2023, It's Been Great

It's not every day you see a tiny horse walking down the street

when you're driving home from church.

We took Michael & Courtney to the airport at 5:30 this morning

then went back to bed and fell fast asleep until it was time for church.

(Last 9:30 meeting schedule for a year! Yahoo!)

We didn't have any plans with friends/family for New Years, 

but we made a yummy dinner and played games so it felt festive anyway.

Made these shrimp guac bites and they turned out just as pretty as the picture.

Watched The Holdovers during dinner. I rate it 3.5 stars. Dan gives it 5.

(I wished the tension was upped a bit more and more character development of the student.)

Afterward we had root beer floats for dessert and talked Nick into joining us. 

Then played a few rounds of Azul but couldn't talk him into joining us for games.

Cheers!

Rang bells and toasted 2024 along with a chorus of other cheers 

and sounds of Kazoos throughout the neighborhood.

It's been a wonderful year.

We moved into New York. I visited monthly from January - June.

Lots of time in Pagosa (and the swallow bugs are gone! Knock on wood.)

I had a great six weeks in June and July daily working on my book and finished!

Fantastic writing workshops with new information elevated my writing learning.

And my first in person conference.

The most joyful family gatherings--

Mom and some sisters trip to NYC; Deer Valley skiing; Hawaii; Cruise with Nick's friends; 

Charleston w/ EC & sis-in-laws; Courtney's graduation gathering in NYC;

An epic family reunion in Pagosa;

DisneyWorld; Wickhams & Andersons in Pagosa; Marty & Lizzie's new home in Colorado;

Pre-thanksgiving in California;

Thanksgiving in NYC and Christmas at home.

Plus fun friends trips in St. George and Pagosa.

I've enjoyed a myriad of mind challenges that have expanded thought and learning

in government and history from the SharonSaysSo podcast, religion and gospel thought

from the John Bytheway and Hank Smith and Don't Miss This podcasts;

and awesome writing/querying insight from The Shit No One Tells You About Writing podcast.

I discovered Audible and prioritized reading in my daily routine. (I read 47 books this year.)

I kept up with my Instagram for my angshaefwrites account.

We had an epic winter and I skied at Solitude for the first time in years. It was beautiful!

We became Empty Nesters!

Yes, the economy hasn't been great and Dan's business has taken some lumps,

but things will turn around, they always do. And Dan has maintained 

his positive outlook in spite of the drawn out downturn.

Dan really improved in his racing and had a blast racing with Nick.

Our family is healthy and happy and we enjoy being together.

And that's the biggest blessing we could ask for.

Thank you, 2023.

Christmas Lists

I love making lists. 

They literally are my brain when I'm hosting because I can't think about details

when I'm enjoying company and having fun. My multi-tasking ability goes right out the window.

It's a part of prepping I love--imagining the upcoming fun how I can be prepared.

We didn't do a lot today, just enjoyed hanging out.

I got dressed to do a yoga workout, but never made it. And that's okay.

Instead, Courtney and I braved the mall so I could return my contacts (wrong prescription),

and she could get her watch adjusted. 

Michael and Dan drove the Sim. Chris and Nick are doing their own thing--

sleeping in, working out, and hanging out with friends.

Nick working on the Peg Game so there's plenty of brain exercise for everyone.

We've given up on the puzzle. I'm not sure I've ever DNF a puzzle before! 

I'm not in the mood to clean up Christmas yet.

Everything still looks so pretty and the tree is mostly alive.

I'm not ready for it to end.

Waaaahh, Goodbye to Emi

Emi had to go home. Boo! She took Marty and Lizzie with her,

and I really, really miss them!

I remember after we arrived home after visiting EC and Marty, 

I always had a message from EC saying, "I'm so lonesome for you!"

Now I understand! I feel the same way. 

Courtney even said she almost cried when Emi blew her a kiss goodbye.

I'm glad everyone isn't leaving on the same day. That would be too sad.

Chris played Emi a last song of Twinkle on her violin before they left.

And this picture captures how tiny a 1/32 really is!

Courtney and Michael had Petersen Christmas with Michael's parents in town at his sister's home.

In the evening they had a friend party so it was pretty quiet around here.

Movies we watched over the Holiday:

Daddy's Home (Everyone loves this movie except Marty, 

who has to cover his eyes its so hard for him to watch.)

Klaus (So good.)

The Princess Switch (we predicted nearly the entire dialogue before it was spoken.

And yet it was so much fun to watch and critique with everyone.)

The Proposal

Game Night (Never gets old.)

Gran Turismo

Christmas Vacation

Muppet's Christmas

Everyone's favorite must-eats while in SLC:

Bonsai; Porcupine Grill; Itto's; Cafe Rio; Asian Star; 

Lone Star Taqueria; Nielsen's Custard. 

Tandoor Indian (not a long-time fav, just good Indian)

The Grid

Emi and Grandpa hung out this morning.

We raced at The Grid tonight and the battle was real.

Oh! 766 overtook Nick in the second race!

My stomach and head aren't ready for speed and crashing so I opted for the 

safer sport of watching Emi. She was hilarious wearing the headsock for a while and 

wandering around the venue waving at people and eating her gingerbread man--

a big favorite for her this Christmas. She knows where we keep them and often walks into the butler's pantry and points up to the counter hoping we'll give in.

She doesn't get to eat too much though because after only a few bites

Kershaw will take the rest right out of her hand. 

After dinner at Tandoor, Dan and I had a wedding to attend

but we got home in time to Crossword Puzzle while the boys tried to beat the Zombies again.

Shoot

 I'm Sick.
So is Michael.
Just as I recovered from my cold, now my stomach is rioting.

Cancelled the Adair Family karaoke party.

But not everyone was a bum today.
Courtney's friends and their babies came over and hung out all afternoon.
Now Emi walks around saying, "Ba-by. Ba-by."

Post Christmas Family Day

Dan ran out with Emi to show her a whole herd of deer 

grazing next door. Can you spot all eight?!

We picked up lunch at Cafe Rio, went to Asian Star for dinner then laughed through 

the movie Game Night, gorged on V's chocolate caramels and I slaved over the puzzle.

New favorite evening activity: group crosswords puzzling.

Also late night Zombies gaming:

Christmas Day

Meeerrry CHRISTMAS!

We all had a wonderful Christmas, but the only pictures I have are of Emi! 

Ha! She has definitely stolen our hearts.

Michael and Courtney snuck over to Kirkhams early in the morning to see the boys open presents.

All of us here mutually agreed to 10:00 breakfast--waffles, berries & bacon w/ Kent's special syrup--

and stockings and presents afterward.

I got a wallet from the kids and they gave Dan and I a certificate 

to try cross-country skiing at the Nordic center.

Dan gave me a cashmere hoodie in the most beautiful blue,

a cute vintage book that's secretly a phone charger, and a game camera for Pagosa.

Nick was excited about cologne and a Patagonia travel bag;

Chris and Marty were thrilled with their surprise golf clubs;

Lizzie got Wicked tickets and a curling iron;

Courtney and Michael got tickets to a Rangers game and she got a biking kit and

Michael got tickets to an immersive show he's wanted to see.

Dan got a watch winder from the kids and shirts and opera tickets from me.

Marge gifted us all plasma flame lighters and tools;

and she got tickets to Fiddler on the Roof at Hale and Storyworth from the sisters.

Marty and Lizzie gave Emi a little kitchen for Christmas (before they came to Utah),

and I was so excited to gift her this little apron and hat with her name on them.

Aren't they the cutest?! 

I was seriously the most excited for Christmas and this present. 💚

This puzzle is a stinker.

It's simply too hard. And to add to the misery, the pieces don't "lock" well.

But everyone's had fun with the "Genius Star Game" and the peg game 

(where you try to have only one peg left).

We'd considered going to a movie today, but everyone was tired and happy to chill

and nosh on ham and bad crackers but good cheese charcuteries displayed very ugly

 (like, I really have a design problem).

We all watched Gran Turismo and Dan walked everyone through the intricacies of racing

and the accuracies of the movie.

Christmas Eve

All ready for church and hanging out with Kershaw.

A close Cowboys game to add to Christmas prep activities. 

Everyone pitched in with part of the meal.

Lizzie took the veggie tray to a celebratory level!

Courtney made the mashed potatoes.

I made the stuffing, salads and cranberry sauce.

Dan made the turkey.

Michael prepped the brussel sprouts and Nick cooked them.

Marty took care of Emi.

Michael & Courtney made the gravy.

Chris, Lizzie and Dan set the table.

Art and Andy were going to join us, but were feeling under the weather 

so Dan and I ran a meal over to their home. 

Holding hands as we gave thanks for the food.

After dinner we had our Christmas Nativity before Emi went to bed.

Emi was Mary. Marty was the donkey.

Bell ringing to Away in a Manger and Christmas Bells are Ringing

Lizzie and I played two duets: Angels we Have Heard on High and Jingle Bells.

We all sang along as Courtney played Silent Night and a few verses of We Saw Three Ships.

Chris played guitar and we sang Happy Christmas, War is Over. 

Then we opened our Christmas Eve gift... Twister!

After a few rounds of Twister, we had a plank competition (Lizzie won!), handstand comp, 

played ping pong and drove the simulator.

Dan and the boys stayed up to watch Muppets Christmas Carol,

but those of us who have been sick went to bed early.

I love this view of the neighborhood lights out my bedroom window.