January 2026

Started January out with ringing in the new year at the Duren's. We played games and ate yummy snacks. 

Later that day we celebrated Samson's first birthday. He was very unsure of that cake at first, but eventually he got into it.

The next day Korra and I went to the Frog and Toad play and it was so fun We were both laughing. My mom was ushering and she gave us some money to get some cookies that toad made. They were good. 

While Abby was staying with us in December she would write random things on my white board for Kyla. She wouldn't see them very quickly, but they were hilarious and it was funny to see her when she finally did notice them.

My baby is 7 😭. She told me she wanted a horse cake, but with a horn.

Got me some new nails. Ladybugs.

For Korra's birthday this year we went to the Treehouse Museum. She loves that place and could stay all day everyday for a long while before she got bored. We had Gwen and Mia with us. 

These two are in braces together for a little bit. Mia is scheduled to get hers off in February though. One in and one out. Story of my life right now. 

Poor Lily has similar teeth and mouth as Abby and needed to get two permanent teeth removed. She was a trooper through it all though. It just stunk because her mouth was finally recovered from getting the braces on and she was able to eat again and then she couldn't eat for a while after this the foods she wanted to.

That same day that Lily got her teeth pulled Korra lost her second tooth. She pulled it out herself this time, but with a lot of tears because she just couldn't quite get it. 

Also going on that day was Mia getting Bear of the Month. Since I was unable to attend because of Lily's appointment Eric's parents came and supported her. I'm grateful she had someone there. She was nominated by a teacher for this.

Family movie dinner night this month.

 

December 2025

 

December was a world wind of a month. It usually is, but I added something new to my plate this year and I love it so much.

But, I'll get to that later. First off we went to the library and made crafts and ornaments and saw Santa and got hot chocolate making kits to go. All the girls had to see who could make the best Grinch face.

 

 

Our tree all decorated.

 

We celebrated Lily's birthday with her friends early. (There is a candle in front of the two to make it a 12). She watched a movie with them and had cake and ice cream. Nice chill birthday and her friends are pretty dang cute.

 

Went to Garland's Christmas celebration. Listened to music and saw Santa, they had s'more stuff there but we didn't get any, and we rode the horse pulled wagon. 

First gymnastics meet of the season. We were in Evanston, Wyoming. We were the only team there for the USAG so they just competed against themselves. We did go get Dad's Ice Cream before we left though.

It was an ugly sweater theme and they had an ugly sweater parade. 

Ok, here is that thing I added that I was so excited for. I got to join a local choir with my flute and play Christmas music with them all month. We went to retirement/nursing homes in Tremonton, Logan and Brigham and played for the residents there. We also got to go to Salt Lake City and play in the Joseph Memorial Building. I took my whole family and we made a day out of it. We went to the mall and found Kyla a dress for her dance the next day and walked around the lights at temple square. I think the lights are even prettier than before. It was a long day, but full of magical moments. 

 

 

Kyla's dance with Russell. We were at our dinner group when he came to get her, so they stopped by and I got a picture. Pretty brave guy for coming to a house full of his date's parent's friends to meet them for the first time. He is wearing a hat, but I think it's mostly because he just shaved all his hair off for charity.

 

Another really cool place I got to play with the choir group (Reflections), was at a community Christmas activity. Many different groups of many different faiths got together a celebrated the reason for the season. We had a live nativity with actually animals there. I just played during to prelude time, but it was really neat to see so many people out there. There was not enough room for everyone. Unity is amazing.

 

Got together with these awesome ladies again and had dinner.

Also had an ugly sweater party with my work out buddies. I love these little communities that I am creating. We had a raffle and I got a cute homemade apron that Alexa made :)

I volunteered for Korra's class party and did an activity with them. Kids sure are funny. I had one girl tell me she doesn't like silly things. She did not like my activity. I had them draw a snowman on a paper plate that was on top of their heads. Most kids got a good laugh at how silly they looked. Then we did Christmas story mad libs. We had lots of butts and farts added to the story.

These are my two good friends Meg and Adrianna. Adrianna is the one who got me in the Reflections group. I was suppose to take a picture with them after the main concert, but I forgot so they took this picture of where I should have been in the middle. Oops.

I got to make a new friend too, Liz! She was fun to play with and visit with. 

I was invited to got to them temple with some ladies. I knew Alexa from work out group, but the other two I only knew in passing. One was Lily's teacher at school :) It was nice to go to the temple and to go with other ladies. Definitely need to do it again soon.

Share a Little Christmas. The girls did really well, they didn't have enough time to do all the things the had planned, but it was good to see them show off their skills. 

We went Christmas caroling this year and Kyla wore this outfit. I love that she loves Christmas. We did go to over 40 places. Korra almost made it to the end this year. We added a few songs and handbells. I am dangerous when left to my own devises. I really do feel like it is such a great uplifting thing to do though. 

Lily is now actually 12! She got another cake and this time we added the right amount of candles.

My dad gave us cookie decorating kits and we had a fun time with them. Kyla had Russell over and he got to get in the action.

Sadly one of Mia's birds passed away. We have officially started a pet cemetery in Newton. It hit Mia pretty hard for a few days. She takes such great care of those birds and really enjoys getting them out and holding them. 

Christams Eve party.  We shared talents and sang songs and did the nativity. Later we had dinner and played games. Always a good time.

Landon created song about snowmobiles and Joey and Eric helped him sing it.

Oakley playing the drums

All ready for Santa! Korra made him some drawings. 

Christmas was so enjoyable this year. We all felt well and the weather is still so mild that we went on a walk outside. Eric, Kyla and I went and saw the light show and we played lots of games and laughed even more.

Mia got coal from Santa this year. Guess she had been too naughty. (In reality she received her gift a few months ago and agreed we could do this to her to see how Korra would react) Korra thought it was funny and didn't feel bad for Mia at all. 

Korra saw a giant giraffe when we were walking around the mall in Salt Lake City and fell in love and cried for it the rest of the night. It was over $100. We said no. But a Christmas miracle happened and she got a similar one for Christmas day. She slept with it and it's bigger than she is. 

Got all the girls onesies this year. They love them. 

Family dinner movie night. I was pretty proud of my Grinch cookies.

Well another one is in braces. Lily could have gotten them on before Christmas (on her birthday actually) but I let her wait until after so she could enjoy her birthday and Christmas. Good thing I did, her mouth was really sore for a long time.