Week ending 1-17-21

Monday: Tilly and I ran in to Carters looking for a long sleeve dress with pockets for her and we found 3 matching dresses. Tilly was so excited to come home and give them to Kait and Kenna.

Someone took this of me reading to Tilly and Samuel.

Tuesday: I was texting Madalyn pictures of what we're all doing. Kaitlyn was standing in the kitchen trying to decide what to do. I was making dinner.

Anderson and Samuel were making a candy land game.

Alexis was doing zoom musical practice. It started before Christmas but she thought she was going to be in the pit. Now they're saying no band instruments in the pit so she's joining the ensemble. But because she hadn't turned in her forms or gotten COVID testing she couldn't do it in person.

Makenna was practicing the piano.

Talea was sitting on the counter helping me with dinner.

She and Ruth got into play mascara from the doctor bag.

Kaitlyn decided to practice her flute.

Wednesday: It's been in the 40's every day so we took advantage and went to nature school.

Ruth and Tilly.

All the kids wanted lots of pictures of themselves. :)

The view from climbing up a hill.

Eating a cookie from a school lunch and being super cute.

She forgot her coat so I gave her my hat that Kylie made for me.

Tilly took this of me sketching.

Playing in the dried up creek.

Makenna sitting and reading in a warm sunny spot.

Having a campfire and roasting rock marshmallows they put in a stick.

Kaitlyn walking back up to the car carrying all her stuff.

Eating Russian Blinis for dinner. This is Kaitlyn's plate.

Thursday: Alexis's last day of medical terminology and gets a diploma.

The snowflakes were in the way but I love watching Spencer and Alexis hang out and goof off together.

Tilly wanting a selfie before tuck in.

Saturday: Most of the kids went to Aunt Kira's so I just had the two boys. We rode scooters to the park and then came home and had a campfire, played games, and watched Fixer Upper.

Playing a game with Oreos.

Today: My 3 little matching girls. I loved matching with my 3 older ones and miss those days. I'm so glad I still have 3 younger ones. So when I saw these dresses for only $6.49 at Carters I had to get them. It won't be long before they won't fit in matching sizes anymore.

Week ending 1-10-21

We didn't do much this week and only took a few pictures. Monday Madalyn went back to BYU-Idaho. Tuesday my mom and Lori left to drive home to California. We started back up to school at home and the public school classes started as well. Nothing too exciting happened but everyone is well and happy so that's all that matters. 

Last Sunday: Kaitlyn wanted me to take a picture of her feeling particularly pretty wearing a necklace and earrings.

Monday: We wrote our goals for the year and before everyone even had their piece of paper and pencil Anderson had written several. I've never had a child just sound out words and write them down without knowing how to read or asking me how to spell everything. 

His goals: I want to do better front flips

I want to play "Popcorn Popping on an Apricot Tree"

I want to invite my friends over

I want to bear my testimony in church

Wearing the dress my mom gave Tilly for Christmas.

We've had nice winter weather so far this year. Most days are in the low 40's and sunny so we went to the park before picking up Alexis from her medical terminology class.

Again taking a picture for Mama of her new dress.

Friday: Making pizza with a wheat biscuit recipe.

Someone took a picture of their pizza.

Week ending 1-3-21

We had a great New Years's week! My mom and 2 sisters came, we got to go to the Star Valley Temple, and we had a fun NYE. It was nice to not have school or anything else going on but just to hang out with family all week. Trish went back to Bulgaria on Saturday morning and my mom and Lori are leaving tomorrow.

Last Sunday: I love it when all 9 kids are hanging out in the living room. The 5 little kids were eating their Fun Dips from their stocking, Alexis is rubbing Spencer's feet, and the older kids were writing in journals or reading church material.

Madalyn's present finally came: the new Piano Guys 10 music. She sat down and played and Thomas grabbed the cello part and played along.

Alexis and Samuel listened to the concert.

Tuesday: my mom, Trish, and Lori drove here from CA on Monday night. Tuesday morning we hung out combing hair, chatting, and having a reading party.

Madalyn shows Spencer her new gift.

I'm so glad my kids love music.

Tilly and Ruth painting nails.

My mom and sisters took 3 of my girls with them up to Afton, WY for a temple trip.

Good bye!

Trish sent me this picture as they pulled into Afton.

Meanwhile we had a fun popcorn party. :)

Makenna sleeping at the hotel.

Kaitlyn all tucked in.

Wednesday: I left at 6:50 am and drove to Afton to meet up with my mom and siblings. I loved driving the first hour in the dark and then watching the moon set. It was beautiful. It was the first time I've ever driven 3.5 hours in the car alone (that I remember) so it was great. I got a little car sick but otherwise enjoyed listening to conference and podcasts, and having time to think and pray about the new year.

Star Valley Temple where my nephew got his endowments to go on his mission to Fresno, CA.

Thursday: The 5 little kids crowding around Aunt Lori as she reads to them.

Going on a walk in the mansion neighborhood with Alexis, my mom, and 2 sisters.

Some of the food we put out. I thought I took a picture of everything but I guess not.

Alexis and Trish made 5 different kinds of brownies: 4 boxed and 1 homemade. Then we had a taste test to see which one we liked best.

Jaclyn brought her 6 month-old twins over, Madison and Sydney.

Tasting all 5 different brownies. The winner was Betty Crocker followed by Ghiradelli and Pillsbury. The losers were Duncan Hines and homemade (which were made with some food storage flour someone gave us and tasted like storage.)

Kids playing on the floor.

Watching the London countdown at 8pm so the kids could ring in the new year and go to bed.

Friday: Sam and Andy hanging out with Maddie on her bed.

Aunt Lori hugs and kisses.

Bedtime books with Trish.

Playing cards while eating brownies and popcorn.