December 2025

 December was absolutely jam-packed! 

Week 1 Summary: LPM, visit Terynn, Evan insulating one night, Zeke Curz and Levi coming over after school on Thursday, wreath making at the church, Evan's birthday (he had to work all day, but not at night, and we had Cafe Rio for dinner. He got lock boxes for his pistols and year-long subscriptions to several outdoors magazines), Thomas went to Bear's birthday party on Saturday, and we went to a goodbye party for Ethan at Tessa's (he's headed home so he can spend a month with his family before headed to Argentina on his mission), and we watched the 1st Presidency Devotional on Sunday (for the first time every, it was prerecorded). 

Week 2 Summary: We went to Lilah's birthday party on Monday and enjoyed pizza, ice cream, and playtime. Tuesday, Renee and I went and helped get the tables ready for the ward party. That evening, I met Julie and Cynthia for dinner at the Wyoming Roadhouse before catching up with Evan and the kids at the ward Christmas party. They'd already seen Santa by the time I got there, but hadn't served any dinner yet. The kids sang several songs for the program, and their favorite was Go Tell It On the Mountain. By the end, the church was a zoo with so many kids running wild through the hallway. Evan took Renee home to put her to bed while I searched high and low for the boys. What a party! On Wednesday, we all gathered for BethAnn's birthday to have a little dessert. We tried to go early to see her beforehand (so we could go home immediately after without feeling like we didn't get to spend time with her on her birthday), but Justin and Tessa brought dinner over, so we just sat awkwardly in the living room while they ate until everyone else showed up. Oh well, on that idea! On her actual birthday, BethAnn sat in the hospital all day while Dale had surgery. James ended up being sick starting on the 11th until the 16th! A high fever was basically the only symptom. Poor buddy! I left on Friday morning at 7 to go to Idaho Falls with Becky and Megan. We went to the temple, Olive Garden, Walmart, DI, checked into the hotel, met Ruth at an escape room, then ordered in Chinese and ate while playing games and laughing our heads off. At 11:30, we went to the hot tub, and got to be around 1. I woke up early as usual, and what a drag that was! We had breakfast, then went shopping all day. We got home about 6:30, wallets emptier, but hearts fuller, and heads dreaming of making that a tradition!

Week 3 Summary: My birthday was on Monday, and Evan bought and cooked up some steaks to celebrate. Kristen text me that day with a photo of the ice fishing trip 9 years ago on which our friendship began, and she also brought be a little gift. It made me feel so special! James finally got better in time to go to school for Grinch Day on Wednesday, and Thomas went to his first activity days. On Thursday, around noon, Renee and I hopped in with BethAnn and headed down to Logan. We went to a handful of stores, ate dinner at Arby's, and then checked into a hotel. The next morning, we all slept until about 7, and had to hurry to get ready so we wouldn't be late for Emi's wedding. I forgot my recommend, so they had to look me up at the front desk. Renee stayed in the waiting room with the groom's sisters and the other little kids they were tending. After the wedding, we hit up Sam's then went to the luncheon, Gossner's, and Costco before heading home. Once we got home, Evan helped unload the spoils of the trip (including 3 prime rib roasts), then showered and drove himself and his mom up to the wedding reception while I got the kids ready for bed. 

Week 4 Summary: On Monday, Renee and I went to make Christmas treats at Megan's with her, Ruth, and Becky. I left for a few hours to go help with Reindeer Games in James's class, then came back and wrapped up in time to walk through the house door as the bus pulled up. The next day was half a day, and I went to help BethAnn make lemon cheese bread in the morning. On Christmas Eve, the boys, Evan, Justin, Layne, and Dale, all went over to Bear Lake. That evening, we had pizza at BethAnn's with Ben and Elise, then read the Christmas story and came home to tuck in. On Christmas morning, James was awake at 3:30 and didn't fall back asleep. He was so excited that Santa actually came (we both like to tease them that we might not get anything because we're always naughty), and kept going out to look at the gifts. Thomas was maybe an hour behind him, and they went through every Santa gift (including the ones for Renee and us) and their stockings before we finally got them back in their beds. They stayed in their rooms (not sleeping, of course), until Evan gave them permission to come out. They snuggled in our bed, watching Nativity movies on YouTube until Renee finally woke up, and we let them get the present show on the road! It was a true delight to watch how excited they got about their gifts, and I only teared up a few times. This stage of Christmas is so fleeting, and we sure enjoy the joy these kids bring into the holiday. After nap time that afternoon, we went to a family dinner at BethAnn's. Hannah and her boyfriend, Jake, flew into Jackson that afternoon, and we had fun spending time getting to know him while they were here. On the 26th, we all went to the church in the morning to play basketball, volleyball, football, and dodgeball. Everyone had a good time. Hannah and Jake came over that afternoon to visit and play, then we all went to dinner (chili and cinnamon rolls) at BethAnn's that evening. We were going to go up to the rec center in Jackson on the 27th, but the roads were pretty sketchy. We ended up having a sledding party at BethAnn's instead, followed by grilled cheese for lunch. On Sunday, we went to church, and Dale spoke. During the intermediate musical number, Renee walked up on the stand and leapt into Dale's arms (a spontaneous first). James was right behind her, trying to get her to come back down. He grabbed her under her arms, she did the flat board slide out of his grasp, and meanwhile, Cheyanne and Emma Wolfley kept on singing. Finally, Evan had Thomas go up there and herd them out the door by the sacrament table, and he met them in the lobby. Evan and I were mortified; Jake, Hannah, BethAnn... all died laughing. That night, we ate dinner at BethAnn's and watched some of a movie (until our kids needed to get home to bed). 

29th-30th: On Monday, we had the actual game night at BethAnn's, and the boys learned how to play Cover Your Assets. They borrowed the game a few days later, and are actually pretty good at it! On Tuesday, Evan went to Jackson with Mark to help him buy a new phone, and I skyped with Emily, Ellie, and Anna that evening. On Wednesday, Terynn came over to help me make a small batch of raspberry jam, eat some lunch, and open her birthday gift. Evan and the boys were at Bear Lake during this time, this time Shane went with them. That evening, the Simpsons came over for a nacho bar. We watched some college football while the kids played, watched Merry Madagascar, then the kids did a few activities that Kristen brought, including making party hats, blowing noise makers, popping pom pom cups, and doing a countdown with a balloon drop. We got all the kids in bed in good time and said goodbye to 2025. What an incredible year it was!