1.2.21 Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has always been a great part of Christmas, this year was exceptional. We were able to celebrate all together at my brothers home. After years of various large locations to be back in a home was just so peaceful. The kids look forward to the traditions the whole month of December. This is a second family picture for us. I love this group so much. It will change a lot this year. 

Enjoying a funny Christmas movie. Resting is a great part of Christmas. 

We had a special visitor. He is a longtime friend of the family. He was a true delight. 

Merle-Man was not too scared. 

Enjoying some space to roam and cousins. 

The annual nativity did not disappoint. Samuel the Lamanite - Michael- Melissa was the Narrator, starts it off. 

The audience. 

The heavenly Host. Henley, Livy, Becca, Afton. Marcus so happy to be an observer!

Cambree as Mary, Trey as Joseph, Mark the willing Donkey. 

Beth another Donkey, Alia a sheep. 

Jenna, Millie, Natalie as shepherds

Reed, Bruce, James Wise men

All gathered around to adore the baby Jesus!

The kitchen crew Michael, Anna, MArk

Cadi at the keyboard, Addie also played some. 

The grown up gift exchange.

This was a peace filled evening complete with delicious food and good conversation. Silly gifts, laughs, and mostly just relaxing. We are blessed by good family ties and reliable traditions. 
 

1.2.21 Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving

For years the Corn family supported the TVCC turkey trot. In 2020, of course, the trot was cancelled. Thus a kind sister/aunt organized a family trot on the family farm. This was an event to anticipate. All month the kids worked each day training. They walked between 1 and 3 miles a day to be ready. Each week we had a goal to walk 100 miles, with everyone living here contributing. Addie of course spearheaded the effort marking and calling for miles from each member of the family daily. The kids did so well and truly enjoyed the time outside. I was thankful the weather stayed pleasant for so much of the month. 

Afton is on her home stretch here complete with hot cocoa in hand. My sister Rachel and daughter Becca were moseying along with us. 

Due to his Plantar Fasciitis really being in full pain mode Greg opted to be the driver of relief after the first mile. 

The halfway point hot chocolate station. Such a cute idea and a fun break in all the strenuous exertions. Cousin Natalie was a smiling helper making sure everyone knew where the water was vs. the hot chocolate and making sure to point out the large bowl of marshmallows. The kids had lots of marshmallows. 

After the walk/run we had breakfast burritoes. Addie and I had prepared them the night before while watching a hallmark movie. We had a good time and figured out how to prepare them en masse. 

Although this was an illegal gathering we are very thankful local enforcement was reasonable. We waved as one drove by. I'm thankful that cooler heads prevailed and we were able to enjoy what I hope becomes a new tradition. 

Addie was the first one back to the starting line, though challenged a bit by her healthy aunts. I'm sure impressed with her drive and determination! 

Custom medals made by my amazing brother in-law. 3-D printed turkeys.

A load of fun and good times. 

My grandfather had an eye for these old wagons, this one was so well put together it was no trouble for the fourwheeler to pull. Of course after all the walking and eating the kids needed a ride too. 

Some of the kids just rode on the smaller wagon. I did stop this but Merle-man was having a great time via Reed's tired leg muscles. He was 4th in finishing. He was sore for a few days after. 

1st Addie, 2nd Ruth, 3rd Mary.

After all the exertion we joined Thanksgiving celebrations with Greg's family. They are a little more prone to pausing for pictures. 

We enjoyed pie!

Millie and Megan playing Uno. 

We are so fortunate to have so much family. Heading into the bleak January and February we truly miss all the activities and fun times we shared in December and November. We are grateful to have so much and so many opportunities throughout each year. Life is good. 
 

12.31.20 Growing

One of the perks of school at home, is more time to pursue personal interest. These ladies were privileged to be able to work for our neighbor/cousin. They loved the many hours they spent with this very skilled, very chill lady. They had a great time learning from her and being in her home. She recently had a baby. Babies need blankets, having had lots of babies and lots of blankets I've found this combination of flannel and minky to be the best weight for winter. These blankets were an effort of love to make. The minky slides, pulls, and stretches. It was an all day project times two. Yet the finished project was beautiful. 

Likewise Anna wanted/needed a quilt for college. Grandma consulted and helped some but Anna did about 75% of this quilt. She proudly finished the final stitches a few days ago. 

Bruce was sharing/showing his favorite Christmas present, his gun to Merle and Mark. Oh the fun these brothers have. A major benefit of 2020 was time to be a family, and time to get past the annoying and when is this going to end to I like these people. We have people we are not alone and we have lots of need and diversity. 

Lots of time was spent watching movies on our small screens. 

We attended one protest. A community event where people turned out to celebrate Christmas, to renew ties of friendship, and to stand up to the ridiculous rules. 

My guys on a lunch break. It's curious to be the mother of teens as I believe they need to learn to care for themselves and others, a lot of daylight meals are on your own so you can learn to care for yourself. 

This crew took a turn mopping the floor. The older kids use to do this chore weekly. For various reasons the younger ones do it annually. They did a great job! Tile cleans up handily with lots of water. The little ones put down lots of water and the older ones wipe it all up and voila a clean floor. 

My baby has enough hair to style. He is growing up and getting teeth and crawling. Life is going fast!!

My heart utterly drops as word is coming that school is reopening and we are returning slowly to normal. I don't want to go back to normal. I really like the closeness of our family right now. It has been a lot of work! Hence little posting. The demands for the internet service mean no extra devices during most hours of the day. I worry continually about what is coming politically, educationally, philosophically etc.  Not a rant to start late at night on the last night of the year. We grew greatly in 2020. We faced the storms and survived and are willing to dive back in. I'm thankful for the many prayers other offered in my behalf. I'm thankful at the end of this year of ups and downs we are healthy and we are strong. I'm thankful for the many many whisperings and witnesses of God that I have experienced this year. He is in the details and intimately concerned with the details of my life. I am thankful for God's grace and guidance. I'm thankful for the happiness of my children and their willingness to learn and forgive. They are great! They are my life work and I'm thankful for each one of them. We have been abundantly blessed!