Brighton Night Skiing

We went skiing with Charlie's family at Brighton. It was a very cold night! It was around 10 degrees. The snow was very good but brrrr it was cold. 

I have wanted to get a picture by this sign and I finally did this year.

50th Wedding Anniversary

My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in a much quieter way than they had planned and hoped for. Marshall and I got take out from La Jolla Grove and took it to them. They had a candle light dinner to themselves and we worked on a project for them in the basement. Marshall got their new TV mounted.  

We had a celebration with family when Charlie's family was in town that weekend. Betsy put up really fun decorations and made a cute slide show.

Obviously we wish we could have celebrated in Florida but we have to be grateful for the tender mercies. At least my dad is still here with us to celebrate. At least he has been able to recover so much. We still had a fun dinner and get together with everyone who could be there. Katie's family watched the slide show with us over facetime. 

We put an announcement in the Wave.

Christmas Day

This was our year to have Grandpa and Grandma Lowry. They slept over and we enjoyed having them with us Christmas morning. The kids slept until 8:00 and then we got up. I went running early because the roads are so quiet. I ran down the middle of Main Street because no one was around. It is very fun and peaceful.

The boys got race cars and they had so much fun racing them around the basement together. Lynnlee started a puzzle, and Sienna had fun playing with her new dolls. We had French toast, bacon, eggs, and hash brown patties for breakfast. Also juice and chocolate milk. Yum! It was a lazy morning. Grandma and Grandpa Lowry left to Cam's after breakfast.

That afternoon we went to Heber for the smorgasbord. I didn't get many pictures but I was fun to be with my parents. We enjoyed the yummy food and quality time together. Changes in health really make me appreciate family time a lot more.

We gave Betsy matching pajamas for Christmas. Also a couple of other fun gifts. 

Christmas Eve and Christmas ended up being a little rough for my dad. He wasn't feeling the best and he hadn't slept well. The doctor told us recovery was a roller coaster and that down days would be normal. Even with knowing that it was hard to see him. Also hard for my mom. She has been a super hero taking care of my dad through all of this. Betsy stayed up there for a few days so I'm glad she could be a support and help too.

Christmas Eve

We wish the bowling alley would just take reservations. We got there at 10:00 and stood in line. Thankfully they let us inside to wait around 10:30. Thankfully some family got there early too, to wait with us. Lynnlee and Ivy were twinners.

Marshall helped me add a plaque to the trophy of the names and years of previous winners. The other side has places to add future winners. 

We had a great time bowling and eating lunch.

It was fun having Lily's boyfriend Trae and Taylor's girlfriend bowling with us.

I wish I had filmed when my dad walked in. He came in a little late with my mom and Betsy. He had been using a walker but he was able to walk in with a cane. It brought happy tears to my eyes.

We went back to the house after bowling and hung out. We made it back home in time for Marshall's parents to come over for dinner. We had shrimp and some other fun foods for dinner.

After dinner we met up with Cam's family for a tradition Brooke grew up with. You go to the dollar store, everyone draws a name and then you spend a few dollars getting gifts for that person. So we did that and then came back to our house to give our gifts. It was very fun and entertaining. The kids performed the nativity after that. James was the narrator.

I had a difficult time getting matching Christmas pajamas. I ordered some from Old Navy back at the end of October or beginning of November and many sizes were already out of stock. I kept hoping they would get some more in stock but no. So Marshall and I matched James and Lynnlee. Kade, Tag, and Sienna matched each other. At first the younger kids didn't really like them but now they like them.

Lynnlee's FCCLA Project

Lynnlee and her friend Hannah had a class for some 4-year-olds in the neighborhood. It was a project for FCCLA, a club they are in at school. It stands for Family Career and Community Leaders of America. It was basically like preschool where they taught them a lesson, did a craft, had snacks and some other activities. They will document it and present it at an FCCLA competition in February.

Papa Kelly's Recovery

My semester ended the first week of December. It was perfect because it allowed me to go up to Heber almost every day and help my mom and dad. My dad had physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational each twice a week. These therapies have been amazing and my dad has regained so much function back. He walked on the path with his walker almost to the corner and then rode back in the wheel chair. It makes my heart so happy to see him getting stronger.

Class Market

Tag's and Sienna's class had a market. They made 3D printed toys, bought some little plastic ducks, and sodas to sell.  They came home with quite the haul, including goldfish that they bought from a classmate.

Christmas Sing-a-long

We went to the Christmas Sing-a-long at the Delta Center with Betsy. Betsy got us good seats on the side near the stage. We could see my Aunt Jill in the West Valley Symphony. The kids were looking forward to the free donuts but this year they had Swig sugar cookies. 

James didn't go with us because he had soccer and he was feeling overwhelmed with school.

We were all festive and Sienna brought her puppets hoping to get on the Jumbotron. There was a camera men in front of us and it was like we were invisible to him. It wasn't until the very last verse of the last song that we finally got on the screen.

We went to Arctic Circle for dessert thanks to Grandma Ruth.

Yum!

Lynnlee's Friends

Lynnlee's friends had a Christmas party at Bailey's house.

Our ward had a shadow nativity at the Christmas party. Lynnlee, Bailey and Hannah each played a part.

Gingerbread Houses

 We decorated gingerbread houses with my parents. Ivy came over too. I saved a lot of Halloween candy and barely had to buy anything else for it.

I love how my mom's turned out!

Savior of the World

We got to go to Savior of the World this year! It holds a special place in our hearts because Marshall used to work with Savior of the World when he worked at the Conference Center back in 2005-2008. It was fun to share that with our kids. Hopefully Marshall, and a few of the kids will be able to audition for it next year.