December

 Candi and I went to dinner with Tane (his treat) on the 2nd to Red Robin. He officially asked us to marry Mina. We couldn't be happier with who she has chosen. He's a good young man that honors his priesthood and treats Mina respectfully and kindly. I had fish and chips by the way. Skipping ahead to Christmas morning, he snuck in the basement and prepared some lights and hearts out on the lawn and when we got the kids together to open presents we told Mina there is something for her in the back yard. That's when Tane popped the question. We didn't hear everything he said but we tried videoing some of it. They are finally engaged, yay! 

On the 4th was our Ward Christmas party and on the 18th was our family party at Close to my Heart. After a feed we had a moment sharing memories of Mum and Dad from the brothers and then photos and gift exchanges and the white elephant gifts for the younger ones. Erana got $50 bucks from Talia's gift.

The day after Christmas we drove to St George with Scott's family and stayed with Christine for the night. Then we went Las Vegas the next day and stayed at the Berkley Hotel next to the Bass Pro store and Silverton Hotel. The rooms were nice. We had 2 rooms. Scott was across the hall from us. That night we ate at a buffet at the South Point Hotel. We had to wear masks still in Las Vegas inside. The buffet was ok. The next day we went to the Avengers Station so Scott and them could go to it but we walked over to the Showcase mall and met them afterwards. That mall is so huge. We walked around some but it was too big to see all of it before we had to meet Scott and them. We all walked over to Caesar's Palace and walked around the Forum shops. Hadn't been there for a while. In the evening we went to the hot pool outside. The weather was cold, maybe in the low 50's or high 40's but the pool felt nice. Candi didn't come with us but she videoed us from the room window. On the 29th, the next day we went to stop by the chapel Mum and Dad eloped at since it was their anniversary. It's called Cupid's Wedding chapel. We took photos then went to the Outlet mall nearby and walked around and looked at stores for a bit. Then we went to a place called Area 15 that was a big building with stores and things to do and see. It was dark with glowing lights and trees and stuff and music playing. They went to a glowing lights art display museum while Candi and I sat on some chairs and waited. After that we went and ate at the Cracker Barrell. I had steak and eggs. It was pretty good but with all the meals overall, the others weren't that impressed. I think they just chose wrong. We walked around the Bass Pro shop at night. We also tried going back to the pool but it was closed because of the weather but it wasn't that much different from the night before so that was dumb. We left the next day kinda early to make sure we beat a snow storm that was supposed to come through the north part of the drive home. We did beat it and turned out to be a nice drive home.

For new years eve we just stayed at our home and Scott's family came and we played games and did dance games too.

November

We tried the Korean corn dog place at the District on the 6th. We love those ever since having them in Las Vegas. Glad there is one nearby now. Wasn't much of an eventful month. We went to Imogen Wolferstan's wedding, Ollie's girl on the the 5th. Helped him do Tika Tonu. Mina found a place to rent her wedding dress. She tried a few on and reserved one for her date. She is getting married on 5/20/22. Well that's the date they are looking at anyway. They still have to book a venue. Tane hasn't officially asked her yet but we are planning things already. We also did a Youth activity where we talked about NZ customs and food and culture. There were different countries they went to in different rooms in the chapel. We were in the gym so that Leila could do the poi and also I could teach them a haka. I did Poutini. Thanksgiving was at Tania's home. We ate and visited and played pool. Candi and I were a team and were undefeated. Ariana had a baby shower on the 27th that Candi and the girls went to. Kiko got neutered on the 29th and had to wear a cone around his head for 2 weeks. We did for 7 days at least. It was nice to have it on as he couldn't bite us.

October - Leila's 16th Birthday

On Oct 4 Candi bought a kitten. It's a Russian Blue or at least half so that it will be hypoallergenic because Candi, Tyrell and maybe some of the other kids are allergic to cats. We agreed on the name Kiko, short for Kikorangi which is Maori for blue. Tyrell actually had to drive to Brigham City to pick it up. The lady that sold it was from Idaho somewhere and she met him half way. It cost $800 I think. Hypoallergenic cats are expensive. He's a cute kitten. The fam also went to Mont's Halloween party. They dressed in their Demon Slayer costumes. We are all a character from Demon Slayer anime show this year.

On the 8th we went to Julie and Christian's sealing in the Timpanogos temple. Julie is Mina's best friend from her school days. Her and Christian were a couple in high school. He went on a mission and they got back together when he came home. In the evening we went to the reception at one of the homes in Pioneer Village. They had crepes. Mina caught the bouquet or rather Julie made sure she got it.

On Sat 9th at 4:20pm Candi and I went on our trip to Orlando. Part of celebrating my 50th. We stayed until Saturday 16th. We were so looking forward to getting away again in nice weather. We love it there. When we got there it was about 10:30pm and we took an Uber to stay one night in the Econolodge on International drive, kinda close to our main hotel called the Sonder at the Point that we would check into the next day. Saturday night about 11:30pm we walked to a Brazilian burger place called King's burgers close by. Candi had a burger and I had a hotdog. It was yummy. We checked out Sunday at 11am and walked to a Dennys down the road for brunch. We took our time because it was early to check in but we decided to go early and ask if we could hang out at the pool. The nice lady put out bags in closet and we laid out by the pool. I got a text when our room was ready. It's a nice room with a kitchen and lounge and balcony. The hotel is closer to the Universal parks. Then we ordered some groceries like milk and cereal and drinks from the Publix store website and had them delivered.

Our first park was Volcano Bay at Universal on Monday. It was a fun water park. Weather was nice and sunny. We tried a few rides first. One ride was like a water roller coaster that zooms you within the tube but I was sure how it was moving as it wasn't gravity or cables pulling it. We walked through the volcano and went into the wave pool. We shared a hotdog for lunch. It was a nice day. In the evening we walked to a Chinese Buffet down the road for dinner.

Tuesday we went to Disney's Hollywood Studios. That was the last one we hadn't been to. We walked straight to the Star Wars area but the Rise of the Resistance ride line was already so long but the Millennium Falcon one wasn't so we went on that. It was ok. Candi and I were the pilots. We returned to the Rise of the Resistance ride later in the day but still waited for like an hour and a half to get on. But it was worth it for the first time. It was pretty awesome. We walked around the park and tried a few foods like Jack Jack's cookie and a drink. I thought the park size was pretty small. Lines were long. We skipped some of the kid areas like Toy Story land. We looked in a lot of stores and had a Ronto roaster for lunch in Star Wars land and also a toasted sandwich in Toy Story land. The whole Star Wars land environment was well done. The Areosmith roller coaster was fun. We left at about 8pm.

Wednesday was Universal Islands of Adventure. We did that one park instead of both. We went straight to the new Velocicoaster and rode it twice. It didn't make me sick but after the second time that was enough but it was a fun ride. Then walked around to Hogwarts village. The Hagrid ride was longer that what we wanted to wait in so we skipped it. We did the small Griffin coaster and then the Harry Potter ride in the castle. I thought I could do that this time but it still made me sick. I kept my eyes shut the whole time but the motion made me sick. We stopped and got a Turkey leg for a snack. We did the Kong ride then the log ride in the cartoon land area. It didn't wet us as much as I thought which was good. We walked around slowly and stopped in stores. Got some cinnamon pretzels and rested and ate them and fed some turtles in the lake. We kept walking around but our feet were hurting so we did a kids Dr Seuss ride to sit for a bit. By the time this day was done, the accumulation of all the walking was taking its toll on our feet. We were glad to get to the hotel and rest.

Thursday was a down day to take it easy. We slept in then went to the hotel pool to relax for a few hours. Later we walked to Gator miniature golf. There were lots of gators to look at as we went around the course. I bought a bag of food to feed them. It was a fun time. We then walked to a Pizza buffet down the road for our lunch/dinner. Then we decided what we were doing for Friday as we hadn't bought tickets yet. We decided on another water park day so we got Aquatica tickets.

Friday was a nice sunny day at Aquatica. Candi got the eat all day deal and we had lots of food during the day. You could get a meal and drink every 2 hours or so during the day. We just relaxed and went on the lazy river a few times. I lost my phone in a water proof case in a raft ride but it had just fallen out my pocket and it went back up to the top. One of the employees got it and rode down the tube to give it to me. But needless to say, I had an answered prayer that I wouldn't lose it. Friday evening we walked to another miniature golf called Lost Caverns. No gators this time but it was fun. I was dark by the time we were done. We also got an ice cream nearby at the Twistee Treat before going home.

Our flight home was about 12:46pm edt and we got back about 3:30pm and Mina picked us up. It was another wonderful time with Candi. Wish we could have done these trips together more often during our married life. We drove straight from the airport to Clinton to pick up Leila and Erana from Lana Finlayson's home. They were picked up to spend a couple nights in Soda Springs because Debs wanted them to perform in their luau. The girls had a fun time. Deb spoiled them and even got them new shoes. 

This is what Deb said, "Oh my gosh… your babies… WOW!!! Tonight they literally crushed it… you and Jason would have been so proud. We had 750 people and they loved it… they loved every dance and these girls I just want to keep them 🤣… thank you girl for keeping the culture  alive. I love them. Our family is sooooo grateful to them for coming and making us look good hahaha… Leila was unbelievable and erana right there with them. We are so grateful… thank you Whanau"

Then at 6pm we had our ward chili cookoff at the Stake Center. I wasn't too impressed with the chilis myself. None really stood out. They had a talent show part of the program and Leila did a dance.

On the 22nd Candi, Leila and Erana went for a walk around the Gardner Village. They had the witches and Halloween displays out. We usually go at this time of year. On the 28th we had the opportunity to wear our Demon Slayer costumes to the Hiona Halloween party. Had a good feed and visit with friends. For Leila's 16th birthday we went to Round 1 and did karaoke. We were standing on these 2 big square tables because we thought they were platforms but a security guard came and told us not to stand on the tables. Halloween day we went to Scott's and had the traditional feed of boil up, chili and clam chowder before walking the neighborhood with the kids while they trick or treated. Some kids walking by recognized the Demon Slayer costumes.