So Miranda came home from her mission a couple weeks early to have some surgery, but I have this great excuse to still write our family history down, since her novio is still on his mission in Paris, France for the next year. So until May 9, 2019, I'll still write a missionary letter for our blog posts. =)
So last Sunday, Codenames!
And there was this amazing pink sunset. Hard to see here, but my handsome son is here instead. =)
Tuesday, Connor went on a field trip to see the Utah Symphony in Orem. He got to sit somewhat near his bestie James.
Jeff had a meeting with his friends at XOnano, introducing them to JK! Studios, who have some exciting ways of marketing his shredded foam pillows. At the end of the meeting, Jake's family came over to meet Natalie because they're super huge fans. =)
Carlie took Derek to Footloose at the HS so Derek could get a play report for Drama. Thank you, Carlie! And it's a fun production. LP always does a fantastic job.
Wednesday, someone turned TWENTY-ONE!!! Miranda wanted to have a Thank You party for all the people who supported, loved, and prayed for her during her chemo, so we invited the social media world, bought tons of food, and shopped for gold. We spent the day preparing the house... not that it's not always spotless and ready for a party; we were just going the extra mile. Everything was gold-ified. All new ornaments for the giant formal tree.
Not sure if you quite caught the one ornament. Let's zoom in, shall we?
And the party was a raging success. We even had out-of-towners...
It's amazing - and such a tender mercy - that they could come!!
And the rabble-rousers on the deck. We bought a propane heater, lit the fire pit, and turned on the Christmas lights (Did we tell you we got all gold lights on the outside of the house? It's really hard to capture in a picture, but it is confusing to see our blazing yellow lights, unless you know that someone we love beat childhood cancer... then it's epic) and party lights outside to create more space. And they used it!!
Then the party died down, and it was just the besties, Emily & Abby. Time to watch the slide show that Carlie had put together to run throughout the partay.
And presents. Some people ignored the explicit No Gifts rule. Which is fun, but it would have been super tacky to not declare that, and invite everyone we know, expecting gifts. That's for weddings. =)
Emily gave her this Queen-sized heavy blanket: knows her well. And we gave her AirPods.
And it's finally over. At 1:30.
Hermana Howell posted:
And Hermana Pardo.
And then it's time to feast and count our blessings!!!
So we went to Carol & Winn's for actual Thanksgiving dinner; we'll do my side on Saturday. The Utah County Madsens! And Stacey. =)
Playing games after.
It was a nice, full day. We were also blessed with perfect timing. Miranda's party was on a cold but still and dry night. It snowed and rained off and on for days afterward. =) This popped up on Miranda's IG:
Friday was a super lazy, calm day. House is staying decorated, but it's nice & clean... everyone hung around,
played with friends,
went shopping WAY after the Black Friday sales were done,
drank hot chocolate,
and produced art!
Phew!
Then Saturday, we got together at my mom's house... 15 adults, 26 kids, and one little baby on the way. Did I tell you that Scott & KelsiJo are expecting? June 18th, their first little person will be in their family. =)
So we had little kids at the tables,
some kids in the hall,
some kids in the basement, and adults in the living room. People everywhere!!!
After a while, we turned on the BYU/ UofU game... BYU dominated the first half... and you guessed it. Somehow still lost!! At the half it was 20-0. How in the world do we do that?
Today, Carlie got up early to go visit her Laurel class sisters with her presidency, so she walked back in and took a nap for a while. She had some companions.
And tonight, we celebrated Miranda & Derek's (tomorrow he turns FOURTEEN) bdays at the Madsens'. Opening presents,
and blowing out candles. Roomily came tonight, too!
MEMES!!
Because Miranda's been talking us into watching Hallmark Christmas movies:
From Brigham:
And since every single one of my children - Ok, not the eldest - needs a haircut this week:
From Carlie:
And wise words:
And last but not least:
The end!
We are so thankful for you, and the example to all of us that you're setting of serving a faithful mission. Thank you so much for your willingness to work hard and keep the Spirit with you. We're praying for you and thinking of you all the time. Please know that you have a family of friends here, cheering you on all the time.
It's not a cakewalk. It has hard times and rough patches, but we know you are working through it and having moments of sunshine and seeing miracles. Thank you thank you for your letters & pictures. =)
Love, US!!!!
