January 2021

Welcome 2021!

These are the things that made January special...

We celebrated three birthdays this month.

Joseph turned 17 on the 3rd.

Christian turned 22 on the 14th.

Bruce turned 67 on the 15th. 

And, speaking of Bruce, we bid him a fond farewell as he departed on his latest adventure - doctoring on an Indian Reservation in Fairbanks, Alaska.

We wish him the best and hope he comes back with all his fingers and toes. It gets pretty cold up there! 

We celebrated Utah's 125th Anniversary of Statehood on January 4th, with a TV special and simultaneous fireworks in all 29 counties.

Meatloaf Monday is always a great way to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. 

The Rowe's Big Reveal - ANOTHER BOY!

We can't wait for July!!!

Dad and I got started on our Christmas puzzles and just couldn't stop.

The 'sweatshop' produced another table runner.

And, while we were at it, we made three baby quilts for the homeless.

And I even crocheted a lovely scarf for some lucky homeless person.

Dad and I got Covid-19 shot #1. We feel fine. No pig noses yet.

Well, that about does it for the first month of 2021. 

We kept busy, healthy, and hopeful.

Let's just end with this admonition-

Seize every opportunity that life offers you because, when opportunities go, they take a long time to come back.

-Paulo Cuelho

 

December kept us busy, for sure!

'Tis the Season, don't cha know!

We began the month by taking Hayley... 

...back up to Rexburg after Thanksgiving Break. 

(Check out her cute room.)

We made the rounds.

We loved Alex & Amanda's darling little apartment.

And thanks to Amber & Dave, we had a place to stay that night. (I guess the thanks should go to Ruby - she's the one who has to give up her room each time!)

The visit was short - but sweet.

Happy Birthday to Kimba on the 2nd!

We celebrated with a family breakfast at Kneaders.

She's 41 (and ready for some fun!) 😃

It really is so hard to stay at home. Sometimes you just have to get out of Dodge. CCC, Janet, and I returned to Hale Theatre on the 5th. 

If it wasn't for Jenna and her performances, we probably would never make it down south. But we love an excuse to see everyone in the Spanish Fork area. 

Since we were unable to visit each and every one of you this year...

I thought it would be nice to remember this season with photos of each of your homes...inside and out...

Grandma & Grandpa

(Brace yourselves - Grandpa resurrected the milk bottles this year! Bet you Texas people are sorry you missed that!)

Ryan & Shelley

Emily & Geoff

Nathan and Kristy

(Their house sang and danced.)

Kimberly

David

Amber & Dave

(What do you think? Should they win the home decoration award for this year?)

Alex & Amanda

Uncle Bruce

Chris and Janet and I kept out of trouble by making pillows and table runners!

And you lucky little children all got one!

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We enjoyed a short visit with David...

...and the BYUI grandkids before they left for Christmas break.

With Larry's Spring Chicken Inn closing in a few weeks, we jumped to get one last dinner in with the Pikes. 

Christmas in Morgan this year included the NJMs, KJLs, DARs, Grandma and Grandpa, and Bruce. Christmas activities included...puzzles, dominoes, frosting cookies for Santa, Ogden Christmas Village, Christmas Eve Soup Supper, the treat table, new PJs, the cellophane ball and cousin gift exchange, and Amber and Dave's BIG NEWS.

Santa found them in spite of it all!

Christmas Morning with the Rowes

Still more visits! This time with friends. We enjoyed an afternoon with the Browns and Vittorazzos. It was fun to "catch up".

Those boys now speak English like natives!

Another Birthday Bird visit on the 30th.

Happy Birthday to Amber Jo. 

She's 36, don't cha know!

Since we wouldn't be together for the real birthday, we opted for Taggart's Take-Out before they returned to Rexburg.

And one more thing...

2020 has been a rough year but there was a year-end treat...

Hope y'all were able to see the Christmas Star on the 21st. 

I loved how President Nelson put it-

AMEN

And just like that - finally - we bid farewell to 2020!

I like how Finn put it:

"Are we counting down to get rid of 2020? I hope it leaves! That was the worst year ever."

But there were lessons to be learned...

As we look forward to 2021...a new year and a new decade...may your vision of your future help you press forward. Take a few minutes to envision where you want to be in one year or two or five. Then take action to prepare yourselves.