2025 in a Nutshell

2025 broke the mold!  The biggest news is that WE MOVED!  Our 1400-square-foot house on Donahue remains the site of so many wonderful memories, and was the perfect home to raise our family in . . . now we are enjoying a new chapter of our lives just outside city limits in a house with ceilings tall enough for Truman enough room for everyone.

2025: getting our Christmas tree three miles up the canyon from our new house.
Zuko turned 10 years old this Christmas!

Truman was accepted into the nursing program at BYU-Idaho and I don’t think we have ever seen him so happy.  He absolutely loves his program, teachers, and cohort, and is excited to graduate at the end of 2026.  He worked hard all summer at a school for troubled youth near Jackson Hole, bought a new (to him) car, and successfully navigated his first break-up.

Brigham also did some breaking while attending BYU-I: he broke three school records: most standing squats in a minute, most sit-ups in a minute, and he shattered the student triathlon record by a blistering 20 minutes. He’s had about seven different jobs this year, and is currently home, enjoying his favorite job EVER as a wrestling referee for local wrestling meets.  

Mollie is breaking our hearts by becoming a senior this year. She got her dream job at the local library, and says working there is the best part of her day, every day.  She won a hefty scholarship by participating in the Distinguished Young Woman program, and plans on following her brothers to BYU-I this Fall.  Becca is making her own plans to stow away in her suitcase.

Calvin is fourteen and can’t wait for driver’s ed this summer–where we hope no breaking whatsoever will occur. His favorite part of the year was a Spring Break trip to San Francisco, the setting for all the stories and art he likes to create. He loved running cross country in the Fall, taking a weights class from his favorite teacher, and his talent on the piano exploded this year.

Allen and Becca have been married for a quarter of a century! Getting married on a millennial year makes anniversary math so easy. To celebrate, we went on a fun trip to Southern Utah that involved mountain biking, natural hot springs, Shakespeare, and the new Red Cliffs temple. Our lucky breaks this year? Allen is transforming our new garage into his dream shop, and Becca landed her dream job as the seminary secretary for Soda Springs and Grace.

Life continues to be fun, challenging, glorious, heartbreaking, and faith-affirming.  We are each trying to deepen our conversion to Jesus Christ, the One who truly broke the bands of sin and death, who came “that we might have life . . . more abundantly” -John 10:10.

2024 in a Nutshell

2024 was a great year of personal growth for each of us, and we are so thankful for Jesus Christ, who is the “High Priest of Good Things to Come”! (Hebrews 9:11)

Renfroe Family 2024, selfie taken with Becca's iPhone 12
at Hooper Park in Soda Springs during a Sunday family walk

Calvin (13) is no longer a boy—he’s a strapping young lad and a half-inch shy of surpassing his mom and sister in height.  He loves drawing and has filled stacks of sketchbooks (paper and digital) with his amazing (if sometimes creepy) art.  Calvin is a chopper and stacker of wood, an enthusiastic chef with quite a grown-up palate, and a loyal friend and brother.  He’s also gotten pretty quick-witted and can hold his own with his funny older siblings.  He is not shy about sharing his spiritual feelings and is both thoughtful and thought-full.

Mollie (17) ran cross country again this Fall, setting a personal record at the state cross country meet!  She excels at balancing time with friends and time alone (she needs both), enjoys cruising around in her cute little red truck (she’s more practiced with a shiftstick than most adults), and loves seminary, music, reading, art, and funny reels.  Mollie has her own key to the church because she is the ward organist 1-2 times a month; she is a diligent practicer and lovely accompanist—her spirit and testimony shine through her music.

Brigham (20) has had a year of WORK: he had jobs at a stationer’s shop, a lawncare company, and Doordash, spent five dirty, exhausting weeks working potato harvest, and sold garbage service and high-speed internet in Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania—all while going to school, dating a bouquet of college girls, running regularly, playing footsall (indoor soccer—who knew?), and aspiring to be a gym rat. He is a firm believer in professional counseling, and an even firmer believer in trusting in the Savior.

Truman (23) is absolutely in love with his chosen field of study: nursing.  His grades have never been better and he gets so excited to talk about what he’s learning.  He continues to be service-oriented and selfless—he gave his mom his car when her minivan died, acting like it’s no big deal and readily gushing about the money he’s saving money by walking and biking around Rexburg.  Truman worked two summer jobs and we loved having him home—we benefit from both his calming presence and his ability to reach the really high shelves.

Allen (47) and Becca (45) had a great year of work and play, sorrow and joy.  Lots of kayaking, biking, and hiking together rounded out the sometimes mundane and difficult aspects of adulthood.  We love where we live and are so grateful for countless blessings and mercies.  Our whole family was saddened in April by the loss of Allen’s younger sister, Kathryn.  We miss her fun-loving personality, contagious enthusiasm, and peace-promoting spirit.  This loss has deepened our faith in our Redeemer, whose purpose is bring to pass eternal life with our loved ones.  We have felt a confirming witness that we will see Kathryn again, because of He whose birth we are celebrating—our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

See all past Nutshells here. 

2023 in a Nutshell

For our family, the years seem to be getting more busy and more difficult—but thankfully, even more filled with God’s grace and blessings. 

June 2023

Calvin is in sixth grade and is currently learning to code, so his creativity has another fun outlet.  He is really getting good on the piano, loves writing, drawing, cooking, hiking, and is always quick with a hug and “I love you” to his family members.  He excels at expressing emotions and talking about feelings—something the rest of us are trying to emulate. Calvin has shot up in height this past year and we wonder if he will surpass his big brothers! 

Mollie is a sophomore and, on her first day as a 16-year-old, backed her little red truck into her dad’s big red truck.  Little Red now has new rearview mirrors, and Big Red has a new battle scar.  Mollie ran cross country this Fall and found her people—an incredible group of girls who have become her best friends.  When she is not playing piano or organ or babysitting or doing homework or running or crocheting, you can find her with a book.  Her music is such a pleasure to listen to, but her presence is even sweeter. 

Brigham graduated from high school as the student body president, receiving high honors both from SSHS and CSI with his associate degree.  He began missionary training in Provo, and had the courage to push “pause” on his mission while receiving help for a diagnosis of OCD and scrupulosity.  Brigham has always been a leader—we are so humbled and impressed by the way he is leading both friends and family to greater empathy, acceptance, and trust in God. He has so much energy and is gifted at motivating others for good . . . and he continues to be the life of the party! 

He and Truman are both attending BYU-Idaho in Rexburg, majoring in business and nursing.  Nursing is a natural fit for Truman, who has always been such a caregiver.  He completed his service as a full-time missionary in August and said that the best thing he learned, both as a proselyting missionary in Korea and as a service missionary at home, is to “See people the way God sees them.”  Truman can’t believe how much MORE fun Rexburg is with in-person classes, mask-free activities, and zero social distancing. He was also heard to remark, “I didn’t know dating could be so fun!”    

Becca always has a side hustle going and 2023 was no different—in addition to substitute teaching and babysitting, this year she was the “camp chef” for five different parties of guided hunters in September and October.  It was hard work, but also fun and rewarding, and she met so many great people.  Bike rides long and short kept her sane, and a deepening love for scriptures kept her grounded and comforted.

Allen started teaching guitar lessons again, and a highlight every week is teaching his own dad for an hour over Facetime!  He continues to be the handiest guy in town, fixing cars, bikes, appliances—you name it!  We bought two kayaks this year, and he and Becca are firm believers in the power of “river therapy.”  Allen loves serving people and is the best example of Christ-like empathy to all of us.

Celebrating the birth of our Savior is special because He is the giver of every good thing.  Our family has been blessed by His love and grace and we hope you feel those very real blessings in your life, wherever you are and whatever hardships you face.  Let Him lift you.

2022 in a Nutshell

Twenty-Twenty-Two was the first year that I didn't write (let alone send) a Christmas card update about how the year went.

Because I couldn't sit down and write it.  Because 2022 felt like 2020.2--an upgraded version of The Year that was incredibly difficult for the entire world. Of course there were good things, and blessings, and truly special moments. But in December, when I looked back over the year, there was too much crushing weight for me to compose a happy update of only-the-good highlights.

It started out with our neighbor DeAnn's unexpected death in January, and every month afterward seemed to get a little harder.  

Allen and Truman both battled very real, suffocating, overwhelming depression.  

Truman transferred home to a service mission and struggled for months with feelings of failure and longing to be back in Korea.

Brigham didn't have the cross-country season he was hoping for his senior year, killing himself at every meet and being passed by teammates who hadn't put in the same amount of time or work--after training with dedication for years. 

I was more sick, more often, than any other year of my life.  I count five weeks of serious sickness, where confinement and rest were the only ways to survive, and another five weeks of persistent coughing and just feeling blah: that's one-fifth of the entire year, and I certainly wasn't the only family member who got sick.

We lost my cousin Nova, my aunt Georgia, our family friend Robert Nielsen. Allen's sister Kathryn is still battling complications from her radiation treatment for her cancer.

Our community was rocked by several tragic, dark events. 

Inflation rates hit us hard, especially with a service missionary at home, whose main expenses are gas and groceries: the two things that were already crippling us financially.  We had an E.R. visit for a trampoline accident, automobile trouble that cost thousands of dollars.

And of course there are the run-of-the-mill trials and tribulations that are part of every day life, but which seemed totally insurmountable with the added stresses and pressures that seemed to come from every side.

It is not "the done thing" to send a Christmas card that highlights only the tough things, even though (of course) we are not the only family that faced hardship in 2022, or in any year.  Our family's trials might be welcomed by so many who are facing far worse.

But it was such a hard year.

 *     *     *     *

We stretched in our suffering, and we turned to the Savior over and over again for comfort and direction and peace, which He gave, every time.  

We grew closer to one another as a family, and rallied around the ones who needed our love and acceptance and support.

There were lots of tears and heartache, but mourning with those that mourned brought a sweet relief to both parties.

Our prayers lost some of their repetitiveness, and became more focused and sincere.

We still went on trips, made special foods, celebrated birthdays, hiked and biked and camped and gardened, laughed with each other late into the night.

It was a hard year; but it was still good.  

Because, as the Savior said, 

"...there is none good but one, that is, God." (Mark 10:18) 

"...good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good" (Ether 4:12).

President Nelson told us in April of 2022 to "expect miracles."  Of all the things I learned in 2022, the most important is this: God's miracles are so much better than even the ones we were "expecting."  

At the Bayer company picnic in July

At Chandler's wedding in August

It's been fun cheering on the eagles with Brigham this year

Trying to visit DeAnn's grave on her birthday, Nov 27th
We had to turn back because the road was IMPASSIBLE

Christmas Eve with my kind, funny, brave, good kids

Jordan River temple in December

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.

2020 in a Nutshell

2020 in a Nutshell 

Whew!  Twenty-Twenty, you were a tough year in so many ways.  The end.

    PS- Calvin (9) was delighted to stop attending school mid-March, which meant he was just as delighted to go back to school for third grade in the Fall.  He is currently into: art, rocks, comic books, and teasing Brigham about how badly the Eagles are doing this year.  Mollie (13) went on her first TWO backpacking trips this year, and it is her new favorite thing.  She is officially a teenager, but unofficially, still the sweetest girl. She loves reading, crocheting, piano, and everything that happens outside.  Brigham (16) almost went insane when social activities were put on hold last Spring, so he bought a Spikeball set and made encouraged the family to play it constantly often.  He was sad that track was canceled, but so grateful to still enjoy a cross-country season this Fall. He excels at everything academic. Too bad about the Eagles.  Truman (19) had his mission papers submitted in early March, and received a special email outlining his COVID-19 options.  He decided to attend BYU-I for a year, and he loves college life!  He is majoring in graphic design and re-submitting papers after the new year. We miss having him home, but it has been so fun to see him grow in so many ways. Becca (41) was incredibly grateful that she and Allen celebrated their twentieth anniversary in Costa Rica last February, before quarantine.  Gardening and landscaping and chickens were extra therapeutic this year, and she has yet to run out of projects.  Allen (43) kept busy at work and at home, and acquired several new tools for building and fixing.  He is restoring a 1978 Honda XL185S, and designing and constructing a greenhouse for Becca.  He is excited for the day when she runs out of projects.

    PPS- We feel grateful for the opportunity to grow so close to one another during the pandemic.  It has not been an easy year, but so many blessings have accompanied our trials, and we recognize that all good things come from our loving Father in Heaven and from our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He is the source of true, lasting, personal peace.

   PPPS- We did not take any "official" family photo this year, but I like all these ones better, anyway. You can see all our past years-in-a-nutshell here.

January 2020: shoveling driveways

April 2020: Little City of Rocks

May 2020: Backyard

July 2020: Formation Cave

November 2020: Home church

2018 in a Nutshell

2018 in a Nutshell

In 2018, we have been trying to savor the moments we have together and live in the present—it’s so fun to be a family.  Calvin (7) is repeating first grade this year, and still has the best teacher in town.  He is in love with a girl in his class, and told us that he is going to marry her because “She doesn’t make fun of me, I like the way she acts, and she has blonde hair and I want to marry someone with blonde hair.”  Basically, she ticks all the boxes.  He is reading like a champ, is incredibly imaginative, and wants to be an artist, scientist, and author when he grows up.  Mollie (11) is into everything Harry Potter, and was recently sorted into Ravenclaw, which is the smarty-pants house at Hogwarts.  She now goes to middle school, and is in the advanced program in fifth grade.  She still loves 4-H, playing piano, reading, and hiking.  She hates to have her hair done—where could that trait have come from?  Brigham (14) eats, sleeps, and breathes (and watches so. many. YouTube videos about) running. He ran track in the Spring, cross-country in the Fall . . . and corrects all of us immediately if we interchange the names of these sports.  He won the cross-country coach’s choice award, and was awarded money (twice) for a Veteran's Day essay he wrote. He loves friends and can always be found surrounded by a bevy of girls.  Truman (17) still works as a lifeguard, but looks forward to working at Caribou Memorial Hospital when he completes the CNA program next semester.  He got his first deer this hunting season, and was so excited that he jumped over a barbed wire fence, ran to the deer, and picked the whole thing up.  He loves reading, cruising around in his royal blue Astro, and having “cultural movie education nights” with Allen.  He works hard at everything he does and is always looking for ways to serve others.  Becca (39) was sad to say goodbye to her high school students in May, but loves being an at-home mom (she will probably teach again in a few years).  She is the primary chorister at church and can never find the down-beat . . . but she keeps trying.  She and Allen enjoyed a fun trip to Cleveland last Spring: the number one romantic destination of the Great Lakes!  Allen (41) is the best primary teacher our ward has ever seen, and the best husband and daddy, to boot.  He spent the entire summer remodeling our garage into his dream shop, and also served as a general dogsbody for all the yard projects Becca wanted to do.  He loves woodworking, fixing our collection of automobiles, and bringing home the big bucks (not the antlered kind—only Truman got a deer).

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  

We hope the spirit of Christ is in your lives and homes all year round.

(See all past years-in-a-nutshell here)

Calvin.  Again.

This picture might capture our personalities better than any we have ever taken.

2010 in a Nutshell

{See ALL our nutshells at Bex Mixed Nuts, a permanent page at the top of the blog.}

We've had a tradition every December of sending "the year in a nutshell" with our Christmas cards. Alas, Economic Downturn, El Niño, and the Tea Party have all conspired to prevent us from physically mailing out Christmas cards in 2010.

But that's why we love the good ol' World Wide Web! Hopefully next year we'll be supporting our wonderful US Postal Service, but in the mean time, please pretend like our latest family photo and the year in a nutshell arrived this morning in your mailbox (and feel free to disregard the self-indulgent trip down nutty-shell lane).