5 January 2025
VOLUME 13 – NUMBER 589
Jen and James sledding
Sledding was such a blast. Thanks, Natalie, for organizing that and inviting everyone! On the way there, Monte was driving, and we ended up driving up a mountain, found out that the road was closed and covered in deep snow, turned around, and drove another hour toward our destination. It was a funny experience.
I loved riding down the slope with Mateo and James; they were so funny and excited. There was a pretty good ramp, Mateo and I attempted going off it together but after crashing and me flying over Mateo I decided not to do that again!
Itzel, Caleb, Kai, and Troy sledding
After many tries, Monte, Kai, Troy, Quinn, and I achieved a successful sled ride down the slope without crashing or spinning around in circles. Poor Quinn kept getting thrown off or dragged all the way down the Hill, but eventually, we did prevail!
On Saturday, Ashton, Luis, Braden, Monte, Christian, Cougar, and I all ended up playing basketball together with a few other friends. It was competitive and was a highlight of my week. I love my brothers, they're a bunch of good guys.
Boys playing poker
This week I worked most of the time. I’m trying to make sure that I have money for California in a couple weeks.
For New Year’s Eve, we watched Wild Robot and Mall Cop. We had most of the Older’s staying with us.
Also, Ashton and I made what we call “New Year's Crack,” which is a treat we like to make with saltine crackers, chocolate and caramel, but we added marshmallows in and on top. It tasted really good.
Yaretzie and James sledding
On Saturday We had a spa day for the girls. We invited Shelly and Taylor Danielson, and some of the Older’s came too, like London, Endia, and Natalie. It was really fun doing a little get together with the girls.
On Sunday we got a new class for Sunday School. My teachers are the Danielsons (Riley’s parents) and we had a lot more youth come.
Later that night I really did enjoy Dad showing pictures from his parents and of his childhood. After that I had a visit with my family, and I had a good time seeing them. I was able to talk to my dad for a little on the phone.
Jovita with all of her children
The last full week of the break has come and gone. New Year’s was so fun just being with everyone and playing all the games and spending time with family.
On Thursday I went back to work and it was pretty slow because a lot of people are on break. I’m sure it will pick up though, and the reason I’m sure is because I’m writing this on a Monday after knowing it has already picked up—ha ha!
Natalie, Yarima, and Jen sledding
On Friday I finally got my car all registered, and Saturday, Troy, Cougar, and I spent a while trying to get a broken screw out of the license plate hole. We were unsuccessful.
Later that night we played basketball. Braden, Luis, Caleb, Christian, Monte, and some other friends all went to play basketball at the church. It was so fun! Everyone is so much better than they used to be, so it makes it more challenging to play against them.
Glowsticks on New Year’s Eve
I started a new job last week assembling and making cabinets. I like it for the most part, and the really nice part about it is that I get to listen to music or an audiobook while I work.
The part that I don’t like about it is that I have to wake up really early, and it’s a 10-hour shift everyday for five days, except for Friday, when it’s only an 8-hour shift that day.
But other than that, I like it a lot, and I pays really nicely (about $20 an hour), so now I can save up a lot of money for college and a mission.
Family playing with remote bumper cars
New Year's was on Wednesday! It was really fun hanging out with the family to celebrate the new year! As tradition usually goes, we stayed up till midnight watching Mall Cop.
Once it was 12:00am—the new year—we rushed outside with some pots and pans and clanged them together in celebration! It was really funny seeing us all out there being silly!
This last weekend of Christmas break has been such an amazing time! I'm gonna miss it.
Sophia at family sledding activity
Happy New Year! 2024 went by in a flash, and now it’s 2025. I can’t wait for what this year has in store.
On New Year’s Eve, we watched The Wild Robot as a family, and it was just as good as the first time I watched it. At midnight, we had some sparkling cider, and watched Mall Cop.
Family sledding activity
This week Natalie put together a family sledding activity. It was up in the mountains, so it was quite a drive. I took Kai, Quinn, and Troy up, and we picked Caleb up along the way. We did end up going the wrong way for a while, but got on the right track eventually.
Sledding was super fun! I went off a few ramps, just fine, but on my final attempt, I sort of biffed it and ended up with my face in the snow. I wasn’t too badly injured, just a numb face and a scraped up chin. We had hot chocolate, and then headed back home.
James sledding
I am really excited to have a new year for a fresh start. For New Year’s Eve, we watched Wild Robot, and Mall Cop. Braden and Brook came over.
We also did a spa day with the Danielson's and Endia, London, and Natalie. I got my nails done by Taylor Danielson, and we did face masks. Then we played Really, which is a get-to-know-you game to see how well you know the person. It was really fun to see the responses of the questions.
Then we all talked about church starting at 12:00pm. We all like it when it start at 10:30am, because it is just the perfect time to have church—not too early or too late.
Natalie, Emma, Veidi at girls spa night
This New Year’s was awesome because Braden, Brooke, Ashton, and London came over. Braden said he wanted to watch Wild Robot, so we did. It was inspiring! We also watched Mall Cop, or at least some of us did.
We also had snacks. At midnight, we were able to bang bots and pans outside and say, “Happy New Year’s!”
My goal this year is to be able to run a half marathon, because I will be going on a walk everyday because of my doggie duties.
Family sledding activity