Christmas and a lot of Temple Square in December 2022

West Jordan Concert Choir

at Assembly Hall

Top Left: There were lots of people who were lined up to with tripods to photograph this point so I figured I'd see what they saw. I'm guessing their photos were much better than mine. lol Top Left Middle: West Jordan Concert Choir in the Assembly Hall. Top Right Middle: Sunsets and Christmas seemed to make for a beautiful photo. Top Right: The City Creek Center Beautiful Christmas Tree. Under Top Right: The benches in the Assembly Hall didn't have much leg room. lol Bottom Left: The boys with the beautiful water fountain. Bottom Left Middle: When we saw a black cat roaming around the temple we all joked that Satan was lurking around. Center: The Salt Palace looked so pretty with the nice sky behind it. Bottom Right Middle: The Assembly Hall is such a beautiful building. Center Right: The temple seems to be moving along. Bottom Right: My boys checking out the temple.

One of the most amazing moments happened after the choir performance. As we were walking around temple square, Braxton he joined another choir member, who was from Brazil, in singing a song they both knew. As I watched these boys walking around and singing, I realized that music really is the universal language. You don't even have to know a language to be able to sing one of the songs. Music has an amazing way of connecting us to each other and to heaven. I think that is one on the reasons that Christmas is so special. Christmas music connects us to each other and the Savior in heaven above!

Timpview Choirs

at Assembly Hall

Top Left: Someone thought it would be funny to scribble out the "don't" on this sign. Perhaps they were benefitting from the panhandling?? Top Left Middle & Bottom Left Middle: The moon looked cool as it came up over the mountain. Top Right Middle & Top Right & Bottom Right & Bottom Right Middle: The choir set up in the Assembly Hall. Bottom Left: There was a little more room in the curved benches upstairs. lol Center Right: I took another photo of the road since it was darker. It still didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped. 

Top Left & Bottom Left: Braxton and I posing downtown when we went to hear Brinley West perform with Timpview's Choirs. Top Left Middle & Bottom Right Middle: The choir singing in the foyer of the Conference Center. Top Right Middle: Nordstrom had some fun color on their building. Top Right & Center Right & Bottom Right: Beautiful winter scenes with the moon and the lights! 

Bottom Left Middle: Braxton with Brinley, Brinley's choir friend, Rory and her good friend Lily. 

Fun and Fancy Filters

Having some fun with photos and filters!

Sometimes it's fun to celebrate yourself.

Temple Square with the Youth

Top Left, Bottom Left, Center Right & Bottom Right: The fun part about youth trips downtown in a snowstorm is watching the girls leave message and hearts in the snow on the car windows. Top Left Middle: Elizabeth, Layla, Lexi and I at Temple Square. Top Right Middle: Evan Brooks, Cort, Braxton, Ryan Benedict, Tyson Butterfield, Brigham Blackburn, Truman Blackburn and William Brooks. Top Right: Cort and Marshal with the Christmas set up for the Tabernacle Christmas Concert in the Conference Center behind them. Bottom Left Middle: Jazz colored light from the Vivint Arena to share with Erik. Center: The Christmas video on the ceiling of the Tabernacle. Bottom Right Middle: Elizabeth, Lexi and Layla on the steps behind the Tabernacle.  

There's nothing like a bunch of teenage boys 

breaking out in Christmas songs together!

My boys are crazy and started to walk like the 

witches from Hocus Pocus on temple square. lol

Terra Linda Christmas Concert

After the choir concert we took the boys to Duck Donuts for a treat.

I saw this sign and it made me laugh so I have to snap a photo.

Cort did well with his speaking part

Christmas Cookies Song

Gingerbread House

Candy Cane Calypso 

West Jordan High School

Holiday Choral Showcase Winterlude

The cute Madrigals all snug in their jammies!

Fruitcake 

by Madrigals

Silent Night

by Madrigals

Carol of the Bells

by Concert Choir

Celebrate Me Home (Featuring Jantzen Dalley)

backup Concert Choir

Monotone Angel (Featuring Walter Abbott)

by Concert Choir

Dulci Jubilo

by Concert Choir

Still, Still, Still (Featuring Salt Lake String Quartet)

by Concert Choir

Somewhere in My Memory

by West Jordan Combined Choirs

This is the Place Heritage Park

Top Left Middle: We saw a deer in the back of a truck. It wasn't moving that I could see so I was sure it was just a plastic decoration. Top Left, Bottom Right Middle, & Bottom Right: Kent told me the deer's head had moved so he drove closer to prove that he was right. As we got closer we saw some deer close to the truck. Top Right: While we were watching the other deer we noticed this deer pop it's head out from behind the cab. I guess it wasn't a plastic decoration. Top Right Middle, Bottom Left & Bottom Left Middle: I saw a Dodge Challenger on the way to the park and told the boys that the challenge was to be the first to take a photo with Green Flake. I got these fun selfies from the boys! 

Top Left: I loved the cute decorations on the handcart. Top Right: Cort thought the ice cycles were cool on the building behind him so I took a photo of him with them. Center Left: I loved the lights on the tree. Bottom Left Middle: The whole feel of the park, including the fire barrels, was so much fun!

Top Middle, Bottom Left, Bottom Right Middle and Bottom Right: I loved this tree in honor of St. Martin. It spoke of a lantern parade for children every year in Germany. It was in honor of St. Martin. As a Roman soldier, St. Martin cut his cloak in half to give warmth to a man in need. Word of St. Martin's kindness soon spread. The townspeople wanted to honor and thank him. Not wanting the attention, St. Martin hid himself in a goose house. The Townspeople searched for him with their lanterns. The geese began to squawk, and St. Martin was found. Inspired by the good deeds of St. Martin, we walk with our lanterns & fill the darkness with our light. 

I loved all these great decorations and the caroling at the church house. 

It was such a highlight of my season to be here!

Top Left: Marshal took a creepy photo with one of the cows. Top Middle: It was cool that they had a live nativity in a barn. Top Right: I loved the star light they had on the ceiling of the barn where the nativity was located. Center Right, Bottom Left & Bottom Left Middle: More fun decorations! Bottom Right Middle: It was also cool to watch this woman making a two prong fork. Bottom Right: I also loved seeing the carolers bundled up and singing. 

Top Left: We had fun making candles our of bees wax. Middle & Top Right: Cort and Marshal were able to make it on to the NICE list! Bottom Left: Cort letting Santa know what he wants. Bottom Right: Marshal giving Santa his list.

So many beautiful lights to see! One of my favorite parts of Christmas.

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day

Christmas Lights Show in South Jordan, Utah

Top Left: Marshal read the word "peddler" and thought it was "burgler." Top Left Middle, Top Right Middle, Top Right, Center Left, Bottom Left and Bottom Middle: We enjoyed looking at the lights as usual on Christmas Eve. Bottom Right: Santa Clause and a shrunken head Mrs. Clause.

Top Left: We did something new this year. We decided to leave a gift for our favorite decorated houses. Top Middle: Marshal loved lighting his bees wax candle! Top Right: I loved the flag with Santa at this house. We also had to laugh because Cort and Marshal were told to take the popcorn and leave it on the porch. We just forgot to tell them to leave it anonymously. So my two boys walked up to a door, knocked on it and gave them the popcorn. I can only imagine how that went. Oops! Bottom Left & Bottom Middle: Kent and I taking a moment to pose for the camera. Bottom Right: We had Grandma & Grandpa Kunz and Uncle Devin over for Christmas dinner and played Chameleon. Marshal decided her needed to make up his own weapons card. This kid cracks me up!

A video of the BIG Christmas surprise!

New Years 

Reflection and Resolution

#1. My Three favorite memories are probably, #1. Attending Youth Conference and meeting all those wonderful youth councilors. #2. Being able to go to the Wings Over the Wasatch Air Show at Hill Air Force Base and finally see the Thunderbirds with my family. #3. Is a toss up between out trip to Bear Lake and attending the Ute Stampede with my family and Brinley North. 

#2. This one is tough, because I feel like if I know this answer for sure I would be on that path already. Maybe making money helping others develop a love for their ancestors, maybe as a life coach (not so sure on that one), maybe working toward a property for bringing families together. I don't really know.

#3. That I'm a lot smarter than I ever realized I was...and I have a lot to offer this world!

#4. That I'm not good enough or that I don't fit in.

#4a. I think I need to let go of the idea that I'm not good enough and perhaps stop trying to fit it!

#5. I think I'd like to spend this year looking for the miracles in my life. I know I am blessed by God, but I think I miss all of the miracles he sends me because I don't look for them often enough.

Life in December

Top Left: Marshal cracks me up. Checking to see if hot chocolate is on "my diet." He really is a smartie pants! Top Left Middle: One cute kid! Top Right Middle: They asked the kids to make a picture of the nativity to display at the ward Christmas party. I really enjoyed the one Marshal made! Top Right: We found this little crack up a new helmet. He looked so funny with it on while he was in the cart. Bottom Left: We've never really bought into the elf on the shelf idea. Kent decided to tell the kids this elf that his mom made him for a dance in high school was our elf. Since our elf doesn't do anything Marshal took it upon himself to help the elf move around the front room. Then he told us the elf moved all on it's own. lol Bottom Left Middle: This kid seems to struggle with pulling the blankets up on him. Bottom Right Middle: We found out that Marshal is one smart cookie and that he may qualify for the ALPS (talented and gifted program). Bottom Right: I decided to make some decorations with some balloons, water, and food coloring. Too bad it didn't stay cold long enough to keep them.

Time-Lapse

Top Left & Top Right: I love to take my boys to the temple! This time it was a trip to Jordan River. Top Left Middle & Bottom Left: We were so sad to see Alexa go, but we are grateful to have had the chance to get to know her and work with her! Top Right Middle: I am so grateful for the Whiteside Family and the blessings and example they brought into my life! Bottom Left Middle: Marshal and his thoughts crack me up! Bottom Right Middle: I love to see these beautiful trees lit up as Christmas time! Bottom Right: I sure makes you feel older when you start to find white hair and you know that it's yours.

Slow-mo

Top Left: This kid loves mashed potatoes! Top Left Middle & Top Right: I had fun coming up with new decorations this year! Top Right Middle: We had fun at the Smith house for the Ugly Sweater Party. The Lynn's got this game called Stare Off at the White Elephant Gift Exchange. Bottom Left: Someone was getting nice and cozy. Bottom Left Middle: Crushed Candy Canes for our new Candy Cane Cookies! Bottom Right Middle: I loved this quote about the goodness of family history. I wish I could remember the book it came from. Bottom Right: I really liked how these cookies turned out! Our famous cookies made with white chocolate and candy cane pieces and candy cane powder.

Top Left: Marshal thought that by placing his new nerf gun in the window that it might scare off the bad guys. Middle: I loved this quote from President Nelson about joy! Top Right: My good looking older boys! Bottom Left: Nothing like sitting in the comfort of your own home while watching your nephew play basketball while out of state! Bottom Left Middle: Braxton won this TV at the school assembly. Check out this Blog Post I wrote all about it. Bottom Right: I laughed when we saw what looked like this dog chauffeuring Ruth Bader Ginsburg around.  

Top Left & Bottom Left: The boys even enjoyed watching Aaron's game from home on the TV. Top Right: I decided to make crinkle cookies from a box mix. Too bad they weren't as tasty as they looked. Top Middle & Bottom Middle: I'm not certain what type of bird it was, but we saw this rather larger bird of prey likely a falcon perched in a tree in the neighborhood. Pretty cool! Bottom Right: We were grateful for the opportunity to attend Tanner and Brittany (Nordstrom) Gonder's Wedding. 

Top Left & Bottom Left: I loved this photo and text I got from Syrina. It’s so great to get positive comments on your kids spending time in other settings. Top Middle: While on the way to Grantsville for haircuts from Alyse, Marshal and I were the quiet game champs! Top Right: I’m sure you can guess which card won fake…California for the win! Bottom Middle: Since we were in Grantsville, we stopped at the cemetery to visit our ancestors, the Bectel family. Bottom Right: Marshal misunderstood tree huggers just a touch. I've never heard of tree hamburgers. Lol

Beautiful December

"Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, 

but just look what they can do when they stick together."

-Vesta M. Kelly

"Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible - the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family."

-Virginia Satir

"Maybe you have to know the darkness

before you can appreciate the light"

-Madeleine L. 'Engle

"Abundance is not a number or acquisition. 

It is the simple recognition of enoughness."

-Alan Cohen

“Blessed is the season which engages 

the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” 

-Hamilton Wright Mabie

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, 

and try to keep it all the year.” 

-Charles Dicken

2022 Christmas Letter

As I reflect on the year 2022, I have to count my blessings with the hope for continued improvement. Life seems to come at an increasingly faster pace every day and our kids seem to keep growing before our eyes.

Here's our list of 2022's Highs and Lows

Winter/Spring- Featured a trip to Moab, time with my sister in New Mexico, Seeing Chaco Canyon along the way and hiking to Dark Angel in Arches National Park during a snowstorm. It was definitely a highlight! Marshal also tried basketball this year. I took a girl's trip to Arizona and then came back just in time to hang out at the hospital while Kent had surgery on his shoulder. My baby, Marshal, turned 7. In March Kent, Braxton and Marshal went to Moab with Kent's brother and kids. Cort and I stayed home to watch my nephew win state in basketball. Cort was able to do baptisms for the dead, in the LDS temple, for the first time and he loved it. 

Spring/Summer- Marshal and Cort started back into spring soccer. WiO (my job) finally moved from downtown to 5 minutes away in West Jordan. Unfortunately, I was furloughed for a month after the move. Being furloughed turned out not so bad. Without any question, I was able to attend my nephew's wedding and help Cort when he broke his arm. Braxton was able to attend choir tour which was a trip to Disneyland this year. After many years at Midgley, Kent changed jobs to go work for Whitaker Construction. I started back at work in June, and I was able to join the Young Women for girl's camp. The older two boys enjoyed Young Men's camp. Thankfully Kent was able to get the day off when we went to watch the Thunderbirds (Air Force elite flight team) at the end of June. My oldest, Braxton, turned 16. 😳

Summer/Fall- We spent time kayaking, attended the Ute Stampede, enjoyed the 24th of July at This is the Place State Park and watched the unveiling of the statue of Green Flake and other African American Pioneers. It ended with a few wonderful days at youth conference near the beautiful Causey Reservoir. Braxton also started his first summer job. Kent decided he missed time with his family and decided to return back to work for Midgley. The boys started school and we now have a Junior, a 6th grader, and a 2nd grader. We also finished up our summer goal of reading the Book of Mormon. Marshal started soccer. Cort decided not to play soccer this fall, but he is loving investing his time and talents in the student council. In September we finally enjoyed a long weekend vacation to Bear Lake. It was MUCH needed after a long summer without a family getaway. Braxton was able to attend two Homecoming Dances this fall. We also enjoyed a couple of drives to see the changing leaves in the end of September and the first of October. 

Fall/Winter- October ended our soccer season and we did some stargazing as a family which was cool (both temperature wise and awesomeness). In November we enjoyed watching Braxton as he was part of the high school production of Footloose the Musical. Cort, our middle son, turned 12. Our dog Dusty started showing signs of aging. She's still hanging in there, but her stamina is not what it used to be. This month we've spent a lot of time at Temple Square with youth activities and Braxton (who is now in concert choir) and his friends performing in the Assembly Hall. We enjoyed Marshal and Cort's choir concert, and loved being able to watch Braxton's choir concert recently as well. 

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a New Year full of miracles.

Love,

Kent, Marlies, Braxton, Cort and Marshal Robison

Everybody Cuts Loose in November 2022

Extending the Driveway

Kent gained access to some large concrete blocks. 

He decided that he would use them to extend the driveway.

It's so nice that we can put a truck and trailer and maybe 

another vehicle back behind the side gate.

Supporting Our Youth

It was so nice to be able to support our lovely young woman Bella at her 

vocal performance. She did an AMAZING job!

When her mother send me this video of her performance for our 

YW talent show I had to post it. She has an amazing voice!

Natural History Museum

I was able to accompany Marshal and his grade to the 

Natural History Museum. The kids had a lot of fun!

Trying on Hats in November

We had fun testing out different hats.

Everybody Cut Footloose!

We loved seeing Braxton on stage in the play Footloose.

He even got a write up, even though he was suppose to write 

it and didn't get around to it, so the director made up his own write up for Braxton. 

Cort's 12th Birthday Party

I had fun making the invite for Cort's 12th birthday party.

Cort had fun with his friends Brinley, Marlee, Jomei, Max, and Rachel.

I loved the Eevee the Marlee drew for Cort's bag! She did a good job. 

Cort enjoyed having all of his friends over. 

He also had Jonah and Dylan at his party.

Thanksgiving

I enjoyed spending time with Gordon's family in Meadow for Thankgiving. 

I sure do love their family! I also loved this idea of writing our blessing on a pumpkin.

When we saw Brad's kids updated photos on the wall it made me sad that they've changed so much in the past few years and my boys and I hardly recognized them. I hope life is well for their family.  

Life in November

Top Left & Bottom Left: I loved being able to take my boys to see the play Les Miserables when Brinley performed in it with Timpview High School. Middle: Cort cracked me up when he didn't think I knew how to make fried eggs. Guess I haven't done a very good job of cooking for the younger two. Good thing they have Kent. lol Top Right: Kent told Marshal to make some dinner. He must be watching Kent and I because he started with some salad for us. Bottom Left Middle: Braxton was able to get his license this month. We were both very happy for him! Bottom Right: It was really funny to see the peacock sitting on someone's porch warming himself in the sun just like a dog. lol

Top Left: Braxton made the honor roll again. Top Left Middle: We have so much fun finding challengers and then coming up with a challenge for one another to find. Top Right Middle: Marshal was front and center for the Primary program. At first he kept waving, but then when Kent told him not to wave anymore he just looked at us and kept shrugging his shoulders. Top Right: I loved this experience I had with the Christmas hymn "The First Noel." Bottom Left: I laugh when I see New York and Alaska license plates now because of the challenges we've had finding them in the past. Bottom Left Middle: This is how Kent and I feel sometimes. I have to remind myself that it doesn't matter as long as I know who my sheperd is. Bottom Right Middle & Bottom Right: Dusty has been showing signs of aging. It is so sad seeing her struggle to walk from the backyard to the garage. She seemed so relieved when I placed the rug on the tile so she didn't have to worry about slipping on it.

Top Left: Marshal loves decorations. He's the reason that we have a wreath, light up reindeer, and lights on our house. For this reason, it shouldn't surprise me when he takes the initiative to make his own homemade Christmas decoration. lol Top Left Middle & Bottom Left Middle: My co-worker Karina surprised us all with food in the break room for Thanksgiving. She said it was her way of letting us all know how thankful she is for us. It was SUCH a kind and touching gesture! Top Right Middle: I have had an overly hot face in the winter for the last 17 or more years and it thought it was just some odd quirk until I mentioned something to my co-worker Karina who asked if I have Rosacea. When I saw this post on the Facebook page, I realized they just might be right. I am thankful for the Lord's tender mercy in helping me find this information. Top Right: See the miracle* below. Bottom Left: Cort took great notes when his question was answered at the stake fireside! The bishop from the other ward gave a great response! Bottom Right Middle: I thought this was a great quote from the book was reading (can't think of the name). Center Right: WiO's Salted Caramel Peanut Butter with stevia maple syrup was SO tasty! I love it! Bottom Right: I have no idea why I took a photo of myself at the dentist, but the good news is, no cavities! 😂

*Some mornings are just hard. This particular morning, I was running late and didn't realize that the windows on the car would need to be scrapped. When I was late walking Marshal to the bus, and Laura and Pedro's dog Munchie was threatening us, I was not in the mood. When they walked out of the house and the dog took off as the bus came around the corner to the first stop, I realized that something was wrong. I asked if their parents were home and they said no. I was able to chase after the dog and get it to run home in time for Laura and Pedro to catch the bus. When I got to the stop and mentioned the dog to Cherish, she told me that the dog had threatened Paxton, which I was able to relay to his grandma. Even though it had been a rough morning I realized I was exactly where I needed to be that morning. The Lord truly does use us to do his work when we are willing!

Top Left & Bottom Left Middle: Kent was pretty funny! 😂 Middle: Marshal is thankful for Fortnite, and I am thankful for "The 80's" 😊 Top Right: These girls came up with the cutest play for our YW talent show! I loved it! Bottom Left: Marshal has been getting into football. He's pretty good and loves to give us all the updates with football words that go over my head. lol Bottom Right: I love strong Facebook reminders of spiritual strength!

Top Left: As Kent and I left the Jordan River Temple we could see this tree in the distance, all lit up. We drove to Sandy to see where it was. Just like in West Jordan, the cemetery on State Street in Sandy had this tree well lit. Middle: Marshal made this with one of my art game apps and I thought it was pretty cool, as did he. Top Right: Such a great quote by Richard G. Scott! Bottom Left: This is how you know that Kent told Marshal to help with folding the towels. I do love how willing he is to help even when it is hard. Bottom Left Middle: It crazy how much the cost of eggs has gone up. I sure hope I can appreciate the blessing on the other side of going through this inflation. Bottom Right Middle: Center Right: Bottom Right: I loved the thought that was shared in Sunday School. Even Nephi didn't know all things, but what he did know was that God loveth his children. Maybe like Nephi we should focus more on that and less on what we don't know.

Beautiful November

"Don't take things for granted, take them with

gratitude. It's very powerful."

-Sangeeta Rana

"Sometimes the reason good things are not happening to you

is because you are the good thing that needs to happen to other people."

-Anonymous

"Live life as though nobody is watching,

and express yourself as though everyone is listening."

-Nelson Mandela

"Best friends are the people in your life that make 

you laugh louder, smile brighter, and live better."

-Anonymous

"As you focus on clearing your generational trauma, 

do not forget to claim your generational strengths.

Your ancestors gave you more than just wounds."

-Xavier Dagba