A Book A Month 2022

Keepin' it going with my reading.

January- The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria A. Trapp

February- The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

                Running For My Life by Lopez Lomong

March- More Than A Body by Lexie and Lindsay Kite

April- Book Woman of Troublesome Creek (2nd time for hosting book club) by Kim Richardson

May- Tatianna by Elizabeth Kay, unpublished 

          The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

June- The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan

July- River by Dean Hughes

August- In the Hands of the Lord: The Life of Dallin H. Oaks by Richard E. Turley Jr

              Fly Home to Me by Chalon Linton

September- The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

October- Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

November- Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War 1 (audio) by Hazel Gaynor

December- Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

New Year's Eve Game

On New Year's Eve, our neighbors had tickets to the BYU basketball game that were gonna go unused.  So they messaged the ladies on our street to see who would like them.  The game had already started, and we were just sitting around watching tv or reading, so we jumped on them.  It was a good night to be spontaneous even though the weather was getting crappy.  We threw our shoes on and made it to the game minutes before half time.  They were such good seats!  And it was an extra bonus that BYU beat Oregon.  Go Cougs! 

Viva Las Vegas

Two days after Christmas we drove down to Las Vegas to visit with Josh and Megan.  The other reason for our visit is that Matt had been wanting to stay at El Cortez and play black jack at their casino.  Emma stayed with J&M at night.  Our room in the old part of El Cortez was renovated, but it was so small with really low ceilings and a window that had glass you can't see through.  I felt claustrophobic and didn't want to stay.  But I made it through one night, and we decided to move over to the Circa for the second night.  That was so much better.  Really nice room with a floor to ceiling window and an awesome shower.  

The day before our visit, Josh asked us if we wanted to go on a helicopter tour that flies over the Las Vegas Strip at night.  He was going to be working the night that we were driving into town, and he said he could get us a good deal.  We drove straight to Maverick Helicopter and met Megan there.  Her pregnant belly is growing.  We just found out that the babies are both girls!  It was so fun to see Josh at his workplace and see him in action.  There was room in the front seats for Josh and three passengers.  I sat in the back by myself but had a really great view out the left side of the helicopter right behind Josh.  The city looks so cool all lit up at night.  But the coolest thing was just watching Josh fly and do his thing.  I'm so proud of him and the skills he has developed.  

While in Vegas, we all went to see the new Avatar movie.  We made homemade corn tortillas and had chicken tacos back at Josh's house.  We played a fun game together at night.  The last day, Emma, Megan and I went shopping for maternity clothes while Josh and Matt went golfing.  Then we went to Shang Artisan Noodles for a late lunch.  So yummy!  Josh and Megan really love it, and we've been wanting to try authentic ramen anyway.  It's fun to go to new restaurants and be a little adventurous with eating.  

Our Christmas 2022

Early in the month, Matt took Emma and I to see A Christmas Carol at Hale Center Theater.  This was Emma's first time seeing it.  We all loved it!  We sat on the front row which was fun.  

I knew Emma wished for a 12 Days of Christmas which I stopped doing a few years ago.  But I decided at the last minute to throw one together for her.  It certainly wasn't the best one I've ever done, but it was a joy for me to do it.  The theme was Simply Jesus.  Each day tied into Jesus just as it all should.  Here are a few pictures of some of the things I gave or things we did together.  

The 12 Days ended with a Christmas Eve Shepherd's Dinner.  We've never done that before, but I think we will try to keep it as a new tradition. Christmas Day was lovely.  Opening presents, eating waffles, and then going to church for a wonderful sacrament meeting.  That evening the three of us had a traditional ham dinner.  Matt and I loved having Emma back home with us for our Christmas celebrations this year.  

Eastman Christmas Gatherings

Early in December we gathered at Matt's parents' home to decorate their Christmas tree with all the ornaments we have all given them through the years.  We ate appetizers and had good conversation afterwards.  Not everyone could come, but we had a nice time with those that were able.  This is the only pic I took that evening after some people had already left.

Then just before Christmas we had a fun Christmas fiesta at Hebe's and Carley's house.  Marisol made pozole and Carley provided tamales and churros.  Jed brought chips and queso.  Matt and I made horchata.  We played Left-Right-Center (with a pot worth $45) and Bingo (with gift card prizes).  It was a lot of fun.  The little cousins all got matching pajamas.  Cute kiddos.  

Wright Family Grinch Party

This year I volunteered to host our annual Wright family Christmas party at our house.  I decided to have a Grinch theme.  Hobby Lobby had a lot of great Grinch decor on sale, so I bought a bunch of that.  I figured I could use it in the future for Grandpa's Grinch Nights that Matt will host for the grandkids.  When people were arriving, I had them figure out their "Grinch name" using a code I got off of Etsy and writing it on a name tag.  It was a silly thing, but everyone seemed to love it.  We had a yummy lunch with foods that had Grinch themed names.   Then we went to the basement and played a fun game of pass the presents.  I had asked everyone to bring any food item that they wanted.  It could be yummy and a favorite of theirs.  Or it could be funny or weird or gross.  Whatever.  We passed the wrapped food gifts to the left or right when the words Grinch or Who (and all of their derivations) were read.  Emma read us the classic Grinch story from our favorite book.  Everyone had a great time, and we had some really good laughs.  The party was topped off with a visit from Jultomten who came bearing treats for all.  

Snowshoe Date

Matt and I went up to Sundance Nordic Center and had a super fun time.  We had never snowshoed up there before.  Their trail system is great.  We went the day after it opened for the season as well as the day after a good snow.  We will definitely be going there again.