December 2023

 December is always a busy and fun month.  Here are a few highlights: Piano Recital with Miles, Asher, Soren and Tyler.  Fun to have lots of fun family to celebrate. I have been teaching Abby piano for a while but its time for her to start taking lessons.  

I also taught my friend Jacey and her kids, Hazel, Oliver and ________ to ski.  It was so rewarding to see them progress through out the season.  

Abby loves her tiggy and her blanket.  Tyler went into a widows house in our ward and played her some beautiful music.  

I loved my birthday. Went out to Dinner with Darren.  Had Katie and Ang and their families over.  We played games and ate good food.  I love that Katie brought me Little Caesars Crazy Bread and flower seeds.  

Abby loved her tumbling class but go to busy with ski season to keep going.  She is driven like Ella to push herself and do more tricks.  Abby enjoyed pj day at school.  

Abby acquired a mini mannequin so she could make some fun outfits.  She has said for years she wants to be a clothing designer.  

New Year's Eve movie night and toasts with chocolate milk.  

Rancho la Hermosa, December 29th

Our last day at Rancho la Hermosa.  What a great experience to be there and work hard.  I loved that my kids could interact with kids who speak a different language.  It was fun to see them play sports with the kids.  We finished up our projects and left the area cleaner than when we came.  We thanked our amazing chefs.  We had the kids over for one more bonfire.  I got to play a number card game with them.  I could communicate since I know how to count to 10!

Then wake up Saturday at 4:30 AM to cross the border and drive home all day.  

 

Rancho la Hermosa, December 28th

Waking up to a good hike and fresh air before we start working.  I am grateful that Jared could teach me and my kids how to lay cement.  It was hard work.  

More painting for the bathroom.  Then on to painting a tiny house for missionaries who will come help at the orphanage for months.  I love tiny homes.  I would love to live a simple life like that.  

We also got to be part of a tortilla making class.  What a treat to learn to make yummy food.  

For the bonfire that night we got to invite over the kids and their "parents".  We had smores, glow sticks, music, and a chance to talk and get to know them more. 

Rancho la Hermosa, December 27th

 Several of us got up early.  We went for walks and hikes in the mountains.  A beautiful way to start the day.  We tried to work each morning for a few hours and then spend some time interacting with the kids.  Riding bikes down the mountain even if they didn't have working brakes seems to be popular.  A great memory was having Tyler ride around with kids with a water ball in his back wheel so it sounded like a motorcycle.  

More painting, digging ditches to lay electrical and water, pouring cement.  The food was amazing.  We had three ladies cook us a homemade lunch and dinner each day.  I could have eaten it for days.  

Another bonfire to burn trash and gross wood.  A great sunset.