All around fun

 We have had a fun Christmas break and I’m a little sad it’s already over. I was cast in “Into the woods” as cinderellas mom, the granny, the giant, and the harp. We have already started rehearsing and the schedule is intense and long. So to slip away before things get crazy, Stephen, Nolen, and I went skiing up in Santa Fe.  It was a perfect day. The snow was great and I only fell once! So I will take that as a win.  

Sharla came to help take care of my dad.  He had hip replacement surgery January 10th and I am so glad she came to help out. There is no way I could have made it through the last week without her help. I’m so grateful. 

Nolen had his end of season track party at another swimming pool. Nolen is feeling like this might be the last season of running for him. He isn’t finding the same joy as he did before. We are thinking of pivoting as he gets older. It is always hard to make decisions that could affect your children’s lives. 

Happy New Year!

 Happy New Year!

We did a polar plunge at Craig and Blair's house at noon.  IT WAS FREEZING! We had so much fun and it was a great way to ring in the new year.  

Stephen's goals: ski more

Julie's goals: vacation more

Edward's goals: get better grades

Nolen's goals: run faster

New Year's Eve

 This new year's eve, we spent the evening with Craig and Blair.  We played a couple of card games and laughed and laughed.  I made some chicken noodle soup and home made rolls.  I sang with Opera Southwest earlier in the day and had fun.  It is really hard to believe the year is over.  Last night, the boys went to the new years eve dance.  It was Nolen's first dance.  2023 came and went in a flash! I am still so glad I keep up with this blog so that I have a record of what we did through out our lives.  I love my sweet family.  They are my everything.  

Christmas!

 We had a wonderfully low key Christmas! As the boys get older, I am more drawn to the idea of taking a vacation over the break instead of getting them gifts.  I love spending time together over having something silly.  We did have a wonderful day.  I made home made cinnamon buns for the boys and they were delicious.  Stephen made Steaks for everyone and my dad made potatoes.  We really had a quiet Christmas which was just what we needed.

Preparing for Christmas

This year, I have been a little behind in getting ready for Christmas.  I actually started buying presents a few months ago, but I ended up giving some of those presents to the boys early because they needed them. I bought Edward a drum set and head phones, both things he needed long before Christmas.  We put up our tree early and set out our lights, but my parents needed some last minute help putting up their lights and cleaning their yard.  The boys were extremely helpful this year. I also made the boys get hair cuts and gave Pearl a much needed bath.  I sure hope we are ready for Christmas this year! Nolen also played his cello with the ward orchestra for Christmas this year.  He was wonderful!

Christmas Recital!

 This year, I hosted my annual Christmas recital at a different location.  It was absolutely beautiful.  It cost $200 to rent the space, but I am so glad we tried it.  The music sounded beautiful in the chapel.  I arrived at 2:30 to warm up with the singers, but the piano was no where in start.  The gentleman that was helping me didn't know how to get the piano on stage.  He came up with an idea, but it ended with the piano half hanging off the stage, so we opted to keep it off to the side.  Not exactly ideal, but it worked.  

This was the first rectial that Edward didn't play an instrument.  I was a little sad because I wanted him to take lessons until he was 18 but he was done.  Nolen played the piano and cello beautifully.  This might have been his best recital yet!

Veronica and Leigh both traveled to Albuquerque to attend the recital.  I am so glad they did.  We had a huge sleep over at my house and went to dinner.  We had so much fun. I just adore them.  I am so glad they are still a part of my life all these years later.