2021 in a Nutshell

2021, you are a fabulous year!  

Calvin (10) is in fourth grade, is about twenty times more social than ever before in his life, and started piano lessons this Fall.  He has been writing a play for the past two months and it's quite a hilarious affair.  He changes his mind every day about what he wants to be when he grows up: candy shop owner (but with invented confections), farmer ("Who owns this land?  Can I buy it some day?"), playwright (he's well on his way), scientist (as long as there's candy-making involved), and composer ("Listen to the song I just wrote").  He is so smart, so creative, and so fun.

Mollie (14) is in eighth grade and her piano-playing has exploded this year.  She has played in church several times, even accompanying all the young women on a musical number.  When she doesn't have a book in her hands, she can be found climbing trees, building things in the backyard (including an elaborate pulley-system to get into the treehouse), and crocheting.  Speaking of which, she has surprised every person in the family with the most adorable, personal, thoughtful, crocheted gifts on their birthdays.  She is so witty, so generous, and so lovely.

Brigham (17) is a junior in high school and still a hardcore runner!  A 2021 highlight included meeting two professional runners at Razorback Stadium when we were in Arkansas, only eclipsed by the highlight of qualifying with his cross-country team to attend the state meet and then setting a new personal record!  Right now he is into Waboba moon balls, meeting ALL the girls in a 200-mile radius, and eating everything in sight (running 100+ miles a month makes you hungry).  He is incredibly hardworking, but 2021 might also be his silliest year to date.  He is so disciplined, so responsible, and so fast.

Truman (20) is serving a full-time mission in KOREA!  After nine weeks of language and missionary training, he arrived in Korea on December 3rd, and just exudes happiness and excitement every time we talk to him.  He finished his freshman year at BYU-Idaho and worked a variety of jobs all summer, but he mostly worked all year at preparing to serve.  He has always been hilarious, but his missionary letters are taking it to a new, delightful level.  From a very young age, Truman's biggest strength has been his willingness to serve others, so he is in his element.  He is so humble, so good, and so dang funny.

Becca (42) loves her new calling as a Relief Society teacher.  She made an Instagram account @bex_bixe to motivate herself to go biking . . . and it worked!  A backpacking trip with Allen and some friends in the Wind Rivers was her favorite thing in 2021.  She has been subbing at the high school, babysitting cute kiddos, and baking lots of breads, cookies, pies, and brownies--even sharing them sometimes.  She has felt her love for the Savior deepen this year and finds so much joy in being a mother.

Allen (44) is more hardworking and fun-loving than ever.  He built a beautiful greenhouse, installed solar panels on the garage, and opened up a walled-off area under our stairs, increasing our house's size by 24 square feet.  All while constantly fixing/repairing/cleaning/tuning Becca's bicycles! One of his favorite parts of 2021 was our family trip to Arkansas, where he got to spend three days with his best childhood friend, Kirk Skeeles. Allen is a wonderful example to all of us of what it means to be selfless, and to always look for the good in others.

This is the longest "nutshell" we've ever shared, perhaps because we have felt an abundance of blessings in 2021.  We are so thankful to our Heavenly Father for every good thing we enjoy--especially for the matchless gift of his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.  

If you just can't get enough, all the past "years in a nutshell" can be found here.