Welcome 2021

 I've looked at Facebook and Instagram the last few days and everyone is saying how glad they are that 2020 is over, it was such an awful year.  It is true, it was a hard year, a year of everything being different.  But I'm actually a little sad to see it end.  To me, 2020 was a year to be with my family.  I feel that we had a lot of good mixed in with some crazy and bad.  I won't remember 2020 as a horrible, terrible, awful year.  I will remember it as another year that made us, us.  Last night Gator and I went over to our friends' house to play games and have dinner.   I'm almost certain she was more excited to see their new puppy than to play games, but it is a pretty darn cute puppy.  She sat on Gator's lap the whole evening.  The boys of course spent New Year's Eve with their girlfriends, and that is okay.  I actually got some pictures, so they've already turned over a new leaf with the New Year.  Let's see if it lasts, I'm not planning on it lasting, but I am happy about the pictures.  

Cousin Sleepovers

Others just don't support my journaling.  It looks like most of the time I only have one kid.  Gator is usually with me, and the boys just don't send me pictures like I ask.  And then when Gator isn't with me because I work I beg and finally get a couple pictures of their funny make up game even though they went to the Dinosaur museum, petting zoo, swimming, and a movie over the last 2 days as well.  Gosh she has some awesome cousins that save her when I have to work.  

 

Game Nights

 The week between Christmas and New Year is kind of a holding week.  I've either been a stay at home mom or worked for the school, so I've always had this week off.  This year I do work some at the Assisted Living, but not tonight.  Gator and I went to play games at Josh & Rachelle's.  They introduced us to a couple new games.  Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza is wild, loud, and a little dangerous actually.  We also played Beat That! Beat That wasn't any quieter or calmer actually.  We had a pretty crazy night. Today was national play cards day.  Of course we got a picture to document.  

Christmas Eve & Christmas

 Just like the rest of the year, we celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas differently this year.  Covid is still a problem.  At least that is what "they" say, but I'm not seeing it.  I'm grateful my family and loved ones have all been safe from the virus, but it makes it hard to really believe what could be.  We missed the big family get-together, but with masks on we still got some ice cream on the way to Kaysville.  We spent the evening eating dinner, decorating cookies, and having a dance party.  We had all these things planned like a game and some stories, but between it being Christmas Eve and all the sugar, we pretty much decided to not try to go with a schedule and just let the kids have at it.  

Christmas morning is different with older kids.  Not in a bad way, it just doesn't start as early.  Owen got up early and went to the gym, so I showered and woke up Davis and Gator when he got home.  Even with the later start time, Davis still had a hard time waking up. 

 

One more light night

 A few weeks ago I had an interview for a scholarship that I applied for.  I don't know the final decision of that yet, but the foundation gave those that applied a $100 bill to add more love and goodness to our life.  I knew right away I wanted to spend my money on an evening with my kids.  I bought tickets to a drive-thru light display and we got some dinner on the way to South Jordan.  I completely enjoyed myself, Christmas lights, my kids, and not having to make dinner.  The lights were awesome, and they had the best Santa I've ever seen.  

Silent Night

I love the story behind the Christmas song "Silent Night".  A musical family in my ward started a Facebook group and invited everyone to join them in singing Silent Night tonight outside at 6:00.  It has been a rough year, and I hope some of the magic of that Christmas Eve years ago was felt tonight by people singing.  The group grew to over 10,000 people from all around.  We didn't sound great, but it was still a pretty neat activity.  

Do some snow dances

We're over here praying for snow and lots of it.  Davis and Gator went skiing today, and they had a great time, they always do, we just desperately need some snow.  Joey wishes he couldn've gone along.  I didn't go this time, because there are so many strict rules with Covid, that I can't hang out in my normal cozy spot in the lodge.  I will find a new cozy spot on the patio by a fire, but they did invite me up for lunch after they were done skiing.  We went to an outdoor hamburger place, so we ate in the car, but it was delicious food.  And even better company!

District Champions

 The volleyball team was able to play a complete season despite Covid and a school closure and an all-sport closure as well.  They won district champions tonight.  I had to watch online, but I greeted the bus as they pulled in the parking lot and a very excited volleyball team got off cheering.  How fun!

After I picked up Gator from the game, we went to Layton with Lainee for cookies and Christmas Lights.