The Whitelaws: 2022

Saturday, December 31, 2022

2022 Year in Review

Here's our year in review:

I read 48 books, down from 55 last year. I didn't meet my 52 goal.
Kids had 6 delays and 3 actual snow days from school. One delay was for high winds - a first! It was great to have actual snow days back after virtual snow days in 2021.
Band was able to have normal concerts again! February, April, and December concerts for TCA bands. State Concert Band for TCA in April. And, a couple DCC concerts for Kevin. Kevin was honored to conduct Lewis Palmer again at their CMEA performance in January (their director asked all the previous directors to conduct one piece).
Jenna had a solo in the marching band show this year. 6 Football games. Harrison, Regionals, and State competitions. 2A State Champions again!! And, countless hours of practice!
We were able to visit Ft Collins and Greeley (for band), Keystone, Winter Park, Grand Junction (Sara and Jenna for band), and Orlando. And, loved having Katie and Sarah visit from Ft. Worth and Longview.
Jenna had her first trip to Universal and Disney World with her friend Ashleigh.
We all enjoyed our first trip as a family to Disney World thanks to Grandpa and Grandma.
Jenna went to Summer Excitement. And Kellen went to Camp Como.
Kellen adopted gerbils - Sydney and Ivy.
Jenna climbed her first 14ner - Mt Elbert.
We went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo several times. We went to the North Pole once with the Keathleys and Floyds. We went roller skating once with the cousins. Top Golf a few times. We went to Focus on the Family a few times and did lots of scavenger hunts.
We enjoyed Flying W Ranch - first time for Jenna and Kellen.
Jenna started played 15 games of basketball.
We LOVED watching KU win another national championship!
Kellen lost 2 teeth.
Kevin and I celebrated 23 years of marriage.
Kevin finished his fourth year at TCA and started his first year at DCC.
I completed three years of working in the NICU (6 years at St. Francis) and completed 2 years of school nurse consulting.
Jenna and Kellen had two piano recitals.
Jenna was accepted to the All City High School Honor Band and All State Honor band for upcoming 2023 performances.

Good days and bad days and blessings throughout. We have so much to be thankful for!

Other December Happenings

Friday, December 2nd - First basketball game of the season in Canyon City.

Sunday, December 4th - Piano Recital

Kellen played "When Christmas Comes to Town" and "Joy to the World."

Jenna played "The Polar Express Medley" and "The Barber of Seville Overture."

Monday, December 5th - Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Jovie the Elf came to visit the NICU.

Tuesday, December 6th - Madilyn's 8th grade band concert.

Wednesday, December 7th - High School Band concert. A highlight of the season for sure with the jazz bands, Jenna's horse whinny at the end of Sleigh Ride, and the sing-a-long.

Friday, December 9th - We finally decorated the tree! And, then we watched Elf.

Saturday, December 10th - A fun cookie exchange party.

Monday, December 12th - A fun earthquake science experiment at school.

Tuesday, December 13th - Snow! And, we enjoyed Peppermint shakes from Chick-fil-A and some Christmas lights looking after dinner.

Thursday, December 15th - Second basketball game of the season. And, an unexpected snow storm!

Friday, December 16th - It was fun to come to school for Kellen's last elementary school Christmas party and be greeted by the high school vice principals playing Christmas music for the staff lunch. Kellen's party was fun - Pop Tart houses.

Saturday, December 17th - Jenna and her team got their first win at home! They played so well together and Jenna had a great game - 8 points! We came home and cleaned the house, then I went to Denver to pick up Katie and Sara for their visit.

Monday, December 26th - Back to work for me. Kevin, Jenna, and Kellen went to Papa and Mima's house and helped them clean their house. Then, Kevin and Kellen hiked Pulpit Rock.

A great view from the top and great pictures of Kellen!

Tuesday, December 27th - Predicted high of 59! We wanted to try to drive up to the top of Pikes Peak, but the road wasn't open to the top again. We went to lunch with Papa and Mima at Brakeman's and then tried to go ice skating at Acacia Park, but it was too crowded. The four of us went to Monument Ice Rink instead. The skates they had for Jenna and me were really bad and difficult/painful to use. Jenna lasted longer than I did and I contented myself with watching and taking pictures.

Wednesday, December 28th - We had fun playing with the cousin's cousin Maime while they all went to a movie. Then, we enjoyed a lasagna dinner together. Jenna went to basketball practice; Kevin and Kellen watched Lord of the Rings; I attended an online staff meeting and then watched the Kennedy Center Honors.

Thursday, December 29th - We woke up to a beautiful snow covered morning.

Kevin had a CPR course to take and I had a memorial service to attend. Then, we celebrated Garrison's 19th birthday with lots of fun, Secret Hitler, and leg wrestling!

Friday, December 30th - Jenna went to a waffle party with her friends. Meanwhile, we looked at some new mattresses for Kellen and caught up on making appointments. Then, we picked up Jenna and Papa met us at the store to buy Kellen's new mattress and help us get it home. Jenna had basketball practice in the evening. Kellen and I finished White Christmas that we had started Christmas day.

Saturday, December 31st - I had to work. Jenna had basketball practice, then Kevin, Jenna, and Kellen went to Papa and Mima's house to watch Michigan play in their playoff game. Sadly, they lost to TCU. Back home, Kevin and I watched the end of the Ohio State/Georgia playoff game, while Jenna and Kellen watched The Flash (a show they've enjoyed watching together this year). Jenna, Kellen, and I stayed up to watch the fireworks on Pikes Peak. This year was the 100th anniversary of the AdAmAn club climbing the peak and lighting the fireworks on New Year's Eve. We couldn't get good pictures like these from where we were, so I got this picture that was posted by a professional photographer. A great way to end the year!

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Celebrating Christmas

Wednesday, December 21st - We had a fun time decorating cookies with Mima!

Pip and Penny really wanted a taste of Jenna's cookie! We went home for the evening after taking Jenna to basketball practice.

Thursday, December 22nd - We woke up to snow and frigid temperatures -15 as a low, 9 as a high. All of us but Geremy (he had to work) braved the cold and went to see the new Avatar movie at the IMAX 3D. It was such a good way to see that movie!

Friday, December 23rd - The mountains were still really frosted and pretty on our way to Papa and Mima's house for Whitelaw Christmas.

Fun picture of the cousins after opening stockings.

We enjoyed a delicious meal!

Some nice family photos

And, some silly ones, of course!

I think this one is my favorite!

A white elephant gift exchange. I don't think Garrison and Grant appreciated our joke gifts - covid tests and a "sweet tooth" themed gift (Kellen's baby teeth and an ice cream gift card). Ha!

And, really nice gifts too. I love this picture of Jenna cracking up at Grant and his helmet!

Saturday, December 24th - It was really nice to all be together again for Christmas Eve church. My favorite part of Christmas! Afterward, Jenna and I stayed to help with childcare for the next service, but they didn't need us. I took her to get a coffee from Dutch Bros - her favorite. The four of us went to In-N-Out for dinner and then watched It's a Wonderful Life.

Sunday, December 25th - Christmas Day! We opened stockings, then enjoyed cinnamon rolls, egg casserole, and a Christmas devotional.

Then, presents. Kellen was so excited to get the Polar Express train he's been wanting.

He set up the tracks several different ways. I was thankful that Walgreens was open for a battery run because "ready to play" didn't actually mean batteries included!

Midday, Kevin and Jenna gave us a Christmas carol duets concert. Then we started watching White Christmas, called Grandpa and Grandma, then ate left over breakfast before going to meet Papa and Mima for zoo lights.

Zoo lights with Papa, Mima, the four of us and Jenna's friend, Ashleigh. It was nice to have the members' early entry. And, we didn't miss the inflatables this year! Last year, when we went on the 26th, they had already taken them down.