2022 :: week 49

December 4

On Sunday Calvin Crane Allred was blessed in the Oak Park Ward. My mom was able to come to church for the first time since she had her stroke, which was extra special. The Allreds came to the blessing and then immediately left for the airport for a week in Utah. My dad would leave for a work trip the next morning and I spent Monday through Thursday overnight with mom. I treasure the time I get to spend with her, I only wish the rest of my life could be put on pause. Alas it cannot, so it was a tiring week.

December 5

Early Monday morning I took TJ to Olathe Med for his third colonoscopy. Miles and I waited while he received the procedure. Thankfully he was clean--no polyps this time!

December 6

Tuesday night we were double booked. Will and I went to an informational meeting about the basketball leagues at Indian Woods, then hightailed it over to SMS where the rest of the family was watching Lauren perform with her honor choir at the South Area Holiday Concert. The Junior Raiders sang "In the Bleak Midwinter,"  "Hot Chocolate," and "El Gato Blanco." Several of Lauren's friends are in the choir, including Simone, Caroline, Allie, Ella and Ashton. 

December 7

Memaw treated the family to Chick-fil-A peppermint milk shakes to thank the kids for having such a great attitude while I was gone at night most of the week. Will was all dressed up because he was about to head to the Stake Center the For the Strength of Youth Standards Night activity. 

December 8

I made salmon soup and blueberry pie (Mustikkapiirakka) to celebrate the Finnish Independence Day. 

December 9

Will has been gathering data for his science fair project. He is testing to see how different types of shoes affect his speed. He measured twenty yards on the sidewalk in front of our house and sprints the distance wearing each pair of shoes while I time him. Not surprisingly the dress shoes and cleats struggle on the pavement, but we were both surprised with his time while wearing the slides. We have done several heats in random order over the past few weeks.

December 10

This was the weekend of adult holiday parties. On Friday evening we went to the Messner home for the Stake Council Christmas Party. We carpooled with the Olsons which was fun. Anthony was a little stressed because he was in charge of the entertainment and there is a range or age and interests within the stake council. Saturday evening we went to the New Theatre Restaurant courtesy of NCCT. We sat with Neal and his wife Liz and enjoyed fun conversation while eating lots of yummy food. "Come Blow Your Horn," by Neil Simon was the play that evening, starring Hal Lindon and Sally Struthers. It was surprisingly funny and we had a very fun night. Our kids were awesome while we were gone. We left Will and Lauren in charge and both nights they kept the younger kids entertained and then were in bed asleep before we arrived home.