Mama Clee

The irony of this post is that you will never see it. I still think to this day, you're the only one that has been reading my blog faithfully since 2008. I think I really only kept it up for you. Thank heavens I did- over 10 years of our lives documented.

Clea Marie- you were one of the first employees I had as a new manager at UOPX. I had no idea what I was doing. I was young and dumb with minimal life experience and a naivety that ran deep. I know you tried to protect me by keeping weekend team shenanigans hidden and you made sure people kept their swears to a minimum. You never had had a "real" job outside the home. I was your first "boss" a mere 10 years younger than you. It's like we arrived at that place to learn together. We spent LOTS of time wondering what time it was in California and me teaching you to use a computer. I always was your spell checker and I'll never forget our conversation about dress code (never forget the school girl outfit) and how you were spending too much time talking to Gary on your work phone. I remember telling you how you were smoking "the entire month of February" because you took so many breaks. In the end, you could do whatever you wanted- you always worked hard and ALWAYS found students in the most unlikely of places. Your phone voice was one for the records, "flirt to convert". 

You were there when I bought my first Tiffany bracelet. You helped me scour the cases and buy the heavy chained bracelet I still wear. I remember texting you right after Mc was born and you and Jason Weeks were the FIRST ones to come to the hospital with gifts and love. You brought food, made sure my hair didn't look a mess and could be brutally honest without hurting feelings. You stood up to Sarah Lovell and laughed uncontrollably at the most inopportune times. That's Clea. 

When I moved back to Utah, I wasn't sure I would still get to "see" you every day and then when I came back to telecommute, we all converted to Skype. Your little green dot meant that we could chat every day. And chat every day we did. From 2009 to February 2019 when you just couldn't work anymore. You were there every morning for me to talk about my busy weekends and to tell you all about my crazy. Constant. I remember crying to you about Mc peeing all over the floor, when I lost Mark to the demogorgon, all about my church drama (Even though you really had no point of reference), my daily plans, and every rumor about UOPX that was ever spoken. 

I knew you were sick. I guess I didn't really understand how sick. I think you protected me (and everyone else) from that too. I was so grateful that Sarah Landis and I were able to visit at the end of January when the Drs gave you 3-6 months to live. Gary told me not to be surprised that you looked different. I was most surprised by your thin fingers and the shade of your skin- the disease was taking you. We spent the weekend together and that was the last time you left the house- that was almost too much. We cooked, cleaned and I rubbed your feet while we watched "Dumplin". I asked if you were scared to die, you said "no" most matter of factly. You said you would come back as an elephant to remind us you were still there. I hugged you for a long time and left you. 

Bless Marco Polo. 

March 25, 2019. I texted Gary that I was heading to bed at almost 9 PM. My phone rang, it was Gary. I knew. You hadn't been eating for almost two weeks. You had been up "packing", preparing for a trip- your final trip. Hospice was shocked you had been hanging on this long. You took your last breath and silently slipped away to a place where you no longer are in pain and can feel the Savior's undying love for you. You left a huge hole here. I am not sure there is another person who was more selfless. There aren't many people who lose themselves in finding other people to help and lift. You never judged- it was just love. You made the world a better place by being here. I will miss you terribly, Clee. 

My sweet Mc. 

Grand and Greats

I don't remember the last time I saw my Grandma in person. Mom said she hadn't been feeling well and she was coming to stay for a few days to see the Dr. Dad asked us to come over, so all the sibs rallied. She looked just as I have always remembered in my mind. She literally has not changed. She still calls me "Teesha" and still is as sassy as ever. We sat and chatted with her and laughed as she talked about how naughty my dad was growing up. I am not sure my kids have ever met her so this was a good memory to have. She's one tough lady and I am sure, based on the given circumstances, she will outlive us all.

C h R i S t M a S

Merry Christmas! I would say Santa had another successful year! The kids had specific wishes and he delivered. 

Christmas Church Kids

Christmas Jams- only a few more years of matching I fear. 

We caught the man in red again as he stopped to deliver presents. Once again, we wrapping papered the kids in the hall so they had to wait for us to wake up in the morning (although Kingston tried to find his way downstairs earlier).

 

Mc had one very specific, very pre-teen wish- a loft bed with a desk from IKEA. Santa was lucky enough to find the LAST ONE in the store before Christmas. She was so excited! We worked on her room makeover all over Christmas break- she picked a light shade of blue, wasn't too sad to dejunk and has kept her room relatively clean since the change.

Mc and her bed

 Enzo wanted a remote control crane (except on preschool program day where he said he wanted a "huge gumball machine") and the game Greedy Granny (you try to steal her cookies and if you wake her up, her dentures shoot out. Awesome.). He was such a good boy, Santa was happy to oblige.

 Kingston wanted a Roller Coaster Pirate Lego set. Santa was sure to bring that but the laser tag gun set was a hit too.

Already eating chocolate from his stocking. 

The aftermath. 

After heart attack casserole at Mary Ann's we headed up to Grandpa Donut and Grandma Cookie's. It was nice- our family was the only family there. The kids watched Home Alone 2, we snacked and just spent time together. I miss the christmases where all the cousins would meet up there. Those are some of the best memories I have. 

Seesters

 Bree and Ty didn't spend Christmas Eve with us at Mom's so we spent Christmas Day/Night together. The kids (and adults) were spoiled like always.

Dad reading us a story about the symbols of Christmas. 

After Christmas Mark and I both took a few days off. We worked on Mc's room (painting) and Mark spent two days putting together the IKEA bed (mark as #4 on the hardest furniture to put together). It looks super nice and she seems really happy. We also spent quite a bit of time on the basement. It is moving to drywall this week which makes ME super happy. 

Mark and Kingston spent 4 hours putting together/gluing this Lego roller coaster. Clearly Mark is the superior parent with all of his building skills. 

 It is bittersweet to see the holidays come and go so quickly. Every time I put Christmas away I stop and think about how few Christmases we have with tiny kids. How few with the kids at home. How few with elderly grandparents. I love being able to make memories and to spend the days with the people I love. I am grateful that we get to celebrate the Savior's birth and life.

We did nothing exciting for New Years and I was glad for that. Usually we had spent the evening at Dave and Marianne's in Herriman but I didn't feel like driving to Salem this year. We got pizza, massive shrimp and ice cream so we could hang out at home. We watched a classic, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and let the kids stay up until 9:00. Mark and I made it to midnight, smooched and I was out by 12:04 AM.  Here is to 2019!

December Shenanigans Part 2

Just when I thought I had captured it all, there was more to our December and Christmas! 

Mc and I went and had a Christmas girl's day with a pedicure. Always lovely. 

We had a huge snow storm and Mc decided (on her own) that she wanted to shovel the neighbor's driveway

Mc's Christmas Choir concert

 This year, just like every year, we waited and waited and waited to see Father Christmas. We went straight from Mc's choir concert and hoped since it was only a few hours from closing that we would be the only one's there...nope. Like always, there was a HUGE like for Father Christmas- we were #62 and they were barely on 19.  Mark wasn't too thrilled with waiting but as 8:45 rolled around (it closed at 9:00) people started leaving and our patience paid off. He is just as magical as I remember. I love that he doesn't rush and talks to the kids individually. He really is THE one and only Santa. The kids asked for an Ikea loft bed with a desk (Mc), a remote control crane (Enzo), and a pirate roller coaster Lego set (Kingston).

Luminaria is another Christmas bucket list that we have done with the Thomases for the last couple of years. We always have a good time and it's made even better once all your kids can walk without a stroller.

We had the awesome opportunity to have the sister missionaries over for family night. I love having them come and deliver a message and to feed them. Our kids think it is pretty cool and I especially love sending their moms a text with their sweet faces. I hope someday when my own kids are serving others will love them too.

 Mom, Sunni and I signed up for a wreath making class with a sweet girl that has her son at Enzo's preschool. It was much harder than I had anticipated and the OCD was running high. Mom and Sunni helped me polish mine off so that it didn't look to lop sided and I loved the fresh wreath hanging on my door. It was a fun night full of sap, Cold podcast discussion and Crumbl cookies.

Another night, another Santa. Mom had a random work/brokerage party that was free so we decided to go. They gave us a darling book, donuts, had a pretty decent Santa and a professional photographer, letters to Santa (the kids got a letter back telling them they were on the Nice List) and crafts.  Not bad for free! We also drove around and looked at some houses with pretty impressive Christmas light displays in Utah County. We found a Hello Kitty house that was pretty epic.

 And last minute, I got Tabernacle Choir tickets! I was super sad that I missed the chance to get them (they opened to the public while I was in Chicago and we were in line for the Sears tower so I missed it) but when a sweet girl posted in our ward page that she got "too many" I snagged them. We already had dinner plans with Dave and Aish so it was an easy swap and well worth it to see Kristin Chenoweth. I still think Sutton Foster was one of my faves but Kristen's dresses and charm were fun too. So glad we got to go! It isn't really Christmas until you have been serenaded by the choir.

December Shenanigans part 1

The build up to Christmas and all the festivities/lights/parties and fun are what make the holidays the holidays for me! It makes the month always go too quickly but having a jam packed season is what it's all about. 

For the past few years, me and my lady posse have braved the frigid canyon winds to go to Christkindlmarkt. We were few in numbers this year but it was significantly warmer, the cowbells were fabulous and the gingerbread delicious. Tradition says we must eat Pho at Lai Cai Noodle House immediately after so that's what we did. I had an awful cough/cold and hoped I could survive so Pho and friends was just what I needed.  We missed Elder Uchtdorf AGAIN- one year will be cross paths! I sure love these ladies.

 

We haven't done the Festival of Trees but I had the chance to get discount tickets and Mark got off early so it was a perfect day. It was SO fun and will be added to the list of things we do every Christmas. The trees were AMAZING- so much talent and love put into those trees. The favorites were the Harry Potter trees, The Muppets, Nightmare Before Christmas, Lego, Hot Wheels, and the Avengers. 

Hulk, Hulk and Kingston

This Harry Potter set up was SO awesome!

One of my absolute favorite traditions is our Sub for Santa night for the Adoption Exchange. This year we had the opportunity to help nine children. I love being able to shop for kids close to my kid's ages and to involve my family in making someone else's Christmas awesome. We eat dinner, go through presents, talk about the #lighttheworld campaign and just spend the evening together. I love being able to think about those kids as we shop and on Christmas morning.

Our last preschool Christmas program at the Williamson house! It made me a little teary and Enzo has asked lots of time if "I still get to sing at big kid school". I hope he will always love to perform. For some reason at this performance he was a little shy and kept sliding behind Jack. He said he was a "little nervous". He was adorable and we will sure miss Miss Amy when he goes to kindergarten (NEXT YEAR!! AHH!!).

Daddy and our reindeer. 

 Christmas in Color- the drive through Christmas lights- has been on our December list since we moved back to Utah. They used to have the light show at the Olympic oval in Kearns and then they moved it to the equestrian park right across from Mom's. We all piled into trucks and drove through while the kids danced and partied in the back.

Transformer loving boys- Enzo, his bestie Tate and K-Man loved the Bumblebee movie

Cousin Christmas party- pizza, cookies, Dice Game/Gift exchange. I only hope these kids stay close for life and will still like getting together for fun when they are older.

On Sunday night before Christmas Eve, we headed to Gardner Village on a whim to see the elves. It was about 6:00 and it was D. E. A. D. We were the only people there and it was relatively warm. From what I heard, everyone was at Temple Square to see the lights so we were glad we chose the elves instead. The kids- all three of them, have taken their turns being afraid of the elves. Alex took Mc and K and both cried. We have entered a new phase of life where paper mache isn't so scary.

My beauty and her prince 

Mom told us quite a few months ago that she had a surprise for us on 12/21. We weren't sure what it was but my first guess was Hale Theater (I really hoped!). We showed up to a catered dinner of crab legs, R & R BBQ, and treats and then OFF TO HALE! I was so excited 1) I hadn't been to the new theater and 2) A Christmas Carol is one of my absolute favorite plays. It was lovely.  Having a night with no kids and just my family was awesome! I hope this tradition sticks!

Sure love these people. 

Animated Christmas Willies

This year I wanted to do something a little different for Christmas cards and I didn't have the time or the will power to wrangle everyone for family pictures. I found this darling girl in the UK that did custom portraits on Etsy and this gem was born. I absolutely love it and can't wait to hang it up! She got everyone perfect and even hid a Hello Kitty for me. Love this little family of mine.