January Jaunts

 

Dad and I started off the year by getting pulled over in our Tucson on Main Street early in the morning of Jan. 1, 2021, after celebrating bringing in the New Year with the Mallory's. We didn't have our car registration up to date!!! The Police officer reminded/ told us that the state isn't sending out reminders anymore, we have to do it on our own, and we totally forgot! It was due in November. Luckily, we had an understanding police officer, and he gave us a warning. 

Well, the next day, New Year's Day morning, around 10:00am, Dale headed out in the truck to go ice fishing with Matt and the kids and he got pulled over on Main Street for the same thing!  He got a ticket this time because the registration on the truck should of been paid by March 1, 2020 and here it is Jan. 1, 2021!! You can bet we won't be letting that happen again. The ticket was $50.00. Lesson learned, don't let your vehicle registration expire!! 

Dale, Matt and the kids did get to Hyrum Dam and did some ice fishing, but didn't have as many bites, or catch big fish like they did last month in Laketown. They were however, in good company, and it was good to get out and enjoy the day.

Spencer Cox officially became Utah’s 18th governor at 45 years old, succeeding now former Gov. Gary Herbert.

Cox and his lieutenant governor, Deidre Henderson, took the oath of office against a backdrop of red rock cliffs at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Ivins. The first time it has not happened at the State Capital Building. The date also marks Utah’s 125th anniversary of statehood.

Utah also celebrated its 125th birthday with a commemorative broadcast and statewide firework displays in every county the same evening that Governor Cox was sworn into office.

Statehood Day, or Jan. 4, normally goes unnoticed as the major holiday celebrations from the New Year have wrapped up and people are returning to their normal day-to-day activities.

The Utah Department of Heritage and Arts was tasked by the Legislature with commemorating Utah’s 125th anniversary of statehood, but faced challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers allocated $1 million out of the 2020 CARES Act for hiring local celebrities, performing artists, and studio or sound techs, and the money had to be spent by the end of the year.

Josh Loftin, spokesman for the heritage department, said social distancing guidelines led to the “Thrive125” anniversary celebration that was prerecorded in various parts of the state and aired Monday night on all local television stations, with fireworks occurring at 7:30 p.m. in many cities across Utah. Logan's fireworks were going off in the Willow Park area.

“It’s a dose of showing we can come together as a people and celebrate our history, our present, and our future, even if it’s only for an hour,” he said. “I think we could all use something uplifting and optimistic.”

“This statehood celebration is an opportunity for Utahans to start their new year with unity and hope. This program celebrates the arts and their importance to the state’s economy and quality of life, and encourages each of us to continue to support the cultural community as our economy recovers.” new Gov. Spencer Cox said in a news release.

 

 

Our country was able to distribute and start administering the vaccine for the Coronavirus a little over a week before Pres. Trump was to be released from his term as President. This was quite the feat and very impressive that one was developed and ready to use just 11 months after they started to develop one.

Vaccines typically take at least a decade to develop, test and manufacture. Both the chickenpox vaccine and FluMist, which protect against serval strains of the infulenza virus, took 28 years to develop. It took 15 years to develop a vaccine for human papilloma virus, which can cause six kinds of cancer. It also took 15 years to develop a vaccine for rotavirus, which commonly causes severe, watery diarrhea. It took Jonas Salk six years to develop and test the first polio vaccine, starting with the isolation of the virus.

The Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccines, by contrast, have been developed in less than a year. That’s a game-changer. Pres. Trumps warp speed virus plan worked, it came out a lot sooner than expected.

Nate was the first one in our family to get the vaccine because he works in the health field. Thanks for paving the way Nate!

Dale and Matt got their vaccinations in conjunction with the school district's clinics,  because of their affiliation with the schools. I got my vaccination through the BRHD, at the Cache Valley Event Center for EMT, Rescue, K-12 school workers, and those over 70. We all felt some soreness in the area where the shot was given for a day or two after, but all's well. We'll all get the second dose next month. 

Dale's mom got her vaccine at Maple Springs where she's living  because she fell in the high risk bracket of being over 70 (she's 89).  She's a trooper!

The U.S. Capital Building was in session to confirm the electoral college votes due to the dispute claims on the recent election for the President of the U.S. and during this a group of Trump supporters overtook the capital building. Hard to believe that this really happened, but it did. Below is information from a news article --

A day that began with thousands of President Trump’s supporters in Washington for demonstrations turned violent as many in attendance saw Wednesday as a last stand for Trump because Congress was set to confirm that President-elect Joe Biden won the election. Throngs of people pushed past police who were trying to block them from entering the building as lawmakers inside debated counting electoral college votes confirming Biden’s victory. A mob was able to breach security and successfully enter the building, where one person was shot and later died. After it was all over, five people had died, and some windows and doors were broken. A sad day for the history of the United States. 

The Speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi, and the Democrats filed for Impeachment of  Pres. Trump a week after the state capital was over-run by Trump supporters and a week before Joe Biden takes the helm. Their claim is that he encouraged the attack on the capital. If he is found guilty next month he will be the first Pres. to have gone to trial twice. His first case on impeachment was dismissed.

After all that went on Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. 

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the first woman and the first woman of color to serve in the role, was also sworn in as the Vice President of the United States.

I posted this on Facebook about the event.....

To be honest, I felt uncertain and a bit worried when Pres. Trump became the President of the U.S.A. and I have the same feelings now that Pres. Biden has been deemed with that honor. I learned however with Pres. Trump that good things can and do happen and am grateful for all his efforts and I am hoping that with Pres. Biden at the helm I will see good things happen to keep our country what it is... a land of liberty and freedom for the citizens of this great country. God Bless America!

 

The Speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi, and the Democrats filed for Impeachment of  Pres. Trump a week after the state capital was over-run by Trump supporters and a week before Joe Biden took the helm. Their claim is that he encouraged the attack on the capital. If he is found guilty next month he will be the first Pres. to have gone to trial twice. His first case on impeachment was dismissed.

 So, here's to a great year! I hope it only gets better and that we can become united for the good of our country. I'm hoping, praying, and keeping my fingers crossed. Can it get worse? I hope not, only time will tell. God Bless the USA!!

I started doing District wide literacy testing in the Elementary Schools with "The A Team" gals. We're still wearing masks and cleaning our testing pages to get the job done, but we got it done! Yeah team!!

I went shopping for the day with Danica, Kennlyn, and Amie for a late birthday gift for Amie. We went to Farmington Station and shopped until we dropped, but we all came home with something to dress up our wardrobe. We had lunch at P.F. Chang's and it was real tasty too.

While I was shopping Dale went ice fishing with a friend, Dave Rayfield, at Hyrum Dam. Garrett, Zandra and their kids joined up with them. They had some bites and caught a couple, but nothing much to brag about. They had to leave at noon and as they were leaving Matt, Langston, and Mazin showed up to get some fishing. They had fun, but didn't catch many fish either. It was a nice day though and all were happy to enjoy some sunshine.

Dale and I have gone to some of Jaxon's basketball games. Their team is doing quite well. It's been fun seeing Jaxson out on the court. He's put his name on the scoring board for some of the games too. Those 3-pointers he's made are fun to see too. Way to go Jaxson!!

Dale and I took advantage of an invitation to spend the night at Garrett and Zandra's new house for a night. We visited and played games and then the next morning Garrett and Zandra went skiing to try out Zandra's new ski boots and go skiing at Powder Mountain with just those two to get some "couple only" time and a late 9th anniversary date. 

Dale and I had fun doing crafts, playing games, reading books, watching a movie and playing with the kids. When Garrett and Zandra got back from skiing we all changed into our swimsuits and checked out the swim spa that came with the house. Pretty fun!! The weather was pretty cold outside, but the water was nice and warm. Fun times. After we got cleaned up we had a nice dinner and then headed back over the mountain to find that we had 4-5 inches of snow on the driveway! We need the snow, so no complaints here.

Nate took advantage of the cold and snow as much as he could by getting out on the weekends. He and Diana, his girlfriend, spent New Years Day skiing at Big Sky in Montana, and then did some rock climbing around the area. 

He also got together with his friends, in Hyalite Canyon, and his Big Mountain Boys and did some ice climbing.

One weekend Nate and Diana (his girlfriend) got in some alpine climbing and summited Mt. Hood in Oregon. It was cold and a bit windy, but they didn't let that stop them. The sun came out and it was beautiful on top! 

The Mallory's have been busy with the kids, their sports, and school. 

Jaxson had a new look. He got braces!! He'll be wearing them for almost 2 years. Oh, the joys of being a teenager, right?

With Danica's help in design, Matt and Amie printed up shirts for the faculty at Heritage Elementary to wear to kick of the year with kindness. 

He also spear-headed a food drive for all the grades to participate in to help the local food pantry. 

He also spear-headed a school wide food drive to help our local food pantry and the school ended up turning in around 4.000 items!!  He made it a competition between the classes and the class with the most food items won Krispy Creme donuts. The kids were great to catch the spirit of giving. 

Amie celebrated her 35th birthday by going to lunch with friends, running a basketball practice for Langston, and going to dinner at The Kabuki Grill. I got to tag along for dinner, then Dale met up with us at their house for cake and ice cream that Matt surprised Amie with. Happy Birthday Amie!!

Danica lined up a shopping event with  Kennlyn,  Amie, and I for a late birthday gift for her. We went to Farmington Station and shopped until we dropped, but we all came home with something new to wear and to dress up our wardrobe. We had lunch at P.F. Chang's and it was real tasty too.

Amie started teaching skiing lessons at Cherry Peak Ski Resort and by doing so it gave the family a pass to ski for free. The family took advantage of it and I'm sure they'll get in a few more days on the hill before the season ends thanks to Amie.

Speaking of skiing...Amie took Kennlyn, Langston, and Mazin night skiing to Cherry Peak and on the way picked up Titan to join them. They all had a good time on the hill.

Lindsay also celebrated her 33rd birthday. We went to Andrew and Lindsay's for dinner and cake and ice cream. HaPpY BiRtHdAy Lindsay!!

After a long, well needed, Christmas break, Andrew ended up going to North Carolina to work for his tour.

He got to go visit the beach one day, and saw a guy fishing catch two stingrays, while they were on the pier. It looked like they had the beach to themselves. It was a bit chilly there though being in the 50's. A lot warmer than back home though where we have been in the low 30's as the high and even the teens at night!! 

Garrett and Zandra have been taking advantage of where they live and have gone skiing at Snow Basin a couple of times with the kids.

They've also taken out the Razor that got left with house to check out the area. With their backyard being the face of a mountain why not? They love where they live.

Garrett's still doing his "I've got your back" clips to keep people informed of the great interest rates. He's staying plenty busy too. He's working some at home, and some at the office now. 

Danica and Jason had their dreams come true when they were able to attend a Jazz game in person. The Jazz have been doing pretty good too. You can bet that when there's a game they're watching it on TV, They hope to get to a few more live games.

Jason's also getting the word out about how the "Hassell Free Team" can help you get refinancing or into a home with the way the rates are. Hard work pays off.

Danica and Jason have also found time to have fun in the cold. They went on a Razor ride, and have gone skiing at Snow Basin. One day they'll have to hook up with Garrett and Zandra on the slopes.

Jason has been looking for awhile for a motor-cross type motorcycle and finally found one that he liked, now with the motorcycle and no truck he realized they needed to sell his car and buy a truck. Well, he found the type he'd been looking for and got a new truck!! Oh, boys and their toys, now he's going to have to get a trailer to haul his motorcycle. Time will tell, but if I know Jason, it will happen sooner than later. Pretty sweet rides I'd say.

To end the month right, they got away from the cold and headed to Hawaii to spent some time with some of Jason's family. His sister and brother-in-law have been their for the month and wanted to go visit them before they head back to the freezer. I have to say with how cold it's been here Hawaii does sound pretty inviting. To travel now you have to have proof of a negative COVID test and wear a mask the whole time you're on the plane. Hawaii is worth the "hassell" (great play on words, huh?)

The day after they got in Hawaii, we had to put a damper on their spirits by informing them that Grandma Hansen passed away. She had started to retain water again, and that meant her feet and legs got swollen and hurt. Her vital started going down too. She hadn't been feeling the greatest for a week or so, and with this on top of it she just wanted to call it quits. Can't blame her, with all that she's had to endure during the pandemic. The family rallied around her the best they could, but she got her wish and passed away with little pain  and while resting comfortably.

 I'm sure her loved ones in heaven gladly received her. It does give you comfort knowing that she is free of her mortal body, that was worn out. We'll miss you Mom Hansen, and Grandma. You were truly loved.

Speaking of COVID in our state of Utah there have been a total of 336,405 confirmed COVID cases. Since the vaccine came out there have been 228,348 vaccines given in Utah. There have been 1,595 deaths in Utah with 326 happening this month.

In our Bear River Health District we have had 56 deaths: 31 in the Box Elder area, 25 in the Cache County area, and none in the Rich county area.

The battle with the coronavirus is still going strong, but more vaccines being given we're hoping to slow the spread. 

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The Utah Department of Health has reported 1,468 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the state for Saturday, Jan. 30. The total number of cases overall is 345,430. The rolling 7-day average for positive tests is currently 1,509 per day.

The department also reported eight new deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the total of COVID-19-related deaths in the state to 1,636. The majority of the deceased were hospitalized at the time of their death, with one person not hospitalized and another being in long-term care when they died. There are 430 people currently hospitalized for COVID-19.

Travelers on airplanes and public transportation like buses and subways will be required to wear face masks starting next week to curb the spread of COVID-19. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a mask-wearing rule late Friday that builds on an order announced Jan. 21 by President Joe Biden.

It did warm up a bit after we got some snow towards the end of the month. The Mallory's came by and got pulled around in the back field with the Razor after a couple of good snowstorms, while Dale, Matt and Jaxson helped move the furniture out of Grandma Hansen apartment ant Maple Springs. They looked like the Three Maskateers all dressed up in the COVID gear they had to wear.

Most of the month was pretty chilly, so those few warmer days were worth getting out in to enjoy.