JoLyn and Logan Simmons

JoLyn and Logan were married in the Payson Temple on the last day of 2021! We went up to attend the sealing and help with the reception. It was so cold and snowy! Payson had received a bunch on snow the night before. JoLyn was able to borrow a beige mink coat from Logan's grandmother it was so awesome!

The reception space was a little special and needed some love. We covered walls with white drop cloths and lights. It turned into a pretty place. Maxine was sorry to have missed it but that's how it goes. We are excited for them as they start their lives together!

 

Finished a Puzzle

I like to find things. I like to put things together. It makes sense that I would like puzzles. We did a little 500-piece puzzle over the Christmas break. 

Mikayla put in the last piece. She was holding it in her hand as we got close to the end. :) Stinker.

Yay Christmas 2021!

We went sledding with the Beattys, the Phillipps, and the Turleys on Christmas Eve. Jack brought his fat tire bike and rode down the sledding hill. It was nuts! Merril and I both took a lot of video but not pictures. This is all I have of the day! hahaha.

I received the only injury of the day. I was standing off to the side of the sledding hill and got hit by one of the Beatty cousins. It was an accident, of course, but I thought I was off to the side enough and I wasn't paying attention. The tube hit and my legs were scooped right out from under me. I fell funny on my left shoulder and arm. I felt my neck and top of my back stretch in an odd way and laid on the ground for a few minutes. Owwwwww. 

After getting up and stretching for a minute, I felt like no permanent damage was done. I knew I'd be sore the next day. I knew things were going to tighten up in the car so I was trying to think how to massage between my shoulder blades. By leaning on an orange we had brought, I kept things loose on the way home. It was still a great day!

Our tree on Christmas Eve!

Mikayla wrote a note to Santa saying that he had eaten too many cookies and that the ranch was in the fridge. hahaha! We had a lovely morning. Merry Christmas!

 

Icy Angel's Landing Hike

In 2022, Angel's Landing switches to a lottery system to give permits for the hike. We kicked around the idea of hiking it over Christmas break and Mikayla said that we promised her we could hike all the way out on the chains once she turned 8. That was a few years ago. The best day for weather was Wednesday, the first day of Christmas break. I scheduled dentist appointments for the same day but they were in the afternoon. So the first day of Christmas break, we woke up early and headed to Zion. 

It was icy and windy!

Most people had ice cleats for better traction but we were silly and just hiked it in our regular shoes. We only slipped a few times.

Made it safely out and had a snack. The wind wasn't blowing where we stopped.

I'm sure we looked like bad parents for taking our children all the way out on the chains, in the ice, some in shorts, but c'est la vie. It wasn't even that bad out there. 

We had a great time and we were glad to check this off our list before 2021 ends!

Piano Playing Girls

We are on our way to Mikayla's piano recital. I only took video.

We decided to get some tree pictures first.

Because they look nice!

Juliet has been teaching piano this year and I don't think I've said anything about it. She's cheaper than a regular piano teacher and I feel like it's good for her. She has 4 students. It provides money for her and helps her be responsible. Her friend, Nicole B., also teaches piano. They held a recital for their students last week. Awesome! She's hoping to get a few more students but it's great work for her. It helps her reinforce what she's learned. 

 

Maxine is in Anaheim!

Maxine with Sister Fiame at the MTC!

Maxine is flying to Anaheim!

This is Sister Campbell's companion, Sister Maughan (Mawn). Maxine says they've been getting along and she really likes her. They have an apartment together and Maxine is getting to know her.

This is a service project they did with the elders. There's been a ton of rain in California and it created some mudslides. They were able to go help clean it up.

We are so proud of her!

 

Mark's Infected Finger

Mark chews on the sides of his nails sometimes. One got so bad it had become infected under the fingernail. Ouch! I had to take him to urgent care to get it drained and get some antibiotics. His nail is starting to lift up so I think he might lose that nail. Now he can get better. :)

 

Photo Recreations

In the spring, Merril and I decided to recreate our engagement photo. We did research and took the original photo with us and I think we did a pretty great job!

But then we recreated other photos when we just happened to be places but didn't have the original for a reference and some weren't as spot on. This one at delicate arch could've been better.

This one at the Subway was pretty good. Maxine was originally in a baby backpack and I love that Merril piggybacked her to get the same shot. Ha! Ellen was there instead of me and stood in as a replacement.

Juliet wanted to recreate this bow picture. The original is definitely the best! She still fit in the shirt though!

Santas and Hot Chocolate

These are from a ward primary party! 

My kids had fun talking with Santa.

This is what I need more of! Christmas movies and snuggles with some hot chocolate.

I'm not going to lie, I'm super behind on Christmas things. I could say that I should've done this or that but whatever. I'm here now. I made my choices but there's so much to be done! It will motivate me to do better next year.

Sister Campbell to the Provo MTC

How do you pack everything you need for 18 months in two suitcases and a personal bag? Maxine just keeps following the mission list and I'm sure there will be something she needs down the road. Holy cow, she's packing to move out!

We needed to be at the Provo MTC on Wednesday, December 1st at 1:00 p.m. She said goodbye to the kids before they left for school.

Then she realized that Jack didn't give her a hug. We had to stop by the school and pull Jack out of class for a minute.

In the truck on the way!

Her awesome yellow luggage! I hope it holds up!

She realized she forgot soap so after lunch at Zupa's, we stopped at Walmart. Don't ask me what my face is doing.

Then on the way to the MTC, I didn't feel like we had a good enough picture so I made Merril stop and we took another.

We drove to our appointed place in the parking lot at the MTC and unloaded her things. The cute sister missionary who met us asked if she could take our picture. I gave Max a hug and started to cry and I could feel her crying too. I said, "It's gonna be okay! It's okay! I love you forever!" When she pulled away, there was a slight panicky look in her eyes. She hugged Merril and then she walked away with the sister missionary. 

We got in the truck and drove away and I continued to cry as we drove away. Merril asked if I was okay. I was okay, it's just hard to see her walk away and know I won't hug her for a year and a half. Breathe. 

By the time we got down the road, I'd stopped crying. As we drove home, I kept thinking that I needed to text Maxine. That won't happen for a while. It's weird not to check in and see how she's doing.

Late that night, she sent a Google hangouts message that said: 

hi! i just wanted to tell you that i'm alive and you don't have to worry about me. i was freaking out for the first few minutes, but the rest of the time i've just been stoked to be here :)

Yay! Glad to hear it! Now to wait until p-day. I'm sure there will be a few more tears.

Cutting a Christmas Tree

Maxine is doing home MTC and we couldn't find a day to go to cut trees as a family. I told Merril to go. I would stay with Maxine so she wouldn't feel alone at the house. 

The kids climbed this tower!

And they picked out a great tree! Sometimes you have to divide and conquer. We are getting it done around here.

Thanksgiving At Our House

Thanksgiving is here! We decided to get out in the beautiful weather and get some exercise at Grandpa's Pond Park. Mikayla explored.

I hiked on the surrounding hills and ran/walked.

Juliet, Merril, and Maxine jogged the whole time.

Julie and Merril even started clear at the house! I drove down. 

Mark and Jack rode bicycles.

Then we ran home to prep Thanksgiving. I wrapped that turkey in bacon and threw it in the oven! (Thank you Vick!)

And then I got busy and did not take any pictures during dinner. 😓 But I remembered to snag a few when some of the peeps were still around.

Gwen was visiting and came to eat.

Besides the turkey taking an extra 45 minutes, everything was delicious! I really like the flavor of the bacon on the turkey. And now I'm done.

I'm not gonna lie, this past 30 days has been killer. Mark's birthday and baptism with people over for food. Jack's birthday and party at the sand dunes and getting his license. Maxine getting endowed, food after. Maxine's mission farewell, food after. Twenty-eight people at my house for Thanksgiving. I am spent. I'm still helping Maxine secure the last few items for her mission. I haven't hardly Christmas shopped AT ALL! I'm usually so much better about getting things done early but not this year. I'm hoping to be able to focus on Christmas and get some stuff done in the coming weeks because I'm so behind! 😭😭😭