We were so glad to have Papa back for a visit in December! We love having him here to spend time with us and have fun doing all of our regular traditions. He flew in on December 13 and was able to stay until December 23. Here are some of the fun things we did:
On Monday, we did some shopping. We had to buy wrapping paper, of course. We took Emily and Nathaniel to lunch at Costa Vida. Papa took Andrew to the computer repair shop and came home with Crumbl cookies. While the other kids studied, Jonny and Papa watched The Grinch.
On Tuesday, we spent the morning wrapping presents. I didn't have all of the gifts and I didn't want to wrap for Nathaniel and Michael while they were home, so we saved the rest for later. In the afternoon, we went to the Angel Tree and selected two boys to buy gifts for. We also did a little shopping and found a nice jacket and pair of jeans for me for Christmas. I spent the evening helping the boys study for their math finals.
On Wednesday, we finished wrapping all the presents. It felt good to get that done! I am always grateful to have Dad here to help with that! We took Nathaniel, Emily, and Andrew to lunch at Olive Garden. The kids had more finals to study for.
Dad walks Jonny to the bus and Daniel to school in the mornings.
Thank you, Dad, for doing so much wrapping for me!!!
The kids all had early release on Wednesday and Thursday, and Thursday was the last day before Christmas break. They were all relieved to be done with finals! Except Jonny, who just had parties at school. He'll have finals next year, though! On Thursday, Dad and I baked the sugar cookies so they were all ready to decorate on Saturday.
Papa was playing Spades with Andrew and Daniel. Daniel bid first and he bid 13 because he was 60 in the hole and he had no hope unless he bid that much. Then Dad bid nil because he thought he couldn't get any. Andrew thought he had a chance so he bid 10. Dad too one, Daniel got three, and Andrew took nine, so they were all set. They all had a good laugh about it, especially Papa!
On Friday morning, Emily went to go do some service for the foster home with her friends. So, Papa and I took the boys shopping for the Angel Tree gifts. We went to Kohl's and Walmart and got everything dropped off with the Salvation Army. Then we went to lunch at Culver's.
We had just enough time to get home and get ready for our packing session at Feed My Starving Children. Because of Covid, the session was very small. I'm glad we got to go, though. They even let me say a prayer over the food we packed. We were glad that Nathaniel's girlfriend, Lacey, was able to join us.
We went to dinner at Golden Corral and then went home to relax.
On Saturday, we went to the theater to see A Christmas Carol. It was wonderful!
Then we had lunch together.
On Saturday afternoon, we decorated Christmas cookies. They all look so serious! Our decorating skills are no joke!
Take a look at these masterpieces!
It was so nice to have Lacey join us for the day!
On Sunday, we went to church. Jonathan sang with the other children in his Primary class. Emily played the flute in a beautiful musical number. In the afternoon and evening, we played games and watched some Christmas movies.
On Monday, we did our regular chores and just hung out. Dad took all the kids, except for Andrew, to the shooting range.
In the afternoon, Nathaniel and Emily took the boys to do some shopping and picked up my Walmart order. That evening, we went to Schnepf Farms. They had a wonderful Christmas event/carnival. First, we went on the train ride to see the lights.
Then we walked around. They had cookie decorating. They also had a fun mini-golf course.
The boys had fun on the massive obstacle course
Emily and Papa went on a hayride and fed the reindeer
The lights were beautiful!
I don't know why this little set was there, but it was a fun photo op
It was a fun night, but by the end we were very cold and exhausted.
On Tuesday, Dad took Nathaniel to drop off his car to get a recall repair and oil change. I helped Dad set up his new phone. We had a very nice lunch at Cheesecake Factory. We ate ourselves into a food coma and then I had a couple errands at the mall.
Then we took Nathaniel to pick up his car and went home. Michael and Andrew watched the BYU bowl game against UCF. They won 49-23. After the game, we opened presents with Papa. He has never been here this close to Christmas and I've always wanted him to open presents with the kids. It's too bad that Nana couldn't be here, but we recorded it for her. Later, we played Five Second Rule. Michael won by a landslide!
It was a wonderful visit! We miss you already, Papa!
Daniel's middle school band had a socially-distanced concert. It was only the 8th grade band, the band was spread out on the gym floor instead of cramped on the stage, the seating was at 20% capacity, and it only took about 20 minutes. It was fabulous!
I had a wonderful birthday! On Friday night, Michael took me to dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. The food was amazing, as always! They changed the menu, but we were still able to order our favorites. They even had a menu printed out with my name on it, since we told them we were celebrating my birthday. I was supposed to get a complimentary dessert and then Michael ordered one for himself. Mine was supposed to be smaller, but they made a mistake and switched them. Don't worry--I shared with him!
On Saturday, I had a pedicure and then we all went out to lunch at Cheesecake Factory. I love that place!
That evening, we had cookie cake and I opened my presents. Lacey came over to join us. She took this picture for us and she also brought me some pretty flowers. Michael bought me some perfume, a skin care kit I wanted, and a pretty red dress. The kids gave me cards and chocolates. Emily made me some cookie dough. Yum!
We had a very nice Thanksgiving at home. Michael's brother, Steve, wasn't able to make it, but his mother and sister both came and my sister, Betsy, and her family all came. Nathaniel's girlfriend, Lacey, also joined us this year. It is so great to have Nathaniel home with us!
Emily and Andrew broke the wishbone together, and Andrew won.
The boys were due for a haircut, and Emily wanted one, too. She surprised me when she said she wanted it cut short, to shoulder length. We talked about it and she was sure so I told her to go for it. Doesn't she look cute?
When Papa got back from the Grand Canyon, we had a whole week with him. It was great to have a nice, long visit!
On Wednesday, I played tennis and Dad came along. He read his book while I played. Later, we took Emily out to lunch. Daniel and Jonathan both had early release. That night, we all watched The Masked Singer.
On Thursday, we ran a lot of errands. We went to Michael's, Walmart, lunch at Caldwell County barbecue, and the T-Mobile store to look at iPhones. Then we dropped off some canned food donations at Andrew's school and finally went back home.
On Friday, I just did my normal chores. That evening, Emily, Dad, and I all watched Sabrina.
Nathaniel drove home from BYU on Saturday. We went to lunch at Olive Garden.
When we got home, everyone helped me stuff and label the Christmas cards. Emily and Dad made a key lime pie. Nathaniel made it home a little before 7pm.
We went to church on Sunday. It was so great to have Nathaniel with us! Because of his mission and Covid, we hadn't been to church with him in 2 years and 4 months!
On Monday, I did my regular chores at home. Papa had already taken Emily to lunch, so he took each of the other boys out for a meal or treat. Monday morning, he took Daniel to McDonald's for a McGriddle, which Daniel loves. For lunch, he and Nathaniel went to Panda Express. After school, we picked up Andrew and took him to Cold Stone Creamery.
On Tuesday, we did some more shopping. We went to Jared Jewelers, where Dad bought a really nice watch. We also went to Bath and Body Works and out to lunch at Panera Bread. In the afternoon, he took Jonathan to Bosa Donuts.
Tuesday evening, we went to dinner at Osaka. This was to celebrate Dad's retirement!
Dad had to go home on Wednesday, but we will see him again in two and a half weeks!
