Extra Pictures 

I love listening to the kids practice their instruments.

A neighborhood lady hired Brayden to clean her walks and driveway. 

We usually work together to get the walks done but some are done when they are done.

The girls have found some enjoyment skiing in the church and school yards together. We haven't had much snow but anytime they get a chance they are out skiing.

Dance Party and Playing with Cousins!

It snowed so the girls got out and built a snowman for the neighbors. They love seeing the kids out playing.

Best Friends! These two can normally be found with each other. 

Band Concerts were a bit different this year. The students were recorded in their classrooms and then the videos were shared with parents.

Guess what... I am all caught up on our blog for the year 2020 which never happens! Hope you have enjoyed our year with us through all the photos and explanations! Looking back over the year the kids have grown, we had lots of family time, we survived a pandemic, we lost loved ones and we celebrated! We are thankful for all our adventures this year! 

Merry Christmas 2020

This Christmas has been a bit different and hasn't felt the same as previous years. However, we did spend a lot of time together as a family and tried to keep with our traditions.

There was so many instances of service to neighbors and friends in our community. 
We were recipients of some of that kindness.

Uncle Carl and his family were in town and came by for a visit. It was nice to see them all.
 Next time...New Mexico!

The kids set up the Christmas tree before Thanksgiving and it felt nice and peaceful much sooner this year.

So obviously the kids were on the nice list this year.

The kids have enjoyed our Christmas Eve PJ tradition that we just started last year.

We spent the afternoon of Christmas at Josh's parents. 

We sent out a Christmas letter for those family and friends that don't see us regularly. 

We hope you Christmas was as wonderful as ours. We are thankful for all our many blessings and for you in our lives. Have a fantastic 2021!

Salt Lake City, Utah

We had to make a trip to Salt Lake. We got a hotel room Sunday night and spent a few hours at the pool. We had the place to ourselves!

After our time in the pool we headed to the Trax system to head to Temple Square to see the lights. On our way we made a pit stop to check out the candy displays at Macy's Department Store.

The temple is under construction until 2024 so we weren't able to be on the property. We decided to walk around the perimeter to see the lights and listen to many of the missionaries singing carols along the path.

We took the trax back to the hotel and we all slept really well that night. We got up pretty early the next morning to go up to Primary Children's Hospital for Alayna's doctor appointment. 

While waiting on the doctor we took some fun selfies to help keep our mind off the appointment!

We were able to meet her new doctor who I think we will really like. We had discussion on weaning her off meds within the next few years and making her appointment once a year to follow up. We were also made aware that the EEG that she had done in July showed no signs of seizure tendencies. The appointment was full of great news!

 

Ohio Trip

I got word that my Grandma Siferd passed away. She had been hospitalized with Covid and couldn't breathe. I had no plans to attend but through generous donations we were all able to attend. Our flights were booked Sunday night. I had to get up at 2:00 A.M. on Tuesday morning to drive to the Layton, Utah area. Once in Layton, the Guffey family gave me a ride to the airport. My flight was scheduled for takeoff at 8:00 am. I had to go through security twice before making it to my gate to wait for my flight.

I had a layover in Chicago, Illinois. 

If you look close at this picture you can see the Chicago White Sox stadium.

We were all able to land within an hour of each other in Detroit, Michigan. We loaded all our bags and got on the road to Ohio to make it in time for Grandma's visitation that night.

We stayed up late talking and reminiscing. Wednesday everyone got up and went to visit Grandma Kay at her care facility and Grandpa Neil at his facility. We were able to visit outside their windows over the phone. We also made a brief visit with Sister Arnold.

We then stopped to pick up balloons for the kids and grandkids to write on and let go after her service. We then headed over to the funeral home for her visitation and funeral.

After the service we were able to go to Grandma Siferd's house and pick out a keepsake. We also stopped and visited Grandpa Siferd.

We got back to the house and had some of the cousins come out to roast marshmellows over the campfire. While we were all standing in the cold my family back in Idaho was visiting Lava Hot Springs.

We all got up early Thursday morning to get to the airport for everyone's flights home. I had a layover in Denver, CO. I got back to Salt Lake City and then had to drive home to Idaho Falls.

My Grandma was a clown and loved to entertain kids and adults alike. 

I love that we will always have our memories of her.

Grandma Siferd will be greatly missed but never forgotten!