Spring Break 2025

 A couple weeks ago we had spring break, where we shared a house in San Diego with 2 other families for a couple of days (Sunday night through Wednesday morning).  The house itself was pretty fun, with a tennis and basketball court (which we used for volleyball), a pool and hot tub, putting green, grill, and outdoor seating to just relax or take in the view.  The weather was pretty nice.  We played some games and hide 'n seek in the dark, watched movies, hung out, and had spiritual devotionals every evening.  We grilled hamburgers, had nachos and taco salad, along with ice cream sundaes, baked oatmeal, french toast, bacon & eggs, pizza, and ate out for lunch at a Mexican restaurant one day.  We each have a missionary out right now, so we chatted with them on Monday at various times.  Also on Monday, we went to Cabrillo National Monument, where we explored the tide pools and hiked around, went to a lighthouse, and enjoyed nature and wildlife.  On Tuesday, we headed to Balboa Park and wandered around, ate out for lunch, and went to the Mormon Battalion.  We also found a Lego store that was popular with some of the crowd.  On Wednesday morning, we packed up and headed to Newport Beach Temple (San Diego is closed right now).  It was a nice few days to spend with friends!  We pretty much tried to spend as little as possible on this vacation, so we didn't do any of the expensive activities in San Diego.

I made a little video compilation of our outings.  My friend Alison probably will make a much better one since she took more video along the way, but this one mostly captures our nature day with a little mix of Weston's running videos. He had a Mission Impossible running thing going on, but intense music didn't fit very well with my peaceful nature videos!  It's a little amusing though, because it looks like he's trying to run away from everything else to finally get to the Lego Store. 

OKC Thunder Game

One of Nathan's Christmas presents was tickets to an OKC Thunder vs Clippers game on Thursday January 2nd.  After we left Papa John and Grandma's house, we headed to OKC.  We stayed downtown that night right near the Paycom Center.  We were able to walk to the game from our hotel.  The kids swam in the pool and then we ate dinner at Fuzzy's Taco Shop before the game.  It was pretty cool to be at the game, with all the lights and entertainment and game vibe.  Thunder was down in the first half, but they picked it up in the 2nd half and won the game 116-98. 

December festivities

 We got our tree put up and decorated.  I got my new missionary ornament for Jared, which I love.   

Alex, Owen, and Savannah went to the ward Christmas party.  Owen played the part of Joseph in the Nativity.  Savannah was an angel.  Alex played a wise man.  I got ahold of a few pictures.  He also participated with the Bishopric in a 12 Days of Christmas song.  I never got a video of that, but apparently it was pretty funny.  I still made cookies and rolls for the party even though I couldn't attend.

I went wild with treat deliveries this year.  I ended up doing 3 rounds, with 4 days of deliveries. I tried to calculate how many I ended up making total.   It was around 318 snickerdoodles (26.5 dozen), 125 cake truffles, and 47 chocolate peppermint loaves.  I also sent out about 60 cards locally and 70 to friends and family far away.  Savannah found a picture online to re-make as a painting for the cover of our Christmas cards.  I scanned her painting, designed, and printed them out on cardstock.  I love how they turned out.  We had a mountain-themed Christmas letter this year, so it went well with our letter.  I didn't send out letters to all the local people, but several got the card and family photo.  It was a lot of work, but I love serving during the Christmas season.

I got to do a few fun things during December.  We went Christmas caroling with a group to older folks.  I took Weston out for lunch on his minimum day.  I also got to eat lunch with friends one day since a friend was visiting from out of town.  Owen is wearing the Christmas socks - just a random funny thing for the season.  He wore them to school. The last collage has a picture of Savannah and a couple good friends at school (sent by a mom).  There's a picture from Owen's choir concert and a screen shot of one of our video chats with Jared.  Nathan has been able to join on the calls from BYU pretty consistently.  I love my Monday phone calls!

Mother's Day, flowers, and Scotland

 Alex was gone to Scotland for Mother's Day, but the kids took care of me that day.  They made breakfast and had cards and gifts for me.  Alex left a card and chocolate for me too.  Jared made rolls for the dinner we had with friends.  Owen decided to gift me with being able to cut his hair.  I had been asking to cut it, but he didn't want to.  It had grown too long for my liking.  I didn't plan on cutting that much off, but once I got going, I couldn't get the back right.  So I had to keep going shorter.  

Owen and Jared helped do a Mom's dinner as a priest activity.  This is the 3rd year I've participated and it's my favorite youth activity of the year.  The young men prepare dinner and dessert and they also give speeches about their mom.  I loved Jared and Owen's speeches.  Owen talked about me being a "momma bear" and he also had put together a funny photo of me as a bear with her cubs.  

Savannah and I enjoyed looking at flowers while waiting for Weston one morning. We were surprised with how many different flowers we found.  

January Misc

Just some miscellaneous things to start the new year... 

Owen and I had about 5 days on our own before the rest of the family arrived home.  Owen had quite a bit of basketball and I worked 3 days, but we also had time to do a movie marathon of Hunger Games, go out to eat, and build one of my Lego sets.  

Alex and I continue to do our monthly temple visits. 

Kai is spoiled when it's cold outside - she comes inside and enjoys sleeping on her bed. 

Jared is known for doing stretches and planks and working out at random times.  Alex joined him in his stretching one evening.   

 

December Misc

We had a fun ward Christmas party, with dinner, dessert, and program.  The missionaries did the program, which made me think of Nathan and how he was probably doing similar things to serve.  I made cookie cups to contribute to the dessert. 

The youth had a fun hayride and caroling activity.  They also did a white elephant gift exchange activity.  The boys decided it would be hilarious to wrap up a framed picture of themselves for someone to open. They also decided it would be funny to have 3 different pictures of Owen.  Eventually, that led to Jared deciding he could do laser cut photos in wood shop at school.  They chose a few random silly pictures of Owen to use.  It did turn out to be hilarious, especially the expression on the face of the girl who opened the first picture of Owen.  She didn't even know him, so she was pretty disappointed with her gift!  However, Owen's friend stole the picture, so she didn't have to keep it.  One of Owen's youth leaders ended up with one of the pictures that he hung up in his office. 

Honoring the graduating primary kids 

(which became my new kids in the 11-13 year old Sunday School class)

Just a few random pics and a video of silly times...

 

Early Christmas present

Savannah bought a trampoline... but Alex bought himself a Lego set.  He apparently had some points which significantly reduced the price, and so he couldn't resist buying it. 

October Misc

We enjoyed General Conference the first weekend in October.  We watched the Sunday afternoon session with friends.  

I've been taking the kids out to eat when they have a minimum day, which works out well because we don't often go out to eat (too expensive).  They look forward to their special lunches out.  Savannah got to go out for lunch at Chili's.  The cheesecake was yummy!  

Savannah's last Primary Program at church was in October.  She did a great job on her speaking part and on the singing.  She will move up to the Young Women's program in January.  

Savannah has been into arts and crafts lately.  She does some pretty amazing paintings.  

I missed her jogathon at school, but I got a few pictures from the teacher.  Her teacher posts photos quite often, so I have some photos of Savannah during the school day too. 

Sailing

Alex, Jared, Owen, and I got to spend a day sailing with one of Alex's colleagues.  We sailed until the beautiful sunset and got to see a whole pod of dolphins.  Jared and Owen steered the boat for a good portion of our trip.  The only downside was Weston and Savannah didn't get to be there with us.  Maybe next time!  We ended off the day with fish and chips.