A Saturday In December

The van got new tires today. Good job, van. It snowed a little bit last night. Corey drove it to Costco and it made it successfully out of the neighborhood. I'm glad that I won't be nervous about a blowout when I drive it anymore. The van still has a few issues. The back right side door broke 2 years ago, and since it was $2000 to buy the motor to get it fixed, we've just had that side be a manual door, which is fine. The kids are all used to it, so no biggie. A warning light that says "side door" is on all the time to let us know that something over there is not working. Another weird thing that started probably early 2023 was that the light for the drivers door says it's open, even when it's closed. So some sensor there is broken, which is fine, but it always leaves that red informant light on, and also a little door light, that lights the floor when the door is open or closed, is always on as well. And music in the van still plays with a 3 second delay, which is only annoying when you're trying to read the lyrics, but they scroll up out of view before the audio of the song gets to it. Thankfully that glitch does not happen with phone conversations. That is all the issues with the van at the moment. I'm glad the bald tires are taken care of. Good job me finding the right tires (235/65R17) and figuring out how to order them and how to make an appointment with Costco tires (they don't usually answer the phone).

So I got Abi and Lily out the door to GMS. They made the bus, we caught it at the post office, then I came home (even though I was ready to go climbing, I decided to not abandon Corey) and I did the dishes while Wes made breakfast. Kodiak cakes are his favorite. He loves them "so much." He makes enough for everyone. Katharine with her monkey, enjoying some cakes.

Then Corey took the van to Costco and got food for this next week and for a family gathering tomorrow with the Stokers. And we did an amazing job making a list of what we needed and sticking to it. We've done really good at budgeting this past month! At home - Natalie got Katharine dressed up in this cute pink dress that used to be hers. It's a little large (size 3T) but it fits well enough length wise. Natalie wants us to have a ball, and is always getting K ready, just in case today is the day. I told Natalie let's try for over the break. Katharine was skipping along and twirling around in this dress. And here she was playing with the sunshine on her hands - "Now I've got it..."

"Now I don't!"

She is just delightful in so many ways. One moment today that I shared with the college kids - I was changing her messy diaper, and I said "pooooopyyyyy...." and then she made me totally laugh when she said in her one year old way "Where are you?" I said my line again "Poopyy...." her reply "WheAhhUu?" Wes told me tonight that he taught her that, from once when they were wandering around the house looking for me "Mommy?? Where are you?" So that was soo cute and super fun, here is the little recording of it that I shared with them where you can hear her adorable voice. She is our little princess.

I stayed home today and cleaned the boys room and sorted socks. I cleaned the girls room too and arranged it so Wes could take his Government final. Another class checked off for him, yay, go go go Wes! He's got 6 weeks left and 6 classes? I was home with K while Wes did that, and was able to keep her out of the room he was testing in. Corey took the boys climbing, but it was just a short outing, cause they had to leave to go to Lily's recital at 4. After they got back, I had a meat pie ready, and I snuck out to go to the temple. Corey had turned on a movie when I was home, something to keep the boys quieter. It was a show called Leo which took us all by surprise, but parts of it we quite enjoyed, like when the girl was being sung to to stop crying. The kids all liked those lyrics and we probably need to learn that song so we can use it around here! I don't fully endorse everything about that movie, but parts of it were really funny.

And Lucky is still around and is a sweet little creature. Some sad news for him though - he lost part of his front left leg sometime during the night. Maybe if he fell down and was flapping around in his enclosure and banged it off? Here he was enjoying some sunshine today. 

I put him by the window in our bedroom around 3 so that he can enjoy the evening sun. 

It's cute how he spreads out his little wings to soak up the sunshine. I hope it makes his existence a little less boring. And now it is 11 and everyone is still up. I took little boys climbing around 9pm. They were running around crazy and Corey needed them gone. Unfortunately, bringing them made Wes not want to come. He said he'd rather do math than be at the gym with them. And I get that. Lily could tell I was a bit unexcited as well, and she was with them most of the time. They were good. Other than right after we got there and put on our shoes ready to start climbing, I had to take them off and Peter's off cause he had to use the bathroom. 

My main goal for tonight was to do that last red V1, and I did it, so now I've done all the V1s. I learned today that you can search the climbs on Kaya by level of difficulty. I searched the V1s - there are 12, and I had done all of them except for that red V1. I was glad I did it today. Took two tries. Now it's onto the V2s. There are 22 of them and I've done 10 so far. Something to work on this next week! I'm going to go brush their teeth and kids boys to bed now. It's late, I predict that we're going to struggle getting up on time for church in the morning. G'night

Wax Museum & More

Another year of 3rd grade, another 3rd grader, another year of the wax museum! Today it was Owen's turn. I went over with Peter and Katharine in tow. We wandered through all the statues until we came to the 20th century section, and there we saw the famous astronaut John Glen! Owen did not crack any bit of a smile when we came to him. "Wow! John Glenn!" 

"John Herschel Glenn Jr. was an American Marine Corps aviator, engineer, astronaut, businessman, and politician. He was the third American in space, and the first American to orbit the Earth, circling it three times in 1962." Those are some amazing accomplishments! So why does he look so depressed? Maybe he's just tired.

He saw us, but took his "be a statue" role very seriously. I didn't want to tempt him to break character, so we read the mini-bio and went on. Luckily we were just a row away when the statues took a one minute break to stretch and change their positions. Owen smiled at us then, and did a little wave. Then we came to the end of the wax museum and left through the cafeteria. Another wax museum done - check! We've had lot of wax museums through the years. Joseph and Melodie were before the blog - J was Mitt Romney, Melodie was Sacagawea, Ethan missed it cause he was going to school in Chile, Hyrum was Abraham Lincoln, Wes was Norman Rockwell. Abi was Helen Keller, Lily was Amelia Earhart (Her hair was so cute), Sophi as Sally Ride, Natalie as Ruby Bridges. I couldn't remember what Sophi was, but then realized that was because hers was in a post covid year, thus it was not in person, hence my fuzzy memory.

Peter had an experience similar to Daniel's in 2021, and was a bit upset with me when I told him that we were done and were heading back home. "But we did not do any fun stuff! That was a boring!" I agree, it was probably a boring thing for you, Peter, and for that I am sorry. I was just reading that 2021 post and realized Peter probably thinks of Thanksgiving Point when I say "museum" so of course he was disappointed. Poor kid. Maybe we'll have to get a membership there again. I tried to play in the snow as we walked to the car. I started to spell his name with my foot prints by shuffling along together on the sidewalk. "Look! We can spell your name! P.... E..." but then he was mad cause he didn't know how to do what I was doing. "I don't know how to do it!" Well you can just do it with your finger? I started to write his name with my pointer finger. He tried that, but cried when the snow was cold. I know something that will be fun.... let's put Katharine's feet in the snow! Look at her cute footprints!

And then Katharine was mad at me for making her cold. Ok, so no one is happy or playing, let's just go home and watch George. And soon we were watching Curious George again. Curious George has replaced the dogs of Lady and the Tramp and is currently Katharine's favorite cartoon. Abi's old monkey doll has become Katharine's favorite baby to hold. She will squeal "Monkey!!!" and hold it by the neck. She'll watch the movie for a little bit, then get distracted and wander off to wherever I am. She has been doing a good job as the toddler responsible for taking the ornaments off of the tree (that are within two feet height). And she's added to that by pulling the string of lights off of the tree, and then putting them in her mouth.

I told her no, she turned and smiled. Let's not get electrocuted. But you are a very smart girl for putting the tree lights together with that part of the movie (when George eats the fireflies.) She's such a smartie pants. Yesterday she had her 18 month well visit. She was curious curious at the visit. She was pushing buttons and exploring everything within her reach during our 15 minute wait in the exam room.

Peeking in the garbage. Trying to get the safety lock off of the cupboard there.

She pulled the tape off of the poster on the door. She is just so curious just like George! and so busy! She is super smart. 

Yesterday she opened a mouthwash bottle that had a safety cap! She is able to take off any lid, so I've moved all vitamin pills, soaps, shampoos, etc in our bathroom, that used to be within toddler reach, and they are higher now. She opened a Costco container of Glide Floss the other day and strung out all 6 of the flosses, not all the way, but enough that Corey and I have a pile of unwound floss that we'll be working through for a while. Add that to our unrolled toilet paper pile. Just a fun part of living with little humans. She is also very good at getting into Abi's makeup, which Abi is learning to put out of toddler reach. Katharine used up all of Abi's favorite concealer. Katharine imitating Abi by curling her eyelashes, ha. 

I mentioned how busy she was at the service concert this past week - She is smart on curious and busy busy. Also something that totally made me throw back my head and laugh on Wednesday morning, I was taking a cold shower (have this whole year - usually a straight to cold shower for 2 minutes and 30 seconds!) and I usually turn on a fast song to help me get through it, so I'm in the shower then I hear the door thud from being thrown open. Katharine is sitting there looking at me, and then starts bouncing to the music. So funny! She was standing right in the door frame, I wanted to capture the moment though, so I got back in the glass shower and told her to go over to the door, but she came to me, but it was funny to see her there, standing in curiosity at the music, then bouncing along to the rhythm. She is a delight. And with George ever faithful by her side.

Or she also had this little baby that I got recently for her. 

None of our other baby dolls have made it, and they don't have that brand at Walmart anymore - but this little one is a good size and she's taken to it, so we'll call it good. I was squatting down to get a picture of her, and she imitated me. Cute little thing.

Yesterday she had Corey's phone and sent a few emoji's. I liked the follow up laugh emoji after my comment.

That was followed by a few Gifs of people excited about it being Friday eve. 

So this past week has been busy. Tonight I took Abi and Lily to GMS for their Friday evening class (don't love the day or time of this class...) and then they rode the bus home, Corey and I drove Sophi to a friend Christmas party at 6 and then went out on a date to Bandits. Natalie was in charge at home, since AL&S were all gone, and Wes was doing homework over at Wayne's house. Wes is going to pick up Sophi at 10 after her party is over. Joseph had an interview with the U of U medical school this morning. Joseph and I were both fasting, and he said it went really really well, like better than he had hoped. So he is anticipating that he will get in, but also knows that if he doesn't he did everything he could and it went as well as possible - he "left it all on the field" so to speak. The U is his number one choice, good luck Joseph. And a few other things from yesterday - Katharine had her well visit at 10:30, then it was home until Sophi and Lily got home, at which time I hurried over to the church because I signed up for kitchen help at a funeral. I came home with lots of leftovers, which is one of the perks of helping out at funerals. It was a loaves and fishes event - there were so many people there (lots of Tongan family) so we were a bit worried the meals the Relief Society provided would run out, but they brought a lot of their own food - a bit pork feast and desserts. I was able to take home leftover desserts which I then used as my treat contribution for a Relief Society cookie exchange last night. I was going to make cocoa quickies and add some red and green sprinkles on them, but instead I added the sprinkles to some banana cream bars with fluffy white frosting that they had at the funeral. Looked festive, and saved me the time of making more treats. My kids loved the treats last night - they finished off brownies and the banana bars, and then this morning I let them have at the large spread of cookies I brought home last night. I talked with my butterfly friend Terry, most of the time at the cookie exchange. She has been in Texas the past 7 weeks. She came by after the cookie exchange with some gifts that she brought from Texas for Wesley. She told him about the HEB grocery store, Texas' version of Kroger/Smiths. She brought a Texas flag for our collection. She got him a Texas jacket pin, some cotton from the cotton fields of Lubbock, some longhorn socks, and other thoughtful things! She and her dog Leo went by and took a photo by the Lubbock county line and the Lubbock temple for Wes. 

Terry has been in Texas helping her parents by getting their home ready for sale and she was going to do an estate sale too, but then had a miracle of a lady coming by after noticing he storage pod in the driveway. This lady said she was recently divorced and looking to buy a home, and she bought the home as is AND everything in it! It was a miracle for Terry, but it was still a ton of work for her. Terry's advice to parents: do Swedish death cleaning while you have the health, don't make your kids do it after you get sick or die. Her parents are both here - her mom had an outpatient surgery that was supposed to be an in and out thing, but instead turned into 2 weeks in the hospital, and her dad had a stroke from the stress of that. Luckily they were here in Utah, but they had been planning to go back to Texas to take care of things, but instead Terry had to do it. ANYWAY - the take away - clean up after yourself. No one will be able to take care of your things and the stuff that you've been holding on to cause it's important to you, BETTER THAN YOU WILL. So do it now. So I'm writing that down as a note to self to continue to work through and get rid of stuff. I'm not sure that is a note I can pass on to my parents. Wayne is going good at working alone now, trying to sort his way through years of memories and gathered items. I checked out a book several weeks ago, that I didn't read, but it wasn't renewed because someone else put it on hold, but I did look through it on my way back from Katharine's dr. appointment - just real quick in the library parking lot as P&K watched a movie in the car - it's called the 7 minute solution by Allyson Lewis, and I did like her idea of Prioritize, Organize, SIMPLIFY!! Simplify is a thing that has been on my mind this whole year. Which is one of the reasons why we will most likely be having a very simple Christmas this year. (Like more simple than our 2019 Christmas! - minus the ugly and depressing wrapping job). Boys Christmas coloring pages tonight. Simple things. Keep it simple.

I still have a lot to do, so I'll probably continue with the goal of Reducing and simplifying in 2024. 

Angel Tree & Service Concert

At Thanksgiving last week, Corey's dad Wayne told us that he'd like for all of us to do an Angel tree together. He went to pick out tickets for what items were needed, and then he arranged to take his grandkids out to buy the items. Tonight it was our kids turn to finish getting the gifts. 

They went to deliver the gifts, and now we're done! Wayne sent us this text that I loved: 

"All of our Angel tree shopping for the year is done. The gifts have been delivered to the Cyprus Credit Union.  We arrived there shortly after they closed and had to knock on the door to get someone to open the door in order to deliver the gifts.  We were asked for an estimated value for each of the 4 bags we dropped off and where things were purchased.  My guess is that together we donated between $300 and $350.  I told Corey's kids that we all have a lot of stuff and we all do not need more stuff, so instead of going out and buying still more stuff, with the families help we would donate most of what i would spend for stuff for the grandkids to a charity to help some kids who did not have much stuff.”

Yes, yes, and hallelujah yes! We DO have a lot of stuff! And yes, WE DO NOT NEED MORE STUFF!! Let someone else have it, and if that can count for us not getting it, hallelujah. Corey and I have not started shopping or doing all the run around of buying things that tends to go along with the Christmas holiday. But I also don't want to and don't plan to. But... we haven't figured out officially what we ARE going to do as gifts, so hmm... thus this text from Wayne was a great start. After reading it, I texted the college kids: "I think we could have similar approach to gifts? We have so many legos downstairs, it could be fun (yet I know it would be challenging) to try and re-build some of the sets we have to give to the little kids?" They agreed that that is a good idea, so I'm really hopeful that none of them feel the need to buy us stuff, they are all poor college kids anyway - I'll take a coupon book for them cooking or cleaning over the break when they are here at home - just help us contain the mess we already have, please don't feel the need to add to it! Wayne sent a few other pics of the kids - Natalie posing at Walmart. She could be a future model! She just needs to not smile... look more bored, Natalie.

Dropping off the gifts at the credit union.

Good job kids. I hope we are able to give to others who truly are in need, rather than get more things for ourselves. I do need to get Daniel some Sunday shoes though. He's been wearing black water shoes for a few months, doh.

We also did some other service today - I left at noon to check Sophi out of school, then to the elementary school to get Natalie and Owen, then we drove to Jordan Valley School - a school for special needs kids, and they did two Christmas performances for the students there.

Of course Peter and Katharine tagged along with us. Trumpets on the left, violin choir on the right. It was similar to the concert they did on Sunday, only not as long. For this one, the last song they did was Joy to the World.

Owen, as a beginning trumpet student, only had two songs he did - Pat a Pan, and Jingle Bells. 

Peter was excited to be able to shake some bells during most of the songs!

Katharine was pretty good. I brought fruit snacks which got us through the first performance. She tried to steal the pianists water bottle. We spent most of the second performance out in the hall, where she was hanging on the railing, playing with the water fountain, hitting the glass windows, running up and down the hallway, and licking the walls. Nice. 

Lucky is still hanging in there. I gave him some sunshine time today. He seems to really like that. I hope it's not torturing him though - to see the sun and probably feel an instinct to fly toward it, but to not be able to. 

Homemaker Challenge

Went on an afternoon walk yesterday (Abi was home sick). Took my own sweet time and was out for 1 hour 38 minutes, 4.61 miles. 

I even did the last 45 minutes barefoot. There was a little bit of snow on the ground, but it was a slightly warmer day and I thought it would be fun to walk up the steep sandy hill barefoot, and it was fun! I was "grounding" haha. 

I was listening to a podcast that Nancy forwarded on grief by Anderson Cooper. It was pretty good, adn just made me so grateful for the gospel and for our beliefs for the next life. Nicole and I had a good talk yesterday. At a funeral once, she heard a daughter talk about her mother and say that she was a "domestic goddess" and Nicole felt "Yes! That's what I want to be!" That is a little loftier than the goals I have for myself. I think being a domestic goddess would entail amazing dinners and making my own bread, and I don't desire that, so I think I'd be content with just being a happy homemaker. I want to know how to keep a home simple and streamlined. I'd like my home to be a refuge from the world, and that everyone could feel relief when they walk in. And that might be a bit out of reach with toddlers underfoot, but that is more my goal. Anyway, we both definitely want to simplify and take control of our homes and lives. And that means taking control of and teaching ourselves first. Nicole want to reward herself for doing so, and I think that sounds fun. We don't know what the reward will be yet. Would be cool if it's something big, like taking a trip somewhere together, or even taking turns flying out to see the other. But with my Strava workouts, I usually felt accomplished just by earning medal emojis, so maybe someday in the future, we can create an app, ha. But even without knowing the final reward, we're working on the tasks we need to accomplish to receive the reward. Back when we were missionaries together in the ATM (Arizona Tempe Mission), there was a little thing called the President's Challenge, given to us by our mission president. There were certain things that we were challenged to memorize, learn and do. There were three levels: Bronze was the beginner level for greenies, Silver to keep us busy for the next year, and the Gold level for the home stretch. And then there was the Second Mile challenge. I didn't get that one. One of the requirements for that, among many others, was to read the whole Old Testament. I didn't get that done until 2015. Better late than never! 

Anyway, one of the good yet very challenging things about the presidents challenge was that when you moved on to the next level, you had to go re-pass off everything in the past levels! You had to keep doing all the first level stuff! Ugh! It was hard when trying to recite memorized scripture passages. But that's the type of thing that I know I need to do in my homes. Nicole and I think it's mostly about developing the habits. So we're thinking there are Daily chores, and that could be Bronze, like: make our beds, shine the sink, do laundry, sweep kitchen and a basic vacuum. Silver would be doing all that Bronze stuff again, plus some weekly stuff: vacuum the stairs, windows, walls, and mirrors, toilets, stuff like that. Gold might be monthly or yearly tasks. And we get a reward as we keep on top of it. 

So with that goal fresh on my mind, yesterday the stairs got vacuumed, one toilet was cleaned, and the sink was shining when I went to bed!

It's clean again tonight. Lily helped wash the dishes yesterday and Sophi did it tonight, and I did the final touches of shining after I washed the straggler dishes that got thrown in after we were done. I do NOT have a system for my home, esp for getting my kids to help, but would like one. To succeed I really do need to get my kids to help. They have not consistently helped with anything around here, except Abi with making Monday dinners, so even though the main goal is for ME to teach ME how to keep a home, I also want to get the kids to help and maybe inspire them to join in this vision for a house of order. Front room last night - vacuumed and tidied up. I sent the sink and this pic to Nicole with a proud emoji for myself. Go me.

And it was also funny that Nicole and I had talked about this yesterday, cause last night at scriptures, Corey shared this meme. Ha!

Watch out messy house, cause I'm not just going to stare anymore. I'm coming for you! I didn't do as much today as I did yesterday, cause I had to go pick up Abi at Lyceum tonight, and I wasn't able to do any body-doubling cause Nicole had violin lessons for her kids, but I'm ready to work tomorrow as I talk to Nicole again and/or listen to my Laura Dixon coaching calls. 

Christmas Traditions

It's been a nice Sunday. Corey taught Adult Sunday school, I should get his presentation to link here... He always does such a good job. I taught 12 year olds, then after church we had our violin choir rehearsal. Then it was off to Wayne's for dinner and to celebrate Wayne's birthday and the other December b-days among the cousins (Mel and Seth). On the drive over, we listened to Makeba for Katharine (she likes the part that goes "oo - EE!" - it's funny. Then we listened to Baby shark a few times. K has also learned to say "Mine!" about things. , it's funny. All the BYU kids (JME) and Bella came up. After dinner was done, we cleared off the table to make ornaments for a Christmas tree that Chalane has planned for us to put on JeNeal's grave on Christmas. 

Chalane's parents are both gone, and she seems to know all the thoughtful things to do to celebrate and remember those who have passed on. I'm not that good at it yet. I'm not sure if the crafts were leftovers from JeNeal's stockpile or if Chalane brought them, but either way, there was enough for everyone to use and be creative with. 

A Charlie Brown Christmas was playing in the background. 

The kids were also busy knitting hats (Christmas spirit = making crafty gifts). Natalie stared making them after her teacher passed out yarn and looms. She's gotten Owen and Daniel into it - 

Wayne had a whole bin of yarn that he brought out and the kids got excited (even though O isn't smiling there... he might have bene frustrated with his efforts). 

Owen and Daniel got in on the action. We all had dinner and hung out until I had to go take Sophi, Natalie, and Owen over to a church that is close to Wayne's, where they were having their annual Christmas Concert (other violin concerts - 2019 before it was combined with the trumpet studio, 2021, 2022). Corey didn't come, but the college kids came and paid their dues, and Joseph brought Wayne's concert gift in honor of JeNeal - cash and candy for each performer!

Owen did great. He played Jingle Bells, Pat a Pan, and Joy to the World.

Sophi giving a little smile - 

It was a big group of violinists - This was the only one I got of Natalie.

Trumpet Studio group picture.

The college kids came but left early after Owen was done. Natalie and Sophi were in it for the long haul. There were lots of violin pieces. For those who endured to the end, there were desserts. We headed home after that cause the gathering at Wayne's was done. 

Ward Christmas Party!

Tonight was our "Adults Only" ward Christmas party and dinner. Our kids should have all stayed home, but Lily and older got to come cause they were performing!

Poor Sophi and Natalie were home babysitting their younger siblings. It's ok though - we brought them peppermint ice cream after it was done.

So Corey went and set up the Bose and Microphones at the church, and then once Ethan and Joseph were here, they hurried and did a quick run through to hopefully work out the kinks - 

I think they were a little nervous about how it would turn out, and they will probably cringe when they head the recording, but it turned out great, atleast they sounded great to my inexperienced ears. 

So after we ate, ugh I can't remember who else played, but there were a few, but we definitely had the most and took up the majority of the performing time. Hope it didn't seem like we were showing off! Corey was asked to have the kids play, and this was what they came up with. Mel and Abi playing Claude Bolling's Black Folks

Mel had two friends from BYU come play with her - the drummer works with her at the Sky Room and I think the pianist's wife was Mel's roommate last year? They did great, and got a free dinner for their time. This song was amazing!

Melodie transcribed that song, because the music is out of print because of it's non-politically correct title. Then Mel Abi and Lily did Sugarplum Fairy.

It was very nice and Christmas-y.

Ethan played "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" which I didn't take a video of, cause his girlfriend Belle did. You sounded good Eth!

And then for the Wride finale, Corey put together this diddy of We wish you a Merry Christmas, which tried to build several times by taking it up a half key, and then they stopped to play Cruisin' for a Bluesin' in the middle. Pretty fun.

That is a song Corey played with the Skyline Jazz Band back in the day, so he thought it was fun, and I agree it was. 

Corey put a lot of time into arranging the music and practicing and getting the Baritone and our Soprano fixed and stuff. I think it was a success. Good job crew! We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Climbing Again!

Hello hello! I'm having a good day, having good thoughts and feeling good. Day started off great with taking carpool and then going climbing with Wes! Which I've been wanting to do since we stopped in April. Biking is over, we were able to use the gym up at Park City last week, and Corey said he needs a place to go exercise so he signed us up for a family pass at Momentum on Monday. He went during the day and I left at 10pm after putting Kat to bed. I was so excited driving there, I was like giddy. Couldn't do too much, but it was great to be back. I did a total of 20 on Monday - Sent 8 V0s, sent 5 V1s, 4 other V1 attempts, and 3 V2 attempts. My hands were done after that, didn't go Tues so they could recover, then went Wednesday at 3 after Lily got home from school. Wednesday I did 17: 8 V0 sends, 6 V1 sends, and 3 V2 attempts. One of those V2s was a blue that I was sure I could get if my palms were fresh, so we did it as our 3rd climb this morning. It was great to be there with Wes. He's my climbing coach. And with his help and encouragement I sent four V2s, yahoo! The first one was a Yellow one on the south boulder. Wes said Corey did it in two attempts (they went yesterday), so I had to do it. I was able to do it first try, nice! Then next was the Blue V2 from Wednesday. It has nice jug holds, and I was able to do that first try today, woo! Then there was a purple V2 right next to that one that I did next, was feeling pretty good after all those. Then I did some V1s and V0s, ended with a V2 on the north side of the nourth boulder. I tried but was too shaky, Wes did it, told me I had to, and then I shook out my arms and went fast and was able to do it. There's a purple and black in the OG sector that I'm going to try first time next time when I'm fresh. I love climbing! Wes showing off in the OG sector, hanging upside down! 

Both of us kept saying our hands were done, but then we'd try one more. This was a black V3 Wes did as we walked to our shoe cubby. 

Total today was 22: 1 V3 attempt, 4 V2 sends, 6 V2 attempts, 6 V1 sends, and 5 V0 sends. Climbing is super fun. Did you know that the different colored bouldering routes are called "problems"? We love overcoming problems! It's fun and interesting and I know that when I come back next time, I'll be stronger and will be able to do more than I did last time. That's a good feeling.

After that great morning it was a more than usual full day. Sophi stayed home not feeling well, she stayed with Peter when I went to go help the boys who rode their bikes cross the road. It was snowing after school, and I wasn't sure if they'd like biking in the snow, so I drove to school. Luckily we were able to fit all four bikes in the back of the van and I gave them all a ride home. I have been very worried about driving the van in the snow, cause it needs new tires big time, but we have kept putting it off for the budget's sake. but since winter is fully upon us, there is no more avoiding it and I ordered them today. I was glad the snow was only there for a little bit when I was driving close to home. The roads were good when I took NODP to a primary activity at 4. I went back to get Sophi Natalie and Owen at 4:30 cause we had to leave that early for a rehearsal. They have a Christmas concert on Sunday evening. While I was doing that, Corey took Abi down to Provo to practice a musical number with Mel and two guys who are going to play with them tomorrow evening for the ward Christmas party. And Lily stayed home with Katharine. Daniel and Peter got a ride home with a neighbor, and then stayed at their house to play (they have friends the same age, Millie and Lucy). It was nice to not have to wrestle K at the rehearsal. I read a book while I waited. We were all back home at 6:30, then Corey and I went out to Augergine first (to get some dessert, I'd been looking forward to Brownie Layers all day) and then we went to eat at India House, cause Corey needs variety... we can't do Aubergine every week! It's busy busy. Corey was on the phone for a few hours today with Hyrum, who I think is seeking dating advice from Corey, but isn't thrilled about taking it. Joseph, Melodie, and Ethan and Bella will all be up here tomorrow night for the ward Christmas party. I'm excited to hear them perform!