Shows in December

We were lucky enough to see some amazing performances in December - many of them by Hazel and Eliza as part of choir. 

First up was Christmas Around the World for all the kids except Walter. He got to spend the morning with Daddy at UVU and seemed to have a blast. Meanwhile the other kids and I thoroughly enjoyed all the dancing from around the world. Even Orson and Conrad had a good time. 

Next up, Michael and I enjoyed watching the older girls perform with Jenny Oaks Baker. It was such a cool experience for them to perform along a professional. They said the music they learned for this show was very unique because as supporting singers they were singing more like instruments in an orchestra which was a fun challenge. 

Jenny Oaks Baker is a truly talented violinist! And the kids said she was so sweet and kind. 

The following night the choir sang again, this time at the Payson Community Creche. Immediately afterwards, Hazel and Annabelle headed to a formal dance (oh to have the energy of a teenager!)

We enjoyed a final performance for choir the following week. They performed some incredible songs and did such a great job!

Lastly, the girls and I were able to see the Tabernacle Choir's Christmas Concert. It was AMAZING! The girls had never been inside the conference center either, so it was great for them to see inside. 

And Hazel sewed herself a skirt from an old tablecloth for the occasion. Isn't it so cute!?!

Can there be too many Christmas shows? Nope! They were each beautiful and invited such a wonderful spirit in to our Christmas celebrations. 

The Tree Hunt - 2024!

We found a new tree cutting district this year and were able to get a permit, so our favorite Christmas tradition was back on! Of course, the day was full of adventures including pushing the suburban out of the snow (it's tradition at this point). But, it was also a blast as always. 

Our cute friends the Bokewegs joined us for the hunt with their daughter Paige. So with two toddlers, three kids, two teens, and four adults we set off. The area we picked had a steep hill down from the cars to the tree cutting area. While the kids were like mountain goats and scurried down in no time, the toddlers and moms struggled a bit....

... but once we were down, it was a winter wonderland and the most beautiful day! 

We quickly found the perfect trees.

Then it was just a matter of getting the trees back up the steep, muddy hill. Michael and Stephen carried our big tree, Hazel and Eliza took the Bokewegs smaller tree, the younger kids took the sled and tools, and the moms took the toddlers. We were all a bit muddy at the top, but we made it. Love that our kids have spent enough time outside and doing hard things that they didn't bat an eye at the challenge! 

Back at home, the tree was perfect! Hazel did the lights for us this year and they were excellent. Yay for making the best kind of memories with adventurous days of tree hunting and a beautiful, huge tree at the center of our Christmas celebrations! 

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day was delightfully relaxing. We had just TJ and Alicia join us for dinner. While there was plenty of cooking, there was also plenty of fun, chatting, playing, watching the parade and football, and generally enjoying our day together. 

Walter was a BIG FAN of pie! 

Then the following day we headed up to Angel's condo in Salt Lake for Thanksgiving 2.0 with the Harrison side of the family. ALL of my mom's living sisters were there! I haven't seen them all at the same time in a good 15 years, so it was a wonderful reunion. The food was excellent and the company even better. Sadly, we never got everyone together for a picture. 

Since we were already downtown, our family kicked off the Christmas season with a visit to the lights at Temple Square. With construction ongoing at the SLC temple, we haven't gone in years, so this was a treat for some of the kids who don't remember them well. 

But, the absolute highlight of Thanksgiving this year was the gratitude journals we each started. At the beginning of the month, I made each person in the family a small journal and encouraged everyone to write 10 things they were thankful for each day after scriptures. After a few days, some kids felt like they were running out of ideas. But soon, most were writing more than 10 things a day. The beauty of gratitude is how the more you notice your blessings the more you see them. And the more you see them, the happier your life! 

November Highlights

I always look back amazed at just how much happens in a month around here. The days are long, but the years are short! 

The girls are taking a sewing class at Vanguard this year. Lenora decided she wanted to make baby a blanket, so we've had some fun working on that. 

We attended our friend's Dia de los Muertos party on a chilly, rainy evening. It was lovely as always and Hazel came home with beautifully decorated hair. 

While trying to gather up all our things after a linger longer at church on Sunday, the kids gave me a hard time about carrying around a dirty diaper meant for the trash in a ladle so of course they had to snap a picture. 

Walter is the cutest! The kids are always asking him, "Are you cute?" They've trained him to reply, "No, I'm adorable!" which ends up sounding like, "No, I door-bull." 

Our chemistry class has been fun this semester. I loved this picture during one of our labs!

Sometimes you get luck and get a cute picture of everyone when you least expect it. Like this one I snapped to send to Grandma wishing her a happy birthday! 

One morning Hazel felt ready to take her first longer drive to choir. When we left Payson the roads were a bit wet, but her first longer drive quickly turned into her first time driving in the snow. She did a great job! 

More Walter being adorable. He calls this outfit his llama shirt (even though they're bears). 

The girls and I worked another football game. This time is was FREEZING though! Luckily, our stand stays a bit warmer than outside, but I feel for the fans who sat out in 20 degree temps with wind. Burr! 

Walter found my Dad's birthday gift, unwrapped it, and put it on. Little stinker! 

The kids were so eager for Christmas they set up the little trees in their room early. Walter LOVES them! 

Also, the girls decided he needed a mustache one day haha! 

We raked leaves for a friend and I captured these perfect pictures of Hazel and Walter. Teens and toddlers are SO much fun together!!! 

The kids played Boomwackers for a few weeks at Vanguard and loved it! 

It's rare, but precious, when Walter falls asleep on me! 

Some fun on the trampoline in the leaves! 

Conrad had some fun playing indoor soccer this month! 

We decided to make Grandpa some photo socks for Christmas, and naturally the kids wanted to do silly shots. 

We enjoyed a super fun evening with Jason and Camille Jensen for dinner and a fire.

And the day before Thanksgiving was the annual Forest School Pie Day. We love our Forest School friends so much!