Christmas of peace

We had a peaceful Christmas. I do not take for granted the miracle it is to be together with all 5 kids for a holiday and I'm grateful that I can enjoy whatever it looks like without expectation.  

Max and his roommate Spencer came on Monday night.  Spencer changed the dynamic, but was polite and grateful.  Cooper arrived Tuesday morning and he and Tony went straight out on the mountain bike trails.  It makes me happy to see Cooper so willing to make his Dad happy, even if it means a saddle sore bum and a wreck over the top of the handlebars.  Christmas Eve we hosted Mom and Dad, Uncle Bob and Aunt Kathy Sam, Spencer, Max and our friend Joseph Hood.  Joseph is a friend from church experiencing divorce and we were glad he could join.  Tony did prime rib and salmon for our Christmas eve dinner and nailed it!  We continued our Icelandic tradition of a new book on Christmas Eve, sang Guard Him Joseph and wished Dad a happy birthday with Mom's new amazing mousse recipe.  We were so glad Wilson came and grateful that Cooper helped make that happen.  The kids opened their "pajamas" and we were all in bed early, except for Elize who arrive at 1:00 in the morning after working a shift at In n Out.  

Christmas day for adults is a lot more relaxed, but was still magical.  I went for a run and Tony went for a bike ride.  We put Christmas stockings out and made waffles and bacon for breakfast while the kids picked Wilson up.  Our gifts this year were "adventure" themed and included a tent, lantern, a cooler full of snacks, legos and a phone charger.  The best was the final gift:  Tony had located a game cube with controllers and the kids relived their  childhood!  It was so fun to hear them all laughing and playing together.  We didn't have the right hookups so we risked our church membership and borrowed a tv from the ward library. We spent the afternoon playing pickleball and after Christmas nachos, I suggested a movie.   I was surprised that everyone was in!  Sadly, we saw a Mufasa movie that was terrible, but movie popcorn and candy make anything tolerable.   

Tony was back to work on Thursday so the kids and I ran errands and just enjoyed each other's company.  Eliza wanted to beat the snow (or see her boyfriend ;) so she headed back north in the afternoon.   Cooper and Sam spent the evening bonding over hot wings and football, while Max and Spencer hung out with friends.  Tony and I spent a quiet evening playing scrabble like two old people who still enjoy each other's company.  On Friday Max, Spencer, and Cooper all left and I spent the afternoon coming off the Christmas high.  

Reflecting back on the month, the highlights included:

 the ward party where Dylan was the nativity narrator

The Christmas Carol Musical at the Electric theatre

The Messiah concert at UTT (tickets gifted from the Tylers! and harp!)

neighbor treats on our doorstep almost every night!

Christmas Adam (Dec 23) at Valley of Fire with Tony

Seeing Wicked with Tony

Christmas Party at school-seeing my students play the Right/Left game without knowing their right from their left!

English class before Christmas-learning the Burrito Christmas song

White Christmas in the temple with the ward

Getting a cereal from Dustin called "Poop like a Champion" in response to the sugar cereal

Making Rocky Road together without fighting, nailing it and being super efficient.

Spending time with Sam in the temple-even if it was the result of fiscal incentive

A weekend with Julian and Eliza

My baby turns 18

Happy Birthday Dezmond, Samski, Marcos Samuel.  Welcome to full adulthood.  This is going to be a big year for you as you graduate from high school, move away from home,  and live independently.    You already keep your room, car,  and clothes clean and tidy.  I love this about you.  You always have and continue to enjoy doing things solo,  and have added solo hiking to your list.  I hope you always have the confidence in your own skin to do things alone.   During a difficult time recently you identified that you struggle with trust.  As you enter adulthood, I am hopeful that you see trust as a choice and decide to risk it with people worthy of your trust.  Dad and I are very proud of your work ethic, particularly at your internship and job.  We are always thankful that you join us for scriptures and prayer at night.  We know you have tremendous potential for good in our world because of your natural abilities to make friends and understand social skills.  You continue to be a healer and connector in our family.  I hope you know how loved you are and how much I love our special relationship.  

Happy Thanksgiving

When you live in St George, everyone prefers to come to your house for Thanksgiving!  It's warmer here, great hikes, bicycles to ride and Tony makes the best turkey on the planet.  Our house fit 30 comfortably and I love the excuse to use china.  Tyler and Chelsea added mac and cheese to this year's feast menu and Jeff and Stacey brought a "pickleboard" with pickled eggs that must become tradition.  The weather was warm so there was lots of bike riding,  hiking and pickleball.   Tony played in a "butterball" raquetball tournament.  On Friday we got to wish Harlow a happy 3rd birthday.  She is starting preschool soon and is pure sunshine.  She is not a big fan of camera's right now and taking pictures makes her very sad.  

On Saturday, Sam, Tony, Max and I drove up to Provo to meet Eliza and Cooper . Cooper came down from Boise and had a tender mercy.  His car engine blew up so he got a much safer rental car to drive!  We met at the Grid and drove electric cars with The Hainsworths.  The first race was a ton of fun, but we all regretted the second race.  Both Tony and I had to bow out and Eliza threw up as soon as she got home.  That night we had the hungry pilgrim feast at Betsy's house.  We had amazing pies thanks to Brooklyn including the famous pear-cranberry and a new winner: mascarpone with rhubarb.  We got to celebrate Anna and Luke's official engagement and meet Emma's new boyfriend Rob.  Cooper, Max, Sam and Tony went to the freezing cold BYU game.  Only Tony lasted to the end of the sad BYU loss.  On Sunday we attended sacrament meeting with Betsy and Jeff.  We love attending their diverse ward and were blessed to hear the testimonies of people from around the world such as Africa, China and South America.  While it wasn't our trypical Fast Sunday activity, we had a wonderful brunch with all the kids at Village Inn before heading home.  The weekend was wonderful.  Being with family is always full of big emotions that range from regret, gratitude, fear, relief and love.  I'm thankful for friends who help me navigate it all.  I'm thankful for God's plan of happiness that give me a longer, wider, better perspective.