A pretty neat thing happened on 12/02/2021 which was pretty cool, and this only happens once.
Utah State is playing in its ninth bowl game in the last 11 years after playing in six bowl games in its first 119 years. USU's last bowl appearance was in 2019, when it lost to Kent State 51-41 in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl in Frisco, Texas. USU played in five-straight bowl games from 2011-15 and won three-straight bowls from 2012-14, both of which are school records. All-time, the Aggies are 5-9 in its previous 14 bowl games and its last bowl win was a 52-13 victory against North Texas in the 2018 New Mexico Bowl.
"We are beyond excited for this team to get the opportunity to play one more game," said first-year USU head coach Blake Anderson. "I am so proud of what our players and staff have accomplished, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate this unbelievable season than by representing the Mountain West as its conference champion in the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl."
I ushered at the Eccles Theatre for "A Kenadie & Katie Christmas" hosted by Cherry Peak Resort, and also for Pickleville's Once Upon a North Pole Christmas.
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Dale and I took Jaxson and Kennlyn to dinner at Fredrico's Pizza for dinner and to the Pickleville show at the Eccles as part of their Christmas gift from us this year. We all thoroughly enjoyed it, as well as our time together.
I picked up my friend, Kathy Bullen, and we met our other friend, Jeanette Petersen, at Farmington Square in Farmington to go to lunch, visit, and do some Christmas shopping. It's always fun to spend time with these gals.
Dale and I went to some of Jaxon's basketball games, one in Salem and a couple at home. He's doing well and their team is winning more than losing. In fact, winning quite soundly usually. Way to go Riverhawks Sophomore Boy's B-Ball Team!!
We also got to watch Langston and Mazin play an indoor soccer game. They keep us busy.
Dale and I met up with the Mallory's, a couple they knew, and the Potter's (Dale's sister, Nancy and her husband, Val) at the Brigham City Temple, and did some family sealings. We went and ate and visited at Maddox after. It was a nice evening. It was our Christmas gift to those beyond the veil.
Utah State started their basketball season and because of COVID making last season be cancelled, we were anxious to see how they'll be as a team with the new coach. They didn't disappoint. We saw them play St. Mary's, New Orleans, and Portland State. They won two out of the three games, but they were all good games to watch. I have a feeling we're going to do well this season. We even got "Big Blue" to join in with us for a picture!
We also went to our Ward Christmas Party, which was a breakfast, and then because we were watching Kennlyn, Langston, and Mazin for a couple of days (Amie & Matt were in St. George for a B-ball tournament with Jaxson), Dale took the boys to their soccer games and Kennlyn and I went and watched Nora and Arwyn dance in their Christmas dance recital at Sky View with Andrew, Lindsay, Titan and Eloise. Those little ones steal the show. So cute!!
We got a nut grinder and the recipe for Grandma Hansen's famous "croquets" in the mail from Doug and Donna for Christmas. Dale decided that he'd try out the new gadget and recipe! He got busy and made up two batches of croquets and we gave each of the kids, except Nate due to his distance, and not knowing how they'd end up going through the mail...sorry Nate, a plate with their gifts for Christmas. They were pretty tasty; I think even better than the ones his mom would make. I'm guessing this is going to become a tradition in the Hansen house.
Thanks to Dale's two brothers, Bryan & Craig, and his sister, Shari, the Hansen Clan pulled together for a "Hansen Christmas Party" those that could met in South Weber at a school that Craig's wife, Heidi, teaches at. It was nice to visit and be with family again. It's been a while. As per tradition, Santa showed up to give the kids gifts (which is always a big hit).
We rode there with Andrew & Lindsay's crew and on the way home we went and drove through the Christmas light displays at Willard Bay. I was impressed and the kids loved it.
Then we went to "The Fun Park" and played a variety of games with him. He got most of his tickets doing the Basketball Shoot. We could tell his practice at home has paid off. He got a yo-yo, a squishy ball, a ninja star slinky and some candy that he shared with Langston. I think he had a fun time; I know we did!
The Mallory's threw a Bowling Party for Mazin at Logan Lanes on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. Andrew & Lindsay's family joined in as well and Dad and me. I was surprised at how many people go bowling the day before Christmas, the place was packed! We all had a fun time and all the kids bowled. Andrew was the high score bowler, but Mazin was the winner because it was his day. Amie made a cute Orca cake, and we sang and had cake after our game. Fun times for all. Happy Birthday Mazin!! Six years old and counting!
The Mallory's invited us to spend Christmas Eve with them at their house and for some fun Matt planned a Christmas Pancake activity for dinner. He had made up pancake batter, colored it and put it in squeeze bottles and had us each make a Christmas themed pancake for us to eat for dinner. Amie put the pancakes on Facebook for people to vote on. Guess who got the most votes....Rudolph! I think we were all winners though. We ate our creations and then played a Christmas murder mystery game and had snacks.
The kids went to bed, and we stayed up a bit and helped get things ready for Christmas Day.
After our traditional family breakfast of Butterscotch Balls with bananas or oranges, and hot chocolate, Dale and I headed to our house to get Christmas dinner ready. Andrew and Amie's family came for dinner, visiting and games. We were going to visit the graves of our parents, but it was snowing, so Dale & I visited their graves the day after Christmas. It was windy and REAL cold which made it hard to keep the candles lit long enough for a picture. Especially at the North Logan Cemetery because there are no trees to block the wind. Merry Heavenly Christmas Dad and Mom Petersen and Hansen! You have been in our thoughts this holiday season. We couldn't get a picture of Hansens grave with the candles lit and we'd tried so many times that we were freezing so we never got a picture of the headstone even. Next year.
For part of our Christmas gift to the grandkids we gave them tickets to "The Heber Railroads Polar Express" train ride experience.
Garrett & Zandra opted to join us on the train as part of their gift from us, and when we all got there Andrew wanted to go along on the train ride to, so he bought himself a ticket. We took Amie, Langston, and Mazin with us and Amie and Lindsay stayed behind and did some shopping in Heber City. What a fun afternoon for all. The adults loved it as much as the kids. I think we scored on the gift this year in creating memories.
With the new snow, Dale got up in the mountains a few times with Andrew to go hunting. Andrew drew out on a cow elk hunt from the face of Logan Canyon up to the boarder of Idaho. They went up above Richmond a few times and had a friend, Wade Thomas, take them to an area where he thought they'd find one, but all they saw were a lot of tracks or bull elk, no cows. They can't say they didn't try. The hunt goes through to mid-January, so I guess there's still time next month to try too.
Dale also went skiing at Beaver Mountain with Andrew. He has to make the most of the snow when we get it to make good use of his first season pass for Beaver. He also went skiing at Cherry Peak with Langston, and Mazin one day, while Amie was up there teaching skiing lessons. I'd say retirement is treating him well.
Speaking of skiing and snow...Nate found a way to get in some skiing. Not downhill, but cross-country. He put skins on his skis and Diana used her cross-country skis and they skied from their place to where Nate's new office will be. They only had to cross through a parking lot. Pretty cool, huh? Maybe he'll be riding his bike or running to work when it gets warmer. He and Diana have been busy trying to get things ready for the new office to be ready for the first full week of Feb. They got the plans finalized and the paint and flooring picked out. It's starting to come together!
Nate got his own website up and going on Facebook under Hansen Foot & Ankle. It looks pretty impressive.
He and Diana flew to Spokane, WA where they rented a moving van and went and picked up all the items from a Doctor's office that is retiring. Nate bought all of his equipment and furniture. After loading it all up they drove back to Everett. WA and unloaded it all in a storage locker to store it until he's ready to move to the new office.
No rest for the weary. I know his efforts will pay off. Dr. Hansen is looking forward to having his own office under his terms. Someday he may get another Dr. in there with him, but he's going to wait a bit on that.
The Mallory's have been busy: Kennlyn, Langston, and Mazin are doing indoor soccer, Jaxson's playing Basketball on the Sophomore Boys' Basketball team for the Riverhawks at Ridgeline High School, and Langston and Kennlyn are also playing basketball. Amie is coaching or assistant coaching the kids' teams. Between her and Matt, they've got plenty of games to go to. Dale and Dale & I try to go when we can to show support as well. We missed this game, but the basket went in for Langston on this shot. Way to go Langston! (He's in the black shorts, and white jersey, with the red & black shoes by the foul line)
Amie's been teaching ski lessons twice a week at Cherry Peak. Sometimes the kids' have been able to go and ski while she's teaching and then she'll ski with them when she's done. Mazin has mastered riding the lift and is getting better on his ski skills. I think the kids like the perks they get from having mom work at a ski resort.
Andrew & Lindsay's house is coming along. Right now, the house in framed in, but there's a hold up on the trusses due the companies that make the trusses lower employee numbers due to COVID related issues.
They had a nice Christmas with Andrew being home most of the month, and not having to leave on his tour again until the first part of Feb. A long, well-deserved break for him.
They surprised the kids with a dog. They named him Toby; I think he won't be lacking on love from the family. Now, just to get him house broken. Their cat, Lucky, seems to like this addition to the family as well.
Garrett took advantage of his season pass to Snow Basin after the first snowfall. He posted this on his Facebook page....
Garrett hooked up a sled to their ATV and the kids played in the snow, they also played with friends, swam in the hot tub and decorated gingerbread houses to get in the Christmas spirit.
The whole family went to a "Santa Sighting" at Ridgeline Realty with the kids and were able to get a picture of the crew with the big guy and his Mrs. They look pretty legit if you ask me.
Garret & Zandra couldn't let the kids have all the fun, so they hosted an "Ugly Sweater" Christmas get together with some of their friends. I'm sure there was good food along with the great company.
Garret got in his creative groove and decided to make a big Gingerbread bouse out of cardboard that was fashioned after "The Simpsons" (a TV show) house at Christmas time. A BIG project for all.
They celebrated Christmas at their house, with the kids and also got a puppy for Christmas. They named her "Penny". I think she'll fit in pretty well with these cuties doing the loving.
Garrett and Zandra celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary by going cross-country skiing and then to a nice restaurant for dinner. Dale and I went to their house and watched the kids so they could have some "couple time" to celebrate. We had more snow coming down on the way home and found that the canyon was requiring chains or 4-wheel drive, so we took the safe way and went on the Valley View Highway to get home. The roads were slightly wet and it was smooth sailing. We got home and had 3-4 inches of snow on the driveway though.
Jason and Danica got outside and hiked up to the Ogden Shore-line Christmas Ornament Tree and added their own wooden ornament, handmade by Danica. Luckily it was a nice day and the trail wasn't slippery.
They continue to look forward to the ultrasounds that are done do see baby June's progress and are preparing for her to come.
When Danica was out shopping, she came across a treasure that reminded her of her Grandpa & Grandma Petersen, a musical Rudolph Reindeer like they used to have. Thanks for the memory.
They got a Christmas picture of them in their home to create another memory for baby Jume with this being the last Christmas they'll have as a couple, because next year they'll have June in it.
For Christmas they put a bow on their boat and will be going to California to watch the University of Utah Football team play in the Rose Bowl next month. It's been quite a year for them.
All in all, it's been quite a year full of fun, adventure, ups and downs for all of us. We each have had joys and sorrows, but it was a good year. We feel blessed that we are all healthy and have a roof over our head.
The economy has had its ups and downs with COVID, but we all made it through the year healthy and all is well. Out of our family, so far Jason and Danica are the only ones that have gotten COVID and it was a milder case for both of them. We're counting our blessings.
Our area has had the COVID variant, Omicron, hit so more people are getting sick, and because of this, the CDC has set new guidelines after the holiday season.
The following are the new CDC recommendations for COVID-19 quarantine & isolation.
I guess this is something that we'll probably have to deal with for quite a while, but with more people getting vaccinated and getting booster shots things may change. Who would have guessed that we'd still be dealing with this going into another year!
"At the end of the day, all you need is hope and strength. Hope that it will get better, and strength to hold on until it does"--Unknown
"It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit" --J.R.R. Tolkein
We definitely did a lot of "dashing" this December. At times it was even exhausting for some of us.
Here's to 2022....bring it on!!
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