HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I hope you all have had a good start to the new year (minus the colds, flu, and pneumonia).  I am looking forward to a new school term, healthy eating, house repairs, new books to read, a new time for Church, visits from grandchildren (and children), and exciting adventures with Kevin.

  What I forgot to mention last week, was THANK YOU so much for the ice-maker!  We have used it multiple times daily and it is amazing!! 🍹 You are the most amazing kids ever (that includes Angella, Cory, Jonathan, and Chris - I think of you as my kids too).  

AND . . . Way to go BYU!  Smashed CU Boulder in the Alamo Bowl  36 - 14 

YAY!!!

This past week has been relatively quiet for us.  On New Year's Day, we went to Lily's indoor soccer game.  She does so great and it is always fun to watch her.

  Oh, and before the game, Kevin and I started the year off right with a hamburger at In-N-Out.  

We don't do it too often, but it really did just hit the spot 😊

Thursday we picked up some medicine for Emma who was deathly ill with Strep 

Okay, so that might have been a slight bit dramatic, but she was really ill and had no voice.   After two or three days of faithfully taking her medicine, chicken soup, and chocolate ice cream, her voice has returned, and she is feeling much better 💖

 Friday, Dad and I had our bagel date at Panera, a quick trip to Costco, and then went to the Commissary up at the Academy. It has been quite a while since we had been up there and I always forget what a beautiful place it is.  We've decided to go once a month to pick up some essentials that cost considerably less than Wal-mart or King Soopers, and it is the best place to get our good rice.

Yesterday, was our Temple day.  Dad had been coughing through the night Friday, and wasn't feeling to well when we got up, so he stayed home and I went with the Adams.  I LOVE being in the Temple.  On a side note, my Pathways missionaries, Brother and Sister Farmer, work in the Baptistry on Saturday mornings, so it is always fun to get hugs from them.  

Today our Church time changed to 12:00 which I haven't been looking forward to, but it actually wasn't that bad.  It was nice to have some quiet time this morning to finish up some things for my Primary class, and do some reading.  

NEW YEARS IN IOWA - Kate said they got their first big snowfall, and Sayre and Clementine loved it!

Kate said Sayre really wanted Ski Goggles like Jonathans for when they go on walks.

 and apparently also for the Sunday Selfie 😂

ALSO, Kate tried her hand at "milk bread' (shokupan) and look how amazing it turned out -

She said it tasted just like what you can buy at Mitsua.  YUM - that could be really dangerous!

NEW YEARS IN VIETNAM - Chris, Kim, Max, Grant, and Blythe had a wonderful time in Vietnam, but according to Chris, they are more than happy to be home (by way of Japan).  

You go, Chris!

Chris sent this and titled it, "family car".  

  

It looks like they made some good friends on their adventure.

Chris and Kim made friends with these Vietnamese ladies while waiting in line at the Ho Chi Minh museum.  He said they love Americans. 

  And, last but definitely not least, it looks like Kit-Kats are alive and well in Vietnam 😀

NEW YEARS IN COLORADO - One of my favorite photos this week came from Cory who snapped this shot of Milo and Adam.  

He is the best snuggler ever!

I took Sendai out for several walks this week in her new halter and leash.  One day we went up the hill by the dog park and caught this photo of Pikes Peak. 

 We had some great days for walking - sweater weather - and Sendai was in her element. 

We also saw this one day on the way home - she looked - but didn't bite 

FAMILY HISTORY - Last week when I posted the photo of my Mom's family, I also found a photo of her younger brother, Robert, that I had not seen before.  He died at age 14 in 1943.

So sad that she could lose a brother and sister, both at young ages. 😥. I wish I had asked her more about them when she was still with us. 

A new week, and a new year - let's make it great -  We know there will be challenges, frustrations, and disappointments. But those are the things that help us grow, that make us who we are, and help us become who the Savior knows we can be.  He is always there to cheer us on and support us through the hard times and over the rough spots.  I love you all so much!!!!!