Luminaria

 I love it when I finally do something that I have wanted to do for a long time.  It is no secret that I love Christmas Lights, almost as much as I love fall leaves.  Thanksgiving Point has a light display and every year I see the ad for it.  This year I got tickets, arranged it with my boys (which is a feat in itself), and went.  It was awesome.  We spent 2 1/2 hours walking around.  I loved the evening, I had so much fun.  First, we went to dinner at a restaurant called Strap Tank.  We haven't been out to eat together for a long time.  Tonight was the perfect Christmas gift for me, Christmas lights, my family, and lots of pictures.  

Thanksgiving Point has a beautiful garden of statues of Christ and His life.  Here are Jesus in Gethsemane and Jesus carrying His cross.  Even my kids pointed out the different feeling when we were in this part of the garden.  

This part was incredible.  I want to know how many lights covered this huge hill every single one of them set to music and changing colors.  

Forever the pranksters when I'm taking pictures.  They think they are hilarious.  I didn't even care tonight.  

I have no idea where these sparkles came from.  They weren't anywhere except when I took a picture.  

One month and Owen moves out.  It is some crazy weird emotions, but most of all, I'm very excited for him.  

Christmas Angels

One day I want to be able to pay it forward.  Tonight someone left a little tree at our front door with gift cards attached to it.  Some people are so close to the spirit and I am so grateful for them.  

Rest of the weekend

 I did have to leave for a little bit yesterday and go to work.  It is so depressing at the Assisted Living.  I feel so sad for the residents.  Covid found its way in the doors and those poor people are pretty much locked in their room.  Gator stayed home with the dogs.  Krissy and PJ picked her up for a movie, so I was alone with the dogs for a bit after work.  That is okay, they slept at my feet while I did homework.  When Gator got back, we went for a drive to get a treat and look for Christmas lights.  

This morning we got up and took care of the dogs, then went to Kaysville to have church with Krissy and PJ.  November 29th is also the day my mom passed away.  Five years ago.  We took a trip to the cemetery and took mom a poinsettia.  

Thanksgiving Weekend

 Even though I have been off a couple times because of exposure, Thanksgiving weekend was a break from school.  We didn't do anything big, just time away from school was nice.  Carrie & Wayne went out of town (they are the fun ones), and Gator and I have been housesitting, and pet sitting.  It has been nice to be in a house again instead of an apartment.  I don't mind my apartment, I'm grateful for it, but a house is just better.  Gator has been in heaven between the dogs and Carrie's fancy bed.  Davis stayed with us Thursday and Friday night, we took advantage of the long weekend and got his wisdom teeth pulled on Friday.  Now that was entertaining.  Well, until the numbing wore off then he was pretty cranky, but we got some good laughs (and video) while he was still loopy.  I didn't see Owen at all, how rude.  I told him to stop by on the way home from the aquarium, but at least I got a picture.  We'll be going home tonight, back to school tomorrow, and counting down until Christmas break.  

Joey came over for a little bit on Thursday to play. 

Before.....

After...still loopy

After....no more loopy medicine

 

Lightning needs his spa time

Sending pictures to the girls, they miss their dogs

As of January 8th I won't be seeing him every day anymore, but I hope I still get pictures. 

Covid Thanksgiving

 We were advised to not gather in large groups for the holiday.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I was so sad to not have a traditional Thanksgiving, but we still had a great day.  Krissy and PJ invited us over and since we're with them all the time anyway, I figured it was safe.  Krissy was awesome and made an amazing Thanksgiving dinner.  I made green bean casserole and mashed potatoes.  So today I am grateful for Krissy's yummy cooking talents.  And even though by the time Owen made it to Kaysville to join us for dessert, he was cranky and mad at me for some reason, I am forever grateful for my children.  They have helped me get through some tough times by just being them.  I am grateful for Kylee and how she makes Owen happy.  In my blessing I was told that I would be given the children that would benefit most from my love and example.  I hope I have been a good example for them, but really I think I was given the children that I would benefit most from having.  Life sure has a way of turning us upside down and backwards, but they keep me going in the right direction.  

Different Ways

 2020 has been all about doing things a different way.  Back in March, I wasn't expecting Covid to mess with my Christmas traditions.  But here we are.  Gator and I love the Forgotten Carols play.  They made it into a movie this year, and although there were a lot of big changes, and it was just different, the songs were the same and that is what I love.  We walked around the stores for a little bit, Gator loves to go to Bath and Body Works to smell all the candles.  I just wanted to find a Christmas tree.  We ended the afternoon at our favorite cookie shop.  

Here we go again

 Things are finally starting to move along with Owen and getting squared away to move up to Pocatello.  He is so excited, and it's crazy that it is actually finally happening.  Never did I think that I would be losing both my boys at the same time.  But in 2021 that is actually going to be a strong possibility.  Davis hated the way the football season ended and he wanted to go on and play in college, but he just didn't know where to start.  Well, they came to him.  He was offered a scholarship today from William Penn University.  I am so dang excited for him.  I am also so scared, this school is in Iowa.  Owen will be a two-hour drive away, but Iowa is an 18-hour drive.  Davis has a trip planned to Iowa in January, and he is pumped.  As he should be.  I am so proud of both my boys.  I can't believe they will both be playing college football.  Also, a little funny thing, if the boys start school next year, and I keep going, we will all have our degrees within the same year.  How cool is that?  Plan for a big graduation party!

Over the weekend

 Things are still pretty slow.  Covid continues to be a problem, and we are getting new guidelines all the time.  I'm home again because I was exposed at the nursing home.  Over the weekend, Davis went to Sadies.  Well, there wasn't a dance, but just like Prom and Homecoming, they still got together for a date, dinner, pictures, and an activity.  Owen and Kylee drove up to Heber to take a fall ride on the Heber Creeper, while Gator and I put on our Christmas jammies, and watched a Christmas movie.  

Dejavu

 I feel like I am spending the fall a lot the same way as I did the spring.  I am home again, this time from an exposure at the Assisted Living.  I worry about my friends there, and especially one positive case that I know of.  Wednesday night I was with her, helping her to bed and yesterday I was made aware that she tested positive.  So I had to leave work, and I can't go back for a couple of weeks.  I hate Covid so bad. Today was the last day of fall weather, winter is supposed to blow in tonight.  So I took Joey for a hike, just like in the spring.  Home, and hiking with Joey.  In North Ogden, they bring in a huge flag named "The Major".  It flies in the canyon for a few weeks prior to Veterans Day.  We hiked up to the flag today, and it was beautiful.  You just keep climbing up, and it takes a couple hours, but once I turned the last corner, my breath was taken away and I got chills.  It was amazing.