Christmas 2016

Christmas this year was absolutely wonderful.  We began on Christmas Eve with the traditional opening of Christmas pajamas.

On Christmas morning, Sean gave me strict orders to be at the house at 8:30 but I was a little bit late because of the snow (I actually got stuck in the driveway).

Sean got a lot of games for his Xbox One, a new TV, and a cool chair for playing his games.

Tashena got a new bed and lots of clothes.

Marilyn made quilts for Sean and Tashena in the Bountiful High School colors.  Tashena was really excited because she can take it on the bus to her away games.

I got a Fire Stick, bluetooth speakers, lots of movies, and some new boots.

After opening presents we had a fabulous dinner of chicken cordon bleu.  Most of us had naps after dinner (Sean played with his games) then we played a mean game of shanghai rummy (Tashena won).  In the evening, Kristine, Marilyn, Tashena, and I went to see the movie La La Land.  I was a little bit worried because I had really talked it up but Kristine and Marilyn loved it (Tashena kept asking me when it was over).  It was a great day!

Note:  For the record, I have now seen La La Land three times!

Thanksgiving 2016

Yesterday was wonderful!  We had our traditional Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house and everyone was assigned to bring something.  I was assigned rolls and I actually made them (Rhodes Bake and Serve) and they turned out great (I have burned them before).  We had turkey and ham, cheesy potatoes, stuffing, the aforementioned rolls, pomegranate salad (a tradition), and a relish tray.  Everything tasted great!

After dinner we all took naps for a few hours and then we reconvened for a ruthless game of shanghai rummy!  Everyone was assigned to bring a treat (we will play this game every night over the break).  I made caramel corn and we also had fudge, caramels, my Grandma Johnson's traditional scones, and, of course, pie!  Sean is modeling the whipped cream from the pie!

Marilyn is modeling the caramels.

This game is absolutely crazy!  Tashena won the last game we played so we were all gunning for her and she was not happy!

It is kill or be killed, Tashena!  I actually won but I know that everyone will be gunning for me when we play again!  It was so much fun to spend the day with my family!  I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving as well!

Memorial Day Weekend 2016

Memorial Day is the official start of summer so Marilyn and I decided to spend the weekend at Bear Lake.  We had so much fun!

We stayed at the KOA in Garden City and this was our cabin for the weekend.  Both Marilyn and I spent some quality time sitting on the front porch reading.  It was so relaxing!  On Saturday my Mom and Dad drove up and we rented a pontoon boat for the afternoon.  It was so much fun!  My Mom does not like boats and, initially, she didn't want to go with us but she let herself be coaxed on board.  Marilyn is terrified of water and doesn't know how to swim but she eventually drove the boat.  I'm telling you, it was so much fun being out on the water and the weather was absolutely perfect!

On Sunday Marilyn and I spent the day at the beach.  We drove to Bear Lake State Park in Idaho because it was a little bit out of the way so it wasn't very crowded.  We ended up at North Beach and we basically sat on the beach and read.  It was fabulous!

This was such a wonderful start to the summer!