Christmas 2025: Winter Break

 Lots of sore muscles from a fun Christmas themed Body Blast class I attended at the fitness center 

Lots of music at the square 

Lots of unhinged dance parties. This one was the favorite though. 

Lots of hearing me say, “I’m so happy to have everyone together” followed by at least one child mocking me by saying the same thing in their best Mom voice. 

Lots of feral children 

And some feral adults

Lots of “lasts” for sisters who are struggling to adjust to the reality of another pending 18 month separation. Quincy and I took Reese lingerie shopping one day since Q would. Eva missionary soon and will miss all the maid of honor, bridal shower, and wedding festivities. 

 This was a good time together and they are a beautiful and chaotic duo. How can two women be so similar and also have such polarized personalities? I have never laughed so much as I did with them in that fitting room. I thought I might fall over. I’m so happy they have each other. Daughters are so fun.

Lots of time spent in the kitchen. I made all the favorite meals. We also ate out a lot. Probably too much, but we justified with the desire to give Jamae a good send off and seizing the opportunity to have everyone home. 

This scene is so typical I had to post a pic. Every night is a pile of bodies wherever they crashed. Up

Until Q was set apart and had a set bedtime, each night ended with a movie marathon and during that first 10ish days, no one paid any attention at all to what hour it is when starting a show. 

Also MarioKart 

Lots of celebrating that we were together 

Lots of Forced Family Fun, which is Aaron’s go-to remedy for grief and change. The fitness center had a lot of Willardson Family time appearances.

Lots of games. This years favorites were Imposter, skull king, Priorities, this teeny tiny pool table, Bank, Shut the Box, and puzzles 

Lots of Sloane not wanting to be cold. 

Lots of Reese saying, “MOTHER! How are they all so messy? I helped them clean their room yesterday! How does it look like this? How have you survived 7 kids?” And “My kids will never be messy.”  

Lots of Corbin eating everything in sight and putting anything in the fridge into a tortilla 

Lots more Forced Family Fun. This one was to the sports exhibit at Crystal bridges 

Lots of desperately trying to find garments in tiny sizes for my newly endowed  daughter. I placed an order in October but it’s back ordered. Every DC from Provo to AF is shipped out. We’ve found random 2XS in various styles and she’s making it work because she’s just happy to be endowed. We didn’t anticipate it to be such a challenge to get her supplied 😂 it’s like the bread and milk aisle before an ice storm. 

Lots of  “stop everything! I have an 8 minute zoom break!  and lots of snugglers running over to pile onto her. 

Lots of crepes brought home after shifts and one family visit to see the cutest Crepes Paulette employee ever. 

Lots of fun on Girls date night with Mom and Boys date night with Dad. Aaron took the boys to a razorback bball game. The girls made cookie dough apple dip and watched Little Women. 

Lots of sleeping under the tree

Lots of super happy Jamae moments during home MTC. Safe to say she loves being a missionary! She also really loves getting mail. Her best friend/hallmate Allie thoughtfully mailed a letter for Jamae to open during home MTC. Quincy found out over the summer that it’s a thing to leave letters or notes to your friends before you leave on a mission. The handful of heartfelt cards and letters she has from her favorite elders is a cherished possession. She loves a handwritten note or card even more than I do, which is saying a lot! She was very excited to receive mail from Allie, who is also headed to the CCM for a mission very soon. 

Lots of helpers. The laundry never stops. Bless up for having little friends to keep excellent company 

Lots of Christmas! My parents weren’t feeling well on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, so we postponed Grammie Christmas for a week and went up to their house one night. Aaron smoked ribs and I made baked potatoes, rolls and a salad. We took everything up and had Paul and HolleeAnn meet us. Quincy had 30 minutes for dinner on New Year’s Eve, so we did a family dinner and had the best Grammie Christmas do-over. 

Lots of nature! We did a few hikes last week, and Kasey invited my 3 younger kids with her on one of her training  hikes one day so I could shop with the older girls.  Bella vista is so pretty! On New Year’s Day, Reese stayed with Jamae, and the rest of us cut through our backyard, hopped on a trail, and hiked to blowing springs.  

I am always blown away by the wild beauty of the limestone bluffs. Grateful to have this natural playground in my backyard. 

Sloane hiking with the birthday tiara is 10/10

Lots of rehearsing for Honors Orchestra. Corbin made it this year (yay! congrats, Corbin!) but Soren did not (thumbs down). 

Lots of celebrating birthdays! A few days belated bday for Reese, who got a sweet fiancé for her bday, and a  New Year’s Day celebration of Sloane, who turned 11! 

Lots of time with friends. Corbin went to a few parties at Logan B’s, Gemma B’s, Avery P’s, Georgia S’s, Hyrum’s, and our house. He also went to the multi stake youth dance on New Years Eve and was caught on video ringing in the new year with “fishing in the dark”. That’s him on the right in the orange and green Oregon ducks hat because “I support anyone but Texas tech. Or Miami. And while we are at it, the Seahawaks, the Detroit Lions….” And then continued to list a few more teams on his “anyone but ____” list. 

Annnd lots more Forced Family Fit Fun. This time, Aaron took us to Climb. The kids are getting pretty good. Sloane is very brave at Climb. It’s great!   

Lots and lots and LOTS of wedding planning! Wedding is in 12 weeks, but we can’t officially nail anything logistically down until they have an interview to schedule the temple and get permission to use the Wiltshire building. We have a dress and shoes though! Working on everything we can while she is here. Bridesmaid dresses ordered. Those didn’t work so new bridesmaid dresses and necklaces were ordered. Announcements, engagement photos, reception food, decor, guest lists, etc,

Lots of Family Pickleball. And when it got cold, we played indoors at the fitness center. 

Lots of everyone evacuating the van because someone couldn’t hold their gas. This happened too many times to count and I’m still confused about why it is such a problem still and why they all think it’s hilarious even though they act like they’re dying when they are the victim instead of the cheeky assailant. I have a whole speech about it. 

Lots of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. These movies are so funny. Watching them with Soren and Corbin’s commentary and hearing Quincy and Bear quote them all week is classic. “You disrespected Joshie!” 

Christmas crafting. Sloane and Bear painted these adorable houses and I’m keeping them forever.  

We discovered the swig on 8th still had peppermint frosted crinkle cookies and bought the last three. Bye forever. Well until next year anyway. File this under: Why Jeans Don’t Fit and Hold Your Tongue About It. 

Reese clipped extensions in my hair for Christmas Sunday. The color wasn’t the greatest match but it was super fun to have long hair again! I wish mine would grow, but after 3 years of trying and accumulating zero length, I’ve accepted that it’s not getting any longer. But here it’s ok because here we are, folks. Boom. Long locks just for funzies for a few hours? Why not?

This is before Reese couldn’t handle Quincy’s need to see everything she owns kingdom anymore and organized their clothes. Heaven bless type A oldest daughters for the balance they bring to type A mothers with 5 type B children, a Type B spouse, and only one other Type A child who’s still messy because he’s 13. Reese chastised Quincy and told her “you better be clean on your mission! Koreans are tidy, Jamae. Don’t be the hard companion!”

It was so warm we ended up on a few family walks. Bella Vista is beautiful and so charming. Reese took this one.

My little besties who steal my clothes but make up for it by being the best company. 

 

Lots of teasing mom. I don’t even know where these AirPods came from. Half of them don’t work. Honestly. I only use the set from Ryan and the rest are probably all of theirs that I picked up while cleaning up after them. Tease away! 

Lots of haircuts. NWA is better looking. You’re welcome. Capra brought Willardson Jamae a dragonfruit water and had all the questions about missionary life. Jamae was in a class but Reese was here to answer. 

After several months of coaxing, Paul and HolleeAnn convinced Nico it’s time for a haircut. He agreed to this only if it was me. When he was 18 months old, HolleeAnn hated to see her baby boy growing up and Nico’s toddler mullet was to his shoulders. She took a little convincing again this time to let me ditch his sideburns and little boy side part and give him a teenager cut. It’s so nice to see his eyes and ears! He looks almost ready for high school now! He was nervous but loves it. 

The Anderson Ward missionaries came by on their pday for cuts too. They were pretty shaggy but left with fresh and clean cut necklines. We love to see it! Also super fun to hear again from one who used to serve in our ward. 

Lots of brothers bothering their sisters. 

Lots of chef Esme 

Lots of “hey guys, guess what?!”  Us: what?!  

Reese: I’m engaged!” 🙄🤣

Lots of “you go workout, Reese abc I will just go to the relaxation area” 

Lots of Kdrama! The Inheritors was a cute show we binged the first season of. We started the last season of Stranger Things (oldest kids only), but the last 5 episodes came out right before Q started home MTC and decided it’s not the pre-mission vibe. Reese and Corbin watched them after Q went to bed. 

Lots of hunting for a wedding photographer in LA

Lots of love for Willardson Janae. Her getting set apart as a full time missionary was definitely was the main event the week after Christmas!

Lots of tiny pool table and lots of Corbin looking like a character from the Subway Surfers game. Quincy started playing the theme song every time he came up

from the basement in an under tank or beanie.

Lots more music at the square 

Lots of love, cookies, happy, together, tears, messes, shopping, basketball, crafts, junk journals, music, the temple, adjustment to changes, playing, friends, and preperation for good things to come in 2026, 

Willardson Jamae: Home MTC and the big send off

We took Willardson Jamae to the airport at 3:30 this morning. Reese and Ryan and maybe Logan are planning to pick her up and take her to the Provo MTC with a stop for one last in n out burger on the way. 

Home MTC was a little tricky being over the kids winter break from school. It’s not easy for younger siblings to have their sister “home” but not “home”/available to talk to them. Aaron, Reese, and I took turns going to all the Christmas Break things with the kids while one of us stayed home to be Jamae’s companion while she was on zoom and doing personal study time. Even though her breaks were minimal and she was super exhausted after 10 hours on zoom every day, we loved every free minute we got with her. 

On her P-day we dropped off some of the Austin’s dishes to them and got to have a quick hello with the family and Elder Austin. They had fun spotting each other in the giant zoom classes and getting a screenshot of the other 😂 

We hosted our annual WillyShefMatt post holiday dinner where we gather to play games but really just want an excuse to eat delicious smoked food. This year, we had a smorgie of tri tip, homemade bread, smoked chili with brisket and bison, smoked stuffed bacon jalapeños, a delicious balsamic salad, coconut rice crispy treats, and all the European chocolate and hand rolled Czech cookies Katia could fit in her little box of happiness. I always forget to get photos with everyone, but it was great to be with these fun friends. We love the Matthews and Shefchik’s and they love Quincy. Byron and Amber got a photo with Jamae to send to Shef. He had a WillyShefMatt smoked feast as one of his pre-mission meals as well! So fun and so delish. 

Jamae squeezed in a few more hugs and farewells. On Sunday, Kate did a photo shoot at the temple with girls who all just received their mission calls. 

Jamae, Savannah H (Canada, French speaking), Kate K (Concepcion Chile), Gracie D (Paraguay) 

From there we rushed over to join the family for dinner at Saumi’s. No photos but lots of laughs, conversation, and delicious things to eat! Joe and Mary love our CeeCee so much and were so thoughtful to invite us over for Sunday dinner and accommodating to squeeze it into a window of time before we had a zoom that evening. We sure love foodie friends! Jamae provided lots of funny tales of life in Provo, encouragement for Davey, Brodeo, and Riley to serve a mission and to join the Cougar Nation 🐾💙📣

We had Cava for lunch another day. When Q worked at an assisted living, she would treat herself to CAVA on her 12 hr shift days since they are half price for EMTs. She wanted to return for her kids meal braised lamb pita. I wonder if she’ll have any opportunities to use her health care certification/knowledge during her time in the Lords service. 

One night, we fed the kids and they put themselves to bed while the 4 of us slipped out during Quincy’s last dinner break. She wanted a monster plate of nachos as her last American meal in Arkansas. Atta girl. 

Bishop Blake came by to wish her well and gave her a little gift that says “remember who you are” 

I hope she never forgets. My heart is full that there is so much love and support coming back to my firm who loves and supports and champions everyone in her path. She left 3 friends with a tear filled testimony and a bold charge to “do whatever it takes to get your life together and get yourself on a mission. Just do it. Whatever it takes.” 

Sisters are the best. I came upstairs and took a sneaky pic of them saying bye to their bedroom. They did a lot of growing up in this home and this space. Reese will be married soon. They honored the end of their youth, and Reese emptied the drawers and boxed things up to prep the space for Sloane and Esme to move in. I appreciate the way they want to give this special space back to their little sisters. 

Goodbye to Grammie and Grandpa! It was important to both Jamae and lady that Q sit on her armchair “perch” one last time. Sloane has moved in on this throne, but it was a good last hurrah. They gave Jamae a little point and shoot digital camera that she’s been wanting and Q cried at the thoughtfulness. 

All the sibling love. Bear predicts he will be taller than Jamae when she returns. Corbin plans to have his own mission call. 

Quincy tucked in each of the kids and still crept in at 3am to kiss each sibling goodbye and tell them she loves them. Big sisters are everything. The kids have already started praying for her in every family prayer. They’re so proud of her. 

Corbin stayed up to finish getting her packed up and kept things light with great stories. I love the way their friendship has blossomed. Quincy and Corbin probably gad the most sibling contention in our family, but are now extremely close. I hope they both continue to foster this bond. They are an amazing duo. 

Aaron says over and over, “I’m so jealous. I loved the MTC! A spiritual highlight of my life!” He is such a good dad. Only encouragement from him even though I know his heart is completely wrecked right now. 

And that leaves me and my little bestie. We got her packed up, and then snuggled on the couch until her bedtime curfew. And then as she got up to go to bed, she said, “wait, you coming with me” 

So we squished together and slept all curled up in her twin bed like old times when she needed me to sit on her to regulate until she fell asleep every night. This time though, it wasn’t because she needed me. She knew I needed her one last time. The mission field needs her. 

She is ready! So happy for her. 

Oh I just love her so much! 

Best of luck to the bravest girl I know. 

Christmas Eve 2025

We hosted dinner on Christmas Eve for the extended family. My parents weren’t feeling well and didn’t want to share germs so we smoked ribs and had a redo Christmas with them days later. 

Our Christmas Eve crowd consisted of my family, Uncle Steve and Aunt Lisa Smith (my moms sister), cousin Mattie and Kevin Hirst and their kids Lily and Lochlan and Oliver, and Uncle Paul, HolleeAnn, Nico, Gigi, and little bitty 2 lb puppy Poppy, my sister just added to her household. After some consultation along the youngest nativity  members, and before we knew it, the baby doll was set aside and sleepy Poppy was cast as baby Jesus. 

Before dinner it was just us. I have photos with the kitties too big they wouldn’t load so I’ll add them later, but we were together! We went to the treehouse and art trail near Riordan park and went for a walk. The little kids played in the treehouse and swings and the older kids just took in the peace of being together. 

It was a nice calm before a big gathering, which was also sweet! We ate tamales and cilantro rice and “this corn is like an angel” elote. We read from Luke two and sang a couple songs and Bear and I played a little piano duet of Deck the Halls that we worked hard to learn. We asked Mattie to tell Q some stories about her mission and offer the family prayer in French. The Spirit was there even in the chaos of tired little ones. 

I’m going to start a thread of Gigis disappointment in my dinner offerings because it makes me laugh. Thank goodness for the fruit tray and dessert! 😂

Aaron reading and a host of angels. 

Angels in the corner and wise men bearing their gifts

After the family left, our kids came in one at a time to wrap the gifts they bought for each other. The sibling exchange before any other gifts on Christmas morning is one of our favorite traditions.  

We had all the gifts wrapped and set out by 10 pm this year. A landslide record. We FaceTimed with Ryan and watched a late night Christmas movie. 

Merry Christmas to all from the lane!