Silver Dollar City

We made one last family trip to SDC before Q was set apart as a missionary. The weather was unseasonably warm and so very glorious. SDC was more packed than we have ever seen it, so we didn’t end up doing many rides, but we were really just there for lights and people watching anyway. And it was nice to get away from all the things. All my kids had well visits last week and my teen an adult children had eye appointments, dental cleanings, new retainer fittings, two wedding dress fittings, and an expired drivers license to renew. Seems like no big deal for. Seasoned mom. But the high concentration of appointments between Jamae Willardsons very full schedule where she needs a companion at home with her takes some preparation and my brain and body are tired. I try to have food ready for her 30 minute lunch, 30 minutes for dinner, and two 10 minute breaks so we can enjoy our time with our girl during her short breaks. I’m really happy we took this day at SDC last week where we could be unscheduled and unplugged. 

Glasses for Corbin

 After a nearly failed vision exam at the DMV, we had Corbin’s vision assessed at his yearly well visit. An exam was recommended and the kids’ ophthalmologist was able to squeeze Corbin in with everyone else’s eye exams last week. Just when we thought he couldn’t get any more handsome, Corbin is joining the glasses club. Reese and Quincy glazed his ego like good big sisters should and helped him pick out some frames. What a cutie. 

Jamae Willardson: Quincy is a missionary!

 Quincy was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! She is now c자매 or “Jamae” (pronounced, “JAW-may”) Willardson for the next 18 months. 

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. I am really happy for Quincy. I’m so proud of her for developing her own  testimony of the Book of Mormon, and for seeking to add more virtue to her life over the past year and a half through making changes in her media intake, and with the company she kept. This was a difficult and courageous process but it was very liberating and empowering and eventually joyful for her. She spoke about preparation, self assessment, and the steps she took to draw closer to the Savior. 

She and Ethan A put a musical number together of Still, Still Still. 

 These two young missionaries had great support. Quincy was happy to see the Topham, both Gulbransen, Keller, Bayles, Pabst, Hughes, and Shaw families and many individuals visit our ward, and friends and family tuned in via zoom to hear her speak. 

Here’s part of the youth/YSA crowd that was there. Back row: Ammon J, Parker O, Richard A (who also spoke), Addison N, Sarah H, Bailey G, Piper T, Bishop Blake, Greg G, Bryce W, Scott G, David S. Sawyer P, Garrett M, Ethan A, Luke P, Seth G, Luke B, Molly M, ?, Front Row: Sydney G, Gracie D’s roommate, Bethany S, Gracie D, Brightyn G, Annalise F, MJ H, Maddie D, Lucy G, Quincy, Corbin, Ryder P, and Kate K.

Cami asked if we could do a combined open house for Ethan and Quincy. We squeezed into the 90 minutes right after church before we headed to the stake center to be set apart. There were soooo many people here! Quincy requested bagels, so we picked out a spread of bagels and cream cheese flavors at Aldi and just piled everything with fruit, veggies, pretzels, and cookies on a giant strip of parchment right on the counter. 

Jen Toland thoughtfully gathered some of girls up for a photo. (Addison, Leah S, Brightyn G, Savannah H, Quincy, Sydney G, Baylee G, Annika J, Lucy G, Piper T, Gracie D). Leah and Quincy were born on the same day in the same hospital with the same doctor. Brightyn moved here when she was 2. Quincy has known Gracie D, Baylee G, Savannah H, and Addison N her entire life.

  

The Florys are not our new friends that we met through the Shefchik’s. Perla and Corbin have a fun bond and she found him and sat him with her to practice Spanish with. She caught up with Reese and her love story as well. We love this sweet family!  

Some social media posts. 

Quincy was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The badge is on. She is a representative of Jesus Christ and His Church. Home MTC starts today! 

 

Willyween 2025

Editor’s (that’s me) note* This is an old post from October that never published. But Willyween deserves a spot on the blog. I don’t know how to back date a post so here it is anyway. 

Twas a spooky Halloween for the Willies! 

Days before the ward party, I made Corbin’s costume and the rest came together easily. 

I borrowed a cow suit from Gina and puff painted the shirt for Soren’s Chick fil A cow.

I painted a t shirt for Sloane and stuffed the Pom Pom of a beanie into a cup for Sloane’s Swig drink costume. She wrote a cute sequined skirt from Walmart with it. 

Bear’s wig, bow tie, and mustache were from an Amazon kit, the apron was from Auntie HolleeAnn, and he wore a white church shirt, and Corbin’s old temple pants from when we were sealed to the twins. What a cute Colonel Sanders!

Corbin’s toga is just 1.5 yards of fabric from Walmart and some black puff paint. The greenery is from a bin in my parents attic, and the free pizza box was hot glued onto a paint roller handle. 

Esme was Wendy from Wendy’s. She wore a school uniform dress of Sloane’s, tights and arm warmers from our where’s Waldo costumes. The wig and apron were from Amazon. 

Last minute, I found Ronald McDonald costumes on marketplace for Aaron and picked them up in case I couldn’t find a cow costume in time for Soren. But we got one so I added us to the bunch. Aaron is a good sport. 

I look stupid enough in that wig to confidently say I’m a  even better sport. 

Quincy wore blue face makeup, a blue shirt, and a blonde wig as Violet for one costume party, and joined the roommates in their big group of dress singers as Britney Spears. She was the OG Baby One Time Britney. Others went as Oops I did it again Britney, Slave for You Britney, and Circus Britney. Oh boy! I teased that I guess as long as none of them went as 2007 shaved head assault-the-paparazzi-with-an-umbrella/DCFS case Britney or 15 years of lockdown Free Britney Movement Britney they’re all good. Those are even more scary 😂 Here’s a FaceTime screen shot I got of her with Allie (as Ke$ha). These two are such a vibe and bring life of the party energy everywhere they go. 

 

Friendly Farewells

We had a drop in Tuesday night from Parker O and ZVan. Then Brightyn appeared too. Q is the first from that friend group to be leaving on a mission and I think it is starting to get real to everyone that she won’t see people for a year and a half. We sat around the fire and each caught us up on highs and lows of their semester and plans for the upcoming year. Then a last hug for Zach (“Zach-with-an-H!”), who headed out of town today and will miss her farewell talk. I’m sure big tears are coming, but all anyone heard from Quincy all evening was how happy she is that her time to serve is finally here. 

Another evening, she went out for a Sonic treat run with Millie and Lily, who wanted to say goodbye before they leave town for Christmas trips with their families. When she got home, she facetimed Allie and Ryan and listened to a couple p-day emails waiting for her with voice memos from friends who are out serving missions already. Her heart is already in the field and she is so ready to go do hard things, and she’s doing great things testifying with all her heart right here before she goes.

 

 

Holy Places

 Spent a beautiful early Saturday morning in the temple with the girls, and went to bagels after. 

 

Christmas Sunday

Yesterday was Christmas Sunday. My fave! 

When Aaron and I got we saw that our early riser, Bear, had made a monster batch of french toast for breakfast. What a guy. This kid loves to be in the kitchen.

We went to church and sat with my parents (my mom may have overdone it, but brought a stool to keep her knee propped) and our neighbors Carol and Terry. The Durbins are such kind friends to my parents. 

Our meeting was great! The primary children sang the cutest little carol in French. They had hand bells and smiling faces and it as perfect. Other favorite music were all the awesome string arrangements from our super talented Ward, the Chandler guys, and a piano piece by Tommy F who is just a few years older than Bear. The Spirit was present and it was a perfect Celebration of Christ.

And of course a favorite part of Christmas Sunday is the reuniting of all the adult children who come home to visit with family and friends. Joyful, Joyful, Joyful! 

Reese and Quincy love these Gordon brothers. Quincy and Scotty hang out on the Reese and Gordo go waaay back to jr high orchestra days. Greg pulled a flex and dusted off his violin after 4 years and decided on a whim to perform with the ward orchestra and totally ate! 

Luke h, Bethany S, Corbin, Benson R, Richard A, Dan H,  Soren, Lucas A, Sloane 

It was like a ward party at the Giving Machines 

Santa/Cam C, Robyn S, Greg G, Santa C, Corbin, Tommy B, Benson R, Cameron D, Ashley F, Hyrum J, Bethany S. Richard A, Luke H, Dan H, Soren, Lucas A, Heidi S, Sarah H, Ella R, Lily J, Gisele G, Jenni C, Zara G, Esme, Sophie S, Cami A(director), Sloane, Sarah H. Not pictured but SUPER deserving of an honorable mention is Amy Bingham, who coordinates everything from communication and rehearsal scheduling to printing music for everyone. Incredible effort there. 

We love the Giving Machines! 

We came home and Aaron smoked a tri tip for dinner while I made a garlic flatbread, sweet potatoes, and green lemon roasted beans to go with. Sloane’s lifeblood is tri tip. She was a very happy girl. 

There were some Sunday naps by the fire and some family games and after naps and dinner and then a Christmas movie with snuggly Littles 

After Littles went to bed, the 2nd Shift of excitement began. First, Reese tried on her wedding dress, (no photos, gotta wait until

Wedding day!) which turned into a dance party with White Muffin Baby Q and little Timmy T

These girls together. Oh my. I don’t even know what hour of the night this was but they were unhinged. Good news is we managed to put together a playlist for Reese’s wedding reception. I hope their friends like to dance as much as they do. 

At some point, Corbin joined and we dialed Ryan in. 

Around 11pm, Scott and Greg rolled in and I gave haircuts after barbers at school betrayed them terribly. In Scott’s words, “trying to get a good cut in Provo is like an episode of Chopped”. What a night. I love the energy in a home full of good young adults and teens so much.  

And a 2am photo of the the quiet at the end of the night after friends went home and Aaron, Corbin, and Soren went to bed and it was just Reese and Quincy and I with a fire and a twinkly tree. Having all of my children home is the best thing in the world. It feels like air in my lungs. 

Life is so beautiful. I know this Christmas is a special one and the holidays will forever look different after this one. Quincy will be in Seoul next year, and Corbin plans to be serving a mission for the two Christmases after that. There will be growth and loss over the next 5 years and the chemistry will change with the coming and going of which family members are here to celebrate. I’m here for all of it, but intentionally cherishing every moment I am snuggled under these trees, with this crowd, this year.