November

What a month!

Chris’ schedule: Out of 30 days in November, Chris spent 10 days in Wyoming, 9 days in Midway, 8 days in Colorado Springs, and just 3 days in St. George. Definitely a busier work schedule with 18 days of work this calendar month. Nice to have 9 days together at the Lodge during the perfect time.

Fun to get the house decorated for Thanksgiving with just a few fun things out. Happy Fall!

Nov 4-6th Weekend: We were supposed to be driving to Boise for the weekend, but a massive snowstorm in Cedar City and all the way up to Boise had us rethink the trip. We were so sad to miss out but without Chris to help with driving and after just getting home from Hawaii and a busy October I felt like staying put and keeping the boys in school was the best move anyway. Chris still had a booked flight into SLC and decided to come home to St. George for the weekend (on Friday after the snow had subsided in Cedar City) and bring Katie and Emily with him. We went shopping for Christmas pajamas at Old Navy, had lunch at Zuppas, went to Megan’s soccer games, watched the BYU football game, ate Sweet and Sour Meatballs and picked up Swig Drinks, went to church and then Chris and the girls headed back up to Provo. Fun to have Dad and the girls here for the weekend!

Nov 3-5th - Megan’s FIRE Tournament in Mesquite: I went to the Thursday night game by myself and sat with some fun parents. They tied 2-2. On Friday night the whole crew came with us. Chris and I, 5 kids, chairs blankets and hot chocolate. It was cold but we were bundled enough to enjoy the win. Saturday just Chris and I went and enjoyed the 60 degree daytime weather. Megan’s team lost but it was close.

Nov 8th - Relief Society Fall Social: Michelle picked me up and we entered together. Fun to sit by Jessica too. Such a good turnout — there were probably 80 women there. We enjoyed a potato bar dinner, great remarks on gratitude and a cookie exchange.

Nov 9th - Presentation on the life of Brigham Young at the Tabernacle: I decided it would be fun to go so I went by myself, sat in the balcony of the Tabernacle and listed to Susan Easton Black talk about Brigham Young’s life before he became the prophet. So interesting… really glad I went.

Nov 12th - Stake Family History Event: I took Megan with me and we dashed over to the church a little late. We went to two different family history classes, talked with some people and were excited to find that there was treats waiting for us at the end. Thanks for going with me Meg. You’re the best.

Nov 12th - Pops Concert at the Tabernacle: Luke was hanging out with friends and Megan wasn’t interested so I took just Matt and we headed out for a mother-son date. The concert included a pianist, keyboardist, cellist, drummer and two vocalists and they played songs from Last of the Mochicans, Phantom of the Opera, The Greatest Showman, Simon and Garfunkel and more. It was really entertaining and Matt and I had a great time being together. On the way home I introduced him to a few more Paul Simon songs that I grew up on like Slip Sliding Away. He laughed at ‘50 ways to Leave your Lover’ and then promptly memorized it.

Nov 15th - My 48th Birthday: Chris had a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to the house, with a note that read “Happy Birthday Lisa! I love you and will be thinking of you all day. I can’t wait to celebrate with you this weekend. You are an incredible wife and mother and I am so blessed to be married to you. Love Chris’ — which made me cry. He was in Wyoming on my birthday so it was a fun surprise. Megan texted from school asking if I wanted to go out for lunch. We met at Cliffside Restaurant for a fun quick lunch. Love her. Later, when we gathered at the lodge Chris brought a pile of wrapped presents and they sat on the table for three days before we had time to open them. Chris got me an apple watch! Yay! and some updated Rick Steves books and a Lulu Fanny pack. The boys and Dad got me a filtered water pitcher and a Disney Toy Store Puzzle. The girls got me some Yorks, a sugar scrub, caramel chocolates, a blush brush and a Target giftcard. Megan Jackson gave me a cute card and SOEL giftcard.

Nov 18th - 21st - The Lodge with Jacksons, Theurers and Larsons: Months ago we planned for these few days together and it was wonderful… it was also the weekend that I spend the last few visits with my dad before he passed away… {more on that later}. Of course my friends were understanding and supportive as I headed to Provo for most of Saturday instead of going to the BYU game with them and then again for most of Sunday after he passed. When I came back to the Lodge they were ready with dinner and hugs and we enjoyed walks, games and lots of talking. I really am so blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life.

Family time together with my mom and siblings: I need to take some time soon to journal the details about all of the amazing and tender experiences we had over this week. Being together surrounding my dad to hear his last words of love, gathering early Sunday morning after he passed, laughing so much as we wrote his eulogy, attending a meeting with the Mortuary director to make decisions about the funeral, meeting at the mortuary to dress my dad in his temple clothes, having a sibling meeting to talk about memories to share at the funeral, gathering with aunts and uncles the night before and after the funeral. Every event was purposeful, sacred and wonderful. It really was the best week being together.

Luke’s 15th birthday: It was late on the 21st that we gathered to open his presents at the Lodge. He got new VANS, a plaid shirt, a THREAD wallet and lanyard, a Chick-fil-A giftcard… and finally a phone. He’s pretty excited. The Larsons helped us celebrate with games and then Luke’s favorite: peanut butter pie.

Nov 24th - Thanksgiving Dinner at the Lodge: We enjoyed Thanksgiving with the Johnsons this year. Grandma, the Moon family and Ashlyn and Zeke came up on Thursday morning. We worked together to fix dinner and get everything ready for Thanksgiving Dinner at 3:00pm. After dinner and a walk we gave our Christmas gift to the Moons… A Cookie skillet and fun ingredients all wrapped up together and then the AZUL Stained Glass game. We went straight to the table to teach them and they liked it a lot. Then pie for dessert… pumpkin, pecan, peanut butter, green apple and cherry cream (in honor of my Dad). It was a great day. The Moons and Grandma stayed the night at the Lodge. On Friday afternoon Ashlyn brought up her boys and Rob and Lindsey came up with their girls. I spent most of the day with my family getting ready for the funeral, but enjoyed the evening together with the Johnson crew playing the tie game, talking, eating pie and playing AZUL. Grateful to have a night all together. They would have stayed for Saturday too but the funeral altered the plans. They were wonderful to come down for the funeral as well.

Nov 26th - My Dad’s funeral: I’ll post more details about this on another post but I’ll just say that it was such a good day. We were able to share wonderful memories of my Dad and celebrate his amazing life. We were overwhelmed with the love and support of so many close family members and friends. My cousin summed it up by saying, “It was the PERFECT funeral.” We laughed and we cried. It really was the perfect tribute to my amazing dad.

Nov 29th - Luke passed his driver permit test: and on the first try, too. Nice job Luke. Here in Utah they study the booklet and take their permit test first, then do the drivers course. In Colorado you take the week long course first, then take the permit test. Once we got back to the neighborhood I let him drive around for 20 minutes. He’s pretty proud of himself and so excited to drive!

Decorating the house for Christmas: I had Luke help me put up the tree the night before we left for the Lodge. We got home on Monday, the 28th and over the next couple of days I got the tree and mantel decorated and looking festive. It’s been so fun to decorate a new space! It’s looks so Christmasy! I love it.