Maya stayed over the first weekend and we went to a Nickelcade while she was here. That was pretty fun. Candi's birthday she had mochi donuts from Heather and mochi butter cake that Talia made and lamingtons and custard pie for her cake. Then we played dance games after. Mina took her out to eat the day before. On the 20th we went to the baby blessing of Emma Rose, Ariana's daughter. We had a nice visit with family.
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Not much going on in January. Just winter blues. Candi and I did go shopping a few times. I got a new gray suit to wear for Tyrell's wedding from JC Penney. Leila did a tausala performance. Jaxon had his 19th brthday. We ate at Golden China and had tres leches cake and pavalova.
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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.
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.
