Science Fiction Day 2026

It's Science Fiction Day, January 2.

I went out for my first morning walk of the year this morning and listened to Doctor Who music while I was walking. About half the lights were out at the park, though, so it wasn't as pleasant of a walk. I'm not sure if it was the weather or not but Jeremy said on his way to work this morning, the fog was thick as pea soup. He made it safely, though.

I've been menu planning while watching episodes of Doctor Who today as well. Enjoying celebrating Science Fiction Day.

 

Yesterday was kind of a laid back day. I got a new set of scriptures for Christmas so I started the New Year the right way with my scripture study.

Yesterday afternoon, we introduced the family to Seeking Persephone because they sent a link for the digital copy of the movie on New Year's Eve. Woohoo! It was fun to watch it as a family. 

 

The Beginning of 2026

Happy New Year!

I was so tired by the time I finished my blog post yesterday but it was only half an hour until midnight so I stayed up long enough to toast the new year with the family with sparkling cider then the kids stayed up soooo late and Jeremy and I went to bed.

About 5 o'clock in the morning, Jet finally went to bed (unless he fell asleep in the living room earlier. I don't know. I slept with instructions for the older kids to watch after him. So I guess he finally went to his bed at 5 o'clock in the morning). 

 

I heard this from him, "Mom, go back to sleep."

He said it several times. 

My reaction? "What? Go back to sleep? Oh, thank you for waking me up in order to tell me to go back to sleep."

Oh, I love my kids so much. 

The End of 2025

Yesterday, December 30, was Mercer Mayer's Birthday. We read some Mercer Mayer books. 

For dinner we had carbonara for Bacon Day.

Sweet Jeremy brought roses home for me.

Today, I got out for my last morning walk of the year because... today is New Year's Eve.

Later I was "making guacamole. Making guacamole" for our New Year's nachos. 

Jeremy got some writing in and had hot chocolate in the composition mug. How fun.

Now I'm too tired to write anymore myself so I'll see you next year. Or you'll see me next year since this is my blog.

Happy New Year! 

Catching Up January 2025 part 1

We toasted in the New Year at midnight and had New Year's Nachos.

January 2 was National Buffet Day. I made dinner Fend For Yourself that night.

We also finally got out to donate to the Giving Machine right before it closed for the season. We donated "piglets," "art classes," "five visits and meals to a senior," and "empower through play."

We did not get a good family picture like we did in 2022 but that's not the point so... who cares?

 

I got out for morning walks before school started up again.

January 4 National Spaghetti Day. We ate spaghetti. It was also National Trivia Day and Utah's Birthday so we did some Utah trivia. It was also Play Outside Day (which is every first Saturday of the month). A few of us went out to see barn owls (and some other birds but we went specifically for the owls). When we got home we warmed up with hot chocolate.

We celebrated National Bird Day, January 5, a day early with the owl search, although we did eat chicken for dinner on the 5th. We watched The Big Year on Saturday as a family.

 

January 6 was Sherlock Holmes' Birthday. Lucky celebrated by going to "elementary" school the first day back after Christmas Break. I watched a TV show with a Sherlock Holmes character.

It was also National Cuddle Up Day and National Bean Day so you better believe we cuddled up while eating chocolate (which comes from beans). 

 

January 7 was Old Rock Day and National Bobblehead Day so I got out to take pictures of Jr.'s bobblehead with mountains (old rocks). I haven't done that for a few years so it was fun to do it again.

 

January 8 was Elvis' Birthday. We watched Lilo and Stitch.

We started over with "A Season of Family Meal Plans," volume 1, by Jordan Page.

That's enough catch up for now.

After Christmas 2024

After Christmas we were all still sick. Most of December we were sick. Blah.

We did celebrate Stan Lee's birthday on December 28 with shawarma. 

We had latkes and challah during Hanukkah.

I finished the adult reading program last minute on New Year's Eve. I earned a water bottle that says, "I read more in 2024."

I finished a year of "A Season of Family Meal Plans" by Jordan Page. I love those books.

We took apart our Christmas tree.

I got some morning walks in among the lights at City Center Park before the New Year.

We had New Year's Nachos.

 

Happy New Year!

Man, it was annoying being sick for most of December. I was feeling better then got sick again right before Christmas. We were all sick for the holidays. Sigh.

I'm doing better again except for that lingering cough I thought I was over half a month ago. Sigh.

So it's time to go into this new year and deal with life.

Happy 2025.

Enjoy this picture of the moon and the sky and the mountains.

Beginning of January 2024

I already talked about New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Now let's talk about other things that happened the beginning of January 2024. 

I got out for a couple more walks then it snowed so I stopped.

Jet and I started doing some activities from Orem Library's "Daily Fun with Your Little One!" One was having a "quiet party." We put on some quiet Bluey music and made Jet's toys dance around quietly to the music.

 

One night Jeremy and Jr. Jr. got out looking for owls. They didn't see any owls but had a good time together.

Jr. Jr.: Thank you for getting me up at 3 in the morning so we could go watch trees in the middle of the night.

Jeremy: And play sounds at them.

Jr. Jr.: Seriously, thank you for taking me owling. It was awesome.

 

Another day, Jr. Jr. and I got together so Jr. Jr. could give me some pointers on Mario Kart.

That's enough talk for now. We started 2024.

Saying Hello to 2024 on 1/1/24

So this date is not as exciting as yesterday's date and that's okay.

Everyone stayed up til midnight so we could toast the New Year with sparkling cider. Jet had apple juice which probably still had enough sugar in it because afterwards he ran around yelling, "Happy New Year! Happy New Year!"

We finally got him settled enough to get to sleep.

 

I've mentioned before that I don't really do New Year's resolutions but I do want to be healthier so I did get up this morning to go for a walk.

We had more nachos. Tradition!

Hello, 2024.

Saying Goodbye to 2023 on 12/31/23

It's 123123. Or 12/31/23. Fun way to go out this year. Jeremy and I took a nap (excuse the hair) and woke up in order to snap a photo at 1:23pm. Thanks, Jeremy, for setting an alarm. Smart thinking.

I was also able to get a picture with Lucky during that same minute.

An hour later I was able to wish my brother Happy 1:23 on 12/31/23 since he lives in Oregon. Tee Hee. Fun stuff.

Other things we did on this last day of 2023. New Year's Nachos! And board games. And some video games.

We also discussed "Come, Follow Me" curriculum for 2024. "The Book of Mormon." I'm so happy about that. I've talked to several people at church who are also excited we'll be studying that this coming year... starting tomorrow!

I've been telling my children for a while and I know these things from personal experience and the Spirit, studying the Book of Mormon every day makes a difference in your life. It really does. Don't believe me? Try it. It won't solve all your problems but it will bring you closer to Jesus Christ. That makes things bearable. It's worth it.

Goodbye, 2023.