A Teacher

Not sure how this happened but 2 years have gone by.  Ryder was interviewed and found worthy to be advanced in the Priesthood to become a Teacher.  We weren't able to invite anyone other than immediate family to attend.  So different from before.  We were able to Face Time Grandma & Grandpa Christiansen to join us. Dave was able to ordain him as well.  

Ryder & Dave

Arguing or ignoring?

Not sure which with these two.

Small group

Rylee was missed but she had a previous engagement that couldn't be changed.

Thanks to Linzie Hansen for taking the picture.

I swapped and took one for her.

This is going to be a change for Ryder.  He will learn new things and help out where ever he is asked.  He was glad of not having to do Fast Offerings today since it was really cold.  We reminded him that he is not giving up responsibilities and gaining new ones.  We are sure proud of him and the choices he is making in his life.  We are also grateful for the leaders that put so much time into teaching the boys about their new responsibilities.  They are so patient with each one as it is still a large group of about 20.

Happy New Year!!!

Let's have some fun and send the year out with a bang!!! We weren't looking for a big party but we still needed to have some fun.  Blake & Julie came over with treats to share.  Then we made more treats to eat some more.  The kids were scattered around so it was going to be an adult night.

Game Time

Blake brought his new game system for everyone to try.

This is what Dave is seeing in the glasses.

Dave was a good sport.

We laughed and watched him try to skydive.

Ryder's turn

Dad had to give him a little help.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  We made it through the longest year in history.  Time to get some sleep.  Loved it Reganne picked up Ryder from his swim party.  I was so glad not to have to go out in the cold to get him.  She was glad for the freedom and to drive by herself.

2020 Good Riddance

We are definitely done with 2020.  I am still reserving judgement on 2021!  I want to remember the good stuff and throw out the bad stuff.

Loving the decorations

@ The Galleria Mall.

Dave giving assistance as only

a dad can do. 

It can be opened with scissors just watch.

Loving the new blankets

They are warm and snuggly.

Just what we need since Dad & Mom won't turn up the heat for us.

She did it mask & all.

It is official she can drive on her own.

New thing a line for appointments only and one for standby.

Thank goodness we had an appointment and were done in a 1/2 hour.

Learned some things never change.  Stupid questions that people ask.

Do I really need to finish drivers ed to get my license?

I don't need to take the eye test today.  I passed one before in the state I lived.

Yes you must have an appointment.  If not please stand in the other line loooong line.

Perfect 2020 Gift.

Rudolph

(toilet paper and a plunger)

Things we have learned people will hoard.

We are all glad this year is over and look forward to good times in 2021.  We definitely need to make good memories even it we can't travel to far away from home.

Waters Family 2020

Mask Up!!

It is obvious by now that I didn't get Christmas Cards sent out.  Nor did I get a family update letter sent out either.  COVID-19 really did a number on my organization this year.  Well if you want in depth details check out this blog for our adventures.  I will a few highlights.

Dave is still working at Dixie Regional Medical Center as the Assistant Manager-EVS.  They have been so crazy busy learning new methods to keeping the hospital safe.  He works hard every day to ensure things run smoothly.  One highlight this year was meeting his Mom on his birthday.  He has a million projects he his working on but with limited time to get them done.

Lori is still working at SkyWest Airlines and celebrated 20 years on March 1st.  The airline industry has been hit really hard by the pandemic with reduced travel.  We have been listed as essential employees with a letter that we required to carry.  Dave & I have been teaching the 14 year olds in Sunday School.  Zoom meetings have become the only way to have class.  We are both learning how to set one up and complete a lesson.

Rylee graduated from high school & seminary.  She is currently attending DSU and completed her first semester.  She was excited for the college experience however, it turned out to be a continuation of high school with most classes being online.  She is also working as a receptionist @ Above View Jet Center and learning to be a dental assistant @ Dixie Pediatric Dental.  Needless to say she is keeping busy but tries to find time for a social life.

Reganne is a Sophomore at DHHS.  She is able to attend school on campus which is exactly they way she wants it.  She completed all her requirements for her drivers license before Christmas.  However, they now require appointments so she had to wait an additional week to actually get it.  She is excited to drive to school and have more freedom.

Ryder is in Seventh Grade at SRIS.  He is busy all the time at school with the various groups he has joined.  He is also in the concert band playing the trombone this year.  He is still swimming every day with the local club.  We are so appreciative to the club for finding ways to keep the kids active & swimming over the past 9 months.  There have been many disappointments with meets and practices being cancelled.  This kids have learned to be flexible to the constant changes.  They have all become better friends and even have a group text to send out encouragement to each other.

We have experienced the many changes and quarantines this year.  The hardest one was after I received my positive test.  I only experienced a mild case and was able to work from home.  I was the only one to catch it thank goodness.  However, Reganne & Ryder were required to stay home from school for the whole 14 days.  That was the toughest part.

We hope everyone had a great holiday season.  We are looking forward to the new year and hope the world gains its sanity once again.

Christmas Day Tradition

 For may years growing up we went to the movie on Christmas Day.  It was usually a Star Wars movie newly released.  We have tried it over the years with our own family.  This year we were still going to try and keep it alive with Wonder Woman 1984.  Mega Plex sent out an email announcing that it would be in theaters for Christmas Day.  We bought our tickets early.

Waiting for the theater to be cleaned.

All wearing our masks.

Popcorn & drinks in our hands.

Social distancing

We found our seats and sat down.

What is a movie without popcorn?

Not one that I want to watch.

The main attraction.

It was a great way to spend the holiday afternoon.  It was also great to see something new in the theater again.  My only complaint is how long movies are now.  I must be getting old when it's hard to sit for 3 hours straight.

It was.a great Christmas even with all the craziness in the world.  We hope everyone stayed healthy and safe  as well.  Let's plan a big party for next year.

Merry Christmas

I would say 2020 style however, we have entered into a whole new era at our house.  All teenagers & adults!!! No more crack of dawn demands to get up.  The phone rang at 8:00 was our wake up call from the Wheelers to turn on the oven for breakfast.  Who knows how long everyone would have slept if they hadn't called.

We love Christmas Breakfast.

Bacon, eggs, stuffed french toast, cinnamon rolls.

The sun is shining

and time for presents.

Later start meant a relaxing morning.

NOT!!!

Time to learn what secrets everyone has been keeping.

Special present from Reganne.

Dave loved the new picture.

Amazing picture created

by Rylee.

Rylee & Craig

Her cow ottoman she was obsessed with.

Reganne's excited

Rylee picked the perfect gift for her.

This is way too heavy to open.

Dave picked a perfect present of a weight set for the home gym.

It was a great morning!!  It was awesome to see the thought everyone put into their gifts for each other.  I hope this continues to be a tradition of trying to make each other happy.  It is now time for a Christmas nap.

 

Christmas Eve 2020 Style

What style is that?  The year of cancelled events, no gatherings, and no family.  What can we do to keep the traditions alive.  St George Temple is closed for renovations which also means no nativity or lights.  The visitors center is open but to limited numbers.  Our Las Vegas shopping trip & lunch was still on.  We checked & double checked what is open.  We had our masks and reservations for lunch time to have a little fun.

This is a first!

Close up parking.

Usually it's wall to wall people.

Not so much right now.

Reganne's favorite store.

She was determined to get new BTS posters for her room.

They did have a store limit of customers.

SCORE!! she found new ones + a mug.

Rylee & Ryder 

Making Dad happy by posing for a picture.

Ryder needed Rylee's advice on clothes

New sight to behold.

Lines like at Disneyland waiting to enter your favorite stores.

No Fastpasses available.

Group Christmas Picture

Love the decorations!!

Menu @ Cheesecake Factory

We had enough shopping for the morning and headed off to the Cheesecake Factory for our reservation.  We could only sit four to a table.  How do you divide up our family?  The girls sat on one table with us & Ryder on the other.  There was a mini table between us.  We made it home and we survived!!! Time to relax and enjoy the evening with movies and popcorn.

It's Beginning to look like Christmas

We need make it feel like Christmas without all the negativity in the world.  It's time to start the decorating inside and out.  Mr Grinch is back in the front yard trying to steal our lights.  Inside I was busy decorating the house but left the tree once again to Dave.  He put the kids to work while he directed them.  They were quick to put their own stamp on it this year.

A little togetherness

while it lasts.

I thought I picked a mild smelling onion.

Until Ryder & Dave walked in

and exclaimed how strong it was.

Being thankful that i could smell it even if it was faint.

Dave & Reganne made a trip this weekend to 

Cedar City to work on her driving hours.  She loved this sign

posted at the gas pumps.  "Birds aren't real, Wake Up Utah" 

They are Government Surveillance Drones.

Dave & Rylee's new project.

Converting her part of the basement into a small apartment.

It was demo day!!!

Hit it hard and release the frustration you feel.

My turn!!

Don't ask me twice!!

I am not sure about the mess and chaos this remodel will bring.

It is fun the make to beat on the walls.

Celebrating Christmas

at the car wash.

Loved the lights and blow ups.

A little disappointing compared to Halloween.

This is the last week before Christmas Break.  A lot of studying this week and even Driver's Ed thrown in for Reganne.

2020 IMX Meet

It has been 6 weeks since the last swim meet.  The various quarantines and restrictions have been hard on the kids.  Ryder claims even 2 weeks out of the water he has to relearn how to be a swimmer again.  This is the one meet of the year that the whole purpose is to complete all of the required IMX events to receive a certificate and points for USA Swimming.

Everyone is ready to go... This meet is open to other teams from Northern Utah, California, Nevada, and Colorado.  Most of the teams are unable to compete closer to home.  We welcomed them with open arms.

The calm before the warm ups.

Working hard.

Team Cheer

When I asked Ryder what the cheer was.  I have no idea.

We just starting yelling.

The kids are churning the water.

All smiles and friendship.

Everyone had a great time.  Ryder loved hanging out with friends and swimming every event possible.  He was full of nerves on Saturday morning.  When he asked Dani why she was making him swim so many.  She replied, Relax, focus on completing them.  Don't worry about your times.  The next event he not only finished but dropped his time as well.  He was definitely exhausted by the last event.  I was as well.  I couldn't smell the chorine but I could feel it in my nose, eyes, and throat.  When Ryder climbed in the car I could smell it on him.  

Male (13 & Over) 200 Breast    3:01.09    10th Place

Male (13 & Over) 100 Freestyle    1:04.43    14th Place

Mixed (13 & Over) 500 Freestyle    6:34.20    29th Place

Male (13-14) 200 IM          2:44.54    5th Place

Male (13-14) 200 Back      2:43.94    8th Place

Male (13-14) 100 Breast    1:26.64    7th Place

Male (13-14) 100 Back       1:17.29    8th Place

Mixed (13 & Over) 400 IM    5:53.84    18th Place

He worked hard the new age group comes with harder goals & times.  The next meet is in January and they are all working hard to qualify for the Jr Olympics in March.  We are all hoping & praying a little that it doesn't get cancelled just like everything else this year.