Christmas Break Roundup Part #1

Hi Michael!

I'm so sorry I missed the last couple of weeks writing to you. I think the days all blurred together! You probably don’t need a whole travelog, but I’ll share the highlights of the last two weeks, and I'll probably break it into two emails so I can send pictures.

1. Ethan had his post-op appointment with Dr. Tyson, and everything is looking good. He started physical therapy and is able to relax his brace to allow for additional movement. He looks kind of hilarious on Sunday because he’s wearing extra baggy pants to fit over his huge leg brace. Hopefully the next few months will go quickly for him.

2. Jett’s been playing indoor soccer and mostly plays goalie. He prefers playing outdoors, but that’s not an option right now.

3. Your dad was called as the Elder’s quorum president again. No rest for the weary! And I’m back in primary. Not surprising.

4. Ty took an EPIC ski trip to Sun Valley with his friends. I think they got 5 days at Sun Valley included with their ski passes. So they rented an Air BnB and spent the week skiing, eating, and watching ski videos. I’ll try to remember the friends he went with…they all look alike! Mason, Ashton, Brock, Braden, Caleb x2, & Owen.

5. This year for the first time we had the Reed family Christmas party at a church instead of at Great Nana’s house. And the party was the day before Christmas Eve. I thought it was so great. We had plenty of space to spread out a bit. Mindy decorated everything and we had a nice meal. They organized games for the kids in different rooms. Tate got to do a fun cupcake walk and got to go fishing for prizes. The older kids played live hungry hippos, and it was hilarious. Dad’s cousin Tyson brought his fiancé to the party and we got to meet her. I think they will be married in the spring.

6. Christmas Eve was busy! We cleaned and ran around presents to the kids’ friends, and tried to start on the wrapping. I worked a lot on my clue hunt. That night we ate dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s house and then we came home and played Quacks until late. It was almost midnight when we finished the game and the kids went to bed—after they had an arm-wrestling contest and made themselves dinner #2. It was going to be a late night.

7. Dad and I were up all night. I don’t think we’ve ever done that before. The clue hunt just got away from me. I’m not really sure why I decided to do it this year. I got started on it late, and finishing it all up just took way longer than I anticipated. But it was so fun and I’m glad I did it. We finished everything just before 6 am or so. I was headed to bed to catch at least and hour and a half before we had to get up, but dad convinced me it wasn’t worth it, and I’d just wake up groggy. So instead we showered and dressed for the day and go breakfast going. This was the first Christmas we’ve ever woke the kids up. It was actually kind of fun. 

8. Christmas morning was a lot of fun. Jett loved the beyblades he got in his stocking. He also got a big wiggle scooter, a Fitbit, and some Pokemon cards. Ethan got new headphones and some awesome shoes. Tate got some new stuffies, an enormous Yoda hoodie/blanket, and an electric guitar that everyone hates, but he loves. Blake got punching gloves and stuff to hang his punching bag. Ty got Columbia gear and Ski poles. Ty spoiled us all with Columbia gifts. We got Cherry Hill passes and a family activity pass for things in the area. I got new shoes and slippers. Dad got books and his much-anticipated Isle of Cats expansion. The clue hunt led to a mountain bike for Blake, Skis for Ty, and a fireproof safe for Dad. Poor Jett was disappointed there was nothing along the hunt for him. Rookie mistake from me!

9. After gifts we went to church and had a lovely service. Christmas on Sunday makes the day a little more busy, but I always love singing Christmas songs and feeling the spirit on Christmas Day. After church we spent the afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa Rawson’s house. We opened gifts and had brunch. Then we headed to my parent’s house for dinner and gifts. We brought cranberry jello and raspberry pretzel jello, and they were good. The pretzel one is everyone’s favorite, but I can’t give up on my cranberry recipe. And then close to midnight we finally crawled into bed. I stayed in bed until 3 in the afternoon or so!

10. Tuesday night we had the extended Rawson family party at Grandma and Grandpa’s church. It seems like it’s been a long time since we’ve spent time with this side of the family. Unfortunately dad’s Aunt Jolene got very sick that day and was admitted to the hospital with extreme pain. She had surgery that evening to remove a section of her intestine that had become twisted and blocked. I believe she is feeling much better now. Because of concern for Jolene and bad driving conditions none of Jim and Jolene’s kids made it to the party. We saw Aunt Janet, and I think she said this would be her last year with the Tabernacle choir which makes her sad. MarkiJo has a new baby. Hunter was hobbling around with a broken leg—maybe from basketball?

More to come. . .

Love, Mom