Grandma's 90th Birthday Celebration! Grandpa handled the 2 hour event so well. His health has rapidly declined with his dementia and I loved how content he was for family photos. Grandma is still so sharp and loving, and her comments that day were about her gratitude for all the family connections and her desire to follow God.
My dad wrote a tender poem as her gift.
We had dinner at Emily's house, and my kids were introduced to the Nufer family favorite, "Do You Love your Neighbor?"
BYU Victory against Utah in final moments of the game! I had gone home to put Owen in bed and missed the last quarter, but seeing these happy photos and shouts brought me back to my childhood watching games at the church via satellite set up by Brother Ahlstrom.
I get the cutest kid walking to my car everyday after school. I love his matching sweats. He has flannels but now that we are officially in winter, it's only sweats.
Brady's frequent travel for work has hit Owen hard, and the waterworks come on strong the night before he leaves and often several nights while dad is gone. "I miss my dad so much and it hurts." It is so tender and heartbreaking and also irritating. Cory had heard about enough of these meltdowns and took Owen out for a "Burgers and Bros" lunch after school. Cory has wrapped my boys up with these lunches.
Foundation on our new house has begun!
Not disappointed by our views!
First run in the snow! Running in the cold is so much better than running in the heat.
Owen is crushed when Dad is away but I think we are killing it at home, too. He and I played pickle ball 4-5 days a week in November/December. This stage of parenting is delightful.
While we waited for Kate's ballet performance to start, I bought Owen a 1-hour bounce pass nearby and watched the online streaming as Lone Peak played in the state tournament. I had no idea high school football could be that entertaining! Also, how could I be more entertained than watching this kid superman into the foam pit?
After years with solos and 5-6 pieces in a show, Ballet West's performance was underwhelming for Kate. She now dance in a studio with hundreds of ballerinas and knows only a few of them. It is certainly a different experience, and we have watched her grapple with all the options Utah has to offer and feeling trapped by multiple hours of dance a day, 6 days a week in one genre. She has been aching for more. Writing this in January, I now know that she is taking a break from ballet after 9 straight years in the art. We support her decision as it is motivated by her desire to explore more options. It does make this section hard to post because I will miss watching her light up a stage. But she will light up anywhere she goes! She worried she would disappoint me and Brady but I told her that we have already experienced our youth and it was fantastic. She has all the options and if she is feeling trapped, she can take a break or even retire to try them out!
I knew she was less excited by this show but I loved every second.
But of course, how am I not supposed to tear up a little when I watch her center stage, now knowing it was possibly the last time? I love you, my sweet artist.
She was excited about contemporary but wishes for more jazz/contemporary at her studio.
After the show celebration at Zupas.
Night 2! Owen was sick, so he and I stayed home but Sophie, Grandma, and Grandpa came to support with Brady and Zachary.
Family ski/snowboard day at Solitude with some of the longest lines I have ever seen skiing!
So fun seeing Zachary from the lift!
Cory and Kristen went to Chicago early so we had them to ourselves for Sunday dinner.
Multiple ski days in November! Driving up the canyon in a winter wonderland. It takes a full hour to get to the mountain and I love the moments in the car as the kids read, chat, and look out the windows (and play on their phones). They match my enthusiasm for season changes.
Owen! Such a boss. It took him some time to get used to skis--especially getting them back on when they pop off in powder. But really, his control has come along so well and he can bomb down the mountain with cousins, sister, and mom.
Loved running into Zachary with his buddies.
Sophie joined us for the day, too! She and Kate skied through trees, showing me paths I would normally avoid.
Angela asked our Thanksgiving plans a month before the day and invited us almost immediately when she heard we were open. We were so touched by her inclusiveness and generosity. Brady took a quick family photo for them.
Baby Ella! You are one loved little babe.
Thanksgiving with a big group of people used to cooking for big groups of people is really delicious.
It was an eclectic gathering with Ritchies and Edwards. I loved sitting near Jessica and Ryan's son, Chase, who is also adopted, and hearing his story. It is very different from Zachary's experiences with his birth mother, and I liked gaining that perspective and having Zac hear it, too. Chase has met his birth mother but does not have a strong desire to connect with her family. It is completely okay that they are approaching it differently, and I hope these boys just know that there are so many people who love them!
Post-turkey snooze.
We played Telestrations and Ash was such a good sport to pose with her picture of a baseball player that absolutely does not look like he's holding a bat.
Happy November, and let the Christmas season commence!
