October
Micaela tended some neighbor kids over Fall Break and we fell in love with them.
I planned a Halloween Treasure Hunt at a park close to Robbie and Luke's house. There were "scary" items spread throughout the park with a clue on each one that led to the next with a big prize at the end.
We also had lunch and played on the playground equipment.
It's so fun that Micaela is in orchestra and choir with her cousin, Amanda.
Micaela and Rachel played an Arabian duet at their piano recital.
For Halloween, Robbie was Captain Hook and Luke was Peter Pan.
Micaela asked Spencer to a girl's choice dance and he replied with a rendition of "Once Upon a Snowman" along with his brother and sister, and a snowman. Micaela had to dig through the snowman to get his reply.
I am so lucky to know these lovely ladies. We all went to the Provo Library to hear Lois Lowry speak.
Lois Lowry signing her new book, Son.
Bob had a business trip to New York. While there, he left his brand new iphone 4 in a taxi cab. We staged a dramatic but unsuccessful rescue. Bob saw War Horse while he was there.
November
Duff went on a business trip to Holland and Sweden.
We hosted a murder mystery party.
Duff, Gary and Ryan drove to Dallas for a Dallas Cowboys' football game on Thanksgiving Day and the rest of us went to the Country Club for dinner. The food was delicious and we all wished we could've eaten more. This is the third time I've eaten at a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner and it's actually pretty fun.
Bridger has this amazing imagination that I hope he never loses.
Cassidy loves having her nails painted.
Bridger in the costume we got him for his fourth birthday.
Far in the distance you can see an oil rig. They are everywhere.
Gary took us out to the oil fields to show us what he does for work. It helped us understand all that he has built and we were amazed by it.
Gary in his office
Gary's office building
We all went to a BYU-New Mexico football game on our way home.
Duff had his 6-month post chemo appointment and he was given the all clear.
We feel so blessed!
Micaela had a Hanukkah party for her friends. It's a tradition we've had since the kids were little and now that she's the only one at home she invited her friends to enjoy it with her. They had potato latkes and doughnuts and played dreidl while the candles on the menorah burned.
All the parties are overwhelming to me. We missed the Ward party and the Duff's work party but we made it to the Wilson family party at Debbie and Mark's house. I am so lucky that some of my favorite people are family.
Micaela accompanied the choir on her violin.
It was very emotional to see the tree that was decorated to honor my nephew, Derek, and his companion who were killed while riding their bikes as missionaries in Texas.
Robbie and Luke looking at the Christmas book we gave them. The book sings a Christmas carol.
Micaela and Spencer at dinner before Preference
One of the best parts of Christmas is the music and Micaela keeps us busy with all her concerts and recitals.
Micaela and sang in The Messiah for the third year in a row and we also sang a duet in Sacrament Meeting.
The Smiths gave us tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert featuring Alfie Boe. His rendition of "Bring Him Home" knocked my socks off--one of those incredibly moving and memorable moments.
We were able to talk to Ben on Skype and we had everyone on there together. We won't do that again because no one wanted to take anybody else's time and it was a bit awkward at times. Last Christmas Ben was hospitalized with migraines and struggling. This Christmas he sounded so happy, which made me happy.
We went to Les Miserables on Christmas morning with Ryan, Micaela and Mom. We loved it! I felt that, though the music could have been performed more perfectly, it didn't matter because it was deeply moving and honest.
We had our own family celebration on Boxing Day. It has become a tradition to have a more relaxed day together and everyone seems to enjoy it that way.
We also had lunch and played on the playground equipment.
It's so fun that Micaela is in orchestra and choir with her cousin, Amanda.
 |
| Amanda is right behind Micaela. |
Micaela and Rachel played an Arabian duet at their piano recital.
For Halloween, Robbie was Captain Hook and Luke was Peter Pan.
Micaela asked Spencer to a girl's choice dance and he replied with a rendition of "Once Upon a Snowman" along with his brother and sister, and a snowman. Micaela had to dig through the snowman to get his reply.
Lois Lowry signing her new book, Son.
Bob had a business trip to New York. While there, he left his brand new iphone 4 in a taxi cab. We staged a dramatic but unsuccessful rescue. Bob saw War Horse while he was there.
November
Micaela went on orchestra tour to St. George.
Duff went on a business trip to Holland and Sweden.
We hosted a murder mystery party.
Micaela tried out for the musical, Beauty and the Beast right before Thanksgiving. She made call backs so we postponed our trip to Texas by one day. She was very sad when she found out she didn't make it into the cast. However, she did make it into the orchestra pit and had a blast doing that.
We drove to Texas to visit Gary & Tiff and the kids with Ryan and Micaela.
The first night there we went to a Texas BBQ Restaurant. It was quite an experience. Those Texans love their meat.
The first night there we went to a Texas BBQ Restaurant. It was quite an experience. Those Texans love their meat.
Duff, Gary and Ryan drove to Dallas for a Dallas Cowboys' football game on Thanksgiving Day and the rest of us went to the Country Club for dinner. The food was delicious and we all wished we could've eaten more. This is the third time I've eaten at a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner and it's actually pretty fun.
Bridger in the costume we got him for his fourth birthday.
Far in the distance you can see an oil rig. They are everywhere.
Gary took us out to the oil fields to show us what he does for work. It helped us understand all that he has built and we were amazed by it.
Gary in his office
Gary's office building
We all went to a BYU-New Mexico football game on our way home.
December
I was blown away when I was called as Gospel Doctrine teacher. It is the calling that I NEVER wanted. I just didn't feel that I could do it well enough. But I accepted the calling and began to obsessively study--and study--and study. I loved the conversations that Duff and I would have as I prepared and I loved the actual experience of teaching. What I didn't like was the anxiety beforehand and the regret afterwards. I actually wanted to spend a few days in fetal position to recover from the experience.
We had a 12.12.12 party at the library at 12:12 p.m. We blew noisemakers and passed out candy canes. I love my job!
Duff had his 6-month post chemo appointment and he was given the all clear.
We feel so blessed!
Micaela had a Hanukkah party for her friends. It's a tradition we've had since the kids were little and now that she's the only one at home she invited her friends to enjoy it with her. They had potato latkes and doughnuts and played dreidl while the candles on the menorah burned.
All the parties are overwhelming to me. We missed the Ward party and the Duff's work party but we made it to the Wilson family party at Debbie and Mark's house. I am so lucky that some of my favorite people are family.
The high school choir sang at The Festival of Trees.
Micaela accompanied the choir on her violin.
It was very emotional to see the tree that was decorated to honor my nephew, Derek, and his companion who were killed while riding their bikes as missionaries in Texas.
Robbie and Luke looking at the Christmas book we gave them. The book sings a Christmas carol.
Micaela and Spencer at dinner before Preference
One of the best parts of Christmas is the music and Micaela keeps us busy with all her concerts and recitals.
Micaela and sang in The Messiah for the third year in a row and we also sang a duet in Sacrament Meeting.
The Smiths gave us tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert featuring Alfie Boe. His rendition of "Bring Him Home" knocked my socks off--one of those incredibly moving and memorable moments.
We were able to talk to Ben on Skype and we had everyone on there together. We won't do that again because no one wanted to take anybody else's time and it was a bit awkward at times. Last Christmas Ben was hospitalized with migraines and struggling. This Christmas he sounded so happy, which made me happy.
We went to Les Miserables on Christmas morning with Ryan, Micaela and Mom. We loved it! I felt that, though the music could have been performed more perfectly, it didn't matter because it was deeply moving and honest.
We had our own family celebration on Boxing Day. It has become a tradition to have a more relaxed day together and everyone seems to enjoy it that way.
Throughout the year
There are lots of things that I enjoy throughout the year, like attending the temple with my best friend, Leslie, every month. I attend (and sometimes host) books groups every month: the book group that I began 18 years ago, the library's mother-daughter book group, the library's adult book group and the library's book discussion group. We have all the kids over on the third Sunday every month for dinner. This past year (before I was called as gospel Doctrine teacher) I taught Relief Society every month. This last year we did something different to celebrate birthdays. We went around the table and everyone expressed why they loved the birthday person. It was really emotional and we cried a lot. Luckily, Ryan was there to say something to make us all laugh to lighten the mood.
It's been an eventful year and we feel so blessed with loving family, health, employment, and abundant blessings of every kind.
It's been an eventful year and we feel so blessed with loving family, health, employment, and abundant blessings of every kind.
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