A 2020 Christmas

We missed the Thomases this year at Christmas Eve. Mc with no girl cousin is a rough one. We did jammies, had dinner, played games and let the kids play while the excitement for Christmas Eve boiled over. I will say, not having Grandma's Christmas Eve party meant that I got to lock myself in the basement and wrap and FINISH so it was a carefree evening. 

Say "Grogu"

Eggnog and cookies for Santa, carrot for reindeer. 

We yet again "wrapped" the children in the hall and they almost let us sleep until 7:30. Down the stairs to find our baby Jesus asleep in his bed made with the hay from all the good things we have done for each other all month. 

All the presents were opened by 7:45, and all the paper cleaned up and Kingston asking to open everything by 8:00. We had to make an appointment to go to Mary Ann's for heart attack casserole (so we could come in shifts) and we didn't have to be there until 10:30- COVID again made it so we could go a little slower and take our time before rushing out the door. All the kids were happy with their gifts and Santa was ever generous. Mark got a projector for outside movies, he got me a robot vacuum. 

LEGO Ducati, bike ramp, Marvel trading cards and lots of McClarens. 

The year of tween requests- cloths, jewelry and ONE doll. 

Bot Bots, Treasure X and Room on a Broom 

Five hours later, K finished putting together this Expert LEGO set. 

Mom, like always, went overboard for christmas. The kids were spoiled and so were all the girls. We GOT A TRIP TO MAGNOLIA! We are going in March and I can't wait. Bree and Jade didn't seem too excited, Alina cried and I gave a loud "wahoo". 

Mom's face knowing that 2020 is almost over. 

 

Christmas Staycation 2020

After the last few weeks, we for SURE needed our annual downtown Christmas staycation. I found us a smoking deal on Priceline at the Little America and since there was going to be no Christmas Eve Afternoon Ellison Party, we were fancy free. We had dinner at La Cai Noodle House (K was every impressed with his meal). The hotel had special COVID procedures so we had to sign up for a time at the pool and only 4 (we cheated and all got in) in the hot tub at a time. While were in the pool, it felt "normal" there were no masks, people laughing and having fun. The pool was AWESOME. It was 1/2 in door 1/2 out and the kids loved it. We did the hot tub and then headed back to the room for treats and Harry Potter. Breakfast at The Coffee Shoppe in the hotel and off to the aquarium on the way home. I LOVE this tradition with our kids. One of my all time favorites. 

 

Forever our Grandma Cookie

2020. Just had to go and take one more of the people we love before the year is over. One day after Grandma Irene's funeral, Thursday, we had just gotten home from taking Mc to dance. Dad called. He said mom rushed to Grandma and Grandpa's because grandma was on the ground and had just had a heart attack. Mom asked for me to come up around 10:30 PM- it was snowy and icy and it took me a while to get there. She was laying in bed at that point, eyes still open but not coherent.

 All my siblings came to see her and Sunni came and stayed the night up there with me and my aunts/uncle. It was a LONG night. We drank rose tea, tried to stay warm (their house was freezing) and tried to stay awake to take turns on watch rotation. Mom was in charge of managing her meds and was keeping her comfortable. Grandpa never left her side. I rubbed her feet- they were like ice- you could tell her blood wasn't getting to her hands or feet. At around 6:30, I had to go lie down in the guest bedroom. Mom came in, tapped my foot and told me she was gone. Grandpa had walked out to the front door, heard her let out one more "sigh" and she was gone. She silently left to be with her family and friends- that have been anxiously waiting for her, I am sure. 

I am forever grateful that Grandpa made the decision in November, when she fell, to not have her heart operated on to repair the tear. Had she had the surgery, assuming she made it through, she would be in the hospital or a rehab facility and with COVID restrictions, we wouldn't have gotten to see her. We had a WHOLE month with her. I got to go up the Tuesday before she passed, Jamie and Grandpa were going to Hale. We had dinner, played Chinese Checkers and just talked. She told me that she "raised her kids and she just lets them make their choices". She reminded me that paying off your house happens faster if you pay a little extra each month. I rushed out when Debbie had gotten there because I had to go to High. Looking back, I now wished that I would have stayed. Just a little longer. 

I had never been on that side of death before. I have seen people who had passed in their caskets at a viewing, but I had never seen that intimate side- watching my aunts and my mom wash and dress her so they could take her body. Watching grandpa lay his hands on her head and give her body a blessing as she left her house for the last time. Kissing her forehead that was still soft. It was exhausting, uplifting, spiritual, sacred and sad all at once. It's become clear since she left, she was the glue holding us all together. 

Grandma's last written note- she wanted to do Christmas cards and make her toffee. I will miss her buttery toffee. 

I found this interesting- grandma's day timer had gotten a LOT out of hand as she fell further into Alzheimer's. This note, on the day she passed, she wrote "came home"- that was meant for Jimmy, coming home from his mission, but also, she "came home" to heaven on that day. 

I will miss taking her to the gem show and our lunches after. She thought this huge ring was pretty funny.

Grandma Cookie the Hulk Whisperer

Us at Women's Conference

Four Generations

Grandma's funeral was for sure different than Grandma Irene's. Mom and her siblings had a hard time coming together to make it happen. Grandma insisted she was to be placed in a mausoleum because "Jesus wasn't buried in the ground". Todd conducted, not a bishop, all the daughters and grandpa spoke. Then there was an open mic. Cousin Ben was the first one to jump up and share a heartfelt testimony and stories about grandma. I was also honored to share- I talked about the gem show, Grandma and Grandpa coming to visit us in AZ, her greasy, hand popped popcorn on Sunday, Rainbow Wars and how because of the Savior, I can see her again. 

Lexie did the flowers- they were the most beautiful. She did a spring-winter cascade. We all got to sign the casket. "Save me a seat at the Champion Chinese Checker Table". 

They gave us all MASSIVE chocolate chip cookies. 

Mom and her siblings asked me to write her life sketch. It was a BIG ask. I wasn't sure I wanted to. It was very personal and my perspective as a granddaughter is SO different than her daughter or son, wife, sister, friend. I didn't have much time and it's always stressful because it's so personal. This was the final product. They had Sunni read it at the funeral and, I felt like I did her proud. It was the last thing I could offer to tell her how much I love and will miss her. 

 Deon Carlson Lindquist, came into the world on September 7, 1939, the only girl, born to Kenneth and Loraine Carlson. She was left-handed, always longed for a sister, had a “fit a nickel between her teeth” smile and wished for a head full of flowing locks. She gained a love of music from her sweet mother and even after 70 years and only one lesson, could still crank out a tune on the accordion.  She learned to make every guest feel welcome, how to sew, repurpose, work hard and that a house filled with people you love is the greatest treasure.

Ever fashionable with her manicured, glittery pastel pink, almond shaped nails perfect for the Secretarial “clickety clack” of the computer keys, jewelry to match her shoes and handbag, a freshly pressed white blouse and a colorful broomstick shirt. She always looked her best, always.

Her faith was impenetrable- she had no fear of death or meeting her Maker and carried the banner of, “If He wants me to go through it, I will do it” with stalwart enthusiasm. She found her testimony of the Gospel early and never let go.

Grandma Cookie, the only name that was sweet enough to match that of Grandpa Donut- a perfect pair for 63 years. Never one without the other. The name was fitting because there were always cookies in the jar on the counter, her own movie theater concessions stored in the blue Rubbermaid bins in her closet, nuts, Häagen-Dazs, toffee, Texas sheet cake, green Jell-O popsicles you’d hold by a toothpick and Tootsie Rolls in a baggie in her purse. Her sweet tooth made sure we were all a little soft around the middle because sweets right after dinner (or anytime for that matter) were part of “our heritage”.

Holidays were ever important- Eastering in the desert, her birthday parties at Murray Park, Christmas morning visits with bags full of pistachios and a chocolate orange, and always, some crisp dollar bills folded into a beautifully written card with Grandpa’s fluttery penmanship.

She loved to hunt for rocks- always on the prowl for a smooth, worn treasure that the Earth was waiting to give her. She had rocks from Sweden, the ocean, Lake Powell, Flaming Gorge and the mountains not far from her home.

She was always up for a game. Her Chinese Checkerboard, that she bought for $5 from a shop in San Francisco, was well used and if you beat her, it was only because she let you. She loved word games and Sudoku to keep her mind sharp. She loved to laugh, loved to tease, loved a good Parley trick, and loved a fresh bucket of KFC.

On Friday, December 18, right as the sun peeked over the mountains, Grandma Cookie quietly slipped beyond the veil to be with her angel mother and father, brother, grandparents, and friends. Her mind was instantly clear, and our hearts were immediately broken. We will miss her waving from the front door, her little songs and impromptu piano concerts. We will miss her treats, the way her face lit up whenever she saw someone she loved, and how she made friends wherever she went. Our Grandma Cookie, sweet as they come, is now making heaven a little sweeter too.

Mc drew this portrait for Grandpa. She spent ALL day on it

Grandpa wrote this in the snow on his patio. 

Farewell to the Big I.

97 years young. Florence Irene Shelley.  In August, they made the decision to move grandma to an assisted living facility. We got to see her behind the glass for her 97th birthday in December. We all knew COVID, for some odd reason, was running rampant through the elderly/assisted living facilities. When we heard she was sick, we didn't immediately think COVID. Afterall, she was initially tested negative and Mary Ann basically said her body was just "shutting down". I mean, she is 97. Aunt Janet flew in from Alabama to quarantine with her and to take care of her. She was moved to the COVID unit and slipped further and further away until on Devember 10, 2020 she left this mortal life to be with Grandpa Bill.

I guess, it doesn't feel quite real. We haven't been having parties, we haven't been able to see her so the hole she left hasn't been 100% felt. I do know that I miss her already. I will miss her hugs and her birthday cards. I will miss her laugh and her singing. At the end of it all, I KNOW she is happy. I KNOW she was ready to go and I KNOW I will see her again. Can't wait for that day. 

The infamous tree skirt, mechanical hat, Ellison family Christmas party incident. 

Me and Grandma at Hale Theater

baby Mc and Great Grandma Irene

Let's discuss Grandma's funeral. I am SO grateful that despite COVID, we were able to all attend the funeral. We got to see the Sampsons (who flew in from VA) and cousins we wouldn't have seen otherwise. I joked this was how grandma still got us together for Christmas during a pandemic. All of her children spoke and did an amazing job. They talked about her legacy, "canning water" (because it's better than storing the jars empty), playing Claire De Lune every night at their bedtime, her testimony, and how proud she would be of all of us. Her flowers and pink casket were absolutely perfect- if I wasn't being cremated, sign me up for a pink casket. 

"Not a dud in the bunch"

After a spirited 97 years, Florence Irene Shelley Ellison returned home on December 10, 2020. Irene was born on September 19, 1923 in American Fork, Utah to Edwin Ray and Nina Mae Jones Shelley. Five years later, she delightedly welcomed her younger brother, Merlin “Duff” Shelley. They were always close friends and made many great memories throughout their lives.

Irene often shared fond childhood memories of making taffy, wading in the ditch, learning to tap dance on a picnic table, sliding on the irrigation-slicked lawn, and being the champion roller skater.  Later she developed her love of and amazing “ear” for music. At the age of seven, she took piano lessons for about a year and stated, “It came fairly easy to me.” By 6th grade, she was accomplished enough to accompany others without practice.

Irene’s love of all things musical continued into her years at American Fork High School, where she enjoyed theater, played the French horn, and accompanied choral music groups. One of her favorite musical memories was accompanying Jessie Evans Smith, wife of the prophet Joseph Fielding Smith. She also loved reminiscing about her days as accompanist for her father’s musical duo, “Tab and Bun.” Her music continued to bless the lives of others, and well into her 95th year, she was still playing the organ in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple.

In the 6th grade, she met the love of her life, William Ray Ellison. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 25, 1946, after Bill returned from serving in WWII. Their devoted courtship continued throughout their 60 years of marriage.

Irene maintained a faithful testimony of Jesus Christ and enthusiastically served Him in many ways. She was a passionate family historian. Her tenacity and ability to research in detail blessed others and her family in countless ways. After retirement, she and Bill served as ordinance workers in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. They also served together in the Auckland New Zealand and Provo Utah missions. She also loved her ward family and truly enjoyed the many wonderful friendships made there.

Irene and Bill were dedicated parents, grandparents, and great grandparents, showing their support at innumerable ballgames, plays, musical recitals, and special events. Irene was the life of the many family parties she hosted and loved to maintain traditions at the holidays with her family. She made certain to remember every family birthday and never missed sending Christmas gifts to each and every one of her 145 descendents.

Irene is survived by her brother: Merlin Ray (Duff) Shelley, children: Mary Ann Williamson, William Richard Ellison (Kristine), Ray Shelley Ellison (Janet), Sharlene Ricks, James Blaine Ellison (Beverly), Janet Lewis (Robert), 26 grandchildren, 76 great grandchildren, and 4 great, great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Ray Ellison, son-in-law, George I. Ricks, and great granddaughter, Elizabeth Gammon.

A viewing for friends, neighbors, and extended family will be held at the Anderson and Sons Mortuary, 49 E 100 N, American Fork, Utah on Tuesday, December 15 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. To accommodate COVID restrictions please see the SignUp Genius link below to schedule a time to attend.

Funeral services for Irene will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, with a family viewing and prayer from 9:45 - 10:45 am and funeral at 11:00 am in the American Fork 23rd Ward Chapel, located at 680 N 350 W, American Fork, Utah. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, the viewing and service at the church will be for family only.  

 

A little metal to add to the sparkle.

The day had come for our first round of orthodontia. $3600 later and Mc now has her top braces. They seem a lot nicer than when I had braces (for five years).  Mc had drawn a picture the night before of what she would look like with her braces (complete with hair). Pretty accurate. She goes in for her 2nd round (bottom) in February and then she will have them for 22 months. Still adorable, just so grown up. 

 

Cossebooms & Luminaria

We were THRILLED to have Heidi and Bruce Cosseboom in town the first weekend in December! The weather was "warm" for December and we were excited that we actually had a place they could stay, since the basement was done. They were in town for a wedding but spent most of the weekend with us. We took them to Gourmandise, stayed up late talking and it was like no time had passed. It was nice to talk with them about COVID and have our opinions be the same- Bruce and Heidi both work in the school system in AZ so they have a front row seat to the crazy. Bless them. 

 We all bundled up and took them to Luminaria on Saturday. It was a tradition that wasn't completely ruined by COVID, albeit masks still annoying, it was like it always was. We came home and watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and just laughed and laughed. I vote this is a yearly visit. 

Me and Heidi

Thomases, Cossebooms, Lawrences and us

Luminaria Willies

 

Giving Thanks, COVID style.

Sub for Santa year 11

 The Governor suggested that we don't meet with more than 10 people that we didn't live with. How did we pick who was going to come to Thanksgiving and who wasn't? We all met at Mom's, the Thomases in their masks, and had a lovely linner. Mom had a great spread and it was beautifully decorated. It was kind of nice not having to run to American Fork and G & Chris gave us a "make your own Thanksgiving dinner" package so we literally went to Mom's and got to chill the rest of the day. THAT was something I didn't mind. 

We gathered our Sub for Santa gifts again this year- there were less kids this year because Lindsay said, because of COVID, they had to limit how many they could accept because they could only have 3 people in the building to prep at a time. We had two kids this year- a girl Mc's age and a boy K's age. This is a tradition I love and I am grateful that we get to do it every year. 

The Karens Take Cali 2020

We ALL needed a break. Holly Jackman had Marriott points, we booked a hotel, flights and ventured to Cali for the weekend. It seemed a little weird to be going to California since the Governor there has locked down pretty much everything but, overall, it was AWESOME. We could sit in the hot tub but not by the firepit. We could sleep in the same beds but we couldn't have a roll away bed. We couldn't eat IN restaurants but could order food and walk 20 feet away to an outside table. We had to wear masks all over, but not at the beach. The weather wasn't super warm but the company was great and I am SO grateful to call these women my friends.

We spent the afternoon at the beach- it was chilly! Suzi, Kristie, Holly and I walked for quite a few miles and almost got sucked out into the tide at one point. As we walked the pier, a fisherman saw us coming and was like, "I saw you guys get all wet. You run pretty fast!" and laughed. It was pretty funny. 

Suzi was our driver- a 12 passenger van. I was the co-pilot. 

All of us on the ferry to Balboa Island. We ate way too many Cronuts, laughed, chatted about COVID, our kids and callings. (Holly Jackman, Missy Muramoto, Lacie Trout, Krystal Bryant, Kristie Lucking, Ashley DaBell, Suzi McAffee).

Downtown Disney was open so we decided to make the morning of it. We had to use a Fastpass system to even get in to the stores to shop, all the Cast Members were super snippy about making sure we were ALL wearing our masks appropriately. We had some lunch at LaBrea Bakery, and some delicious hot chocolate. The gates were closed and it was REALLY sad to see Disney so empty. The skies opened up right as we walked to the car and it started to pour. 

 It was tough to come back home after a weekend of desserts, good conversation and just enjoying a little bit of "normal" during this crazy year. Glad for great friends and women who bring joy to my life. 

I want C A N D Y

Halloween started off with Mc coming with me to High Fitness. It was a hard class and she even did a few burpees! 

 I am pretty sure Mc and her friends decided like, last year, to go as the Sanderson Sisters. Mc as Sarah, Azia Hessing as Mary and Kate McAffee as Winifred. They were the PERFECT trio. I am pretty sure this costume was made for Mc. We found a makeup tutorial online and Sarah Sanderson came to life. She went trick or treating until 9 PM with friends (not sure how many years we have left of that) and came home loaded with candy and exhausted. 

Kingston have moved onto all things scary for his costume. We found this creepy morph suit at Wal-Mart and he knew he had to have it. The only downside, once the face was zipped up, he couldn't see really well (ha). It was a smart costume choice because he didn't have to wear a coat and no one knew who he was. 

The Rake

Enzo THINKS he likes things to be scary- until that is, you try to make him go in the Halloween store. We had yet another year where we have ONE kid who won't go in. He had wanted to be a skeleton for a long time so when Target had some pajamas and gloves (costume and sleepwear- two for one) it was meant to be. He was wary about painting his face and spraying his hair but was happy with the end result. 

I opted for Beetlejuice this year- hair ratted to the hilt, a pound of make up on my face and an e-bay men's costume for the win! Mark wore my Texas Roadhouse winnings (hat with attached braids) and went as Willie Nelson. The weather was not too chilly and for it being a "COVID year" there were still lots of trick or treaters. A lot of people made PVC pipe tubes that went from their door to the steps so there was "contact-less" candy delivery. I just handed out candy like a normal person, a normal person dressed as Beetlejuice. 

Hallo-Willies 2020