December

 I turned the big 5-0 this month.  Big whoop-di-doo-da.  I got some nice presents from Matt and friends.  My most favorite was that Josh interviewed for a new job on my birthday, and he got the offer right then!  He will be flying for Maverik Helicopters in Las Vegas doing tours to the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas.  I'm so happy that he and Megan will be so much closer to us.  And I'm super grateful he got the job he wanted for his next flying adventure.  

We put up our Christmas tree and other decorations to start off our month of celebration. Getting some snow in early December set the mood nicely.  

My new addition to my Christmas book collection.  Who doesn't love Charlie Brown?

I attended The Wright Family Christmas party held at Jeff's and Jody's Park City house this year on a Saturday afternoon.  Matt had to work, so he missed Jultomten.

Intermountain Health gave their employees tickets to Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point.  We went on the evening right after our big snowstorm, so the trees looked like they had white frosting on them.  It was a winter wonderland!

We went to a Jazz game with some family.  And then the next night, we met some of them again for sushi.

Matt and I made a gingerbread house together. This year we used graham crackers, hot glue, and store bought frosting in a can. Matt burned his fingers, so maybe next year, we will get back to using royal icing. 

Christmas Eve was spent at my parents' house with everyone except Lori's and Erik's families.  We had a yummy traditional ham dinner mostly made by my wonderful mom, and then my dad talked to us about the Christmas story and events surrounding it.  It's always super special to hear my dad teach from his heart. 

We had a quiet Christmas morning again this year.  Next year we will have Emma home! We got to have a zoom call with her and Josh and Megan.  Chelsea and Spencer were traveling that day to Rexburg for his grandma's funeral. It was a fun hour of sharing our gifts, laughing, and finding out what everyone is doing.

Then we went to Hebe's and Carley's house for a bbq dinner and a fun gift exchange game.

Here are a few of Emma's Christmas. She and her companion decided to give their little Christmas tree to a family who didn't have one, so they used the shipping box I sent her for a make-shift tree to put their presents under.  So sweet! All of her Christmas festivities led her to get Covid again. Not a good gift.

  

Cancun Getaway

 Last May, we started planning a trip with our friends, Shane and Kris Bell and Joel and Natalie Hammer.  The Bells like to go to an all inclusive resort, The Grand at Moon Palace in Cancun, so we all met there for a fun week in Mexico. The weather was warm but often cloudy and more rain than we would have wanted.  But the rain didn't ruin any of our excursions except for the ten minute downpour as soon as Matt and I got to Chichen Itza.  No sunburns, traveler's tummy, injuries, or other mishaps on this trip.  We had a great time eating, drinking virgin mojitos and other yummy mocktails, getting pampered at the spa, sitting by the pools, talking and laughing hard with our best buddies, going to new places and having little adventures together. Flying first class was awesome.  Swimming, snorkeling, zip lining and jumping into four different types of cenotes was a highlight. Sailing on a catamaran to Isla Mujeres was a blast. Golf for the guys and a favorite things exchange for the girls was fun. Experiencing a little bit of Mayan culture and regional food was great. Our couples massage was incredible. We will definitely do that again sooner than later. Here are just a handful of photos from our week.