December

A busy month as usual, but no where near as busy as it used to be.  The month started off with work parties for both Matt and I.  Mine was the usual Megaplex movie. This year we saw Jumanji 2 and it did not disappoint.  Matt's work party was at Thanksgiving Point this year. Just a yummy dinner and him receiving his 20 year award.  Can you believe he has worked at Carollo for 20 years? Actually come January it will be 21! Miranda and Tyler both finished their college semesters-Tyler his second to last and Miranda her first semester of law school.  Jacob started working for a custom cabinetry place--Riverhouse Design...creating things with his hands...great work for Jacob.  And then came the week of crazy..Tyler's birthday, a layover for Christ and Kim, our anniversary (28 years!), Hatch family party, and Christmas...all within 7 days! 
SO. MUCH. FUN!
Tyler turns 22:
If I could go back to a photo of Tyler's birthday party in third grade it would show just about the same people. Tyler is great at keeping good friends.  They came for dinner and spent the night playing games.

Tayio, Cole, Callie, Tyler, Joe, Trisitn, Mac

The Layover:
Lucky us!  Chris and Kim were able to get a three hour layover in SLC on their way to Idaho to visit Kim's parents.  Matt and I drove to the airport and were able to spend a couple of hours hanging out with them and hugging on this cutie!! Such a fun Christmas bonus!

We waited in the security line with them right up to the last minute.  So sad to say goodbye so soon, but an hour or so is much better than nothing!

Hatch Family Christmas Party:
The Hatch family party was so much fun--just like it always is!  With only 42 of us there, it was a bit smaller than normal, but still just as fun.  We ate lots of yummy food, drank hot cocoa, and had a great white elephant gift exchange.

Christmas:
It was so fun having all the kids home for Christmas.  On Christmas Eve we had Ron, Phil, and Trisitn join us for a nice ham dinner.  We also had our neighbor Heidi join us. We watched the traditional Muppet Christmas Carol and opened PJ's, games, and books. Christmas morning started later than it ever has.  The kids didn't wake up until 9:30 or so.  Matt had already been up for hours.  Unfortunately I was not feeling well on Christmas--stupid stomach, but it was still a great day.

River and I waiting for the kids to wake up

Overall it's been a fun break.  We have played A LOT of games, gone to some fun movies, and had a lot of relaxing time.

Ellen bought Dina, Anne, and I Hallmark Monopoly :) 

Matt taking a ski day with Greg and his boys-Nathan was working on his car

Miranda got sick just a few days after Christmas, but got better in time to head to CA with friends for the new year.   Nathan has spent a lot of time with our neighbors working on rebuilding his car engine--he is chomping at the bit to get his car running again...especially with his new clutch and flywheel.

Here's a look at a few of our decorations and this year's Christmas card. Sad to be taking it all down, but ready for a fresh start.

New Year's Eve

With an extended Hatch family trip to St. George on January first we kept things simple on New Year's Eve.  Tyler went out with friends and Miranda was in California so Jacob and Nathan got to hang out with mom and dad for the night...oh and Dina.  She was going to be home alone so she decided to join in on our fun.  We were happy to have her.  We played games, ate food, and watched a movie--The Farewell. It was a relaxing and fun evening.

An apple cider toast at midnight

 So, that's a wrap on 2019.  On to a new year AND a new decade.  Wonder what the next ten years will bring?