Nov. '22- Week 4- Giving Machines, Thanksgiving at Mantua, Change decorations, Snow storm! Chamber Artist Concert, Ben's Water Cycle

Nov. 22nd- Tuesday: Dan got up early to donate. I got up in time to talk with McKenna. Sadly, before school, she felt pretty nauseous. (She also got her phone taken away.) After taking McKenna to school a little late, Dan and I went to the temple. We came home and I made the green bean casserole for Thanksgiving in Mantua. I went to my voice lesson. Dan took the kids downtown to the Light the World giving machines unveiling. They got to see the actress who voiced Dolores in Encanto perform as well!  We all met at the movie theater after that to watch Lyle Lyle Crocodile. It was cute and Shawn Mendes was great in it. I took Ben to Caleb’s after that. We had dinner and Anna went to gymnastics. Then we played Hullabaloo in the basement. The girls went to bed and Dan prepped his pie crust. McKenna went to Bridget’s for a movie night. 

Nov. 23rd- Wednesday: We got up around 8:45. The kids ate, and then Ben and Anna had piano. Dan baked his pie. I went to the gym with Brynn. The substitute teacher used the “burn out” method as opposed to counting reps. We got rocked!  The kids showered, packed, we ate lunch, packed some more, then we left for Mantua. We arrived around 3pm.  We chilled and napped. We had pizza for dinner, then more cousins came.  We played Skull King and then got kids to bed. We talked in the Piano room till about 1am.  Always a good time bonding with family!

Nov. 24th- Thursday: Thanksgiving Day! We slept in till 8:45ish. We ate a little breakfast and then I watched the parade! We did some turkey crafts with the kids. Some watched football in the game room. I showered, then got my green beans in the oven. We ate our feast around 2pm and everything was amazing!  We played Letter Jam, some went for a walk, and I tried to nap in our room. We had pie for dinner. We played Yahtzee and Brynn made up a silly song that helped several of us get a Yahtzee! We got kids to bed, then Sam and Lara came up to Mantua. I got to talk to my family on the phone from the Hawaii airport. We played Skull King and then talked again till 1am.  

Nov. 25th- Friday: Dan and I woke up around 8:20. We snuggled Alice who was sad about something. We ate, then we started helping clean up. We finished cleaning about 11:30, grabbed lunch to go, and drove home. We unloaded, unpacked. By 1:30ish, we cleaned up Thanksgiving decor and got to work setting up Christmas decorations! We worked until 4:30/5. Dan and the kids also stuffed envelopes with our Christmas cards.  Then we went to Del Taco to eat. We got home and had ice cream and got ready for bed. McKenna showered and got her phone back. After the girls were in bed, I worked on a grocery order and Dan and I watched the second “Enola Holmes” with McKenna. 

Nov. 26th- Saturday: I exercised and Anna and Alice were in the gym with me too. We ate then headed outside to clean up the garage, the yard, and put up Christmas lights. I was out there from 11-1:30 weeding and raking leaves, then I ate lunch and went back out there. The three big girls helped weed some. They also put away the fairy garden and the back patio cushions. Ben helped Dan in the garage. I got to listen to my book a lot. It started snowing around 3:30 and I kept going till 4:45. The guys who Meghan and Cody hired to put up their Christmas lights offered to help Dan finish putting up ours! That was such a tender mercy because of the snow coming in!  We had dinner and then the kids did baths and showers. McKenna and Ben helped vacuum and I finished vacuuming the basement. Then I had to clean the vacuum. We got kids to bed and I took a BATH which felt lovely! We watched football and I found Christmas gift ideas on Amazon. Unfortunately, my parents and Mickelle and Jonathan were all sick with stomach issues since getting back from Hawaii, so we didn’t see them. 

Nov. 27th- Sunday: Dan had an early meeting. We had a call up choir in sacrament meeting. Charlie taught in YWs about sharing the gospel. After lunch and videos, I had singing practice again for the Ward Party, then my family conference call. We got to hear all about their Hawaii trip! Dan and I napped. We had pulled pork for dinner. McKenna practiced her flute with Bridget for the Ward Party. We put new pictures in frames around the house. The kids played with the train. I went to Prelude rehearsal. Dan and I started looking at Christmas gifts for the kids. 

Nov. 28th- Monday: I exercised after the kids left for school. Dan picked up groceries. We ate and Alice went to music. I started laundry and showered. Alice did Upstart and watched a show. We had lunch and she went to preschool. I napped and worked on computer stuff. The kids got home and it was snowing pretty good. I switched laundry and helped them with homework. I started dinner and McKenna and Ben left for rehearsal. We ate and then folded laundry. I had book club at Sarah Moulton’s discussing the book "Hallelujah" about the story of how Handel wrote the oratorio, The Messiah. It was a moving book with many applications to Christ. Dan worked on putting stamps on Christmas cards. 

Nov. 29th- Tuesday: We woke up to more snow. Davis District had a two hour delayed start. Legacy did not. McKenna stayed home sick though. After we ate together, Alice did Upstart and I got dressed. I worked on August picture collages. McKenna did some homework. We had lunch together, then I made the chicken pot pie filling for dinner on Wednesday.  Then I napped and blogged in my room. The kids got home. Ben took a spill at the end of the day and had scraped up knees. I snuggled him a bit then took him to Backstage. I looked over Anna’s homework. The three girls played outside in the snow. I prepped the kids’ dinner. Grandma and Grandpa took Anna to gymnastics. Dan and I left for a date night to Thai food and a concert at the Cathedral of the Madeline down town by the Utah Chamber artists. We got gas station ice cream afterwards and then came home and packed lunches and did dishes. There was also a small bird in our garage that night! We were able to direct him to fly out.

Nov. 30th- Wednesday: I subbed in Ms. Huggard’s Kindergarten class. They were very good and cute kids!  They were respectful, they cleaned up after themselves, and were pretty focused!  The kids had piano and Dan and I napped. I picked up preschool kids and piano kids. I helped Anna with the project a little, then she went to play in the snow with Emi Atkins. Ben had a “James” cast party. McKenna had Newsies. Bethany had hip hop. I hosted the YW over here for a movie and snacks night. And we talked about our favorite Christmas traditions. After the girls were in bed, I cleaned and worked on the countdown doors. Dan gave himself a haircut. *Here's a pictures of Ben's water cycle project.

November Videos:

Ward Youth Activity, McKenna pulling out of parking spot, STEM EXPO, Alice snapping, Stake Youth Activity, Ben in “James”, Light the World Giving Machines, Mantua Thanksgiving crafts, kids playing with train, Ben’s water cycle project

Nov. '22- Week 3- More Jame and the Giant Peach, Alice Fun Bun, Stake Youth Activity, Subbed in Anna's class, Alice Cowboy Day

Nov. 15th- Tuesday: My cold felt about the same as the day before. (I drove the kids to school while Dan donated Plasma. I watched news and snuggled Alice some. We ate, she did Upstart and got dressed.) I worked on organizing the computer desk. I showered and Marco Poloed. After lunch, we ran an errand to the library and to Grandma’s to look at music to sing for the ward Christmas Party. I came home and texted women who I wanted to sing with me. I started dinner (chicken gnocchi soup). The kids got home. Ben read, I continued to make the soup. He ate before getting ready for his call time for "James". I blogged a little. Then Anna ate before gymnastics. I ate with the other three girls and Dan got home. McKenna and I went to the Stewart's to look at hand me down clothes from one of their neighbors. We got the kids to bed and then Dan and I worked on our Christmas card design. My parents and Mickelle brought Ben home from the play and said it was awesome! We worked on addresses and then went to bed.

Nov. 16th- Wednesday: After the kids left, I watched a little news and Alice did Upstart. Then we ate and went to the gym with Brynn. We did Alice’s “fun bun” (a turkey) and she went to preschool. I showered and then kids got home and went to piano. I napped and then I picked up preschool and piano. I worked on the blog and moving pictures to DropBox. I ate with the kids, then drove the Newsies carpool. Bethany had dance and Anna had cookie decorating Activity Days. I went to the stake youth activity which was dodge ball and minute to win it games. McKenna came late.  We worked more on the Christmas card addresses and calendared a bit. 

Nov. 17th- Thursday: I watched the news after the kids left. Alice and I ate. Then she did Upstart and we did her music homework. I went to my room while she watched "Aladdin." I worked on “Hear Him,” moved my dermatology appointment so I could sub, and then made a grocery order. I had a headache most of the morning and my body hurt from the gym. I got dressed. We had lunch. Then Alice’s preschool friend, Adrianna, came to play. Her mom and baby sister stayed and talked with me the whole time. I wasn’t expecting that, but it was nice to get to know her better. I drove LPA carpool. My parents and siblings flight to Hawaii was canceled, so they stopped by for a bit. I’m really grateful they did, because Dan worked late, and they helped me with the kids and we got to see Jonathan on his birthday! I got Ben ready for call time, then picked up a prescription for McKenna and picked her up at piano. We all ate. Anna went to Mabel’s school play, Moana, with Desi.  McKenna and I went to a church leadership training for the Utah Area. We found out Jonathan sold his condo! Dan’s leg (surface blood clot) started hurting him again. Ben and Anna got home. Dan watched some of one of the "Ocean's" movie.

Nov. 18th- Friday: I exercised after the kids left. Alice and I ate and then I showered while she did Upstart. We had lunch together and then I left to sub in Ms. Welch’s class at Legacy for a half day. Anna hugged me every time she saw me. It was cute! There was also a fire drill! Thankfully, the 4th grade team was nice enough to give me a heads up.  I drove kids home and then napped. I read a little with Ben, then we started planning the rest of the evening. We ate together, then the three girls stayed home and watched "Frozen," McKenna went to Tess’s for a movie night watching the 2nd "Enola Holmes," and we took Ben to Backstage to watch the other cast perform "James"! Dan and I picked up groceries and got a treat from Maverick. After putting the girls to bed, we ordered Christmas cards, pictures for frames, and printed the neighbor gift labels. I picked McKenna up and we got Ben and Dan ready for their hike with Primary Activity Days the next day. 

Nov. 19th- Saturday: Dan and Ben ate earlier than us and left for the hike from Tunnel Springs Park to Ensign Peak!  Anna and Bethany walked on the treadmill. All the girls ate, then we took McKenna to Backstage to record some Newsies tracks. I helped Anna and Bethany go through their school papers. Then we started cleaning their bathroom. Dan and Ben got home. I got Ben ready for his call time, then showered and got ready.  We all went to Ben’s final show for "James and the Giant Peach" 7 cousins came too!  We went to Wingers after to celebrate and eat dinner!  We got a car wash and threw our pumpkins down the gully. The kids had hot chocolate and McKenna went to babysit the Johnsons.  We did showers and baths and put the three girls to bed and watched college football. McKenna got home a little after 9. 

Nov. 20th- Sunday: Dan and I both had meetings before church. I had an extended ward council, and Dan had stake youth council. Annaleah Boren gave a mission farewell talk in our ward. I spent half of Sunday school making music copies for the ward Christmas party. After church, we ate and watched our videos. Dan did home Sacrament to the Warrants. I napped. Dan had a meeting with the temple and family history people of the stake. Then we had a Nelson family Zoom call for Thanksgiving. Grandma and grandpa Webster conducted and the speakers talked about miracles in their lives. We had enchiladas and then the Winegar’s came over for cheesecake Dan had leftover from his meeting. I went to Prelude choir practice. We calendared when I got home. 

Nov. 21st- Monday: I woke up at 7:20 and saw McKenna off to school, but the rest of the kids had a break all week! Then I exercised, ate with the kids, then started laundry and cleaned the kitchen. The kids did reading, piano, Upstart, and played. I helped give Dan a haircut, then showered. I got Alice ready for Western Day at preschool. I ate lunch with the girls. Dan and Ben went to Costco with Jasper. I kept the laundry going. Dan left for a freezer meal work event with the Jazz players' wives.   I Marco poloed, then left for my dermatology appointment. The doctor refrozen the spot on my face and prescribed a cream. I also ran to the library. Once I got home, I tried to take a nap in my room, but got woken up by kids. We had freezer stuff for dinner. McKenna and Ben left for Newsies rehearsal. I ate with the girls. We folded laundry and then played a princess matching game. Alice had “visions” 😆. Anna spent a LOT of the day reading!  Dan got home. Once the kids were in bed, I had singing practice with the ladies for the ward Christmas Party. Ben had an emotional night, but Dan was great helping him through it. We emailed Backstage about dress code concerns of other students. 

Nov. '22- Week 2- Subbing Jr. High English, Heroes Day, Ben in "James," Dan Utah Football Game, Primary Program

Nov. 8th- Tuesday: After the kids left, I showered and got ready and then subbed in Ms. Jackson’s jr. high English class. The kids mostly did assignments on their computers, so I felt a little useless. But overall they were good and quite a few said “thank you” on the way out. I also had lunch duty, which wasn’t as bad as I expected. It was raining lots on the drive home. Anna went to Sayge’s to play, and Ben had dress rehearsal. I snuggled Alice and napped a little. We had rice a roni for dinner and Anna had gymnastics. Dan donated plasma. I went on a quick visit to Suzie Andersen’s with Autumn. Then took McKenna to Hamblin's to borrow some tap shoes. After kids were in bed, I watched election coverage and had phone time and printed Veteran’s Day hero stuff. Dan went to the West building to do some inventory of tables and chairs. 

Nov. 9th- Wednesday: I subbed in Ms. Jackson’s class again. I felt like today went better than yesterday. The assignments were more time consuming and the kids focused better. It was snowing and sticking when I left for school. Alice stayed with Dan’s mom till she went to preschool. The three middles had piano. I napped and then talked with Kenna when she got home. I read The Westing Game with Ben. We all had dinner together before McKenna went to Newsies, Beth went to hip hop, and Ben went to see his friend Caleb in “Wonka” at LPA. I hosted the older YW class for our activity which was a “book club” of sorts where we talked about books we’ve read that we really like. Dan bathed the girls and got them to bed. Ben and McKenna got home from rehearsal and we talked some. 

Nov. 10th- Thursday: I drove the kids while Dan donated plasma. I walked for exercise while Alice watched a show. We ate and then I worked on a grocery order and some music stuff. Alice did Upstart, we worked on her music homework, and she watched a show. I napped and we had lunch together. I responded to roommate Marco Polos. I drove carpool, then Dan took Ben to Backstage and McKenna shopping for a gift for Lyla. I worked on July picture collages and helped Anna choose a person for her upcoming wax museum project. Dan left for a work event in Clearfield. McKenna had piano. We ate and then McKenna went to Whitney’s house to hang out. The three little girls played restaurant down stairs and I collaged pictures. After the kids were in bed, Bishop stopped by to extend a calling to me to be the 2nd counselor in the YW presidency (instead of the advisor to the older girls). I said yes!

Nov. 11th- Friday: Sarah Moulton drove the kids to school. I exercised then ate with Alice. She did Upstart while I showered. I took Alice to the Jensens (they took her to preschool) while I went to Legacy to have lunch with all three kids for Heroes Day. I came home and took a nap and then picked up preschool. When the other kids got home, I read with Ben, then took him to the Prelude to Christmas youth choir practice. Then I drove Ben and Sariah to call time. McKenna went to Lyla’s for her BD party. I ate with the three girls, Dan had a work meeting, then I went to Ben’s performance! They all did so well! I’m so proud of Ben and his hard work!! 

Nov. 12th- Saturday: We got up at 8 and ate and thought McK and Ben had Newsies tracks recording, but it got moved to the next week. Dan and I worked on designing our Christmas card some. We showered and got ready and went to Brooklyn Moulton’s baptism. I love feeling the Spirit when those ordinances are performed! We went to lunch at the Moulton’s after and visited with the Pugsleys and Novaks. There were many delicious soups and breads! I felt like I was coming down with a cold. The kids worked on their Christmas lists. Ben had a bike ride for Activity Days. Dan picked up groceries. Hazel came to play here while Ben, Anna, and Bethany went to Winegar’s. We had dinner and Dan left for the Utah football game!  I took McKenna to a friend’s house, then gave the girls baths/showers. After they were in bed, I worked on the blog!  

Nov. 13th- Sunday: We had our primary program!  All four primary kids did so well! They were brave and said their parts and sang the songs. The Webster Grandparents and Grandpa Mike came to watch. I got a new calling to be the YW second counselor, working with the younger girls now. Brittana taught and did well. Taking the girls phones away during the lesson really helps. We had lunch, watched our videos, and I took a quick nap while the kids built a fort downstairs. We went to the Pugsley’s for the ward “walk about” and visited with many neighbors!  We had dinner and then played Sequence with the kids. I had Prelude rehearsal. 

PARTS IN THE PROGRAM:

Ben- Visiting the Tabernacle 

In the Spring, I was able to visit the replica of the ancient Old Testament tabernacle on the lawn of the Bountiful tabernacle. I liked seeing all of the symbolism, such as the table of showbread, which represents the sacrament. Another example of symbolism was the laver of water, which represented baptism. It was cool to see that the ancient tabernacle to them was like our temples to us. Another thing I learned was the measurements of the tabernacle, which challenged me to see if I could build a replica of it in a video game called Minecraft, which some of you may know. I’m very glad I was able to learn about the ancient tabernacle and visit the replica.

Anna- Family History Experience 

For Memorial Day this year, I got the chance to see my great-grandparents' graves.  My mom's grandparents, the Condies, and my dad's grandparents, the Websters.  While we're at the graves, we tell stories about them.  For example, I learned that my middle name, Gayle, is named after my great-grandma Wilma Gay.  I also learned that my great-grandma, Chris Webster, could twist an apple, splitting it in half with her bare hands.  I'm grateful that I got to learn about them more! 

Bethany- Special Spiritual Event 

This past year I've been to 5 baptisms.  Each time I saw them go in the water, it made me feel special and excited that I get to do that soon.  Another way that I am preparing for my baptism is by doing Come Follow Me every  morning and learning about Jesus and Covenants.  

Alice- How she feels the Saviors love

I know Jesus loves me because when I learn about Him, I feel happy.  I also feel my Savior's love when my family says they love me. 

Nov. 14th- Monday: I rode the stationary bike after the kids left for school. My cold felt a little worse, so I went light on the exercise. I went to music with Alice. I kept laundry going and cleaned my toilet. Alice had preschool and I napped and blogged. I drove both LPA and preschool carpool. Kaysen came to our house to play till Jordan got done with a dentist appt. I read with Ben then made dinner. Ben and McKenna ate then went to rehearsal. Dan and Adam moved the exercise bike to his parents’ house so his mom could use it more, then we ate. We folded laundry and finished watching Frozen 2. The girls went to bed and I blogged a little then picked up Newsies kids. Dan sorted through some clothes for Ben. Brynn and Brian stopped by to measure the pool table. 

Nov. '22- Week 1- Friendsgiving, Family pictures, STEM Expo, YM/YW Hungry Hippos,

Nov. 1st- Tuesday: Today felt like a recovery day! I finished sorting, folding, and putting away 5 loads of laundry and listened to my book. McKenna had no school. She did a little homework. Alice did upstart and watched a lot of shows. After lunch, I got dressed and took McKenna to the rec center to swim with friends. Then I took Alice with me to my voice lesson. The kids got home from school and I took Ben to rehearsal. The three girls sorted their candy and Philip Pugsley came over to play.  I made dinner in a pumpkin and McKenna got home from swimming. Anna had gymnastics and she and Ben ate when they got home later. After kids were in bed Dan went for ice cream with Jayden Southam, and I worked on editing a video with Ben. 

Nov. 2nd- Wednesday: I watched the news and ate with Alice. I curled McKenna’s hair and drove her to school. Then Alice and I went to the gym. She had preschool and I showered and drove the kids to piano. It was snowing most of the day.  I napped and then picked up preschool and piano kids. I made a broccoli and cheddar soup. Ben sorted his candy. We ate and then McK and Ben had Newsies, Anna had a primary activity, Bethany had hip hop and a make up tumbling class, and I got my temple recommend renewed and went to Young Men/Young Womens.  We played life size human hungry hippos, mattress surfing, and the numbers game.  After kids were in bed, Dan and I talked finances. 

Nov. 3rd- Thursday: After the kids left for school, I watched the news, snuggled Alice, then we ate. We cleaned up toys and collected Halloween decorations and got ready for Emmy Johnson to come over. Meghan went on a field trip with Cooper so we babysat her. Alice did Upstart and we worked on putting up Thanksgiving decorations. Then we went downstairs and I worked on a grocery order while we watched some of "Moana" and "Number Blocks." After Emmy left, we had lunch. Alice watched shows while I napped. I washed our sheets and drove carpool. Ben had rehearsal and I returned some things we borrowed. Bethany had some stomach issues. Dan went to dinner with his high school fellas. McKenna had piano. Then we ate and I cleaned up the kitchen. After the girls were in bed, I finished the grocery order and talked with Dan. 

Nov. 4th- Friday: I subbed in 4th grade, Mr. McKinney’s class. Anna’s friends in there were Aspen, Aubrey, and Mason Stewart. The class was talkative, but still fun. We made a wave in science and I didn't realize a kid was on another kid's shoulders when I took the picture.  When we got home from school, I napped and the kids did reading and piano. McKenna went to the temple!  Dan had Alice all day except when she had preschool. Bethany’s stomach was better. We had mac and cheese and fruit for dinner. McKenna went to a movie night at Hailey’s house. Ben babysat while Dan and I picked up groceries and went to the Dollar Store. We got ice cream on the way home. We put the girls to bed and then started cleaning and prepping the upstairs to host a "Friendgiving!"  

Nov. 5th- Saturday: I got up around 7:30 and exercised with the three little girls. We ate breakfast and then I started making my mashed potatoes for the the Friendsgiving that night. Dan took Ben to rehearsal, then he started making his apple pie. We had lunch, finished cleaning and prepping, then showered and got ready for the day. McKenna hung out with Lia and McKayla. We met Aunt Lara at White Space studios to have family pictures taken. We had planned to do them outdoors, but it was too rainy and cold! Then we went home and the kids had pizza in the basement and watched a movie while we ate upstairs (kid free) for our Friends giving with the Johnsons, Days, and Behunins. McKenna babysat the Johnson kids. The food was amazing! We had lots of time to talk and visit and it was so fun!  We feel so blessed to have friends like these!

Nov. 6th- Sunday: Dan had early meetings. We all fasted except the two little girls. I had a YW presidency meeting during the 2nd hour of church. The kids practiced for the Primary program. McKenna jokingly got in the driver's seat after church, and Dan called her bluff and let her pull out of the parking spot. :) The kids had lunch and we watched our videos. I napped and the kids played. Dan had more meetings. I had my conference call. After dinner, we walked to the Bramall’s to look at some games they were giving away. We got the kids to bed and I had Prelude rehearsal. *Bethany came up in the middle of the night with and upset stomach again.

Nov. 7th- Monday: I exercised and then the kids got up and ready. I took them all to the dentist and there were no cavities! I took them to school, then Alice had music. I kept the laundry going and showered, then picked up Alice. She did Upstart, and I listened to Don’t Miss This. We had lunch and then I took her to preschool. I picked up groceries and then took a nap till kids got home. I was pretty tired apparently. I snuggled each kid and got a little update. I worked on July picture collages for the blog. Dan took Ben and Anna to the STEM expo at the DCC along with some cousins. McKenna, Alice, Bethany and I ate dinner, then I took McK and the carpool to Newsies rehearsal. Dan and Anna ate and I helped the girls fold laundry, then we put them to bed. I worked more on collages and Alice came up (because of a scary shadow) and then fell asleep in my lap. Dan worked a bit more. *Backstage posted some promotional pictures for James and the Giant Peach!

Family Pictures 2022!