December 2021

 Todd came home from work early on December 1st so we could go hiking at Rock City, Mount Diablo. Hazel turned thirteen and said she didn't want a party with her friends as much as she wanted to spend time with the family doing something memorable. Where did this kid come from? (She was totally worth waiting for.) So we planned out a cool hike and had perfect weather for it, brought snacks and enjoyed the drive up. 

We had barely left the parking lot when we came across our first big boulder. Todd billy-goated that thing and called for the kids to come up and see the view. Everyone scrambled up the rock effortlessly. Well, I know I'm not as agile as the rest of the crew, but I didn't want to miss out on the great view everyone was exclaiming about, so I took a few steps back and ran halfway up the boulder, before losing momentum and finding the ground again. But I put my trust in my hiking boots, aimed a little higher, and gave it a second go. Unfortunately, that still wasn't enough to get me to the top, and as I came back down, I stumbled backward and stepped in a bit of a dip in the ground. Instantly, I saw stars. The pain was enough to cause me to get a little lightheaded and I had to remind myself to breathe. I had sprained my ankle. Hiking was out of the question for me, and I was just grateful for how close to the parking lot we were. I sat out on a nearby picnic bench and begged everyone else to still go have fun without me. I was so disappointed to miss out on the hike, and definitely felt guilty for putting such a damper on Hazel's birthday celebration. 

Larry, Ellen, and Luna had spent the day driving to our home for a visit and made it in time for dinner and birthday cake. Unfortunately for them, I spent their entire visit on the couch elevating and icing my foot, so we didn't have much of a chance to go out and do anything memorable. On Saturday, when Todd was home from work, he took them all to Sycamore Grove to go for a scenic walk while the kids scootered around and climbed beautiful trees. Other than that, it was a whole lot of nothing. 

Todd and Hazel have been to the Oakland Temple to perform vicarious baptisms and confirmations a handful of times. It was interesting to check out the Giving Machine that was on the grounds this Christmas season. It had various offerings, from five dollars to several hundred. You could select a way to help like buying candy at a vending machine: purchase a coat for someone suffering from homelessness, buy a goat for a family to have milk and cheese to sell, build a well so a community could have a source of clean water, and many other options. It was humbling to see and to be able to participate. 

We  had a talk with our kids this holiday season about how much we have to be grateful for and how little we are in need of. Then we invited the kids to trade whatever they would have received from Mom and Dad for Christmas this year for the opportunity to purchase a welcome kit for a refugee family in the area. Everyone was on board. We walked through Target with our list of items: dishes, blankets, shampoo, bathroom cleaner, pencils and paper ... It was extremely humbling to envision leaving your home to start fresh somewhere you didn't even have bath towels or toothbrushes, much less a handle on the language or culture of the new area. I hope experiences like this will help my family increase in empathy and in gratitude for all we are fortunate to have. 

We went to a Christmas party or two, enjoyed Hazel's and Jack's violin recital, and went through the agony of Mom being released as Primary President and installed as the ward's newest Relief Society President. I swear, this was the hardest calling for me to receive ever! I cried a lot, really wanted to say no, pleaded on my knees for answers, went to the temple, and one thousand percent wanted to move and start over in a different ward. I am not happy about it - and I'm also scared to death - but I will attempt to do a good job and to learn to be more compassionate. 

I forgot to mention that for Hazel's birthday, we found her a guitar teacher. His name is Mike, and he comes over to our house once a week to give her a lesson. We were just planning to do a month of it, but Hazel is enjoying it so much and has committed to practice daily even when school gets busy again after the break, so we agreed to give her another four weeks. After that, we think she's going to have to go back to self-learning because she's going to get busy with volleyball, and we just don't want her to feel too swamped. It was funny, when I set the lessons up with Mike, one of the questions he asked was if Hazel played any other instruments. I said she has played piano for five and a half years and violin for two and a half years. Mike asked, "What made her quit those instruments?" I said, she hasn't quit them - she plays them both and is teaching herself guitar as well. He was like, woah, we've got ourselves a real musician here! He has been impressed with how much she understands and how quickly she is learning. It's been fun. 

I've spent the whole month on the couch trying to heal my ankle. Lucky for me, my view was our glorious Christmas tree. 

We got together with the Dix family for Sunday dinner and decided that was something we should really do once a month. After a decade of friendship, we feel like family. And wouldn't we get together regularly for Sunday dinner if we had cousins and a sister nearby? Hopefully, we'll be able to keep up the commitment through the business of life. 

Always one for a culinary challenge, Jack checked out a pasta maker from the library of things. Todd was incredibly supportive and came home early from work so the boys could make dinner for us. It turned out to be quite the experience, as the batch was enormous and we had extra pasta hanging from every chair and handle to dry overnight. 

I wanted so bad to skip gingerbread decorating. It's just so. much. candy at the end of the season, when we're all starting to feel gross from all our holiday gluttony. But the kids begged and begged, and I saw a kit for a train on the shelf at the grocery store, so I bought one. I don't know what I can do to trash this tradition. I swear, I try every year! 

We've had a lot of rain during the Christmas break, but it was a clear day on Christmas Eve. Most years, we go hiking a lot this time of year. The hills are green and inviting and the temperatures are comfortable. California is in its prime in the wintertime. 

I meant to send Todd and the kids out on a hike without me, but Todd was convinced that if we switched it to a bike ride, I'd be able to join. I was skeptical, but really did want to be included in the family activity, so I strapped on an ankle brace and planned to use my right leg only as much as possible to pedal my bike. We chose Sycamore Grove for our location because it is relatively flat. 

Well . . . we made it about two minutes in before I declared that this was a really bad idea. It was impossible for me to keep my bike moving in a forward motion without putting some pressure on my left foot, and it was already starting to ache. But before I could suggest that I go back to the parking lot to wait for everyone else, Hazel determined that she could attach my bike to hers with the bungee cord she uses on school days to hold her backpack on its rack (since she wears her violin on her back) and then pull me along. She and Todd took shifts and valiantly tugged me behind for the entire five miles. I appreciated it so much! I had seen almost nothing but the inside of my house for weeks, and it did my soul something good to move fast and enjoy the scenery. 

Well, treated-out or not, the kids insisted that we make cookies for Santa, so they made a batch of ginger cookies and most of them ended up in the freezer for another time. Everyone wrote Santa letters. 

Hazel wrote: "Dear Santa, Thank you, and Merry Christmas. Enjoy the cookies as payment for the joy you bring. Have a great night. Merry Christmas again. Love, Hazel"

Jack was a little hyper! He wrote: "Deeeaarrr SANTA! Thank you for all that you do for the children of the vorld. Yo bring happiness and joi werevah yooooo gow! Luv, Jackipoo" 

And Gemma's note said, "Dear Santa, This is Gemma. Thank you for all the presints and joy you breeng. You mite want to be carfl with the tree because it tips over esuly. And Jack is gust beeing silly. (He is 10 yeers old.) and dont poot candycanse in my stocing because I cant eat them." 

We opted for cheese and crackers for our Christmas Eve dinner. I loved the simplicity! We are in the kitchen a lot already, making cookies and starting the cinnamon rolls for the next morning's breakfast. I think this is a tradition we will keep up. Jack designed the platter for us and seemed to really enjoy himself. 

In the evening, we watched The Grinch, and then the kids squirreled themselves away in the playroom for a couple hours of wildness and games for their sibling sleepover. There was a lot of giggling and shrieking. Apparently, Hazel reenacted my favorite Christmas Eve sibling sleepover memory by dancing to Mannheim Steamroller's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with ribbons in her toes, ala Aunt Emily.  

We asked for lights out around 9:30, and Jack asked for a Melatonin gummy to help him settle down and fall asleep. (We have them in the cupboard for nights kids are struggling with insomnia.) The girls said they would like one, too, so I gave one to each kid, and they later reported that they slept extra well, from at least 10 to about 6:30 the next morning. Todd thinks I robbed them of a childhood memory by "drugging" them, but I think it was a genius move, and all three kids said they appreciated it. 

They came and woke me and Todd up at 7, bouncing with anticipation. Out we went to peek in our stockings and open presents. Santa gave Hazel rollerblades, Jack a coding robot, and Gemma a turquoise desk chair, some drawing books, and Lego animal minifigures. Jack made each of the girls a necklace hanger, Gemma got Jack juggling balls and Hazel a notebook, and Hazel crocheted Gemma a satchel and Jack a pouch for his knitting needles. They also got some fun things from their grandparents. 

The girls got me mint shampoo, remembering that I had enjoyed that at my last haircut, and Jack bought me a dark chocolate bar with chili in it - my newest favorite! All the kids prepared secret piano songs to play for Todd. Gemma learned Todd's favorite Primary song, Scripture Power. Jack played a lovely version of Silent Night. And Hazel learned Todd's favorite Christmas pop song, Mariah Carrey's All I Want for Christmas. 

After eating scrumptious cinnamon rolls (made by Hazel) and playing with our new things for a while, we all gathered around to watch the Church's nativity video, The Christ Child. Later that day, we gathered around the piano and sang some of our favorite Christmas hymns. I usually try to fit everything (Santa and Jesus) into Christmas Eve, but this year, I let some of the most sacred things wait until the Christmas day, and I'm glad I did. It helped us keep our thoughts on Jesus even as we enjoyed our presents. It has been an especially worshipful Christmas season this year, which has been a beautiful thing. 

For dinner, we pulled out our leftover Thanksgiving turkey from the freezer, and made mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and rolls to go with it. Because why have the greatest meal of the year once, when you can have it twice (without having to roast a turkey a second time)? But we all voted that we're not big fans of turkey, and determined that we should just go for a Costco rotisserie chicken next time. We shall see! 

Our neighbor Julie gave the kids a gingerbread decorating kit, so they ended up working on another candy-packed craft! It's unavoidable. 

It's a true shame, but I didn't take a single picture of Todd's birthday! Let it be known that he had a very nice day. We had only one hour of church and no extra meetings, so there was plenty of time to hang out at home playing games and reading. Todd requested cabbage salad and homemade pizza, and of course we had his favorite raspberry delight. I gave him a new mountain bike and the kids gave him a Ravenclaw t-shirt, which he has since worn several times. 

We got together with our friends Katie and Ryan George and their kids, Lucas, Paige, and Logan, for New Year's Eve. We played lots of games, ate cheesecake and other fun snacks, and let the kids outside to bang pots and pans and end the night around 10:00. I don't know how many more years we have left where we can get away with not staying up till midnight, but I'll gladly take them while I can! And when the kids are old enough to stay up and play games till late and not be grumpy about it the next day, that will be tons of fun, too. 

There may have been two or three wooden spoon casualties due to the kids' exuberance! 

Hasta la vista, 2021! 

November 2021

We took a road trip to San Diego to visit Sea World with Aunt Missy, Shaylee, and Carli, and Aunt Laura, Rylee, and Kenley. We had a very fun time! The weather was nice. We saw an orca show, a dolphin show, and a sea lion show. The kids went on the roller coasters over and over again. There was an insane one that Gemma was too short to go on, so while all the other kids rode the Electric Eel, Gemma rode the Manta with me, Todd, and Laura. It was a good thing we had three adults with us so we could take shifts, because the lines were short and Gemma rode it, yikes, probably seven or eight times in a row. 

 

Sea World has a good combination of shows, rides, and animals in habitats you can observe, like a zoo. Everyone loved the Arctic Zone, where we saw beluga whales, penguins, and walruses. 

For dinner, we bought the most enormous pizza I've ever seen in my life. It easily fed all ten of us, with leftovers as well. 

We were able to touch bat rays and little fish that nibble on your hand (eating the dead skin). We saw otters, sharks, flamingos, and seals. Everyone loved the time with animals, thrill rides, and cousins. 

We've been blessed with some rain this fall, so the hills are turning green far earlier than they have in past years. It's been so enjoyable to take walks and go for hikes and see the beauty this area has to offer. I have a harder time wanting to move to Utah this time of year! It's getting colder in Utah while it gets invitingly beautiful here, enticing me to spend the warmest parts of the day outdoors. California is lovely in the winter. 

The kids had a LIVE piano recital - Gemma's first one ever. They all did a nice job practicing beforehand and performing well in front of an audience. 

Todd and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary this month. We went out to dinner and performed vicarious sealings at the Oakland Temple. I am sad I didn't take any pictures of us! 

We stayed home for Thanksgiving break, which was wonderful. It was nice to slow down, sleep in, relax and have time to play and be creative. The kids were asked to pet-sit dwarf rats for Hazel's friend Kaitlyn. It was a win-win because the kids went to Kaitlyn's house to take care of the rats, and I got an hour or more to myself every day while they were over there playing. Jack and Gemma were enthusiastic rat-sitters. One day, I had to come knock on the door and ask them to come home because they had left before eating lunch and stayed for two and a half hours. They were surprised so much time had passed, they'd been having so much fun. Hazel was out on a bike ride with some friends that day. When Hazel went with them, they didn't stay as long. Hazel wasn't quite as enamored with the little rodents as the other two were. 

Watching the hills get greener and greener made me crave a hike at Del Valle. We started at the top of the hill and walked all the way down to the lake (and then all the way back to the van). It was a long adventure! And was also very satisfying. Everyone was exhausted but happy. 

We filled our 2021 gratitude tree with such excellent offerings, including family, the ability to serve, creativity, bonsai, Heavenly Parents, pop-its, mountains, coats, and "peeanow" (piano). I love seeing what stands out in each family member's mind as we fill our tree up. 

We had Chrissy and Gordon and their boys (Spencer, Daniel, and Josh) over for Thanksgiving dinner, as well as the missionaries. There were at least TEN turkeys in our culdesac when they arrived, ready to greet them. Of course that meant that the dads and the kids all chased the turkeys, trying to catch one, until they all flew onto the neighbor's roof. 

We ate delicious food, enjoyed the good company, and after the missionaries left, washed all the dishes and played lots of games. I am so thankful that Chrissy feels comfortable getting our families together again. We went for a long spell without seeing each other during this stinky Covid experience. Now we're raring to spend New Year's Eve together and even to get together for Sunday dinners on a regular basis. It feels like we have family nearby again! 

The day after Thanksgiving we went tree hunting, of course. Hazel wanted to try one of the lighter-colored ones, and after smelling the needles, I was sold. We found the perfect tree. 

Everyone helped cut it down, and everyone helped carry it to the van. 

We were sad to see that the awesome tree swing we played on last year was broken. All that was left was a rope, which was lots less fun to play on. But we did enjoy both hot chocolate and apple cider. 

When we got home, we put up the lights on the house before decorating indoors. Everyone helped out. Hazel lit up the big tree in our front yard, I raked up leaves, and Jack and Gemma worked with Todd hanging the lights on the roofline. Gemma was proud to be big enough to stand on the ladder and actually participate. 

I have many blessings to be grateful for, too many to list, but here's just a few: 

family

health

education

Jesus and His grace

a temple nearby

books

mountains

prayer

revelation

chocolate

open space I can take walks through right outside my door