Sun Valley-Christmas 2019

We spent Christmas in Idaho with my parents and two of my siblings, Mark and Lynne.  the 23 and 24 we were up in Sun Valley.  I love Sun Valley at Christmas.  It's a winter wonderland.  They have the famous Sun Valley Carolers, and the outdoor steaming pool is so fun at night when it's snowing. we went ice skating and did a sleigh ride up to Trail Creek Cabin (fancy restaurant)  so fun!

We were also in Twin Falls for 3 days.  It had been 7 years since we've had Christmas at my parent's house so it was really fun for the kids. 

We did paper lanterns on Christmas Eve.  

who remembers the Talkboy from Home Alone?  Jacob found one up in my brother's closet. from the 1980's.  still worked.

It was also my sister Lynne's first married Christmas, so fun to get to know John, her new husband a little better.

just got home from church on the 22nd. 

Thanksgiving 2019

This year we had an Angell family reunion in Utah for Thanksgiving!!  The first ever reunion, about 5 years since the siblings had been together and about 18 years since the entire family had been together.  It was only 2 1/2 days but with so many people, it was just about right.  we rented a very large house.  AND WE HAD SNOW!!!  The kids were so happy.

highlights were:  

• family pictures 
• family history night, where Ryan's parents told us about their childhood, courtship, Arlee's conversion story from when she was in college.
• building an 8 foot snowman in the backyard
• visiting a giving machine
• a family reunion quilt
• all things Emily!  we got to visit Emily's apartment, meet her roommates, see the place she works and take her grocery shopping!  and stop at Target to get some Christmas decorations for her apartment.

check out my niece @thecookiecornernv

Trent's senior year

Trent's senior year is flying by.  College applications are in.  Senior portraits are finished.  (Enjoy a sneak peak!)  Here are some things I want to remember about 17 year old Trent.

 We don't have a third car, so usually Trent takes the bus to school.  but once a week, I offer my car for Trent to drive to school.  Usually, he declines, saying that the bus give him more Nintendo Switch time with his friends.  (he takes his switch to school every day).  plus, he doesn't really like driving.

Clean and orderly.  Trent has the cleanest bedroom in the house.  including mine.  All shoes go in the coat closet next to the front door.  It drives Trent NUTS when Jacob takes off his shoes and leaves them next to the front door.  Sometimes I'll hear Trent come home from school, and mutter to himself, "He left his shoes out again.  How hard is it to put your shoes away?"  He will make a great husband someday!

Sweet--One weekend, Jacob was on a scout campout, so family prayer was just me, Trent and Ryan.  Trent said the prayer.  but the next morning, he said, "mom,  last night in my prayer, I blessed Emily at college, but forgot to bless Jacob on his campout.  I felt really bad about that so I want you to know that this morning I said another prayer for Jacob."  I was impressed that he not only did that but wanted to talk with me about it.

sports--over the past year, I've noticed Trent seems much more invested in sports.  He's always either watching or talking about whatever sport is in season.  currently it's football and basketball.  and he loves his fantasy football league!

next year's plans--no idea.  He is having a hard time deciding between a year of college and then mission, or just leave on his mission right after graduating.

XC 2019

Trent's final year of XC has just finished. At the first meet of the year, back in September, I started crying, thinking about how this was the last "first meet of the season"  I would be attending.   and Trent looked at me with a crazy look on his face, like, "Mom, get it together!"  For Trent's sake, I didn't cry the rest of the season!  I love having a son who is a runner.  I love attending XC meets.  I love watching him try his hardest as he ran through the rain, mud and cold.  This was his fastest year yet.  His PR was 18:40.  We are so proud of him!!  

and now a ton of pictures because we have a great team photographer

Trent actually placed 8th and should be at he empty spot second from the left.  we didn't know there would be awards so we left.  SO SAD!!

this day was so cold.  it was about 30 degrees outside.