Always my baby boy

I just love this boy so much. 

Sometimes he doesn't want hugs or any affection. 

But other times... he walks up to me and say, "mommy do you know what I want?" then puts his arms wide open.  

I scoop him up in half a second and hold him as long as he'll let me. 

And I'm going to keep doing that forever!

Family game of "HA -HA"

It's their favorite. Everyone puts their head on someone's belly. Then we each go down the line saying HA. Then HA HA. Then HA HA HA. Until someone cant help it and actually laughs. Which makes everyone else laugh. It's ridiculously cheesy and we love it!

💃 💃 💃 💃

Mrs. Kalin's Barn (shop)

Had to kill some time while waiting for my tire to get repaired at Les Schwab,  so my little buddy and I went next door to a cute little store called Mrs. Kalin's Barn.  They've been a Greenbluff orchard/store for decades,  but this little shop is new.  Super cute!! Loved seeing all the totally unique little things. Stuff you can't find anywhere else.   I bought Washington themed gifts for Coach K when I visited him next month (Oahu trip just 10 days away!!! Ahhhhh!) plus fun straws for me (cuz it's more fun to drink my protein smoothies in cute straws) plus an impulse purchase - tropical water drops as a welcome home gift for mom.  They've been in Maui the last ten days. She was sick and was convinced the salt water and sand would heal her.  Didn't really work.  Poor mom.  But these will make her feel all better 😄

Bunny in a box

Totally not getting old to look out my window and see a cute little rabbit hopping around,  eager for veggie handouts.  

Killin time with Carl

While it's still super inconvenient to take Brianna to ballet twice a week in the evenings, I've found a way to make it more bearable. I take the younger 3 to Carl's Jr and they play on the equipment. I know - ew germs right? Well we've NEVER seen any other kids in there during this time, and I've inspected the playground...it looks decent. So while I still feel like I need to sanitize them after they've been here...it's a better alternative than having us all wait during ballet and have to stay SO QUIET cuz the instructor gets mad at any noise from the parent viewing room.  Plus, while they play, I put my feet up and get stuff done on my phone!

Lily & Charity

Adventures of Bethany & Charity

The tutu, the hand holding, her little leg pose... this girl slays me!!!

super helpful cousin!

Since mom and dad are in Maui, I get Lily on morning when Mere has to go to school early.  We love it!! She's such a sweetie. And so helpful with Charity. And even the bunnies!

👯

Courtney and her cute friend Kristin loving on Clairey the bunny. A bunny who isn't doing so great...she's got a goopy eye and one ear falling down with some blood on it I think. Maybe got attacked by a cat or something? We have no idea. She roams the yard freely, but has been much more subdued with the cold, and this recent injury. I hope she doesn't die in some icky way. That'd be traumatic. But while she's alive, we're spoiling her with veggie treats every day!
I texted this picture to Megan and her response was, "Aw, so sweet! Bethany is getting her entire young experience with animals and pets through you guys. Thank you!"

The cold never bothered her anyway

This adventurous girl has my heart!! I love that she FINALLY sees a clear/dry driveway, and despite the fact that it's still VERY much wintertime and that clear driveway is surrounded by snow....BOOM. Time for the rollerblades.  

Rollerblades she's only tried a few times. 

But in her mind, she's a professional. 

I'm so excited (and a tad nervous) to see what miss Courtney decides to do with her life.  

Her energy and passion and determination are incredible.  

She's the epitome of FUN!!

Foyer adventures

I told my kids we weren't leaving for church until they cleaned the guinea pig cages. Perhaps they thought I wouldn't REALLY enforce that, since getting to church on time is a bigger priority than most anything else.
So they dawdled.
Little do they realize that teaching them I MEAN what I SAY is a big priority too. So... we were late for our first time! Fortunately not too late - we made it in time for Sacrament - but too late to get a row big enough for our fam (unless we wanted to go to the front, but I wasn't about to make a scene like that).
They love going to church, and didn't like sitting outside, so hopefully this teaches a good lesson and we'll be an obedient AND punctual family next time :)

It's a good thing I'm not claustrophobic

Most mornings, I only find that one or two of them have crawled into bed with me between the time Daddy gets up (an hour or so before me) and the time I'm up. But this particular morning... Brian found ALL of them had snuck their way into the cozy mama bed.

I LOVE THIS CREW SO MUCH!!!

The Princess and the Bunny

I love that she will go hang out with Carrot, our boy bunny in his big outside cage.  

I *don't* love that she is doing it in her cute Sunday dress ;/

Courtney the Party Planner

I came home and she had orchestrated a whole party plan. It was adorable. She had juice and snacks out, and had cleared the front room for a big dance party. There were more elaborate details involved that she excitedly squealed out in one long breath after another. Games, contests, etc. 

Now if she were only as excited about CLEANING UP the party as she was about creating it ;)

Staring contest with the oven

They were so mesmerized watching their mini pizzas bake.  It was fun because we used the broil setting (oven not working right,  regular setting not working)  so the pizza was turning brown quickly.  So cute seeing their little braided heads together 💛🍕 

Backdoor Bunny

Back in dance class!

The Greatest Movie!

Annalee and I went to see The Greatest Showman while Brian took the girls to the Ball and Bennett hung out with Nathan.

 This kind of thing isn't typical for me... I don't initiate movie outings for practical reasons,  and if I do,  I go with Brian or kids or mom/sisters. But I thought Annalee would appreciate the invite cuz we'd both been super eager to see it after hearing everyone rave about it. Well they weren't exaggerating!! It was amazing!! Seriously one of my top favorite movies ever. I'm going to hunt down the piano sheet music! And give a copy to Annalee!  It was fun to see her so super excited about it too 😄
I'm not bringing my kids though. They're too young. A lot of parents would disagree. I just don't want to expose them to adult themes. They don't need to grow up any faster!

Daddy Daughter dance 💃 💃 💃 💃 👨

I love that Brian got to spend the evening helping these girls have a magical night! We made a big deal out of getting ready - glitter eyeshadow lipstick and all.  I feel like I nailed Lily's hair, which I'm especially proud of considering I was in a rush, and I'm not usually that great at hair styles. But I want to get better (add that to my list of things I wanna get better at,  ha!)

I'm so glad we got to bring Lily and I hope she knows how much we love her just like our own.  

Happy

Warm drinks on a cold day got me all like 😊😊😊

The best gift to give Meredith on her 32nd

I like to make a big deal about Meredith's birthdays. 
I usually go all out and do something fun. Like on her 30th... surprised her with a trip to Disneyland. 
Last year,  threw a huge party at my house.

But just days before this one I didn't have a solid plan! 
I had a few little gifts ready... A shirt,  some floss piks, new protein powder with shaker bottle.... I wanted to do more,  something practical and generous,  but gift cards are so boring. 

THEN IT CAME TO ME!!!

Store credit to Fred Meyer... In the form of really huge embarrassing items she has to return first!!!
Size 42DD bras,  massive silky grandma undies,  loud big men's boxers....IT WAS SO FUNNY!  All with a convenient gift receipt :) All she's gotta do it take it to customer service, explain that it was too small 🤣😉😆😅😝 and she can buy anything else at Fred Meyer.  Boring stuff like groceries.  But the most unforgettable shopping trip ever!! 

In the [ballet] army now

Brianna just started up ballet again. She did it a little bit a couple years ago.
Personally I'd rather she didn't. It's a hassle to add *another* extracurricular to our already packed schedule. 
But she wanted to so badly,  and if she doesn't do it now... Well it's not really something most girls jump into during their teens. 
We lucked out and there was a spot in a level 3 class at the studio nearest us.
 Actually there are 3 studios near us.  This one is STRICT. 
The instructor likes all her ducks in a row. 
She's intimidating but sweet. 
And the class is a challenge for Brianna - these girls have been doing formal classes for years.
It'll be an interesting year and I'm sure I'll be glad in June when it's all over.  

Cast Pic from Brianna's School Play

They finally sent me the photo I pre-paid $5 for   ;/
Whatever, that's fine. Slooooow but fine.
I'm so glad Brianna got to do this! Great experience for her and us!

They haven't seen each other in TEN WHOLE DAYS

Sweet apology note from Bennett

💛💛💛💛💛