We made it through 2017...

New Year's Eve fell on a Sunday.  We purchased all our goodies on Saturday and prepared to ring in the new year!  Julie was determined to stay up all night and started out strong.  We watched all of the Campbell Christmas movies back to back.  I loved it.  

Mark was tired around 10:30 and requested to be put to bed.  Mikayla started falling asleep in the couch around then but told us she wanted to be woken at midnight.

I felt bad about waking her but we did it anyway.

The last wind storm blew around our antenna so it was pointed the wrong direction.  Right at midnight, it was cutting out and we couldn't see the ball drop.  I jumped on Youtube and there was already a video of the 2017 ball drop in New York and I bounced it onto the TV for the countdown.  We were maybe 30 seconds to a minute late in ringing in the new year but we got it done and I'm thankful for technology to help us in a last minute situation.

I'm grateful for so many things in 2017.  It was a good year for us financially. The extra financial stability helped when Merril was going through his cancer surgery and maintenance scans.  He's been doing well and I expect him to live a LONG LONG time.  We were able to afford a lot of new to us appliances including the whole set for the kitchen and a huge washing machine.  A Ford Expedition too since the Tahoe gave up the ghost.  I'm grateful for my kids and how they're growing up.  They're all getting so much easier and impress me with their example.  By now, I've usually had another baby to take care and that's not the case now so everyone is potty trained, everyone takes care of themselves and each other more.  It's taken the burden off me somewhat and it's been a great year for me.  My church calling has been rewarding and I love the sisters I serve with. I look forward to 2018 with hope, peace and a house full of love and silliness and sometimes frustration.  I hope to improve as a parent with every year because I'm far from perfect.  It's a great time to be alive and I'm thankful to be a part of it. 💖💖💖💖

Dryer fix...

Before we left to Dumont, the dryer was heating inconsistently.  It would turn the clothes and blow the fan but no heat sometimes.  I pulled the back off because I watched a Youtube video that said stuff can get caught in the bottom of the lint catch area and keep the dryer from moving air.  That worked for a minute and then it stopped working again.  Watching the dryer through a little window in the bottom, I could see the igniter coming on but then not lighting anything, like there wasn't any gas.  Another Youtuber said the dryer coil solenoids that let the gas in can go bad and work sometimes but not when they get warm.  Since we were going on vacation, we left the dryer taken apart, ordered the parts on Amazon for $30, and knew they'd be here in 2 days when we returned.  

So, now we're back with parts in hand and we can fix the dryer.  With the drum exposed, I could remove the fins that tumble the clothes.  The fins are translucent and I could see stuff stuck in them and I kinda wanted to get it out while I could.  It took 10 minutes to remove the fins and dump out the lint, pieces of paper and whatever else was in there.  The fins were divided into compartments and some of them had a little lint, that had rolled around in there enough to create these perfect spheres of lint!

Now some of you might this is a dumb event to remember but I was fascinated by these perfect little balls of lint.  They were created by simple science.  And science can be so cool!  And I'm a nerd. :)

Now the dryer is working better than ever!  I can't believe how quickly clothes are drying and how hot it is in there.  I think they dryer coil may have been misbehaving for a while but not so much that I would notice until now.  We've replaced a lot of appliances this year so I would like to keep using this same dryer for quite a few more years.  Looking good!

Dumont Dunes Dude!!!

Last year we went to Dumont sand dunes in California between Christmas and New Years.  We decided to do it again.  Others had planned to join us but all dropped out so it was just us.  We had Maxine drive the RV for a minute on an abandoned, straight road.  She wasn't a fan.  (She's squinting because of the sun.  I think it makes her look more terrified but she was doing okay.)

Sleeping bag static hair.

Merril got new dirt bike riding clothes for Christmas so he wanted to give them a try!

Mark just liked to play in the dirt.

Mikayla too.  She was making sand angels.  Gross.

Jack rode around the most on the red 4-wheeler, stopping for short breaks.

Max got better with the little Yamaha and drove it quite a bit.  It has a clutch.

Crazy hair girls!

And the kids made up this silly Speed Champion song and dance.  Maxine was in the first one but I only took video, no pictures.

On the way home, we stopped at the 7 magic mountains by Jean, NV.  They're a temporary art installation and will be removed in 2018.  We thought we'd get some culture.

They're really tall!  Guessing 40 feet.

We got KFC on the way home and watched movies while Daddy fixed something in Mesquite.  Everyone was tired and dirty, but we had lots of fun!

Tuacahn Nativity...

Merril's Aunt Lynnette wanted her family to participate in the live nativity out at Tuacahn.  To fill the cast, we were invited.  These two fell asleep on the way there.  It's a good thing because it was going to be a late night, especially for Mark.

Janet said Lynnette would have food at one point during the night and to come not starving but hungry.  We found out we couldn't eat in our costumes so after a rehearsal, I ran up to the concession area and purchased 3 hot dogs.  Between running through our parts, I made Mark and Mikayla chow down on the hot dogs.  Then we were dressed in costumes.

We were told to wear warm, non-bulky clothes and dark close-toed shoes.  I feel I under dressed Mark but he was with me and I could snuggle him to keep him warm off stage. The girls were angels.  Julie said she was cold between parts.

Merril had been called out on a search earlier in the day and I wasn't sure if he'd make it back.  He arrived late but they quickly dressed him and he followed around the shepherds.  Jack was with him in the shepherd crowd.

Mikayla, Mark and I were townspeople.  Janet was a townsperson as well and Mikayla stayed with her and I took care of Mark.

We did 3 shows, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 p.m.  It was a little cold but not too bad.  The little kids did great!  We prayed in the car before it started that we could portray the birth of the Savior in a good way.  I didn't want our family to detract from the Spirit.  I think we accomplished that!

Mornings...

Bubbies climbed into bed at 6:30 a.m. saying that he was cold.  Merril went to play racquetball that morning so I had extra bed space and I pulled him in.  He curled his little body next to mine and fell right back to sleep.  I thought it was so cute I took a picture but the flash was so bright, I could hardly keep an eye open.  Such a funny little boy, he won't be doing this for very much longer.  

It was my turn to take Julie and some other girls to choir before school.  Merril wasn't back and I had kind of thought I would just leave Mikayla and he would get her ready.  That wasn't an option so I tossed an outfit, hairbrush and the kids in the car and away we went.  After I dropped off Julie and the girls, we went to the Maverick by Coral Canyon and bought breakfast food and juice.  We had a little breakfast in the car and got her ready for school.  Making it work.  

Boys adventures...

Jack and Mark went with Merril to Las Vegas to pick up a car that is shipping to Japan.  He took them to In-N-Out burger.  Jack got a 3 by 3, which has 3 patties and 3 cheeses.  He ate the whole thing!  Holy Moly!

This gorgeous gem is a 1968 Ford Country Squire.  I've never heard of it but it's a pretty cool looking station wagon!  It ships to Japan in January.  

My poor baby...

Before I start, I need to state that I feel like I'm a good Mom.  This story is not my finest hour though.  Mark and I were being silly and playing a horsey game.  I was standing and he was standing between my legs.  He was being a horse and I was "riding" him.  I didn't have any weight on him, we were just running and hopping together to simulate horsey ride.  He tripped and his head smacked the hardwood floor.  He developed the hugest goose egg!

I AM SO SORRY BUBBIES!

He cried for a few minutes but was okay after a bit.  That goose egg was a winner though!  I'm surprised my kids have any brain cells at all.  Poor things.

Foo Fighters Concert!

For several years, I've been trying to give Merril tickets to the Foo Fighters for Christmas.  They're finally touring and near us!  I purchased them in the summer it seems like and now it's time to go!  The concert is at the Vivint arena in Salt Lake. 

We stopped at soonest Crown Burgers we could because they're Merril's favorite.

We checked into our hotel and walked the few blocks to the Vivint Arena.

Yay!  Foo Fighters!

Waiting for the show to start!

We both brought ear plugs because I'm a big fan of protecting my hearing.  I haven't been to many concerts but this was amazing!  The light effects were fantastic, the filming for the jumbo trons was great!  I can't believe how much energy Dave Grohl has!  He was running back and forth, jumping around, screaming, getting the audience pumped up, he was amazing.

We noticed later on Facebook that some avid concert friends attended as well.  He said it was one of the best concerts he'd ever been to.

After the concert, we walked back to the hotel in the light snow.  I was coldish but had lots of gear on so I was okay.  I think if I lived where it was really cold, I'd have a really long coat that covered my legs.  We slept and the next day ate breakfast and drove home.

I'll also add that Stephanie Campbell, a cousin, came to stay with the kids.  She not much older than our kids but she could help with Mark during the day when everyone else was in school.  The concert was on a Tuesday so that limits babysitters.  Everyone did great at home and we had a fun little getaway to celebrate Christmas and the day we met.  18 years of fun and laughter with my main man!

Jack's guitar recital...

Kylee Peterson in our ward teaches guitar and Jack has been taking lessons from her.  There was a Christmas recital and Jack played 3 pieces, one of which he sang while he played.  He looked like a cool rock star up there.  

Afterwards, Kylee complimented Jack on his singing voice and remarked that she couldn't believe how clear it was and what a good singer he was.  He's pretty awesome!

#lighttheworld

Maxine wanted to cut her hair because it was getting too long for her.  She asked how much was needed for hair donations and she decided to do it to light the world for Christmas!

We took between 8-9 inches and layered it just a little.  It's so soft and healthy looking.  I'm not quite used to it but it's good.  

Temple Nativity trip...

We went to visit the nativity at the temple.  It was kind of cold and so we had a lot of blankets on.  These 3 were being rowdy so Merril walked with them over to the temple steps.

I walked over with Max and Julie after the nativity presentation and my old boyfriend Roger said, "Jamie!" and waved me over.  OMIGOODNESS!  Julie leaned over to me and said, "Who's that?"  I said, "That's Roger!"  She gasped and said, "That's Roger?!?" I have not seen or talked to him since he left on his mission, 19 years ago.  Yikes!  We said our Hellos and he introduced his wife Bonnie and their kids and I introduced Merril and our kids.  We chatted back and forth and I asked about his parents and siblings and he did the same.  We talked about our kids a little and somehow Merril knew Bonnie's older siblings.  It was good and easy and not awkward like I had envisioned it would be.  He had a new baby and so they left.  Afterwards Julie said that Roger was just a regular person and not weird at all like she pictured.  Ha!  We both live in Southern Utah and I figured we would've bumped into each other at some point and this was it.  It wasn't even that bad!  Ha ha!

A real piano for us!

This funky little Yamaha is my new piano.  It's made of walnut wood and is in pretty good shape overall.  It's from the mid 1980s and I've been looking for a piano every day for 3 months!  Not just any cheap piano.  I was picky and wanted a better quality piano, but not an expensive one because I have a budget!  This was advertised for $800 in Washington.  I had missed a beautiful Baldwin piano in Vegas but I just couldn't get down there because kids were sick and Merril was out of town.  I couldn't figure how I'd get it from Vegas anyway so we missed.

The littles and I drove to Washington to check out this piano.  I wasn't going to miss out on it.  We popped off panels and played the keys.  I said I'd think about it and left.  I called Merril and decided to get it.  I knew that even if it's not my forever piano, it's a good deal because it's a Yamaha.  I called the owner back and said I'd get it.  Merril went to pick it up and the guy said he liked my little family so much that he only charged $700.  Sweet!  The bench that came with it was an organ bench so I have a new one ordered and on the way.

I think it's kind of goofy looking and might add front legs to it at some point.  I think it looks like it would fall over but it's SO heavy that it's not going anywhere!  It sounds nice and feels nice so that's what's important.

Update:  We waited a week and had it tuned and cleaned.  The tuner said it was in really good shape inside, we got a great deal and it should give us years of music.  Yay!

Christmas is near, time for some cheer!

We had a whole crew of Merril's family join us in cutting Christmas trees this year!  Janalynn rode with us. 

There was no snow on the ground and it was so nice outside!

Merril got a chainsaw in a trade deal and was so excited to cut down a tree with it!

Kids played!

We went to lunch at the Jacob Lake Inn and they were nice enough to accommodate our huge group!

Here's the beautiful blue spruce.  We cut 2 trees this year, blue spruce for the upstairs and white fir for the basement.  They're beautiful!  Merry Christmas!

Family pictures 2017...

 It was family picture time!  Oi.  It's always hard but we did great.  Grandma Campbell wanted new pictures so we dressed up and hiked to the boonies for some pictures.  We didn't need ours done since I did ours a few days before.

Everyone knocked it out of the park!  All smiling faces, great attitudes, and I didn't have to edit them at all!  LOOK HOW FANTASTIC THEY ARE!

The family one is exceptional!  Perfecto!   I love them so much!