Goodbye 2019!

To celebrate New Year's Eve, we went to Alta for the torchlight parade.

Nick and Will

Michael helping Courtney get her lights on.

Lizzie helping Marty get his lights on.

At the top of the lift waiting to go.

Hearts Fireworks

Dan grilled steaks when we got home and then Courtney and Michael went to Lehi for a party,

Marty and Lizzie went to Ethan's to play games,

and Nick and Will went to a friend's house then to bowling.

Dan and I watched Jim Gaffigan and played Skip Bo, 

then went out to the hot tub,

and hurried in at midnight to break out the Martinelli's and drink a toast to 2020!

New Year Goals

Years ago when I was in a Primary Presidency, one of the leaders gave a sharing time on New Year's goals based after the scripture in Luke 2:52:

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

The Church's new youth and children program encourages the youth to set goals based on the same scripture, encouraging self-improvement in four areas: Intellectual, Physical, Spiritual and Social.

Tonight at dinner we talked about our goals for the new year.
My goals include:
Spiritual: Continue reading the scriptures every day -- no missing on busy days or vacation. I want to witness to God that I remember Him.
Physical: Continue hiking and biking each week so I can hike Mt. Olympus confidently in the summer.
Intellectual: Continue with my daily writing routine and progress on my next steps for my book.
Social: I don't have something in mind for social yet.

Nick made goals too and I asked him to write them down in his journal. He didn't remember he had one. But when he found it, he did have one sentence written on one page: 10/16/17,  "Said a prayer and found my wallet."

I Finished

Finally finished. And yes, I had to use the box. 

(But not too much!)

Also church cleaning for the last time this year, a hike up Millcreek, 

dinner out with Dan and Star Wars. 

Vacation days at home are really awesome!

Believers

Today when I said my prayers (after I woke up at 10:00 a.m. again!), I prayed that if someone needed my help, I'd know how to help them. And then I thought, "But I'm not planning on going anywhere today so I probably won't run into someone to be helpful or be out and about to be prompted to be helpful."

I read my scriptures then got on the Peloton to do a workout, planning on being finished by noon to then spend the rest of the day working on the puzzle and reading. Dan and Nick were up skiing, Marty and Lizzie went to a wedding and I was going to relax and sit on the couch all day!

I'd been on the bike only 30 seconds when Marty called. His car had broken down on the freeway as he and Lizzie were headed to the Bountiful Temple. They'd been able to pull off the freeway and get to a parking lot, but needed to get an Uber immediately to get to the wedding on time. They hoped I could help facilitate getting the broken down car towed.

I considered doing my workout first, but knew that my mind would be totally preoccupied with the car and I wouldn't be able to focus. Marty was concerned the car may be impounded because he didn't have a permit for the parking lot he was in. I called Dan to get advice of where to tow the car and to find out where he kept the extra key.

It took me about 20 minutes to get to the car. And then I realized I'd forgotten the key. There was nothing to do but turn around and head back. I was totally annoyed at myself. I flipped through several radio stations and then remembered my friends had told me about some podcasts. The first one was "Don't Miss This" reviewing the week's Come Follow Me scripture study. They talked about the symbols in Revelations but most importantly Grace that is emphasized at the end of the book. The podcast got me home and back again.

I called AAA and the tow truck arrived in 30 minutes. Not too bad of a wait and I'd brought a book to pass the time.

On the way home I listened to an Oprah podcast which happened to be about Faith. It finished just as I arrived home. I was happy that my time in the car (doubled by my frustrating oversight) was actually useful in lifting my spirits through inspirational podcasts.

I debated whether or not to exercise -- by now, three hours had passed since my original attempt to ride the bike. I was still in my riding clothes, after all, so I did it. I chose Ally Love for my instructor and her "Sunday Love" class. In the class, she said each Sunday she focused on a virtue. Today's was Faith.

Each of these three different people from very different backgrounds and religions all had a deep love for God and Jesus. And they acted on their desire to share that love and faith with others. One in an online scripture class, another in a viral podcast and the third in an exercise class. It reminded me that God loves all his children and he will find us any way he can, no matter what path we go looking for him. He wants us to know he's there and he loves us.

Sleeping In Christmas Vacation

Have I mentioned that this is the first Christmas ever... EVER... since we've been in Salt Lake that we didn't have houseguests the whole vacation (and beyond)?!  And while it's so much fun to be with everyone, it can be exhausting to move straight from the busy-ness of preparing for Christmas and Christmas Day into hosting a small army: cooking, hosting get togethers, planning activities, loading/unloading the dishwasher, changing sheets and always being on the go.

And so, having an actual Christmas Vacation has been bliss. We slept in until 10:30. 10:30!! When I stumbled out of my bedroom, I realized the cleaning ladies were here and had been for probably two hours! We had absolutely nothing we needed to do today which was heavenly. The main thing I accomplished was throwing out some treats and putting away others that didn't need to be sitting out on the counter.

Dan juiced a bunch of oranges for fresh o.j.

We took a walk, I read my scriptures and I ate healthy. Then I set up a puzzle and got to work. 

I watched The Man Who Invented Christmas while I was puzzling.

It's about Charles Dickens writing A Christmas Carol. 

It was so good, Dan watched it again when he got home.

My perfect puzzle spot to watch TV and work.

Courtney went to Indiana this morning (Dan took her to the airport at 4:30 a.m.!) and Marty had plans with Lizzie. So our house has been extra quiet. 

A couple of things to add about this Christmas Season: 

1) On Sunday we listened to all three Amy Grant Christmas albums in a row... TWICE.

I sang along and loved every second.

But when we got home from Lizzie's and turned random Christmas music back on, I was definitely over it. So we've discovered it takes 8 hours for me to get sick of Christmas music.

Although I'm sure I could listen to Amy Grant and Carpenters endlessly.

Tonight we went to dinner and the Jazz game with the Rigby's.
Nick got to cash in on his Christmas credit to buy a Malone jersey.

We also ran into Ashlyn and Tessa.

And if you look carefully, you'll see Nick and Will. They got to sit in the awesome seats.

Christmas Day

Traditional Stair Photo

(at 10:00 a.m. We really took our time this year!)

Family photos:

A tissue box full of money painstakingly taped and folded precisely together for Marty from Courtney and Nick.

A journal to me from Marty along with his favorite brand of Japanese pen.

I love the quote so much it made me teary.

A new pen for Dan handmade by Nick.

(He made me a beautiful clipboard.)

The river at Pagosa for Dan from his brother, Marty. Photo taken by Erin.

Porsche 911 Lego set for Nick to work on on Sunday afternoons.

Two large boxes of chips for the kids from Marge.

And much, much more. So much thought or planning went into the presents for everyone. 

It made it extra special.

At 12:30 we got to talk to Chris!

Courtney and I wore our Feliz Navidad shirts especially for him.

He is happy! He loved his Christmas gifts we sent (new ties, a fanny pack, a Pagosa t-shirt and ornaments, a simple Lego set, and some treats). He even waited until Christmas to open what was marked "do not open until Christmas."

He found the green sweater left be a previous elder. He washed it and made it his own so he could look festive on Christmas day.

He was excited about our t-shirts. Also excited that Marty got us all the game 

"King of Tokyo" to play.

(It was Chris' favorite game with his friends in 9th grade.)

Christopher also wanted proof that he was hanging on the wall. 

A few years ago he coined it "the wall of dead children." Metaphorically, of course.

He also wanted to know how he could get a better accent (Dan said just mimic a couple of people in the ward who you like their accent).

It was fun to talk to him all together. He is healthy and happy and loves being a missionary.

Playing King of Tokyo

And finally at 6:00 the Wingers, Adairs and Diane came over to hang out. 

We had our traditional ham and vegetables buffet, the boys played the new VR and the girls worked on a puzzle.

Then when everyone went home, Marty talked Dan and I into playing the VR too.

Beat Blast is totally fun!

Christmas Eve--The Year of the Sad Pies

Marty did some last minute shopping for his friends and family. He's so thoughtful!

I was excited to bake pies for our Christmas Eve dessert. But they all turned out gross!!

Too much nutmeg in the pumpkin. And the cheesecake I didn't blend well enough, I guess.

They were more like cottage cheese cakes! And I think the graham crackers for the crust were stale.

Sigh. 

The cherry topping was yummy though. And to be honest, I had fun making them.

Our reservation for Asian Star was at 5:00 but it was so busy we still had an hour wait.

On the bright side, the Rasch's were also there so we had time to catch up with friends. 

Marge found a seat to sit in while waiting. Art, from our ward, with a three-year-old was going to be alone for the evening so joined us as well. His son was amazingly well behaved during the long wait and throughout dinner. It was nice to share our evening with them.

We considered going somewhere else for dinner next year, but in the end we decided we really didn't mind the wait and the food is always delicious. The tradition is worth it. Maybe go later next year?

When we got home, Marty and Courtney had a few deliveries they wanted to make to friends.

I went with Courtney while Dan and Nick finished up wrapping.

Then we opened Christmas Eve presents. A "Comfy" for all the kids and two weighted blankets.

I really wanted to watch the new nativity movie again. Nick had seen it for FHE, seminary and Young Men's, so wasn't that excited about it. But we talked him into it.

I also wanted to watch "The Man Who Invented Christmas" for a family movie, but instead we watched a Christmas Psych. To be honest, it was a little anti-climatic.

I'm thinking next year we plan a more formal "devotional" ahead of time.

Maybe we do it at 6:30, before dinner, then after dinner come home and watch a fun movie we've agreed upon ahead of time. And make sure the pies aren't gross!

After the movie the kids went to bed.

(Actually Courtney went to bed and Nick and Marty played Fortnite.)

Dan, Marge and I stuffed the stockings and then went to bed. So, so tired!

One lone stocking hanging! Sniff.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Winter Hike

Poor Nick has been battling an ingrown toenail. He was doctoring it pretty good on his own and diligent about soaking it in epsom salts and dousing it with hydrogen peroxide.

But the infection and swelling really was getting worse. He was patient, but it was pretty painful and he was happy when I texted a friend and asked if there was any way they could see Nick first thing in the morning. 

The doctor took off part of the nail that was digging into him and promised he'd feel much better immediately. Aside from his toe being completely numb from the anesthetic all day, Nick's spirits are lighter knowing he's on the upside of healing.

I was so happy that I got home before Michael and Courtney left on their snow hike,

 so I could join them.

(Marty went skiing with a friend and Nick worked on Legos and played video games all day and stayed off his foot. Dan went out to do Christmas errands.)

But before we left, we had breakfast. And Michael and Courtney learned a new trick on the hoverboard -- two at a time.

We hiked at the snow gate. I love that even thought the snow has melted at home, a 15 minute drive gets us to a winter wonderland!

Kershaw was excited to come too!

I have to admit, I'm not very excited about this trick. (Michael considering walking along the rails.)
I was glad he changed his mind.

We stopped for lunch at Cafe Rio and called Dan and Nick to join us.

Then we had to speed back home so Michael could pack and go home to Indiana.

I'm so happy Courtney gets to join him after Christmas, and sooo happy, they're both coming back at New Year's!

The rest of the family, including Aunt Marge, Lizzie and Courtney's friend, Tessa, went to The Christmas Carol at Hale Theater. It touched me so much this year and I cried through the whole thing. It was really beautiful. 

We ate dinner at Bombay House in West Jordan and then came back home to finish the puzzle. 

(At least that's what I did.)

Finished!!

Side Note: Look what phase of life we're in. Half the presents are all just stacked in boxes in plain sight in our room and we aren't even worried about anyone peeking.