.  Kris was in heaven taking his raft down the beautiful river with his brother.  

We also did our annual waterpark trip with the kids.  I love taking the grandkids and their mamas and dads who can come to spend the afternoon in the sunshine.  This year we went a little later and it was so fun.  We did a lot of rides and also conquered the lazy river. 

Our friend Shaylee was married... 

Now that it is fall.. it is still pretty warm outside... and we are enjoying the slightly cooler difference.  Not having to turn the heat or ac on is awesome.

Amanda is baking all sorts of fun treats.  

Dad keeps us good company and we enjoy seeing mom at her care home.  She recently had a sock hop and I got her a cute poodle skirt and corsage for the event.

Happenings

 Looking back on the past little while it amazes me how quickly the time is flying....

June was filled with our annual family trip which we made this year to Utah.  We rented an airbnb and had almost all the kids with us.  We had some really fun activities which Hailey shopped for and coordinated.  We made homemade pizzas, smore's ... went fishing... hot springs -ing  .. rode the train in Heber which included a  hippie experience... and visited the mountains and waterfalls near our accommodations.  We karaoked and played games.

Lettie was blessed that Sunday and we had a barbecue after.

My niece Savannah was married a week later and I was able to attend this with my dad and Hailey's family.  

July has been busy with working and is going to include more fishing.  

Amanda turned 21 and is waitressing and home for the summer.  We enjoy her!

The rest of the summer we are anticipating :  another trip to Colorado... water park fun and redoing our deck out back.

Update

 It has been awhile since I have updated ..... I ran into some issues with the blog but I'm happy to say it seems to be working today. 

The last few months have been filled with super highs and difficult lows , as most people experience.

Highs:  Another beautiful granddaughter and being able to go to Utah and stay with her and her family for almost 2 weeks.

All of my brothers came in April and we were able to make some good memories and help mom and dad.

Spending Easter weekend with my daughter and grandsons for her book signing and a fun Easter Egg hunt where Tripp won the golden egg!

Also Amanda is home for the summer and that makes life so much more exciting!  She is cooking for us most nights and making amazing meals. 

Lows:

After almost 2 years with us , we had to make some adjustments with Mom's care .  And that has been bittersweet.  Relief mixed with sorrow.  

Watching our daughter deal with some very difficult life changes and having to advocate for her safety and healing.  

I am crocheting some super cute Lego blankets !!! 

And Life goes on......

February

 We got to do some fun things in February...

• Hockey Game with the grandsons!
• Saw the movie Dog man
• Saw Hailey, Joe and Amanda
• Got pedicures with Stef and Brooke
• Played Legos!
• Went to the temple together

There has been a lot of snow ... Feet and feet and it is cold.  Only 11 degrees.  I have been wearing my heated coat a lot.  

We are looking forward to the birth of another grandchild!  Coming in March.....

Happy New Year

 Reflecting on 2024 I think it was an interesting time…

Having Amanda home for the holidays has made me realize how much I miss having kids home.  They just provide so much energy and excitement. I miss that.

We have had a year of adjusting and learning and regrouping.  Laughter has not been optional.

It has been essential.

I read 112 books this year … and I’ve started keeping a list! 

Kris has pivoted and isn’t coaching anymore . He is tying flies and fishing and working out.

Things I want to do in 2025….

Spend time with my grandkids and kids

Read

And keep laughing 🤣 

Must remembers!

 I want to remember that this summer we went to the water park!  

And also that Zeke had an awesome birthday party at our house! With a balloon arch and fun games.  I neglected to write about that earlier this year so here are some photos.