we forgot…

Forgetting is a natural side effect of aging.
At least, that is what I am blaming my recent and shameful forgetfulness.
I might add my husband to this statement, because we forgot to remind each other.

Under normal circumstances, this is not a big deal.
Usually, we can overcome these oversights.
But, when it effects a third party, recovery is not as simple.

Ever since their first birthday, each of our daughters received roses from their father.
One, for every age.
A single on on their first birthday. A dozen for #12, Sixteen for sweet 16.
Well, you get the picture.

This year would have been 26 for our eldest.
But is wasn’t. We forgot.
But this is not the only forgotten tradition.
All of the usual pomp and circumstance of birthday week (as we affectionately call it)
were also downgraded. No wrapped presents. No birthday cake.

In our defense, we did not forget to eat.
That is something we hardly every forget to do.
And, Kylee did get to choose.

So, as I try to sort through my guilt,
I have to remind myself that we did do something good.
We raised a daughter that is easy going.
We raised a daughter that has never been overly dramatic, self centered or demanding.
We raised a daughter that faithfully served a mission and returned with honor.
This birthday came and went with hardly a peep.

As I prepare now for the birthday (week) of my youngest.
I laughed a little when I though to myself…
The first born has to deal with our mistakes.
The second born has to deal with our over-corrections.

Again, I remind myself that we did do something good…
TWICE!

3 things 2015

January
Consuelo passed away from complications that followed a fall that broke her hip.
Her three children put together a beautiful tribute to her life.
With President Cooke’s permission, we were able to place a special call to Kylee just after Consuelo passed.

February
The reality of Kylee returning home set in.
We received the travel itinerary from the Mission Home.
We made plans for her arrival and homecoming.

March
Kylee’s return date finally arrived.
Taylor went through the temple to receive her endowment.
As a family, we returned to Washington DC for a memorable visit.

April
General Conference and wonderful food.
Dad fell and became a member of the assisted walker club
We tore down the big tree in the front yard

May
Payson Temple open house
Warming up enough for morning walks outside
Memorial Day rock climbing

June
Sat with Dad so Mom could attend a granddaughters High School graduation
Payson Temple was dedicated
Got the boat out early this year

July
Fireworks at home on the 4th
Started a project in the backyard that is still incomplete
Fireworks and mishaps on the 24th

August
Newport Beach temple with the family
Disneyland
Taylor was in a car accident on the first day of school

September
Shrimp Boil for Labor day… a new tradition
Road trip to Afton, WY for nephews Eagle Court of Honor
Sang Nearer My God to Thee in the Paris, Idaho tabernacle

October
General Conference again… always uplifting!
Sunday drives to see the changing of the leaves
Thriller with the girls

November
28 year wedding anniversary
Thanksgiving with family… always a favorite time
Chester raided the pantry (again)

December
We moved dad into a Memory Care Center
Hot Chocolate Bar…Neighborhood fund raiser for dear friends
100 Enchiladas on Christmas Day

Hope your thanksgiving was great!

Ours was…

Christmas joys

1. Shopping online and avoiding the lines. (Not so joyous, the 2 shipments that are yet to be received.)
2. San Diego with the family. ( Evan wanted to go to the Poinsettia Bowl and bribed his girls with Disneyland if we tag along.
3. Disneyland at Christmas time. (We avoided the lines at the mall, but found them here…. 10 fold!)
4. Disney food, treats, holiday lights, music and snow. (Painful knees and hips to boot.)
5. Home in time for Christmas Eve Dinner, Sister In-Law as the great hostess. (A family tradition we refused to miss. We all got up at 4:30 AM to make an early flight home.)
6. Candlelight dinner. Remembering the Savior, highlighting the past year. (More traditions we look forward too!)
7. Home to prepare for Christmas day. (Traditional breakfast, another must.)
8. Sleeping until 9, waking up the family. (Lets get this party started!)
9. Family prayer before opening our gifts. (Chester finds joy in shredding the discarded wrapping paper.)
10. Christmas music in the background. (Hardly noticeable with the excitement of a few surprises.)
11. Family arrivals for dinner. (We moved the location from my parents home to our home for the first time this year. I still let mom do most of the work, I just put out the paper dishes and set a table or two.)
12. Gag gifts for nieces. (This time we threw Rachel and Becca in the mix with their Uncle Ev.)

Gadgets are a girls best friend

I am not a big “bling” kinda gal.
Multipack earrings from Claire’s are right down my alley.
When asked, I can never think of a want.
It is easy to understand why my family names me as
the person most difficult to gift.

We all shout for joy when a new (affordable) gadget
catches my eye and peaks my interest.
This year, was such a year.

Thanks to Kylee’s great editing skills,
she put together the great video from a
recent outing to see the lights at the SLC Temple,
where we had the opportunity to put this
great gadget to the test.

HERE is a link to her great video.
(Thanks to Neale for letting us tag along!)

3 girls and a city

Taylor went back to school today.
But not before a girls trip to New York City.

We took the redeye Wednesday,
slept as much as we could on the plane,
took a wild taxi ride to the hotel,
was lucky enough to check into a room at 7:30AM,
took a nap for a couple of hours,
then hit the ground, running.

We DID NOT STOP for 4 whole days.

We toured, shopped, ate, theatered, subwayed, museumed, walked,
walked, walked, walked, walked and walked.

We learned a lot about the city and ourselves.
We decided how to best approach our next trip.
We  discovered so many new loves.

Be sure to check Kylee’s blog for details and awesome photos!
Check back here too…. I may be able to muster up a post or two.

Annually

It is not quite a tradition, YET.

For the 2nd year in a row, we have picked out pumpkins and carved them together as a family.
This year, however, we had a guest carver.
Kylee’s friend Luke joined us in the apples with dip, chili with cheese and humans with knives event.
Evan opted out of the carving…BYU was playing and he was stair climbing between parties.

To cap off the evening, Luke shared some mission pictures.
It was inspiring to see such an amazing response to the Gospel in Kenya.

Also a tradition… lighting up the pumpkins for photos.

As an interesting side note to the evening….
My daughter brought home a boy that I felt it was important for me to impress.
I found myself reverting back to my awkward adolescence.

I am sure I said stupid things. I know I said things that I shouldn’t have.
I think I should have done something different with my hair. (Yeah, right!)
There were times when I should have said something, but didn’t.
The house could have been cleaner.

I guess, we can always find something to be insecure about.
My hope is, that everyone else’s insecurities makes them blind to most of mine…
I usually don’t see theirs!

Birthday week (a variation)

Traditionally, my daughter’s birthdays are a week-long event.
On Sunday we kick off birthday-week.
But wait…. Taylor gets a bonus:
we are starting a day early this year!

Her awesome friend Raven has volunteered
to put together one of the Birthday Week events.
Since the Saturday AFTER her birthday is
right before Spring Break…
and many other awesome friends want to help celebrate…
we are kicking off birthday week on Saturday.

Stay tuned for a pictorial of the upcoming events
as my baby turns 18 (ugh)!

Breaking the fast

As a matter of convenience, we met at my mothers house after church.
Several loud grumbly tummies included.
We broke our fast with a prayer and then gave Taylor a Priesthood blessing
preparatory to her surgery later this week.

It was beautiful.

The leftovers from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
were set out and we devoured them in a matter of minutes.
Followed by the remains of dessert.

It was delicious.

An hour or so, gathered around the cleared table, talking and laughing.
(One of my favorite pastimes.)

I am so blessed.

Christmas Highlights

Slept in until 7 AM.
(I am usually too excited to sleep past 4).

Disappointed and worried because the pull-aparts did not raise overnight.
(Started the speed-raise method.)

Showered while waiting for the family to wake up.
(Something I have time to do every year.)

Woke the rest of the family up after 8:30.
(Danced to Christmas music while I waited...)

Put the Christmas Casserole in the oven.
(It bakes while we open gifts.)

Had family prayer near the Christmas Tree.
(Gave thanks for the gift of our Savior.)

Opened gifts.
(Relished in the surprises I was able to pull off.)

Played Ping-Pong.
(Laughed with the family… one of my favorite parts of the day!!!)

Prepared Potato Casserole.
(My Christmas buffet contribution.)

Made a vinyl “No Soliciting” sign for the front door.
(I got what I wanted for Christmas.)

Went to mom and dads.
(Helped set up for the buffet.)

Family gift exchange.
(Including the traditional gag gifts.)

Yummy food & great company!
(I LOVE having so much family around!!!)

Family Prayer with EVERYONE to start the Family Fast.
(The other favorite part of the day!)

Winding down and relaxing at home.
(Another PERFECT Christmas!)

Christmas Lights

Tonight, we took some time to enjoy the Christmas Lights.
This time, with a little twist...

Festive lights,
Christmas music,
Reptiles & Wild Cats

Hot Chocolate & McDonalds french fries.
A pretty great evening with family and friends.

Routines and Traditions

It seems, recently, that life’s routine has hit, and hit hard.
Wake up early, go to the gym, go to work, go home, fix dinner, moonlight, sleep.

Things look up, however.
Thanksgiving is next week.
I host, as usual.
It is something I really enjoy doing.
Turkey has been ordered, cleaning chores are next.
Ok, so I don't enjoy the cleaning.

I do, however, enjoy a house full of guests... enjoying a meal that took days to prepare.
(and minutes to devour!)