Started the first of December out in the dark and early hours celebrating Keslie's 20th birthday.
Just reminiscing about the days that she enjoyed performing in front of people. This was actually the dance performance where I saw in her face the moment she realized everyone was focused on her and the other girls up dancing. The fear and overwhelm were obvious when they struck her.
We couldn't wait any longer and decided we would bite the bullet and go on a quick Disney trip without Ethan. It's always fun to visit the park during the holidays.
Enjoying dinner and a milkshake in downtown Disney
We decided we would take Flat Elder Krohn with us on this trip.
With us in spirit. We missed having our planner of all things for the day, but it was fun for Ellie to take the lead with her big brother gone and direct our moves.
First move was to rope drop for the Star Wars Rise of the Resistance ride. We ended up going the wrong way and found that the end of the line was on the other side but somehow snuck our way into the line and didn't even have to wait in the cue. Ethan would have been proud.
Matterhorn for Ethan. It's one of his and Ellie's favorites. I still have PTSD when I ride it.
Mickey Beignets for all.
Storybrook Boat ride
Thunder Mountain
The only problem with a party of 3, someone always has to ride alone.
No longer Ellie's favorite ride, but Small World during Christmas is always magical.
We do it for nostalgia.
At some point we were stuck in Radiator Springs and I creatively tore out Flat Elder Krohn for his adventures in Disney.
We missed fire works both nights because of winds. Of course, Ellie was not disappointed.
We did get to have the magical snow that happens on main street.
The Zephyr
Another ride on the Resistance
By the end of the second night dad's feet were killing him so he headed back to the hotel while Ellie and I, and Flat Elder Krohn, enjoyed the evening until closing.
We went to California Adventure to watch the World of Color, which has been updated since we last watched.
Then we enjoyed more of fantasyland and the rest of Disneyland before closing time.
Meanwhile back at home it was winter in full swing.
Twinning is winning
The reason for the season.
this was a beautiful gift from our ministering brothers.
Best buds
annual Christmas lights run
Blue Bird Candy window downtown displays
End of year Volleyball Banquet.
Awards and fun memories shared with donuts and hot chocolate one Saturday morning in December
Christmas Strava Art for annual Sole Sister Christmas run
We didn't make it to Grandma and Grandpa's for Thanksgiving, but were able to visit in December several days before Christmas.
It was fun to visit with cousins
and take mandatory cousin pictures.
And get fun bracelets in a fun way from Aunt Kimberly
Merry Christmas Eve from the Krohns minus one
Making Sugar Cookies
Annual Christmas Lights viewing
Always have to visit the Griswold's house
Christmas Eve Charcuterie
Ethan was able to receive his Christmas package and him and his companion had their own little trees to decorate.
Sharing the message of Christmas on the other side of the world.
One of my favorite pictures.
Ethan celebrating in the Philippines. So grateful for the members who took care of him and the other Elders during the holidays.
Got to talk to Ethan first thing Christmas morning as well as that evening.
Christmas turkey
One evening we took a ride over to Ogden to visit and walk through the Ogden Christmas village.
Riggs really liked the Lego window display.
On our way home we enjoyed some Maddox
Missionaries celebrating the New Year across the globe.
I was looking at the Logan City Recreation website and noticed a familiar face on one of the pictures. Apparently they need to update their pictures.
I am not sure what we did on New Year's Eve this year. I am typing this toward the end of July in 2024.
2023 was a good year. We lived the entire year with Ethan serving on the other side of the world, but there's no other place we'd rather he have been. Our year was full of growing and learning and loving. We have so many more moments that sadly are not captured in these pages. Based on the fact that I am typing this in July does not give me hope for our next year and the memory recordings that are to come, but my hope is that the pictures will be a reminder of at least some little moments from the year gone by. As the kids get older and time gets faster I seem to be getting worse at taking pictures and recording the memories. 2023 thank you for everything. We are so incredibly blessed.
