Christmas with the FLU

Get a puppy, it will be swell!  I mean, how cute is she?

Christmas in the mountains started off with a muddy puppy.  I didn't mind because the picture was absolutely worth it. We all were so glad to get to the Christmas break especially considering 50% of us were sick.  Evie brought it home and Bob came down with FLU b.  I fought it until the day we headed up to the mountains and ended up sick for the entire time.  It was rough, but at least I had nothing but down time.

This year we all celebrated Christmas Eve by attending a sweet service at the Vernon Community Church.  It was delightful and Evie got to even be in the live Nativity.  Memaw made her chocolate mice and we stayed for a church wide potluck following.

Isn't she so cute.  This sweet moment made me tear up a bit.  I was just so proud of her.

It decided to give us a dusting of snow, and ever the optimistic Evie was out ready to sled.  While I stayed home and nursed myself back to life, the kids, Memaw, and Bob found a sledding hill and had a blast.  It was especially awesome because Memaw got us a new innertube sled for Christmas!

Christmas was full of coffee, movies, pies, presents, sinus medicine, and time together.  I adore our holidays in the mountains and can't wait to head back to ski!

 

Lily's first Voice Recital

I am so grateful for the men and women that I have gotten to know in my life.  Jung Csuy is one of those women.  She is unbelievably talented and such a beautiful soul.  When Lily wanted to do some voice lessons, Jung came to my mind and it has been a match made in heaven.

Lily had her very first voice recital this past December and I was simply blown away with her.  I did not stay and listen to her lessons so I was as surprised as anyone when she sang beautiful renditions of:

Mary Did You Know, White Christmas, and Reflections.

She was absolutely astounding and I found myself tearing up with joy.  The sky is the limit for this beautiful young woman.

 

And the Braces Come OFF!

Man how time flies!  Here is the day braces went on.....

And here is the day the braces came off!

It was so much fun to be there with her for both.  She did so amazing with her braces and her smile is just beautiful.

Plus, we finally got to have those Cinnamon Bears she has waited almost 2 years for!

 

Dear Ebeneezer

This year we finally made it to see A Christmas Carol at the Hale Theatre.  What an amazing show it was and such a wonderful new tradition.

Lily absolutely adores theatre and I am truly looking forward to spending more and more of my time in the seats of a theatre!

Arizona even made it snow!  Such a great Christmas treat!

 

Longmires 2023

Here we are at yet the close of another year, WHEW!  And what a year it has been.  I won't lie, this year I have found keeping up with the blog to be a monumental task.  Don't worry, it is one I am determined to mount, but needless to say I have lived this entire year behind.  At the end of the day I am not sad about it because MAN HAVE WE BEEN LIVING!  This year has been such a beautiful time of growth, changes, opportunities, and learning.  I could write a novel covering all that we have done, but then realize I already did (or will soon do right here).  For now Ill just cover some of the highlights for all of us!

Lily Lou:

• Finished swimming with the AZ Desert Dolphins
• Starred as Rosenheimer in the production of Puss and Boots, IN BOOTS!
• Finished out her elementary years at the top of her class.
• Started singing on the Student worship team at church.
• Began JR High and is absolutely crushing it.
• Discovered she is irrevocably in love with musical theatre.
• Started voice lessons
• Auditioned for the JR High production of Beauty and the Beast and was cast!
• Made some amazing friends
• Hiked Flat Iron

Bob and Bethany:

• Celebrated 19 years (but whos counting)
• Bethany got her YTT200 Yoga certification and now teaches yoga.
• Bob ran the Mogollon Monster 100 miler and turned 40 while training
• Bethany steered into Crossfit and became a coach and a CF-L1
• Bob finished installing solar and has darn near become an expert
• Bethany directed Lily's elementary play
• Bob upped his golf game by starting lessons and playing more
• Bethany continues to take pictures and celebrated 10 years in business as Bethany Jayne Photography.
• Bob still crushes the consultant work with PSPC 
• Bethany got to see her dear friend Grace in North Caroline (its where she got the puppy)
• Bethany got yet another tattoo, this one for her yoga journey.

Evie Bee:

• Started Diving this year and has become a spectacular little diver
• Turned the big 10 this year!
• Finished reading her Wings of Fire series.
• Is getting to be a little math wiz working with her tutor!
• Loves to do anything physical and had the most playdates of anyone this year.
• Discovered she has ADHD and is learning that it is actually her superpower.
• Finished up her 4th grade year and powered into 5th.
• Gave Jiu Jitsu a try and turns out shes good at it!

As a Family:

• Got a puppy- miss Gracie Lou joined the party a couple months ago.
• Went to Washington DC and saw all the things including the Pandas at the zoo.
• Skiied up at Sunrise Ski Resort
• Celebrated Memaw and Papas 50th wedding anniversary
• Watched Memaw beat caners butt
• Went to Costa Rica!
• Saw PINK in concert at her Carnival Tour.

Each year brings so much into our lives and at the close I am always equal parts overwhelmed and grateful for all the things in our lives.  We are looking forward to 2024 with great anticipation and excitement.  So much is on the horizon.

May the Prince of Peace bring hope and joy this holiday season, 

and may 2024 be one for the books.

Merry Christmas!