New Year's Eve 2021

It was an interesting last day of the year with Devin breaking his arm that morning. We had low key plans for ringing in the new year. We got Chinese Food as usual. Then Zach took off to a friend's party and then the regional stake New Year's Eve dance. Jared was home for awhile and then went to a movie-watching fun party with friends. 

So it was just Mom, Dad, Branden, and Devin. We watched Megamind with Devin. He hadn't remembered watching it before. It was a favorite of his brothers' when they were younger. Dad made his Chex Mix. We watched all the ball drops from 1971 to today. Then we watched the New York City ball drop at Times Square for this year as it got to 9 pm our time. We drank sparkling cider, blew party horns, opened crackers. 

We put Devin to bed and then watched Apollo 13 with Branden. I love that movie. He didn't remember watching it before. The three of us rang in the new year with more cider. 

2021 has been quite a year. Easier in some ways than 2020. But definitely a continuation of the crazy times 2020 started. I think there was a hope for life to return more to normal. But it had its ups and downs, inflation, vaccination craziness, but definitely not life without COVID. Overall I feel our family has done well and had a lot of positives despite the struggles and turmoil of our world. We hope to continue on staying close to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who guide us and give us peace, joy, and hope. Happy New Year! Here's to a great 2022!

Post-Christmas Fun

 The day after Christmas was a Sunday. We had church at 9 am, but we only had one-hour of church. That was a lot of day left without anywhere we needed to be or things we had to do. And it was a beautiful day. So I took 3 of the boys with me on a nice walk in the canyon. We'd received so much rain during the previous week the river at the waterfalls was really full! Usually the boys like to climb across the rocks and get to the other side, but the water was so high there wasn't a place to cross.

Zach finished a wood-burning project he was paid to do. At the end of the summer, a friend had seen a post I made of a wood-burning project Zach made for himself. She had a piece of wood that she had wanted to make a growth chart on for her family but it had just been sitting waiting for her to do it. When she saw Zach's talent at wood burning, she asked if he'd be interested in making it for her and she would pay him. He got busy with school plus wanted to get more practice so he wouldn't mess it up. This break was the time to get it done! He spent about 7 hours planning it out, marking it up, and doing the wood-burning. He did a great job. And got paid $80 for his work!

One project I wanted to do this break was to make this beautiful star bread I had seen pictures of online. I finally got to it, and I'm so glad I did. I think it is so beautiful. This one has Nutella filling, but you could do cinnamon sugar or savory like pesto or pizza flavors. I love pretty food that is delicious too!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was a nice quiet day at home for us. Our children blessed us with sleeping in til 7:00 am. We later heard that Devin woke up at 5:30 am and then woke up Branden wanting to know when he could shout, "It's Christmas, Everybody!" 

Everyone got into their stockings and gifts from Santa. Devin received a fire dragon diamond painting. Branden asked for bluetooth air buds. Zach had researched and asked for a nice chess seat with metal pieces. And Jared received a Lego Sith art. Jesse got himself a new mountain bike so that was most of his Christmas. We got a bunch of new games. Jared having a job means he was excited to buy everyone gifts himself. He bought me an electric crepe maker. I got some new clothes and some things for decorating cakes. 

I got a nice nap. I went for a walk. We played games. I did some food prep including getting the desserts done the day before (white chocolate peppermint cheesecake and chocolate satin pie), so it wasn't a lot of work to get dinner made that day. I got everyone in the kitchen helping with the last preparations. We also got down my Grandma's china that she wanted me to have. It is similar to my mom's we used sometimes growing up because my dad got both sets when he was in Vietnam. 

And one of the best parts of the day was when we got to talk to Craig. His first Christmas away from home. He didn't have Christmas invites in his current area, and it was pretty quiet out there trying to find people to talk to who weren't drunk. But he was optimistic, enjoyed the few gifts we sent him, and is doing just what he needs to be, serving the Lord and teaching people about Christ. It was a happy day.

Christmas Activities

So much going on this month for Christmastime! Here are some of the highlights.

Our first ward Christmas activity since our ward was created almost two years ago! It was a beautiful night. Our friends were in charge of the evening, and they do such a nice job of making everything just lovely. The dinner was great. There was a cookie bar for dessert.

Santa made a visit. Devin was excited to tell him he wanted a pear in his stocking instead of an apple. Branden said he wanted a Ferrari. And Zach wrote him a long note challenging some of his customs...

I had to sneak out a little early do go to the San Diego Saints Choir's first performance. I helped them with rehearsals early on when they practiced in parts, so I really wanted to go listen to them. They did a great job.

In addition to my usual Christmas treat plates to give away with fudge, peanut blossoms, chocolate pizza, tiger butter, peanut brittle, chocolate peppermint truffles, orange truffles, and gingersnaps, I also made these sweet breads. I remember my mom making them for people too. I love keeping up these traditions of giving like my mom did.

We made it on a Sunday evening down to the temple to look at the lights. It's been so busy, it was nice to slow down and soak in the spirit of Christmas. I love it here. My eternal family means everything to me. And it's possible because of Jesus Christ.

We walked Christmas Card Lane near our home. We made it out before the crowds got too crazy. We stopped at some of our favorites for photos.

Friends gave us a gingerbread house to decorate. Devin's one wish was for everyone to help with it.

I bought a new Christmas puzzle several months ago and have been excited for us to work on it. I love that it is a nativity puzzle. And we finally got it done on Christmas Eve. We also finished reading A Christmas Carol per our tradition. 

It's been a busy month, but we have been grateful to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Missionary Update

Craig began his mission in February of this year, meaning he's almost been serving for a year at this point. He's just reaching 9 months in Mexico City. What an experience it has been.  He spent a lot of that early time mostly sitting in the church each day trying to contact and get to know people over Zoom and trying to keep busy when there wasn't a lot to do. He studied his scriptures. He was able to practice the piano some. It was a challenging time, and he was so happy when restrictions started lifting and he's been able to visit more with members, spend more time working. He's been transferred often and had quite a few companions. He has grown so much and had some great experiences. 

The rainy season was an interesting one. They had a period of time when there was flooding. This picture is of the mall near him that had flooding. 

He loves when he can take investigators to the temple. And in the last few months, he has been able to start attending sessions at the temple, which he is so thankful for. He was only able to go to the temple once before leaving on his mission because of COVID. He has now been more times in Spanish than in English!

He has served some time closer to the heart of the city and enjoyed visiting the city center.

Sometimes I look at pictures and still can't believe that's my missionary!  I have a son serving a mission! It is a crazy time but such an important time to be serving a mission. We are so proud of him and the work he is doing, all that he is learning, and that he is keeping safe and handling the ups and downs of missionary work. It's hard to believe he's about half way done with his mission!