Saturday, December 16, 2023

Holiday Catch Up

 We went to Raft River the day before Thanksgiving. It was just us with Kenny and Cheryl for Thanksgiving this year. It snowed overnight and into Thanksgiving. We anticipated the snow and the kids were able to go out and play in the snow, and make a snowman! We had a nice Thanksgiving day together and played games that evening. 

We decided to let the roads get clear so we had an easy going morning and then headed to Logan. We went out to Smithfield so the kids could play and Casey helped David move a safe. We had pizza back at my Grandma and Grandpa's house and the kids watched a show. 

Saturday Casey took Kendal and Peter off to Salt Lake to see our high school boys play at the Delta center and then they got to see a Jazz game that night. They had the opportunity to sit close to the court during the high school game. The kids had fun hanging out with friends and watching the game up close. In between games they went with the Welches to the Planetarium and ran into Brett, Vanessa, and crew afterwards. From there they all went on trax and went to seen a huge gingerbread house at a hotel. They ate dinner over at City Creak mall and then headed back to the Delta Center to enjoy the game. 






Alice and I stayed back in Logan. We joined David, Anica, and the boys at the Home Depot craft. We all ate lunch at Del Taco and then played back at my parents for a while. Alice and I had a little visit with Nana before we went to Preston with My Mom and Katherine to see the fireworks and parade with David, Anica, and crew. 

 

We headed home Sunday after a family dinner, so that Casey and I could run the missionary prep night at the Stake Center. 

Kendal had her last three games on the 28th, 30th and the 4th. They played at Home vs Wendell on the 28th. It was a good game that started out tough, but they got a win! They played at Lighthouse on the 30th. It was a hard fought game and the girls came up a bit short with a loss. They played in Jerome for their last game and had a win to end their season on a great note! Kendal got to start in her last two games and worked hard to help her team. She had a great season! She grew and improved in many ways. 



I got to go to Shaylah's 40th surprise party on the first of December, while Casey was off at a game and the kids were home watching a show. Unfortunately a transformer blew and the power went out just before I got home. I came home to some very anxious kids, and it took a while to get them settled and to bed. Thankfully the power came on late that night so we didn't get to cold. 

On the second Kendal was off helping run the clock at the KYA games in the morning, and then later she was off to help with the Executive counsel booth at the St. Nicolas festival. We came a bit later to enjoy the festivities. We watched Santa arrive and Alice and I went to greet him while the boys got food. Alice was excited to see Santa, however she didn't talk to him either. Kendal performed some piano pieces in the round building where the nativities were being held and we hung out for a while till it was time for fireworks. It was raining when the fireworks started so we were a bit wet in the end, but it was a fun night nonetheless. 


Pete had his last ever activity days on the 7th. The group just played around at the church. It's crazy to think Pete will be in Young Men's at the start of the new year! I had an activity days activity this past week with a little service project and then we took the girls to Dasiy's as a last hoopla before we loose a handful of girls in the new year to Young Womens. 

Last weekend we had a ward breakfast at the church. Afterwards we went to Barnes and Noble to let the kids find books for their sibling gift exchange we do every year. We went out to Raft River in time for the web family party and lunch. It's always a good time seeing family and catching up with the Webb's. The kids had fun playing around. We totaled up numbers and Allan and Carol posterity includes 152: kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. We had about 76 of us there. That evening we hung out at Kenny and Cheryl's playing games. 


I ended up with a wicked stomach bug and had a rough night. So everyone else went to church in the morning and I stayed back. We had our Darrington party after lunch and had a great afternoon / evening together with the kids playing and hanging out. Kenny and Cheryl gave all the kids robes which they've been loving ever since! We got to Include Cody's family in via a video session. It was good to see them and everyone else! 



Casey celebrated the big 40 this past Monday! He had early morning practice and a long day at work before we got to see and celebrate with him by going out to dinner. Casey works so hard in his many callings and capacities. I'm so grateful for him and I love him so very very much! Instead of gifts Casey and I have a trip booked to go see Garth Brooks in a few months in Vegas! Casey has loved Garth Brooks sine he was a kid and we're so excited to go! 

Yesterday we went to see the Live Nativity in Twin! It's become a tradition and it's such a special and unique experience. The family that puts this on sets up the whole town of Bethlahem on their property, with shops, booths, animals, and characters going around making you feel as if your in Bethlahem. Then you get a moment to witness "Mary and Joseph, with their baby Jesus". Since we weren't too frozen we also headed out to walk around the botanical gardens that they light up every year.

 
 

Today was a day full of errands and laundry. We also delivered some neighbor gifts and now we're ending the night watching home alone 2. 

Casey has had 2 - 3 games a week in the past month and is working so hard with his team. They've only had a couple losses and is hopeful that his season will continue to be successful. We've had two weeks full of food at School with "Stuff the Staff" and only a couple more days of school before Christmas break. Stricker has started dress up days. Alice and I were reigndeer, elves, and wore ugly sweaters so far. Friday was spirit day at the middle school with Pete in white, Casey in green, and Kendal in red.  


A few extras from the past few weeks:




Tuesday, November 21, 2023

November - basketball

Kendal had a game against Robert Stuart at home on the 8th. It was the hardest fought game of the season so far, with a lot of force coming at them, but the girls pulled out a win with a hard working performance. Kendal was supposed to play at Robert Stuart this past week, however the other team didn't have enough players. So Kendal had to travel over to Robert Stuart and was stuck there for over two hours waiting and watching the 7th grade girls play without getting to play that night. 

Alice finished up her basketball season this past weekend. She had a game on the 11th against the green team. The other team was rough, and kept grabbing the ball. Alice's team held on and ended up barley getting a win! Her last game was this past Saturday on the 18th. They played a nice clean game (can't say the last three teams they've played have been nice), and came out victorious! Her team came out of the season undefeated!! Alice had her good moments throughout the season, and grew in her skills. When she was into it, she did a great job on defense and offence, but when her heart wasn't in it you could tell. Cheers to a fun first season!


Kendal gave a talk in Church on the 12th. She spoke about being a disciple of Christ, and did a wonderful job. She was stressed about her talk being too short, so during the sacrament she looked up more to add to her talk. (She goes above and beyond for so many things.) She blows us away! 

Casey's in the depths of his basketball season. Given his somewhat hodgepodge team they're doing good. So far they've played four games and won three of them! Kendal and I got to go to his game last Monday. It's always a treat to watch Casey in his element! He's a great coach and so wonderful with his team! 

I joined Kendal bowling this past Thursday for her YW's activity. She had just come from her no game basketball games, and wasn't in a competitive mood. She did her best though. Somehow I ended up wining the night with a 140!?! 

Pete and Alice have been wanting to put up Christmas for a couple of weeks now. We relented and let them pull out everything and set up Christmas after Church on Sunday. We put on Christmas music and had a great evening setting everything up around the house. 


Kendal had a busy birthday with an early morning basketball practice. She actually ended up opening her presents the night before because she had early morning practice, and Casey was off to games all night. She got a new chair for her room, silk jammies and pillow cases, a new ring, and a few other smaller things. Her friends spoiled her with balloons, a few gifts, and a lot of sweet birthday wishes all day long. We had a quick pizza dinner before I had to take dinner over to Casey and drop Alice off at basketball practice. I made Kendal Oreo cupcakes with mint chocolate chip ice cream and she was happy about her favorite treats I put out for her that morning. 


Yesterday Kendal had her main group of friends over for a birthday party. They played around and then we did a minute to win it competition. Afterwards they ended up doing each other's hair with the hair kit she got from Hope, then continued to play games till time was up. Kendal's got a sweet group of friends and were lucky they're in her life! 

Pete is in between sports so he's not got much to report on. He is doing well in school and when he can finds his buddies to hang out and play with. He recently had a Lego unit in his STEM class and was so excited to play with Lego's in school! Pete had his Temple and Priesthood preview on Sunday. I bought him a suit a little over a week ago and I've got to say, he's so very handsome in it. It hit me Sunday night that my little boy is quickly growing up and I don't think I'm quite ready. He's turning into such a wonderful young man (still has his crazy / silly moments), can't wait to see what these coming years bring for him! 

 
A couple of extra picks. Kendal's SOS group made this tree in school and my MS Library bulletin board. 


Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Kendal is 14!

 Favorite color: pink, purple, and blue





This gorgeous daughter of ours is 14 today! Kendal is a sweetheart through and through! She is smart, and talented in so many ways! Kendal has stich a big heart, she loves and cares for others in so many ways! She's growing up before our eyes and becoming an amazing young woman! Kendal continues to excel in school. She's our A student and works hard for her exceptional grades. Kendal enjoys sports and has come to love running this past year! She continues to improve and grow in her athletic pursuits. Kendal plays the piano so beautifully! Her talent blows me away! Kendal is still all about her books, but more often she's getting to squeeze in friend time to her busy days and loves being with her friends often. She is a blessing to our family and a joy in our home. We love you Kendal! Happy 14th birthday!! 

Kendal's 14th birthday interview:

Favorite activities: reading, sports, hanging out with family and friends.

Favorite food: Costa vida sweet pork, or lime chicken taco's

Favorite treat: home made treats or twix

Favorite subject in school: all 

favorite book: 5th Harry Potter,  The Hunger Games

when I grow up I want to be: Something in the medical field (that doesn't have to do with blood), or a teacher.