Sunday, December 31, 2017

Family top ten for 2017

Wayne:
1. became bishop of a YSA ward
2. served in Mexico..poured cement
3. went through the pyramids and inside a pyramid at night
4. went scuba diving again.
5. Played Basketball with YSA..got an injury and hurt back
6. Still dizzy
7. Lost weight
8. Put front yard in
9. Para-motored in China mountains
10. Got an E bike

Melinda:
1.  Toe surgery--recovered for 6 months--used a knee scooter for first time in my life--began wearing orthopedic shoes
2. Knit blankets for whole family, many babies and friends
3. help build kitchen with the Mayan Miracle foundation in Mexico
4. Starred in 9 to 5 the Musical
5. Founded Soul Sisters Retreats
6. Read the Book of Mormon twice!
7. Attended YSA ward for 1 year
8. Practiced self compassion and no diet culture.. haven't stepped on a scale in a year...don't plan to.
9. Texted my entire contact list a positive message
10. Trip to NYC for some Truman time and shows!  

Addison: 
1. Illustrated first Children's book, "Once I went a Swimmin' "
2. Played Bob Cratchitt in A Christmas Carol at Hale Center Theatre
3. Bought Fine Art Printer...print all art now and ship out
4. Ipad Pro and Apple Pencil is life changing  and has helped me grow so much as an artist
5. Love watching Alfie be a big Brother to baby Poppy
6.  Birth of Poppy
7. Got first new car- The Edge-- no more car troubles. 
8. Grew hair out and LOVE it
9. Choreographed Mary Poppins and Joseph
10. fun trip to Washington DC

Bre:
1. Grew a garden
2. Had a baby
3. Went on a cruise
4. Made my first cake
5. Fine tuned our businesses
6. Went to Washington DC
7. Became a better friend
8. Learned how to take things slower
9. Went to Disneyland

10.Learned how to be on a film set

Alfie: 
1. knows number up to 20-10  which is 30.
2. started preschool
3. loves to draw 
4. still love CARS
5. can write the entire alphabet
6. can sign the entire alphabet
7. loves letters and spelling
8. calls Poppy, "Pop-star"..it's her new "neck name" 
9. does chores every day: feeds the dog, brushes teeth, picks up toys
10. takes pictures with mom's camera and phone and now his own camera

Landon:
1. Bought a house
2. Remodeled a house
3. Expanded education/psych consultant company
4. Traveled to Brazil for the first time
5. Washington DC political and spiritual conference with Truman
6. Had a dessert filled birthday day present from Andrew and Sophia (6 different bakeries visited for treats)
7. Disneyland trip
8. Watching the kids grow and overcome past fears and anxieties (roller coasters, being alone, performing, punching boards etc)
9. Setting up and then taking down the backyard pool complete with green water and a flooded back yard
10. Feeling, seeing, and benefiting from The love and kindness and amazingness of Alex (and my parents and siblings and kids)
11. Reading books with Mom

Alex:
1. Talked Landon into living on the southwest side of the valley
2. Bought a house
3. Remodeled a house
4. One year mark at Propay
5. Studying HR
6. National Genealogy conference
7. Disneyland trip and the Hunted Mansion dinner set from it
8. Karaoke nights in the basement
9. Spending time with and laughing with the kids
10. Spending time with, traveling with, and laughing with Landon (and the parents, inlaws, and kids)

Andrew:
1. Started 5th grade
2. Became a lego master builder
3. First piano recital - 3 songs completely memorized
4.  from shriek in theater production
5. Figured out the public library
6. Seeing family in their shows--- Memaw as Dolly is this years current favorite show for Andrew
7. Disneyland trip
8. Getting to Orange belt in Taekwondo
9. Self teaching Stop Motion movies and editing them together
10. Backyard above ground swimming pool

Sophia:
1. Stared 3rd grade
2. Math rockstar in school
3. First piano recital- 3 songs completely memorized
4. Flora the fairy in theater production
5. Figured out the public library
6. Wonder Woman birthday party with actual Wonder Woman
7. Disneyland trip
8. Weekly karaoke nights
9. Getting to Orange belt in Taekwondo

10. Backyard above ground swimming pool

Truman: 

1. I learned how to be present/ in the moment.
2. I was awarded top 5% customer service for in flight service.
3. I went skydiving in Hawaii!
4. I read at least one book a month.
5. I Survived my First full calendar year on my own!
6. I Learned how to do drag makeup.
7. I love taking care of plants!
8. I fell in love with Tokyo.
9. I fell in love with being single/ on my own.
10. I started doing hot yoga and arial stunts.

Monson:
1. Bought first home
2. Moved to Spanish Fork
3. Top Salesman on VISA team
4. Split my pants 3 times at work
5. Grew a Kris Kringle beard
6. Learned how to un install and re install a dishwasher
7. Became a professional gamer
8. didn't kill my primary class
9. Started a rap album..got the first song done
10. posted only 1 time on instagram

Lexi: 
1. got pregnant
2. bought a car that I hate
3. bought first home
4. moved to Spanish fork
5. fell on Tayla and broke her leg
6. started exercising with TRX bands
7. Enjoyed teaching primary class
8. Trip to Michigan
9. became a Utahonline Mentor
10. Survived 4 months with no place to live from Feb- May while the Butter's basement plumbing exploded. 

Tayla:
1.  says 20 words
2.  knows all of the animal sounds
3.  is very stubborn and opinionated..throws a great fit
4. loves all babies
5. loves stuffed animals
6. watches shows
7. runs around in a diaper
8. loves singing, especially karaoke
9. broken leg
10. crazy morning hair

Laila: 
1. made cheerleader at BHS
2. dog died
3. got straight A's
4. Ate at In and Out  (hamburger) probably 100 times
5. California Spring Break with KP and Truman
6. learned to Boogie Board
7. served in Mexico with Mayan Miracle Foundation
8. went Scuba Diving
9. 1st place at a national tumbling competition in my category
10. learned to drive





Friday, December 29, 2017

top 9 posts on Instagram

1. Monson and Lexi moving into home in Spanish Fork
2. Honoring my 4 sons for Father's day
3.  My Mother's day hugs...this just shows Addison, but I also had 10 other pics with all of the kids.
4. My new Pepper fox photo pic
5.  Halloween fun and pulling scones
6.  Wayne as a new bishop
7.  Poppy Eileen born Oct. 28, 2017
8.  My appearance to advertise Soul Sisters on Good Day Utah
9. Family PJ pic for the light's on party

Monson - a quarter of a century


 We went to Top Golf to celebrate Monson turning 25!  Can't believe he will have another daughter in just a few weeks. He is a darling dad and ecellent husband.  He has had a lot of changes this last year with moving to Spanish Fork, spending a year in his VISA job, and having a sick pregnant wife. 


Holiday happenings

Wayne, Stuart and Emily Wolthuis, Melinda
 We had surprise visitors from Hawaii on Wednesday…Stuart and Emily flew in and came to say hi so we all went to see “The Greatest Showman” at the movie theatre, and loved it.  It was great to catch up with them, and see this movie…my favorite of the year. 

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Laila cashed in on her shopping spree and got some new clothes to start back to school in.  Because we didn’t get our bowling in on Christmas Adam…we did our bowling on Wednesday eve after shopping and had a really good time.  Wayne beat us both, but I got some good strikes and spares in and Laila didn’t use the bumpers for the first time in forever. 



 Truman flew in on Thursday for his Christmas break . He got new ECCO shoes for work, some gift cards etc… he spent some good family time with lunch at Mod Pizza with most of his siblings, seeing “the Greatest Showman” with Landon and Laila and celebrating Monson’s birthday at Top Golf before heading back to NYC.

We are ready for Baby Adelaide to get here!!! Lexi had a fun baby shower thrown by her cute girl friends.  She got much needed diapers and gift cards to buy the big ticket items like a crib mattress they are in need of.  Lexi has had a rough pregnancy...so sick, so many trips to the hospital, a new doctor who Lexi feels doesn't really listen to her, 3 UTI's,  more emergency room visits...and throwing up daily...it's crazy.    We need to this little baby to get here!  Lexi's mom flies in on Jan 13th and there is a C- section scheduled or Jan 19th so..that's the for sure date if Adelaide doesn't come sooner.  
Jessie Menlove, Ashley Bell, Tayla, Lexi, Kate  , Reagan Watson, Taylor Salazar


Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Christmas Morning

Alfie couldn't wait to rush down the stairs and see what Santa brought him.




 Addison's family and Monson's family stayed over Christmas eve so we could celebrate Christmas morning with them and watch the little kids with their presents.  We all piled down the stairs after sleeping in until 9:00 am...yay....  Alfie and Tayla were excited to see their full stocking and open their presents. 


 Laila recieved a new XBOX 1 S with games, a book, dress, shopping gift cards, slippers, food gift cards, mindy mints and gum.
 Poppy was a rock star and was so content to just watch and eventually lay under the coffee table so no one could step on her


 Tayla was most excited about her moo cow tooth brush cover.  She has a thing for cows.  She also got boots and snow clothes, and baby doll car seat carrier and a stuffed unicorn.
 Alfie was excited for all of his Lightening McQueen car stuff and his camera that also plays games. Andrew is all about legos this year and he loves all of the different sets he has, and Sophia needed a boy barbie so when she plays with her dolls she has someone handsome to marry. 
 We gave our marrieds a heart felt gift with a heart ornament, a comforter, a framed parenting manifesto,  sweatshirts  and a night out to the movies and dinner with Wayne and I tending the kids. 
 The morning ended playing in the tub...



Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was on a Sunday...so we got to attend Church , which I love, and sing Christmas carols and listen to scripture of the birth of Jesus Christ.  It was beautiful...but I woke up this morning and couldn't talk or participate in the singing.  I have a really sore throat and will be having a sick Christmas.

Oh well...we persevered anyway...


Danish dinner included Meatballs, Brauts, sauerkraut, hot rolls, noodles, peas, lingonberry juice and lingonberry jam then we had a Danish pastry and Ebelskevers with nutella  for dessert.   Thanks to Laurie Cutler for help with the red and white decorations. 

 We made woven red and white hearts, practiced saying Merry Christmas in Danish, and danced around the Christmas tree!  Andrew, Sophia and Tayla loved the dancing around the tree part...we did it to Silent night in Danish and then to Rockin around the Christmas tree.  We all followed Wayne and danced how ever Pappa Wayne did.  Then  PJ time and Muppets Christmas Carol movie.


Christmas Adam


Christmas Adam  ( Dec 23) was a full day...
Cole family Christmas breakfast at the Call's with White elephant HATS -- that was the new twist this year. The hit was a tree hat and a chocolate kiss hat that Christine and Aaron made... and of course Wayne's ugly Cat sweater with the light up eyes.

Gary, Ryan Call, Wayne

Front: Lexi, Jenna, Casey, Becca.  Back:  Gary, Liz, All, Paula Carlson, Mary Call, Preston hiding, Angela, Gary

Front: Sophia, Landon, Andrew, Alex   Back;  Megan, Ryan, Jenna, Hayden, Wayne, Laila, Melinda, Laurie, Drew
Rachel, Christine, Adam

Ryan, Jordan

Monson wishing us all a Meowy Christmas

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Landon celebrated with the littles...Uncle Candy's christmas.  He got all of them hooded towels, so Alfie immediately got undressed and jumped in the tub for a picture...everyone joined in the fun.

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Monson, Lexi, Laila, Wayne and I attended Juanito Bandito's Christmas!  "Not Christmas?" 

Welch Party/Sibling Party/ Addison's BOOK

We had a wonderful Welch family party at Sandy and Clark's home with 73 of a possible 125 people attending.  Wanee was in heaven with so many of her people there.  It's nice that Sandy and Clark remodeled and added on to their home so we could fit so many of us.  We enjoyed soup, salads, rolls, ice cream cake rolls, white elephant exchange with a lot of silly stuff including an empty jar with ribbon that said.. .Farts June 2016- beef jerky, eggs and cherry...so funny!  Some of us headed to the Hopebox theatre after to do a little nativity.  This year we only had Blake and Liz's kids and Holly do the nativity.  ( we lost a lot of kids in the transitioning to a new place)

My sibling party was fun...we ate at Station park and then went to Gary's for reminiscing and prezzies.  I was so excited to give out Addison's first illustrated book..."Once I went a Swimmin'"  the song Grandpa Lyle would teach and sing to all of us.  It was a HIT!   I am so proud of Addison for getting this labor of love finished. Alfie thinks this book is about him and his dog Harvey...it's really cute when he goes through this book and comments on all of the pictures.








AND....speaking of Alfie...he sat on Santa's lap and didn't cry and wasn't even nervous...that's what he told me anyway...

Monday, December 11, 2017

Christmas Card-


Holly's Christmas show- Plus

Holly had her Christmas show and once again it was glorious. Such a wonderful way to get into the Holiday Spirit.  She is a such a performer. She practices in her room for an hour a day so she knows all of her actions and songs and it really shows.  She just does everything full out...and is always in the front row.    They had a part in the program where they showed all of the special needs kids as babies or children at Christmas time and the slide show ended with Holly giving Santa Claus a big squeeze.  That is a miracle picture.  Usually Holly stayed for away from Santa as a little girl.  I think in that picture her dad is the Santa. 

 We all wanted to support this beautiful performer....   This picture has all of the "usual suspects" in it with cousin Don Allen down front. 

PLUS_______________________________________________________________________________
 Addison's latest Christmas painting of Joseph with the Baby Jesus... It has a beautiful feeling about it.  It could also be Jesus holding a baby...which is still good.... or even Addison holding baby Poppy.   I see all of that.