ANOTHER ROYAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 2020

             Can 2020 end soon enough?  When we were initially advised of a COVID “shutdown” in mid-March (i.e. “two weeks to flatten the curve”), we had no idea that we would still be living under various stages of the COVID-19 world (including significant restrictions in religious assembly) in December.

Royal Family Reunion - July 2020

BYU v. Houston, Oct. 2020

(Thank goodness the United States Supreme Court spoke up recently in favor of protecting religious freedom - even if only by 5-4.)  So, what good came from 2020?  Well, COVID could not stop our 11^th grandchild, Mila, from coming into the world, nor did it prevent the Royal Family Reunion in July, where we got to meet Mila for the first time.  Also, COVID motivated us to do some home renovating (which we had been putting off for years because “we’ll never get our money out of it”, but after 27 years in our home, we figured it was time to step up).  Sure, it was a total nightmare - but at least it took our minds off COVID.  Although the virus ruined our BYU home football season (tickets were canceled - and we did not make any home games), we managed to fly out to Houston to both watch BYU play and defeat the Houston Cougars and spend some time with family residing there (Colin and Jen Kelly).  We got to Utah thrice in 2020 (July family reunion, September for Mila’s blessing, and a surprise trip for Royal this month to see his cousins) and drove to California twice (with Craig and Kelli’s family, February (Legoland) and September (Beachland)).  We also became proficient in Zoom related stuff.

Seal watching, La Jolla, CA, Feb. 2020

           Something we came to appreciate more deeply in 2020 is the value of the freedom we have so long enjoyed in the United States of America and what life could be like without it.  It is a most precious and rare commodity.  Through all of the challenges of 2020, we are filled with gratitude to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who loves us and continues to bless us in so many ways.  Even in brief periods of darkness and despair, His hand is extended, ever offering His saving embrace and light to show us the way.  We love the celebration of Christmas where the world recognizes that He lives, He loves, He comforts, He blesses, He heals, He saves, and He exalts all who seek, love, serve and faithfully follow Him.

             The year 2020 has been like no other we have experienced - unique in so many ways.  While we are glad to see it come to an end, we are grateful for lessons learned and blessings received.  We have a heightened appreciation for family.  Below are a few family tidbits on how our posterity managed their COVID days of 2020.

Royal’s baptism, March 7, 2020  (Look at all that family!!!!)

 Brad, Whitney, Beckham, Zoe, Kai and Mila

Mila's blessing day, September 2020

             Brad and Whitney welcomed their new family addition in 2020, Mila, in early summer.  Mila seemed to have a difficult time settling into earth life for the first 3-4 months, but is now happy all the time (which means everyone else in their home is a little happier, too).  The highlight excursion of the year for the kids was a pre-COVID trip to Florida in January to visit Harry Potter World.  (Okay, let’s be honest - that trip was also probably the highlight for Brad and Whitney, too.  Who doesn’t love Harry Potter World?)

             The family spent their spring COVID quarantine re-landscaping their Utah home, while reportedly almost losing their minds with everyone home all day - every day (ha).  Their family spent the summer COVID quarantine finishing their basement so the kids can now go downstairs without the fear of massively huge and scary spiders milling about.

Beckham & Zoe - X Gamers

             Beckham (9) and Zoe (7) are thrilled to be back in school (even with having to wear masks).  Brad introduced Beckham and Zoe to snowboarding and they love taking on the slopes of Utah together.  Kai is totally in love with his Harry Potter train set traveling in a magical circle around the family Christmas tree and Mila just smiles a lot.  Quotables: As the kitchen timer went off on one occasion, Zoe asked of her parents: “Does that timer mean it's time for me to go out on my own to discover my destiny?”  (Isn’t that kind of what Harry Potter did?)  Whitney sent the following text to Brad: "I'm pretty sure the heater in my car is broken."  Brad later checked the car to discover that the air temp was turned all the way to low (ha) - crisis averted.

The Fearsome Foursome

Craig, Kelli, Royal, Finley and Monroe

San Diego Temple, Jan 2020

            One of the highlights of 2020 for the Friedel family occurred in March when Royal was baptized.  (It occurred the weekend immediately preceding the COVID shutdown, where there was no restricted attendance and no masks required in the church.)  The entire family (Royals and Friedels) was together for that grand occasion, which was pretty amazing.  Craig continues his lawyer life at Solomon Dwiggins and Freer, although working more from home in 2020.  Craig loves being the family handyman, which this year included redoing the kitchen (and by “family” we include Maralea, who calls on Craig to serve as Mr. Fix-it whenever she can).  Kelli is still doing her hair thing, but has had to cut back to keep up with their three children.  She loves music and plans to learn to play guitar in 2021.  (Wasn’t that guitar thing supposed to begin in 2020?)

A COVID Beach Day

          Royal (8) (3^rd grade) loves all things sports (recently introduced to lacrosse and loves it, also got into street hockey during COVID), likes being the big brother, watching and quoting movies (and song lyrics), likes real school more than the online thing and enjoys card games.  Before discovering he actually likes real school, as Royal returned to school in January 2020 at the conclusion of Christmas break, just before walking out the front door, Royal said: “Bye Mom.  See you in seven cruel hours.”   Finley (4) started pre-school and loves it, loves Blippy and helping fix things with his daddy.  He runs 100 MPH all day long, but loves to smile, snuggle and give kisses.  Finley learned how to ride a big boy bike during quarantine and loves playing at the park and being outside.  When told he had to wear a mask to accompany his mommy to the store, Finley came running downstairs with a Star Wars stormtrooper mask (covering his entire head) and said: “I’m ready!”  Monroe (18 months) learned to walk during COVID days.  She loves to smile, blow kisses, and gives the best hugs.  Monroe loves all animals (stuffed and real - including sharks, mostly of the puppet variety), and FaceTime calls on her mommy’s phone.

Legoland!!

David, Kambria, Aubrey Macie and Benson

Little Cottonwood Canyon hike, June 2020

             David and Kambria are enjoying every opportunity to spruce up their new home in Riverton, UT.  David is growing into his role of handyman and loves working on projects around the house, playing guitar for the girls, working for nCino, beating all-comers at cornhole, actually learned how to do a backflip from the ground (not the trampoline), makes the best cinnamon rolls, and coached Aubrey's soccer team in the fall.  Kambria stays busy keeping up with Benson, enjoys cooking, is learning to cut boy's hair (ha - poor Benson), loves pickleball, yard work (she planted her first garden ever in 2020), and loves having David work from home.

Tiny Dancers - recital, June 2020

       Aubrey (7) (2^nd grade), loves playing piano, soccer, drawing, mastered the cartwheel, enjoys school and all learning, and is excited to relay that she has a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Aubrey eats up books (literally).  When asked about why pages of her books were missing, Aubrey said: “I keep eating the pages because they smell so good.  Whoever made the books made the pages smell good and that’s why I eat them.”  Macie (5) (preschool), loves dancing, gives the best snuggles, played soccer for the first time in 2020, loves playing with Benson, loves changing outfits (multiple times a day), and enjoys helping her mother in the kitchen.  Macie does not let anyone push her around.  During one particular swimming lesson, Macie’s teacher threw some diving toys in the pool for Macie to retrieve them from the bottom.  Macie looked at her teacher and said: “No, you go get them!  You threw them.”  Benson (1+) is literally into everything (ha), loves jumping on the tramp, eating, sleeping, snuggling with his mommy, following his dad around with tools, and loves dogs (which he calls “Nanas”).

 Jordan, Ashlee and Reese

Halloween Shepherding

          Jordan and Ashlee are enjoying the parenting life as Reese continues to grow up.  Jordan began 2020 working as an Outbound Sales Associate for LendingClub.  When COVID-19 hit, some of the company was let go and the entire sales department was scrapped.  Jordan stayed with the company working as an Outbound Payment Solutions Specialist starting in May - working from home.  The good thing about working from home was being able to see his family every day with more time to work on his MBA, which Jordan completed on August 1, 2020 (our family’s first next-generation graduate degree).  Jordan enjoys being a family guy.  Ashlee has been teaching piano and now has 10 students, teaching some in person and some through Zoom (thanks COVID).  Ashlee loves to creatively bake and set a goal to make one new cake per month to hone her skil

Vegas swim day

ls.  She's been doing a lot of projects to keep busy, like redoing the kitchen this year by adding laminate countertops, backsplash, and other things.  Ashlee also refinished dressers and painted furniture.  And, they planted a garden for the first time and actually grew a lot of  tomatoes that were delicious! 

            Reese turned one in January 2020.  She has grown up incredibly fast this year and loves spending time with Mommy and Daddy (mostly Mommy, per Jordan).  Her best friends are Blue and Conner (her grandparent's dog and cat) and she pretends to talk to "Boo" and "Conya" on her phone all the time.  Reese knows the Daniel Tiger and Caillou theme songs by heart and is constantly singing them.  Her new hobby is watching football with Daddy and cheering on the BYU Cougars, with her favorite chant: "Gooooo Cougars!" 

Pre-COVID swim day

Merry Christmas and Happy 2021

    The year 2020 was memorable for LOTS of reasons - from COVID shutdowns and related stuff to a crazy Presidential election.  But, we love the best memories of 2020, which surround our wonderful family and beloved friends.  We look forward to the best of times to come.  There is ALWAYS hope in Christ!

All our grandchildren, July 2020 (ha, and this pic was the best one we got)

2020 BONUS FAMILY PICS

Papa found his HS jacket

Finley, proud nursery grad (Jan 2020)

Monroe's first beach day, Feb. 2020

Royal, flag football (Go Ducks!), Jan. 2020

Reese enjoying Sunday School, Jan. 2020

Benson sandwich

Happy Pre-COVID New Year (ha, we had no idea what was coming)

Kai leaps high

Soccer Sisters

Beckham chillin'

Kai takes a lunch break

Zoe pooling around

Sunday lunch bunch

Princess Macie

Royal & Great Grandpa Royal

Guys trip

Easter family pic

Beatlemania

Maralea loves to see the temple

Mike can still jump for joy, too

Cousins summer party day

Monroe sharing Papa's awesome smoothie (sure, it looks gross, but it's sooo good)

Finley's favorite witch

Fun when Monroe turned one

Ladies at "the Rock" in Pine Valley

The COVID Gray Beard was weird

Avatar Mar

Non-Avatar Mar - hanging out and about

With the boys playing with toys

Last day of COVID beard (ha, couldn't wait to shave it off)

Happy birthday Jordan

Winner, winner, family dinner!

Parking lot kite flying fun in Utah (lost it in a tree)

Riverton backyard lunch bunch (Nana and Papa, always reppin')

Pretty women!

Easter weekend fun

Nana like's the funny pics, too

Little Cottonwood Canyon

Mother, son, and son's son

The whole group in the hiking loop

Macie takes center stage

Aubrey tiny dancer

Pre-Mila arrival COVID break

Macie shows appreciation to her adoring fans

Zoe has a great smile

Finley likes flying his kite

Always love a visit with Dad

Jordan, Ashlee and Reese enjoy a family summer walk

Swimming at Great Grandpa Royal's house

Monroe loves dogs

Fourth of July cabin visit

Monroe approves of the fireworks show

Father/son Independence Day salute

Patriotically dressed on Independence Day

It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing

Benson and Monroe dig the playground sawdust 

The lineup, one through ten (couldn't get no. 11 in)

Cousin twinsees

David sets up cousin Nintendo time

Kai likes da "Y"

Cousin buds on a blanket that looks like suds

Nana meets Mila

Still got muscle to show on the big six-oh

Mike's 60th surprise shared with all these guys

A sunny Utah day, celebrated the slip & slide way

Grandkids one through four played video games some more 

Kai got a "happy birthday to you" at age two

9-Square Volleyball enjoyed by all

Sand box fun 'til the day's near done

Aubrey zeroes in on a cornhole win

Half time break for Nana's sake

Nana did just fine, celebrating fifty-nine

Papa surprised Nana with some birthday bling

A Monroe bad hair day is still okay

Vegas summer day the Grandpa pool way

Reese plays it cool as a rule

Jordan and Ashlee visit the Vegas Strip during a summer "Boo COVID!" trip

Jordan, Ashlee and Reese came to stay for a little more than just a day

Reese celebrates "Shark Week" with this Great White kiss on the cheek

Reese and Roe share some doughnuts to go

We got "photo bombed" by somebody's crazy mom

We found a place to rally not far from Pine Valley

Give hitchhiking Blimpy a lift

Aubrey is set for her first day of school

Reese gets away on a family beach day

It was 106 degrees in San Diego, CA - Sept. 2020

Royal's first day smile, wide as a mile

Grandpa Benson would like a word

More Nintendo, with Uncle David running the show

Reese pre-three glee

Aubrey and Zoe eliminate all bore by drawing on the floor

Beckham and Royal love pictures and pancakes

Beckham and Zoe play on the sidewalk all day

Kai is in a breakfast food mood

Happy birthday, Brad

Kai is also a sidewalk scooter guy

Cousin trampoline scene

Meeting Mila

Zoe displays her skateboard ways

Aubrey looks a tad big for that two-wheeled rig

Sister and brother visit their mother

View from our hospital room - Kelli's in person Zoom

Hospital room view of our four - hmmm, probably should have taken a few more

Mace is ready to race

Papa, Look who's at the door to hang out some more

Aubrey gives Nana a snug hug

BYU/Houston game which the Cougars won was awesome fun

This Texas Trump display made our day

Took this batch to a pumpkin patch

Peter Pan thinks Tinkerbell is swell

Pumpkin carving is fun - especially when it's done

Peter Pan is Wendy's man

Halloween night done right

Ammon guarding the sheep, severed arms left in a heap

A Royal cutie . . . no, wait - a beauty

Great smile, no less, wearing her mommy's toddler dress

Pizza pre-swim, something we did on a whim

Benson is glad to sample pizza from his dad

Jacuzzi party on a mid-November night

Aubrey's game was sunk after the Macie slam dunk

Benson, happy and alert outside in his flannel shirt

David and Kam successfully made it through the Fire Swamp

Finley does just fine with the Batman climb

Pre-Thanksgiving Weekend, the official kids table

Pre-Thanksgiving Weekend dinner with part of our crew (we were missing a few)

Macie likes this swing thing

Ready, steady, GO!

Need more s'mores

Nana pushes grandkids at the park

Monroe on the go

Zoe helps her dad keep the mixer from flying away

David and the girls perform a number before they slumber

This turkey was deep fried . . . and no one died (ha)

Pre-Thanksgiving normal

Pre-Thanksgiving . . . less than normal

Kelli with the Photo Boomerang Bomber Thang

Macie had to go and said goodbye to Roe

Reese plays a sweet keyboard tune sometime after June

Lights went up in late November to help remember . . . 

. . . our Savior's birth in the month of December . . .  

. . . Maralea's beautiful Christmas tree set up just right . . .

. . . to feel the Savior's warmth by the light - and with that - to all a good night.