December 2022

December 2, 2022, the University of Utah Utes beat USC to become back-to-back PAC-12 champions.  GO UTES!!!!

December 3 was the Davidson Christmas Parade.  The day started out very rainy, but it was forecast to let up about the time the parade was supposed to start.   Modern technology is amazing.  It stopped raining just a few minute before the parade was supposed to start.  It hadn't rained hard, but it was just enough that we were worried about the woodwinds.  We had to keep them all dry.  

Avian and Kennedy in their reindeer antlers

Wearing our rain ponchos because it kept on-again-off-again raining.  

Maeve's mom and I got to carry the banner

The kids really did well.  This is the longest parade we march in every year (1 mileish)

Another successful parade in the books.  

Ryland loading the drums into the truck.

Rose looking stylish in her antlers and shades.  

The whole crew

December 6 and 7 I got to attend a virtual Branching Minds conference to learn more about how to make our MTSS program more effective for both the students and teachers.  It was an informational two days

December 8, Steve had both physical therapy and the eye doctor.  It was his first session with the physical therapist and he was sore and exhausted afterwards.  That night was the LNC staff holiday party.  We had good finger food and played musical BINGO.  It was a lot of fun.  

The fog and misty rain made for a cool laser light show

Avian made a mole ornament for extra credit in their chemistry class.  

December 9, I walked into my office and it was completely decorated.  My co-workers treated me to lunch and a cheesecake.  It was also the PTO-sponsored cookie walk.  It was a fun day.  

That night, Nick ran in the Huntersville 5K.  I love this tradition and it happened to fall on my birthday this year.  He finished 10th overall and 1st in his age. His time was 20.40.  

Start

Finish

Nick is steaming in the picture.

Medal #1 for this race series. 

December 10 we were up bright and early for the Huntersville Half Marathon.  Nick finished with a time of 1 hour and 40 minutes and was 7th in his age group.  

All smiles before the race. 

We run from the start line down to the main road so we can get one last glimpse of Nick before he heads into the neighborhoods for the rest of the race.  I love how he always waves.  

He was singing as he crossed the finish line.  

Medals #2 and #3.  He got a medal for finishing both the 5k (the night before) the half-marathon and an additional one for doing both races back to back.  His collection is getting to be quite impressive.  

That night Steve and I met the O'Briens at Que Onda for some good, authentic, Mexican food.  It is always fun to hang out with the O'Briens and catch up.  

Hanging with The Rock while waiting for the O'Briens at Que Onda.  

December 11 was day one of try-outs for the Gold Team.  Avian said it was a good group of girls.  One more day of tryouts later in the week before we find out if Avian made Gold.  

December 12 Jeremy woke up throwing up and he had to get his final project done for one of his classes. I spent the day helping him do research and getting a lot of the organization done for his project.  

Steve and I also reshopped our car and home insurance as both rates were going to double with the new policy.  We were able to get a much more reasonable deal through Progressive.  It pays to occasionally reshop your policy.  

December 13 Jeremy woke up early to finish his project and he still felt really sick.  I came home from work and helped him finish up in time to go to the school and present.  He was able to make it through the presentation and his classmates (and professor) really liked it.  

It was also day 2 of tryouts for Gold for Avian.

That night we went to the #LightTheWorld Giving Machine and were able to purchase 6 chickens and a beehive for people in need.  We went out for peppermint frosties afterwards.  It was a fun night.  

Miss South Carolina was there and we got to have our picture taken with her.  

December 15, 2022, is a date Nick will remember for a long time.  The lawyer was finally able to get a deal cut for Nick to have his ticket reduced.  Ryan got the speed reduced from 87 in a 55 to 64 in a 55  (from 32 to 9 over!!)  That will not cause issues with his driver's license or insurance.  Ryan also got the "reckless driving to endanger" dismissed.  Nick is a new kid.  A huge weight has been lifted off of him and he is smiling again.  

That night Nick and I went to the middle school chorus concert.  Nick wanted to see Mr. McSwain again.  Mr. McSwain was one of his favorite teachers at the high school.  

I woke up on Friday, December 16th and told Steve about a dream I had the night before.  Mom and Dad came to visit.  We went all over the place touring around North Carolina and had a great time.  When it was time for them to go home we couldn't find Dad.  Mom wasn't worried and said we would find him again and then she left.  It was very real and really odd.  

December 17th - Laura called me this morning to tell me that Dad passed away in his sleep.  I was in absolute, 100% shock!  I collapsed on the couch and just cried.  Dad was completely healthy and had been riding his bike and walking all over the place just the week before.  Jeremy tried distracting me by taking me Christmas shopping with him.  We went all over the place trying to find the perfect gifts for him to give to everyone.  We stopped in to a random store and I went to use the bathroom.  It was decorated with Peanuts characters, my Dad's favorite cartoon.  I took it as a sign from him that everything was going to be okay, but it still made me cry a little.  

December 18, Nick spoke in church.  He always gets so nervous, but always does a fantastic job.  I was so proud of him.  Back at home I had just enough time to finish getting all my things packed before heading to the airport.  Steve had gotten me booked on the first flight out on Sunday.  I tried to distract myself by listening to music on the flight, but burst into tears when the song "I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Rascal Flatts started playing.  I am sure the person sitting next to me thought I was completely losing it.  Shaun and Kathy were at the SLC airport to pick me up and take me to Mom's.  The plan was I would stay with Mom and make sure she was okay and help her with anything she needed.  This way the sisters could get all the errands run and tasks done before the funeral on Friday.  It was so nice to hug my mom and know that she was going to be okay. 

December 19 Mom and I were up at 5 am.  I got breakfast for the two of us and spent the morning planning things for the funeral.  At 11 we picked Kathy up and met Laura and Jenny at the florist to pick out the flowers for the casket and a standing spray from the daughters.  Sweet William's Flowers was amazing.  They helped us personalize the flower arrangements just for Dad with UofU buttons and a fishing pole.  We then went to the cemetery to make sure all the arrangements were made for the burial.  the gentleman at the cemetery encouraged us to make this service personal to our family.  This was not a time to stick to traditions.  It was a time to celebrate Dad's life.  We hatched a few plans that would make the day perfect.  Back at the house we put together a few more things for the funeral and then went to bed.  

Marking Dad's final resting place so Mom could see where it was.  

December 20 Mom was up by 6:30.  She said she had slept very well and looked rested.  I fixed her some oatmeal for breakfast while she got ready for the day.  While she took care of some personal things, I dusted and vacuumed everything and did some laundry that Mom had not had time to get to.  After lunch, I got to meet some of the neighbors while delivering things for Mom.  That evening, I drove Mom to see the crystal tree I had seen the night I flew in.  She loved getting out of the house at night and seeing something so beautiful. 

There were so many lights on this tree that it looked like glowing crystal.

December 21, Steve called and said that Dianna had helped him get flights for everyone to be there in time for the funeral.  Now we just needed the weather to cooperate!!!  That was a good way to start the day.  After breakfast, I drove Dad's car out to Kathy's so that Steve and the kids would have a car to drive around while they were in town.  Shaun and Kathy were picking them up at the airport this way I could get Mom to bed early the night before the funeral.  Shaun drove us back to Mom's house where we spent the morning calling people that had knew Dad to let them know about the funeral day and time.  It was nice to talk to all the old neighbors, but not fun delivering the message.  I also did some grocery shopping so that we could have a Christmas Eve dinner with Mom, me, Steve and the kids.  I also filled the car with gas so we could drive around the day of the funeral/burial and not have to worry about that detail.  While Mom took a nap that afternoon, I took some time to write out my thoughts for the funeral and worked on the slide show of all the pictures everyone was sending me of Grandpa/Dad to show at the viewing.  That night, after dinner, I got a surprise call from Roger Buttars.  He was in town for the wedding of his daughter and would be able to come to the viewing.  It was good to talk to him.  Steve called right before Mom and I were heading to bed to say that everything was arranged and he and the kids would see me soon.  

December 22, we were up at 5:30.  I got breakfast for the two of us and then Mom and I did some last minute things in preparation for tomorrow.  The sisters came over at 10 to talk about how Mom wanted the day to go tomorrow and what she needed us to do.  She showed us where all the legal papers were and where to find things.   I fed Mom lunch after the sisters left and she took a nap.  Later that afternoon, Mark and Laura stopped by to visit.  Steve let me know that he and kids were on the plane and it was scheduled to take off and land on time.  

I wasn't sure they were going to be able to fly out.  There was a storm that was causing cancelled flights nationwide.  I was relieved when Steve sent me this picture.  

Jackie Cannon, of Cannon Mortuary, called and said there was a problem with Dad's casket.  It had come with a big dent on the top.  She wanted permission to change it out for a nicer model so that Dad would have the best for his burial.  I love the Cannon family (not a close relation, in case you were wondering).  After dinner that night, Bishop Haas (a former bishop) stopped by to check on Mom and give her a blessing of strength for tomorrow.  It did help her calm down.  I am grateful he thought of that detail.  

Dad's Funeral Day has it's own blog post!!!

December 24, Mom was up early and wanted to go to the church to check that nothing got left.  Steve and the kids came over for a little bit to spend more time with Grandma.  They left to go out to lunch at a favorite spot (Millie's Burgers) and Mom got to take a good nap.  They came back and had a good time connecting with Grandma while I fixed the dinner.  Grandma wanted them to go through Grandpa's art supplies and books and pick out some they would like to have to remember Grandpa.  I could tell the kids were struggling with this, especially Jeremy.  I told him it was okay to take a few things.  He eventually picked out a few book.  We ate and talked and they went back to Kathy's house for the night.  They had just gotten back to Kathy's when Steve called to tell me their flight was delayed.  We were going to get to spend Christmas together after all.  

Christmas morning Mom and I were up early.  She wanted to open her presents.  Dad got her a gorgeous tiger eye necklace.  He had been so excited for her to open it on Christmas Day.  We both had a good cry and then tried the necklace on.  Jenny had invited us all to her house for Christmas morning sweetrolls.  It was fun to reconnect and get to know Harrison, Andrew's boyfriend, a little better.  

Cousins reconnecting.
 (Jenny and I are in the background commenting on how the younger generation has its own language)

 The freeze dryer is Chris's new hobby and he is very creative about finding new things to freeze dry.  You can see the Starburst ready to go in the back ground.   They had some freeze dried Skittles for us.  Yummy!

Mom told us to smile for the camera

Doing our best over-the-shoulder sexy pose.  Jenny is much better at it than I am.  

I didn't think I was going to get Avian and Jeremy off the couch.  They were very comfortable.  

I took Mom back to her house to have some down time before heading to Mark and Laura's for dinner.  

Laura always sets the most gorgeous table.  

Avian getting some doggie time before dinner. 

Mark and Laura finishing up the Prime Rib. 

Jeremy and Nate sat at the table after dinner and talked.   I got in on the conversation for a bit when Nate started talking about teaching 8th grade math.  It was interesting to hear that 8th graders are the same in Utah as in North Carolina.  It is not a regional thing and completely an age thing.  We shared stories.  I got to know Kimber (Nate's wife) a little better.  I had only met her once, at the beginning of their relationship.  She is excited to become a mom in May.  I also got to talk with Katie's girlfriend, Heather.  After dinner, we opened presents.  Laura got me a University of Utah jacket so that I could remember Dad and the Utes.  She also got me a UofU Dad ornament for the tree.  Mom loved the Britbox subscription Laura and Mark purchased for Mom and Dad.  They loved watching anything British together.  It was nice of us to be able to be there with Grandma for this.  

Laura's gift was a big surprise.  I love the jacket. 

Steve and the kids came back to Mom's house to watch the Christmas episode of "Call The Midwife" with me and Grandma.  This was how she and Dad were going to spend Christmas Eve together.  Steve got a message that their flight was delayed for another day.  They wouldn't be flying out until Tuesday morning now.  

December 26 - Mom woke up with a list of things she wanted to get done.  We went through Dad's shirts and she picked out her favorites.  There were a couple of pairs of cargo pants that Mom loved and didn't want to get rid of, but wouldn't use, so.....   I came up with the solution of making a bag out of the pants for Mom to carry her cell phone and other things she might need.  She loved the idea.   She also put together some bags of things for the MS Society.  

Mom using the electric warming back support Jenny got her.  Mom has had lower back pain ever since she broke her back years ago.  

Steve took the kids to Crown Burger for lunch and then they went to Derran's house to visit.  Avian wanted to see the indoor volleyball court.  

Doing nails with Summer.  

I spent the afternoon compiling all the photos from the funeral that everyone was sending me. I told everyone I would put all the photos on USB drives so they could have all of the pictures too.  It was a fun and cathartic project for me.  

Steve and the kids came over for a Papa Murphy's Pizza dinner.  We ate pizza and worked on the puzzle we gave Grandma for Christmas.  We found places for everyone to sleep at Grandma's that night as their flight was EARLY the next morning.   I had been sleeping on the couch every night because I wasn't ready to sleep in Grandpa's bed.  Because there was limited space for everyone, Avian and I slept in Dad's bed and it wasn't sad or scary to me after that.  In fact, I felt closer to him.  

December 27 - I drove Steve and the kids to the airport at 4 am so they could catch their 6 am flight back to Charlotte.  As much fun as they had visiting with family, they were ready to be back home again.  Nick was worried about work and Jeremy was ready for his own space.  I was going to miss them, but would be home at the end of the week.  

I got back to Mom's house and was able to sleep until 8:30.  It was nice for Mom that I was not on the couch anymore because she could get up and move around without worrying about waking me.  I eventually got up and did some cleaning.  The green blankets that Mom let Steve and the boys use were that green fuzzy material and were really old.  They had started to disintegrate during the night with all the friction of being slept on.  I got everything vacuumed up and clean again.  I also did some laundry and cleaned up the kitchen while Mom worked on the ward newsletter.   I also sewed the bag out of Dad's old pants for Mom.  She loved it.  

Avian sent me this pictures of flying over the Utah mountains. 

The finished bag for Mom.  

 That night we went to Laura's house to have dinner with her and Mark.  She made beef stroganoff with the left over prime rib.  It was so yummy!! Laura has always made really delicious and gourmet meals and I love being on the receiving end of those meals.  She also taught me the secret of her mousse balls!!  

Steve called to tell me they were home.  They would have missed their connecting flight in Atlanta if it had not been delayed.  For once I am really grateful for a flight delay.  They immediately went to Chick-fil-A to pick up dinner because they missed the Southern hospitality of the Chick-fil-A workers that was missing in Utah.  They were also glad to be back in the humidity.  

December 28th we woke up to snow!  Big, amazing, gorgeous flakes of snow!  It didn't last very long though.  

HUGE flakes of snow.  

Bill and Barbara Kershaw came to visit along with their daughter, Janelle.  We didn't really get to see them at the funeral and they wanted to catch up.  Kathy, Laura and Jenny came over as well for the visit.  After the Kershaws left, we went out to visit Rachel and Justin and meet baby Ruby.  She is so snuggly and sweet and adorable and squishable.  I also loved seeing Justin and Rachel's new house.  I miss out on so much being so far away.  

I love her SOOOOO much!

Next we went up to the pharmacy where Dad worked to return his key and give Bob his Christmas present from Mom (and Dad).   I had never been in this pharmacy.  Dad started working for Bob after I had moved to NC.  I know all about Bob because I have two of the nutcrackers he gave Mom and Dad.  I love pulling them out every Christmas.  

We then went to lunch at a Chinese restaurant on State Street called Chinese Taste.  The service and food were both five-star review-worthy.  There was even a huge lazy-susan in the middle of the table so we could turn it and get to whatever dish we wanted.  That brought back memories of eating Chinese food in Chinatown.   We talked and laughed and had a good sisters/mom lunch together.  

Back at Mom's house we got to business with the hard task of going through Dad's clothes and picking out our favorites.  We shared memories and laughed and cried.  There was a stack of shirts that no one was claiming and no one wanted to send to Goodwill so I offered to bring them home with me and turn them into pillows so that everyone could have a piece of Dad/Grandpa/Great Grandpa.  

Going through Dad's clothes

Mom was ex-hast-ed by the end of the day.  I am quite surprised she made it all day long.  She was in bed by 6:30 and I just sat and cried for an hour to let out all the emotions from the day.  

December 29, my last day in Utah already.  Mom and I got up and took our showers, ate our oatmeal and tea breakfast and spent the morning getting all the photos off her phone.  I showed her how to hook it up to her computer and use it as a disk drive.  We left the house to run some errands that had been piling up over the week.  First stop was to take the bishop Dad's key and executive clerk folder.  He is a good man and I know that he will make sure Mom is taken care of.  We then dropped off some recycling and went to UPS to mail boxes of what the kids picked out and Dad's shirts to North Carolina.  Mom wanted to go and pick out a pair of skinny jeans.  She had seen mine and I showed her how comfortable they were and she wanted to give them a try.  We had some money left over from what Melonie had sent for lunch and we used it to spoil Mom a little.  On the way home I took Mom to Cafe Rio for lunch.  She had never been!!!!  She liked it very much.  

Back at home we were finishing up a few things when Laura stopped by with a USB drive for me to fill with all the pictures I had been collecting of the memories of Dad and from the funeral.  We talked while the pictures were transferring.  Mom joined us after she woke up from her nap.  She stopped mid-sentence and said, "Is that what I think it is under your Dad's art desk?"  I quickly turned around expecting to see a mouse and saw a pair of slippers instead.  Mom laughed and told us that Dad had purchased some new slippers because his old ones were worn through on the bottom.  The night before Dad died he told her that the new slippers were pinching his feet and he was going to get the old slippers out of the garbage.  Mom went to bed thinking he was kidding.  He must have waited until she was in bed before retrieving the slippers and hiding them under his art desk.  Well played, Dad! 

Mom said that the story was not complete without a pictures of the bottom of the slippers.  He loved them so much he took some of his crafting leather and some glue and repaired the gaping hole in the bottom to extend their life.  Dad was very creative and resourceful.  

Shortly after Laura left, Shaun and Kathy came over for dinner.  We wanted to spend some time together before I flew out the next morning.  We had some good laughs and told stories and just enjoyed the evening.  It was over way to quickly.  

December 30 Mom and I got up and had one last breakfast together before Mark and Laura arrived to take me to the airport.  Mom came with us.  I got to hug them all goodbye before heading into the airport to tackle the crowds and security.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  I can say that the security at the SLC airport is the most thorough of any airport I have ever been in .   While standing in line to get through security, they had dogs sniffing everyone and their carry-on baggage.  The line snaked back and forth four or five times, but moved surprisingly quickly.  I got to wander the airport for a bit before boarding the airplane.  It was an uneventful flight home and Steve was there to pick me up.  Avian had made some chicken noodle soup so they could take some to our bishop who had just had shoulder surgery.  We had some for dinner and then opened our Christmas presents together.  They had waited for me to get home.  

Steve played "Santa" and brought us all our presents.  

Nick enjoying his neck massager and my massaging boots.  

We gave Avian their name for Christmas - we are also going through the process to have their name legally changed as well.  

Grandma and Grandpa always find fun ways to give the kids cash.  Avians's money came wrapped around crayons.  

Nick's money was rolled up in some toilet paper.  

Jeremy's came in a "money growing" kit.  

The aftermath

After opening presents, everyone decided they wanted Andy's Custard for dessert.  The perfect way to end the day.  

December 31 we spent the day making won tons and pot stickers and Mongolian Beef and Mandarin Chicken.  We took some to the bishop and his family as well.  It was a good day ending with good food.  We were all in bed by 10:30.  

Traditional yuminess!!!

Happy New Year!  Here is to a peaceful and hopeful 2023.