The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!

That title is one of my favorite quotes from the movie Elf! And it's SO true! I think Christmas music is magical and I love that there's new songs and different arrangements each year that I hear and love!

The week of December 15th this year was a big one for Brianne! FIVE musical performances! She was to perform on Wednesday night and was also the person to introduce the songs on the microphone since she is the President of her choir class. So wouldn't you know it that on the Tuesday before the performance she called me from school to tell me she had a horrible sore throat!

She was very worried that her throat being so awful was going to affect her performance. So I went and picked her up and took her to the doctor. And as I suspected it was just a virus, so off we went to get cough drops and tea! On Tuesday night we also took her over to the church and had her Dad and the bishopric give her a blessing. She knew she had a lot of performances and didn't want to disappoint!

 On Wednesday she was still having a rough time, throat was hurting and cough was still there. But like the true performer she is, she just kept drinking tea, sucking on cough drops and praying all would work out! And her sweet choir teacher even helped by letting her sip her tea right up until they had to walk out AND he gave her a cough drop to suck on during the performance!

 Chan's parent's and Grandparents all came to watch her choir performance! It was fun to have them there to watch with us! It wasn't a long concert- only 3 songs!

 Brianne did an amazing job introducing the songs and they jumped right in. The choir she is in is the Concert Choir. They are a large group! I couldn't get them ALL into one picture! And they sounded amazing!

We were all very impressed with their sound! The songs were difficult and they were beautiful! I could hear Brianne singing- she has such a strong voice- and it made the alto's sound even more amazing! I was thrilled she was able to sing okay! But during the assemblies the next morning she wasn't as successful! Her throat was worse and she was hurting. She told me that during those she just mouthed the words! I took her home right after and told her to rest and take care of herself! She still had 2 more performances to go!

On Saturday it was her voice recital. She has been practicing her song with her voice teacher for over 2 months and every time I would go to her lessons to hear it I was amazed and so excited for her to sing it. She was very anxious about this performance! On Saturday she still wasn't 100% and the cough was bad. But again.... like before.... she got up to perform!

 She sang Billy Joel's "Lullabye Goodnight My Angel" and did SO GREAT!! I was SO proud of her! I knew how hard that was and how worried she was and she nailed it!

 One of her BFF's Halle came with us to hear her sing! I am so glad she was there! They have been friends since they were babies! :)

Her voice teacher Rebecca and Brianne! She has been such a wonderful teacher to Brianne! She has learned so much and grown so much in her singing abilities since she started with her! I am grateful that we found her!

After this performance there was only one more... our Ward choir performance for our Sunday Christmas service the next day. We were BOTH singing in that one, but only choir numbers, no solos etc. Brianne had to excuse herself for a moment during the first song when it was men only because she started to cough. I really thought she may not come back! But thankfully she did! She got right back up there and sang beautifully the last 3 songs! She is a rock star! I am so grateful for her talent and the sweetness it brings to our home! I love hearing her singing from her room or near the piano! It makes my heart happy!

Merry Christmas everyone! Go out and sing a Christmas hymn and spread some Christmas cheer!

Unexpected changes

After I put in my notice that I was no longer going to be the football booster president we already thought changes were coming. We were looking forward to having more family time, having less stress etc. About two weeks after this decision was made on a Sunday morning we received a call from the Stake Presidency asking to meet with Chan and I. Oh boy..... Chan has been serving in the Bishopric for over 3 years and I have been in Young Women's organization for about that same time. We immediately started to guess what it may be about, but as these things go, it is impossible to guess. Later that afternoon we found ourselves in their office and a call being extended to Chan to be the 1st Counselor in the new Elders Quorum Presidency. Wow... This was a total surprise. I share this experience because I am a firm believer in all things happen for a reason. When you look back at the sequence of events over the past few weeks you can almost SEE why things happened.

1.) Things with the football boosters went south financially which made me re-evaluate my position there that I had originally agreed to 2 years.
2.) I resigned my position and found out that coach was leaving as well- saving me much stress.
3.) Only a few weeks later we find out that Chan now has this new calling- and suddenly it all falls into place.

The Lord was preparing a way for him to serve in this capacity. It's amazing to me! Chan accepted the call and was set apart today. We are truly blessed and know that the Lord is looking out for us! Now just pray for us that we'll do well at what is asked of us!

Missionary Christmas Card

Last Saturday I was thrilled to get this card in the mail! Please excuse the bad photo of it I took with my phone! I have no idea if this was Carter's doing, his companion or the Mission President, but it SOOOO made my Christmas! I just love this Missionary of mine! How blessed we are!

Varsity Football Banquet

A few weeks before Thanksgiving a bit of drama happened in my football booster life. I got a call from Coach that our football fund was empty, actually well beyond empty. It was horrifying and I didn't want the last few items of the season, that had already been planned, to be cancelled. After many phone calls, texts and emails with administrators we found out we could continue. But those two weeks where things were up in the air it was really hard on me. I was beyond stressed! (I won't go into details or we'd be here a very long time!) After a lot of chats with Chan we decided that I would step down after this year was complete. I already had a meeting planned with Coach and I was going to let him know then. That following Monday I had that meeting and was shocked to discover that he had resigned as head coach. It made MY decision an even better one! I could NOT imagine having to go through this year all over again AND add into it a new coaching staff! NO WAY! I let him know that I would finish out the season and that from there they would need to find someone else. I also notified the Principal at Alta, Brian McGill, whom I REALLY like and he was sad but totally understood.

On December 8th we had the banquet at The Gathering Place at Gardner Village. It was wonderful! The check in area went perfectly, the food was great, the gifts were ready and beautiful, the DVD played and was done very well and the program went without a hitch. Coach acknowledged me and Chan for all the work we had put in, which was nice. But the best part of the night was seeing the boys with smiling faces! They had a great night and that is what I wanted!

The best part of the night was that Will received his first Varsity Letter award! I was so proud of him! He got it as a Sophomore which is awesome!

 You'll have to excuse his goofy look! But this kid is PUMPED! He came right home and put it in the frame on the wall in the basement! And he is VERY excited to go and get a letterman's jacket! Chan and I told him it might be a good early birthday present! :)

 I had to get a couple photos of him with coaches- this is Coach Woods. Will loves him! He was his Sophomore head coach last year, but this year he was the varsity defensive coach. He is a great man and has taught Will a lot.

This is Coach Schuck who was his Sophomore Head coach this year. He has coached at Alta for years and was the line coach with Carter. He is also a great man and taught Will a lot this year. I am thrilled for Will and the season he had this year. I am even more excited to see how he performs next season!

As for me, the day after the banquet I finished out my records etc and am DONE. I will always be a part of Alta Football! You can't keep me away! But I am thrilled to NOT be in charge anymore! I am looking forward to a whole new season next year! New coaches, new program and hopefully a kick butt season! Go hawks!!

Ward Christmas Party

I am kicking myself that I didn't think to snap some pictures the night of the Ward Party, but I think I was distracted. Brianne and I had been asked to sing a duet of "Mary Did You Know" and she and I were both a bit nervous. We had only practiced the song a few times, once with our pianist, before we were to perform. I knew we would be fine, but I just wanted to get up there!

Our Ward always does lovely parties. This year it was a nice meal of ham, potatoes and salads with lots of different cookies for dessert. ( The ward had sign ups for everything except the meat) There was a small program of church videos and a few ward members that sang Christmas songs. Brianne and I were the first performers and I felt we did really good! I have wanted to sing a duet with Brianne for a while and I was thrilled to do a Christmas song. Once the program was done it was nice to just visit with friends and head home.

Carter also sang at HIS Ward Christmas party! He tells me that he even harmonized and everything! I wish I could have heard it! He said it was awesome! I did however get this picture below from one of his Ward members! I have been so blessed and have had many pictures sent to me by the thoughtful Ward members!

In all his pictures he is smiling and seems so happy! Every picture makes me smile and also brings me a sense of peace that he is okay! What a great way to ring in the new holiday season! :)

Festival of Tree's 2014

 Last year for Christmas Chan's sisters came up with the idea of doing family activities together as gifts, so I wanted to continue the tradition this year! We invited all his family to attend the Festival of Tree's!

 We found a date that worked for everyone and met up one night after work. I had prepared little scavenger hunt card for the little kids and decided I would pair them up with the big kids to help them. Then I went out and purchased a few little gift bags to give them as prizes. I was super excited!

 It had been years since most of his family had been to the festival and my kids really hadn't been either! So off we went to go up and down the isles and see all the beautiful trees!

 I am always amazed at the creativity of the people who do these trees! And it's for such a good cause too! All of the money earned from selling the trees and the tickets goes to Primary Children's Medical Center. Another wonderful reason to go!!

 It was fun to see the kids reactions to the many different trees. One of the most popular themes this year was the movie Frozen. Chan found one that was covered in the Hallmark Star Trek ornaments! I think it had ALL of them that were ever made! It was awesome! But there was row after row of Christmas trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses and more!

In the end the kids got their little prizes and everyone went away happy! This may turn into a new tradition year after year! At least I for one hope so!

Missionary Christmas box

 One of the fun things about having a missionary out is putting together care packages. But for Christmas it was a bit tougher since the mission home put a timeline on when they had to arrive. They sent a letter with instructions etc and asked that everything arrive by December 8th! YIKES!! I immediately sent out an email to family so that they would know the instructions and then I got busy!!

I found some fun ideas on Pinterest and came up with a few on my own. I also bought his packages and wrapped them along with his stocking stuffers. It was fun to put it together and I am SOOO excited for him to get it! Fingers crossed that he loves it all!

My family sent things, Chan's family sent things so I KNOW that he will have a great day! AND we get to Skype that day! Woo Hoo!! Can't wait!!

The picture on top was from Chan's parents box that they put together and the one below is mine :)

Thanksgiving 2014

 Thanksgiving this year was spent at home and with extended family at Chan's parents home. We were able to stay at home most of the morning and enjoy the Thanksgiving Day parade, followed by some Lego building (the train for the Christmas tree) and just enjoying time together.

 This year we were asked to bring the rolls and the cranberry salad which is EASY! I say that mostly because Chan makes it! Haha! But this year it was a little tougher on him because he actually broke his pinky toe! It made it very painful to stand since his foot was all swollen etc, but he managed to get it all made :) And I DID help too! Haha!

 Later that afternoon we headed up to his parents home where we all sat and ate our lovely meal with them, Chan's Grandparents, his sisters and their families too.

 As in all the other years the food was amazing! There are definitely some talented cooks in his family!

 It's always nice to chat with the family and catch up on things!

 After dinner I asked Dakota to take a picture of our family so I could send it to Carter as a Christmas gift. Before we snapped that picture he HAD to take a few selfies and some other silly pictures! This one is one of my favorites!

 Here's the one I sent Carter! I thought it turned out pretty well! Nice job Dakota! After dinner we also got a call from a family that Carter is teaching in Florida! I got to speak to her on the phone and she raved about Carter and what a great young man he is. She even said that if her boys grew up to be like him she would be thrilled. What a sweet compliment!

She texted us this picture of Carter at her home from their Thanksgiving dinner. That is one of her boys. It was their second dinner that day! Crazy! But it was exactly what I needed that day! I had been thinking of him and hoping he was having a good day! What a wonderful gift to know that he was okay and had a great day! It was a wonderful Thanksgiving! :)

U of U Game!

 Chan's parents invited us to go to a University of Utah game! They were playing the University of Arizona and it was supposed to be a great one! Before we headed up to the game we decided to go out to brunch at one of our favorite spots- Black bear Diner.

 We filled our bellies with some yummy food and headed up the University. It was NOT a warm day and it was not a DRY one either! We came prepared with blankets and wet gear just in case!

 It wasn't long into the 1st quarter when it started pouring rain! And it rained almost the entire game! It wouldn't have been that big of a deal had our team been playing well, but unfortunately they were playing really badly! But we made the best of it and tried to continue to cheer and laugh at each other in our silly outfits trying to stay warm & dry!

In the end we lost, but going to a college football game is ALWAYS fun and I hope we'll get to go to plenty more! GOOO UTES!

Brianne's room re-do!

 After Carter left on his mission Brianne had already told him that she was going to claim his old room. She was VERY anxious to get it and to move downstairs by her brother. She loved the idea of a bigger room and to have it downstairs where they always hang out with friends.

 I took a few "before" shots of Carter's room as it was before we started to take it all down and get it ready to move.

 I have to admit I got a tad emotional over moving his things. It just seemed strange! And it made it even more real that he was going to be gone for a while.

 After snapping the photos we got busy! We took everything off the walls and painted. Brianne was not a fan of the tan color on the wall and wanted to brighten it up. We managed to clean everything out and paint the room in just one day. Then it was time to start moving everything to it's new home!

Brianne and I had talked enough about it that we knew where we would put everything. But we did go out and get a few "new" things to make it look great! 

 I was so excited that everything turned out so great! And everything fit just perfectly and she has A TON more room now than before! :)

 I am pleased that she didn't want to cover the walls with posters like she had before! This time it's much more "put together" but still has all her favorite things!

She was the most excited about this wall with the lights. Apparently it's a very popular thing to do right now- to have lights in your room :) Obviously, the Christmas tree is only there during the holidays- but the other lights are up all the time. I also found it awesome that she kept her brothers quotes and scriptures. I think that is pretty sweet!

I am thrilled with how it turned out! I painted her old room as well and brought up all of Carter's things there, but I still need to hang pictures etc and once it's done I will post about it too! :)