Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert

Karen surprised Elle for her 12th birthday and flew to Utah to spend some quality time together. They got in Thursday night, December 14. We packed in a ton of stuff while Elle was here, including a movie, JCW's, JDawgs, and Coco, the new Disney Pixar movie. We also went to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert. I lucked out with 8 tickets, so we also invited Cathy and Bill Voorhees and Starlyn and Lee Hjorth to join us.

That evening was crazy. SLC gets so busy and crowded. It wasn't the night I expected. I was really, really bummed because we didn't get a picture of all 8 of us. We got to the food court late, the Hjorths and Voorhees' had already eaten. Then when we left to walk to the venue, Karen wanted to check a store at the mall. I told the others to go ahead. We had different spots for seats, so that was the last we saw of each other. I was really bummed. Something seems to always go wrong when we go to this concert. I love the concert, though, so I keep trying to make it the perfect night.

Well, the concert was fantastic. We even got to sing with the choir. Yes, the director lead us all in Jingle Bells together. All the numbers were fantastic. The guest was very young and energetic. She's a broadway/TV personality that I didn't know. I did, however, know the narrator. Hugh Bonneville from Downton Abbey came and it was GREAT.

Well, wouldn't you know it that while we were walking back to our car, Lee and Starlyn found us. We parked in the same garage, so we walked together to our cars. While we were taking a picture of the 6 of us, who came off the elevator? Bill and Cathy!!!!!! So, I did get a picture of all of us. God blessed me. I need to be nicer next time things don't quite work out. I was admittedly a bit of a turd when the night was going a bit not like I expected.

Took Elle to get a birthday cupcake

Elle's crazy party with all the old ladies at JCW's

Jen came down and stayed here, too. Sisters' walk

Cute Elle got my phone for a second

All my friends...Lee and Starlyn, me, Keenan, Karen, Elle, Cathy and Bill

singing with the choir. Elle had to borrow my glasses, so I put in a contact lense.

with Lee and Starlyn before Cathy and Bill showed up

Jesus Wasn't Lost

Recently a friend told me about a lesson she learned while sitting in a church class of young children. The teacher asked the children what they knew about Jesus. One child responded "wasn't he lost?"

The reply:

"No. Jesus wasn't lost. His parents just didn't know where He was."

My friend talked about how this can really apply to us as we parent our young adult kids here on earth. Sometimes we wonder how they are. We fret about their choices. We think they might be lost because they are not taking the same path that we have taken.

Remember that we've taught our kids to be good people, to be Christlike, and to spread love to the world. We've taught them to work hard, to be responsible, and to right wrongs. Mary and Joseph thought young Jesus was lost, but He was exactly where He needed to be - teaching in the temple.

So it can be with our kids. Trust that they are currently where they need to be, doing what they need to be doing.

Thanksgiving 2017

After a few twists and turns, Thanksgiving turned out to be quiet and great. At one point, Kamiko and Allie thought they might go to California to be with Derek and family. Then Jen invited us for Thursday, along with many Sykes. Then Jen decided upon Tuesday for Sykes so we dropped out for Thursday. When Kamiko and Allie decided to stay here, that left 6 for our house - me, Keenan, mom, dad, Kamiko, and Allie.

But wait...Walter Frank Eng and his dad were en route to the Bay Area from Omaha and they wanted to stop by and surprise Kamiko. They were to arrive in the morning. I would fix them pancakes or something. That changed to a 1:00 pm arrival due to an unexpected nap and the need to drive well below the 75 speed limit because of a UHaul they were pulling. I told them to come hungry since we'd be eating at 2:00. Then when I went to a fitness class in the am, I found out my friend Emily's plans with her parents had been cancelled. Her 3 kids were super disappointed to not have Thanksgiving. So, I talked to mom and Keenan and we invited them to join us. For a while, it looked like our party of 6 was going to more than double to 13.

Fancy paper products

Walter Eng, Walter Frank Eng, Kamiko, mom, dad, Me, Keenan, and Allie

Adcocks and Engs

Emily ended up with her brother, so there were 8 of us with the Engs. Kamiko was surprised and we all had a great dinner. Then we went to Jen's for pie with extended Hunters, including James and Marie and spouses, Clark Amundson and his new wife, Deb and Mark, and Haley and Todd Reeder and family. We had a nice time and some even got in a game of 5 Crowns.

Anna (Eli's sister), Eli Evans, Haley Reeder, Todd Reeder, Keenan, gma, Jen Sykes, gpa, Allie, Andrew Sykes

Clark Amundson married Alissa Smith the week before Thanksgiving

Cousins: Alissa, Clark, Haley and James Sykes with Ellie (expecting girl #2 in the spring), and Marie and Eli Evans (expecting baby #1 in the spring)

Friday I skipped all the Black Friday madness and went to High Fitness with Keenan and Annie. Metta killed us and her husband rocked an awesome t-shirt. After a shower, I helped at Jason Lee's wedding luncheon. It was nice to spend time with family and friends.

Look at the steam on that mirror: Annie, Keenan, me, Annie's sister-in-law, Metta, and Clair

EPIC Disney Trip

So, Allie and I had plans to go to Disneyland earlier in November. She had just bought herself an annual pass and wanted to go for the 3rd weekend in a row. It's not difficult to talk me into a trip to Disneyland. I was also gonna get to see my favorite Hunter family. 

On Wednesday night before the trip, Allie and Starlyn and I were at a concert that another TA was in. Starlyn said she needed a vacation and should come with us. We told her to join us. She kinda went back and forth on Thursday, but by Friday, she decided she was in. Starlyn had taken Friday off because of a funeral. Allie and I worked all day, then stopped in Springville to pick up our friend. We drove straight to So. California, stopping only for gas, bathroom breaks, and Cane's chicken strips. We were going to stay at Derek and Rachel's, but they came down with strep throat, so we got an air bnb. We stayed in a bedroom in an Asian woman's home about 30 minutes from the park. We got in late, around midnight. Allie still had to take an exam, but she got it done. We had a nice place to stay. Nice comfy bed and a bathroom. That's all we needed. Allie slept on a mat on the floor. When the lady found out there were unexpectedly 3 of us, she brought up an air mattress for Allie for night #2.

Saturday, we got up early and headed to the park. When I went to use my pass Derek had emailed me, it didn't work. It had been used by Connor Crockett. I know because the lady showed me the picture of the person who had used it. Oh no. There were Allie and Starlyn, safe in California Adventure, and I was stuck outside, waiting for Derek to get to the bottom of it all. He did. He was very frustrated, as I can understand, but it all worked out. The 3 of us had hopper passes and we had a blast. We stayed from 9 am until midnight. We did just about everything. We rode the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride and rode Soarin. We rode the cars ride. Starlyn hadn't been to Disneyland in years. It was fun to show her around. We do not get maps anymore. We know the park quite well. We went on Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, Ariel, Monsters, inc., Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear, Jungle Cruise, and many more. We also saw the Frozen show, which is so cute. I tell ya, we had a blast and wore ourselves OUT!

A funny thing that happened is that we thought we got an unlimited fast pass. Allie got a text that said there was a change to our fast pass and that we had an "unlimited attraction" fast pass. We understood that to mean unlimited pass for the remainder of the day. That was at about 4:00. We managed to use it 4 times before someone explained that it had "disappeared" from Allie's phone because it was a one-use pass. We just told ticket people that it was on our phone, but we couldn't download it anymore. We really thought it was a phone problem, not that it was a one-time use deal. Like I said, we got a lot of fun out of thinking we had unlimited fast passes. We also got on 4 rides when it should have been only 1, so it worked out ok.

the BEST fast pass user of all time

At Cane's on the way there

Great recommendation, Allie. Lunch at Downtown Disney at Earl of Sandwich.

Our faces when we thought we had unlimited fast passes

They turned Tower of Terror to Guardians of the Galaxy. It was a good change. I'm still upset about them changing the Swiss Robinson Treehouse to Tarzan.

Thinking of Sister Adcock "Joy to the Whirl"

Wins the prize for best Disney treat of the trip. Mallows, caramel, chocolate, sugar

Look Kamiko, it's Buzz

In line at Guardians

on the bus to the park

Santa + Disneyland + friends = PERFECTION

end of the day. a bit tired.

Sunday we got up and got donuts at a place Allie wanted to try. It was kinda funny in that we stayed in a very Asian part of town. Many signs were in characters, either Korean or Chinese. Allie saw a donut place and assumed it would be excellent since many great donut places we've been to are run by Asians. Well, it was Winchell's. She had no idea it was a chain. We went there anyway, then drove to Derek and Rachel's. They were feeling well enough for visitors. Man, I love those kids. They are so dang cute. We stayed there for about 90 minutes, then headed home. The drive is always so long. We did stop at Cane's again for more chicken. YES! I'm so glad I didn't have to work on Monday. I felt kinda bad for Starlyn and Allie, who had work and class on Monday. I didn't do much of anything but take naps. 

My Disney benefactor

Me and Milo

Charlie, Rachel, and me

Rose and me

Famous donuts

Carpool GOATS

Kamiko uses a term GOAT. It means greatest of all time. He has a former co-worker Danny who calls me momma goat. I love it. Well, I had breakfast with my dear friends today to celebrate 2 of our birthdays. We have known each other since our family moved here because we have boys the same age and we carpooled them to junior high and sophomore year of high school together. That's a lot of time spent together. We are the GOATS.

Wendy Lee, mom to Jason Lee, always had great Costco food for the kids. It's no wonder they hung out at the Lee's a lot. Good snacks and video games. She is a sweetheart. She'd do anything to help anyone, but is the last one to ask anyone for help. Thank goodness she asked us all for help today with Jason's upcoming wedding. We're making soups for the wedding lunch. I'm so glad to help. She and DJ moved to the US from Taiwan to pursue DJ's advanced education. Both kids, Jenny and Jason, were born in the US. DJ and Wendy joined the church when living in Virginia. DJ is a professor at BYU. They love camping and have taken us before. They've travelled the US way more than I have. Wendy and I enjoyed regular temple visits together years ago when our kids were younger and when our schedules matched up better. Wendy also makes legit Chinese food...like a full Chinese buffet. She will share whatever she has with you.

Everyone should have a friend like Debbie Larson. She makes me feel like I'm such a great person. She always tells me how happy she is when she spends time with me. Her son is Michael. He's married and is working as an engineer for Hill AF Base. He has earned a spot in a program where the government will pay for him to go to grad school. Debbie has her law degree, but when the prophet urged moms to prioritize staying home with kids, she quit working. She and her husband have been a great support to their daughter Laura and her young family and Laura's husband battled and BEAT cancer a couple of years ago. Debbie and her husband have served in BYU wards for 5 1/2 years. I know it means she doesn't know our home ward well, but I also know they are doing great work in Provo. I look forward to her coming back to our ward. She really is one of the kindest people I know. Plus, if it weren't for Debbie teaching us how to navigate Boy Scouts, I don't think any of our boys would be Eagle Scouts.

I see Kim Blight, mom to Brennan, the most, as she is one of my walking buddies. Brennan is in medical school at the U. Kim has 3 younger kids. I was her daughter, Savannah's YW leader. I admire Kim's simple kindness and quiet ways. She's not out there and loud, but I know she serves many people in her own quiet way. She works part time at an elementary school as an aid. It was a special treat that we could all get together today, part of Kim's fall break. Kim is very close to her sisters and to her extended family, taking vacations to St. George together. I think it's really cool. She always looks great and she gave me the courage to cut my hair short. She lost a little girl years ago, before I met her, and she's a hero to me for making it through that. Kim is one of the very first moms I met because Kamiko and Brennan were classmates before we even moved into our house. I remember bringing Kamiko to play at their home from my sister Debbie's house where we were staying temporarily.

Great friends. I love them all for who they are and what I've learned from them.

p.s. We went to Kneader's and for the first time ever, I got the French toast. Wow, that is GUD.

Birthday Month 2017

Everyone knows I LOVE October. It's my birthday month and I celebrate ALL MONTH LONG. I love Halloween, so it makes for the perfect celebration month. Our anniversary is also in the October mix. The weather is great, sweaters come out, pumpkin spice everything...October is just wonderful!

I've had a great birthday. On my actual birthday, October 5, Keenan worked late and Kamiko had class late, so I got the day all to myself. I had NO commitments until book club at 7:00 pm. I thoroughly enjoyed the day. I went walking with Sherie and RaDawn. RaDawn visited me later with a cute mug and mug cake mixes. Cute Jaxson from my primary class came by with a card. I took a nice bath. I watched a video online from some of my favorite bloggers, the Bucket List Family. I took myself to lunch with $5 Karen had sent in a card. Just enough for a kids meal at JCW's, my favorite burger place. It was just a great, great day. Book club was super fun. Corinne brought a nice white bakery cake with lemon filling and butter cream frosting, just like the excellent Safeway ones mom used to buy for me and Jen. Oh, and as promised, my Chick fil-A friends Jessica and Laura came to book club. They really liked it and are coming in November and December. We have plans for grilled cheese at Cravings in a week. They are so cute. Seriously, such a fun day. I got calls from siblings and warm wishes via text and facebook. Mo sent me the cutest pink sweater. I love it. Keenan gave me a certificate for me and Allie get manicures and pedicures, something I absolutely LOVE. Allie got me a great dishwashing brush. I know...weird, but I love it.

At JCW's in my new sweater. I talked to Karen on the phone while eating. It was great.

Friday I went to work and wore the birthday apron. Starlyn brought me a nice gift of the cutest fall mug and chocolate. Jenny came and brought cake. We all enjoyed a little piece. A friend from the mission, Bill Jarboe, stopped by with his family. He had arranged it a few weeks prior when they were planning their trip. My students asked about my birthday and wished me a happy weekend. I have a great group this semester. Heck, I always have a great group. Friday night Jamie and I went to a movie. We had to re-do our birthday movie from Tuesday. Tuesday night we had gone out for our annual dinner and a movie and the movie was AWFUL. It was a movie about Billie Jean King, the tennis player, and tennis in the 70's but it was mostly about how Billie Jean King was secretly a lesbian. We got a good laugh from the bust of a movie. It just wasn't what we were expecting. So we went again to the theater and saw Home Again. It was light and cute. We had a good time and at least ended our birthdays on a high note.

Saturday Allie and I went to get our mani-pedi's. We love the colors we picked. It's so relaxing. Mom and dad took me and Jen to dinner at Cheesecake Factory. That restaurant has finally figured it out and offers small plates and low calorie plates. I got a fantastic flatbread topped with pears, blue cheese, and nuts. It was just perfect. The server had warned me that it isn't very big to which I replied that I'm not very big. Jenny got similar. Mom got salmon rolls from the small bites menu, too. Then we shared 2 pieces of cheesecake. We got the Celebration one, which is rainbow and yummy, and the 30 Anniversary one which was a great mix of cheesecake and chocolate. It was a great time.

Perfect fall colors

Jenny and me with the Celebration Cheesecake

Yesterday was Brooke Walker's farewell. She heads to Italy on a mission, entering the MTC next week. She'll be great. Allie, Kobi, Tori, Keenan, Megan, Isabelle, and I went. We then helped in the kitchen before we had to get to our ward. I wanted to be there to help in primary. I now have a co-teacher, Nadia Diaz, and she taught yesterday. She did such a great job. It was a lesson on service and she told us that she had spent 4 hours on Saturday helping build a house. Wow! What a girl!

Kamiko and his friend Kasey came home last night from a fun weekend of mission reunion and Park City. They brought me awesome workout gear from Nike. I'm so excited. It was so thoughtful of them.

Here's a picture of us at Fat Fish, getting birthday sushi. Me, Allie, Keenan, Kamiko, and Kasey.