My Joy

April 22, 2021

Lizzy was in another Westwood Middle School Play called “Uncuffed”, an original musical comedy written by her theatre teacher, Mrs. MacCord. Lizzy wasn’t a big fan of this musical or how well they were prepared to perform it, so she did not invite us to attend. Of course, mom found a way to sneak into the back row (yes she paid but didn’t tell Lizzy she was coming).

Lizzy is the fourth person from the left side in the white top with black skirt. This is when she spotted her mother in the audience after the show.

A closer look:

Good job Lizzy, I did enjoy watching you perform…the play itself – eh, not so much.

April 21, 2021

Rachel really enjoys baking and she wanted to try out cake decorating with fondant. So, she made and decorated her own birthday cake!

Later that evening we “lit up” our birthday celebration:

We continued the tradition, carried over from my Mom’s side of the family, of making another wish as you cut the cake:

Apparently cutting through the fondant was a little more challenging than a regular frosted cake. We all (mostly) waited patiently:

Time for birthday cards and gifts. We started with the cards. This one was unexpected:

A card and gift$ from Aunt Elynn:

Next a card from Grandpa Ed and Grandma Joyce:

And gifts from Grandpa Ed and Grandma Joyce:

A gift from Lizzy:

Now for a gift from mom and dad:

April 3rd, 2021

Happy Easter!

Lizzy woke up first:

Rachel fell asleep on the couch so mom special delivered her basket:

These white cheddar cheese balls have become a favorite in our house:

Time to get ready for General Conference:

Don’t forget the fresh picked strawberries from Rogers Farm!

General Conference:

March 20th, 2021

Lizzy grew out of her bike so we got her a mountain bike and decided to take it out for a spin on the Turkey Creek Prairie trails.

Lizzy couldn’t quite ride through the small entranceway:

Rachel and I got ahead on the trail and so we waited for Dad and Lizzy:

We headed straight for mom’s favorite tree:

This tree is so awesome!

The sink hole near the tree is pretty cool too:

Time to continue on:

Lizzy looks tired and I think it’s time to get Rachel a new bike too:

We took some time to hang out on the hill:

And climb and explore:

Mom gave this family outing a thumbs up:

It was a lot of work and they were tired, but we all had a nice trail ride!

February 14th, 2021

We love to celebrate the holidays and Valentine’s Day is a fun “Loving” holiday we really enjoy!

Mom gave Dad quite a spread with fresh herbs, bread and cheese:

He seemed pretty happy!

Lizzy and Rachel had a full table of “Love”:

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Lizzy & Rachel,

Being Parents of two daughters is a wonderful and cherished blessing! Sisterly love is also a wonderful and cherished blessing! As your parents we share our hearts with both of you equally. As sisters this Valentine’s Day, you will share all these nice gifts with each other!

Wishing You Both a Very Happy Valentine’s Day!

With Love, Mom & Dad

Now back to the gifts. . .

Gifts are nice too:

More Candy For Dad!

From Rachel to Lizzy:

What’s happening!?!

Time for mom to give Dad MORE gifts!

Lizzy to Mom:

Rachel to Mom:

Last but not least, Dad to Mom:

And a gift:

Happy Valentine’s Day Patricia!

Patricia came over and we had something for her too!

We all had a very “Lovely” Valentine’s Day!

January 28, 2021

Lizzy had a lead role in this musical theater production written by her theatre teacher Mrs. McCord.

Because of the ongoing pandemic (Covid19) all the kids had to wear masks (the audience wore masks as well).

January 21, 2021

We made some cards and had some special gifts for mom to celebrate her birthday!

“Happy Birthday Dear Heather

You’ve got your tent for the AT, but it’s missing something: trekking poles!

So It’s time for another trip to REI. There we’ll get two sets of trekking poles so that we can set up the tent.

Are you excited? It’s all starting to come together! Soon you’ll be ready for the trail.”

January 16, 2021

It was a beautiful Saturday so we decided to drive out near Ocala and hop on the Florida Trail.

We made our way back down to the water.

We decide to go a little farther up the trail this time.

Another successful family fun day out on a trail!

December 27, 2020

Patricia and Franklin came over today and we exchanged gifts:

We are very grateful for their friendship!!!

Later that day. . .

Mom and Dad went to go get mom’s gift (from Dad):

December 25, 2020

This is our first Christmas (since Lizzy was a newborn baby, having been born December 14th, 2009) that we have not traveled to NY for Christmas.

Although the stockings were very tempting we First opened the gift about Jesus (this box was made many years ago by Elizabeth and over the years the girls have added to the box).

Lizzy went through each item and shared her testimony about the savior and His Gospel:

Luna had waited very patiently for her stocking!

Time for the girls’ stockings:

Dad’s turn:

Mom too:

We have somehow acquired two cats (Mrs. Kitty and Big Mama) in addition to our two, Shadow and Windy. Big mama is the feral mama cat in the neighborhood that comes to the door multiple times a week (sometimes twice a day) for food. Miss Kitty is a neighborhood cat that has basically become our indoor/outdoor cat. All that said, we have a very large stocking for all the cats!

Time for Bunya’s stocking:

Time to open our gifts. Grandpa and Grandma Beck sent us a box of gifts:

Lizzy read us the card:

Uncle Chuck also sent gifts. Lizzy read the card:

Grandpa Ed and Grandma Joyce also sent gifts:

There were gifts for Luna too!

The Bad Dad Calendar:

Treats!

Gifts from the girls to mom:

And from Lizzy to Mom:

The largest gift was for Dad!

Rachel’s turn:

Lizzy too:

And this book!!

Mom:

We exchanged our presents to each other:

We were not able to make a snowman for Grandma Joyce this year. Hopefully we will be able to go to NY next year!