Christmas boost

     From new nails to the cutest Christmas program, we're definitely getting in the Christmas spirit around here.

 

   This year it's Harley's turn to perform in the preschool Christmas program and perform she did. She was the star performer! She knew every song and dance move, and even made several of the announcements at the microphone & nailed it. She's the cutest!

The star of the show!

    And now on to Christmas, in 6 sleeps! (And I think we're ready.)

A legendary calendar

     You know, it's rare to get a gift you never wanted, asked for, or even dreamed of, but then one day it's given and you don't know how you ever got along without it or if anyone will ever top it. That happened to me last Friday when my friend, Gina, gifted us the best calendar ever made! Greg, Andy and Scott, the A.I. version, which is EPIC!! Let 2026 go down in history. And don't worry, I'll be sharing the monthly photos as the year goes along. For now, here's the cover.

There are no words that capture the joy this calendar brings me.

    And not to brag, but we have some of the cutest grand-girls around. How cute are they in their matching fancy coats!?

Harley was in a photo taking, modeling mood on Sunday.

    

    I don't know about you but I can't wait to start 2026. Wait until you see January's photo! 

  

P.S. Only 13 sleeps!

Christmas decor, birthday fun & more

     We are officially preparing for Christmas. The decorations are up, the shopping has begun, and a few gifts are already wrapped and under the tree. We also celebrated my birthday and I definitely felt the love from some of my favorite people.

 Christmas decor 2025

 

I'm obsessed with my gnome tree! 

    I was especially flattered when my 'show-watching' buddy, Kason, spent hours making me home-made chocolate macaroons. He did an amazing job, they were delecious!

Photo courtesy of his parents.

The grand-girls were more than happy to assist in the gift opening process.

 

 I got lots of great things, including a new, and much needed, dresser.

    And today I got to go with Kayli and the girls to Festival of Trees, which is always a fun & crazy time.

Cute Harley by 'her' Harley Davidson tree.

And it's not a complete trip without a visit with Santa and, bonus, Mrs. Clause.

This tree was in honor of those lost to suicide and my good friends brother was included. Tear jerker for sure!

And proof that I was there for all the fun.

    A great end to November and a good start to December. Now on to more things, including a dance recital, tonight, for Charlie. Oh and 20 sleeps until the 'big-day'.

So many things

     Greg survived a camp out and hiking adventure with a few young men & young men leaders.

Greg “enjoying” a hike from Antelope Island, Frary peak.

    

      While Greg was away, I let the kids “play”. They did a great job assembling a small dresser for Charlie’s room and if Greg would’ve been around, he would have lost his marbles watching the chaos ensue.

A “fun” little project for the kids & neighbors while Greg was camping/hiking.

     Sunday we celebrated Morgan’s 23rd birthday. 

She’s a good sport!

     And we had a rare night this week with all the kids, that live at this house, eating dinner together.

     And my favorite bonus photos, Reese’s birthday photos! She will be 2 in only a few more days. Crazy cute!

      And we had a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner with the majority of the kids and grandkids. Everything turned out great and we had quite a hilarious round of “what we’re grateful for” as well as an alternate game of  “Hitster”. We’ll just say that Tanner likes to play for real and to win and the rest of us just want to be silly.

Thanksgiving 2025 was a success, just missing the newlyweds.

These photos are a reminder not to leave my phone lying around.

      We’re now nearly done decorating for Christmas and have put a dent in purchasing Christmas gifts and in case you were wondering, only 27 more sleeps to go.

More birthday fun

     Bonus birthday festivities; Isaac gifted Greg his very fancy cowboy hat, plus Greg got a tool he'd been wanting for awhile. And the Wendel girls tried on the prettiest crocheted coat you've ever seen. (Thanks to Gr. Grandma Elaine and her very talented friend, Karen.)

Yeehaw!

Apple pie and homemade ice cream to end the night.

Who wore it best? It's definitely a perfect fit for Elliot.

    It's been a simple week, outside of the birthday fun. Charlie had her final choir performance, as a 7th grader, this week, but I don't have any photo evidence. 

    Now on to Thanksgiving!

P.S. 34 sleeps until Christmas!

Prisoners, cops and birthday shenanigans

     What a fun week, mostly. Brock and friends had fun on their day date and at the school dance (Sadie's), I got a fun new set of gel nails, and Greg had is 53rd birthday.

Cute Wendel girls!

Cutest gnome!

Brock and his friends dressed as prisoners and cops for the Sadie's dance. (Brock's the guy in the white tank-top on the left.)

Brock and his cute date, Mya. (She's in our ward and one of my favorite young women.)

    Greg had a rough work day on Tuesday (18 hours fixing two water line breaks) but he got a little love note from God when he caught a glimpse of the northern lights at the end of the night. A pleasant surprise for many.

    And Wednesday we had fun celebrating Greg's birthday. Several people had gifts for him and we'll do a little more celebrating Sunday. Not photographed is the gift card for dinner from Carter, and an optic for his gun from two of his best friends. And more gifts are coming Sunday.

Mixed nuts and soda from the Wendel's.

Lots of yummy snacks from some of our favorite people.

John and Stephanie are the best!

V8 from Charlie.

And a super cool tool kit from Thomas and Gina.

    And I had to share this adorable kindergarten photo of Beau. She's growing up way too fast!

    November is going quick and great, over all. And another scary report, 41 sleeps until Christmas!

Halloween highlight

     The two youngest kids really had a great Halloween. McClane didn't officially trick-or-treat but he loved roaming around with a couple of his favorite cohorts and they couldn't have picked a better trio costume theme.

Talk about a classic combo! (McClane's Grimace, his buddy Maxwell is Ronald McDonald and Brooks is the Hamburglar.)

    And Charlie did trick-or-treat and got quite a candy haul. This may be her last year to do the traditional Halloween things and she made the most of it, mostly thanks to the best family, who let her tag-a-long, or really who she coerced into taking her all around.

Charlie with some of her most favorite people.

    And that's all I got. This week has been super simple. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but, only 48 sleeps until Christmas! That's the scariest thing ever!