Week ending 2-14-21

 

Last Sunday: Makenna's 9th birthday. She made a wheat/spelt flour sugar cookie cake. It turned out really good and was eaten in a few days verses cakes that usually sit here all week.

We decorated it to be a gymnastics cake.

After we finished the cake I took 7 kids for a walk and found Spencer hanging out on the grass with his girlfriend. I took this to show Lori what nice weather we've been having in February.

Alexis wanted me to take a picture of the clouds.

Climbing our favorite Sunday tree. (We only take this walk on Sundays.)

7 kids in the tree!

Alexis wanted to go in age order so she moved to the top but then Talea wouldn't get out of the stroller and back into the tree.

When she finally did she was grumpy about it. But here are 7 kids in age order up in our favorite tree.

Back at home we had a nice lasagna dinner then Makenna lit her candles and blew them out.

I miss Kylie and Madalyn. Some days feel so empty without them like celebrating Makenna's birthday. But I'm so grateful I still have 8 children left at home and cherish every moment when they're all home having fun together.

She got a costume, doll dress, legos, 2 leggings, and a couple of cards.

Thomas spent the evening making cool things out of popsicle sticks. No glue used, he just tucked them under each other to hold them in place. Then when he dropped it, it would explode like a firecracker. He made lots of them in all different shapes. He's so inventive!

Tuesday: Wearing her new leggings.

Wednesday: During lunch I looked up and saw Talea eating with both hands. She was so funny.

Thursday: We went to 2 nature schools this week and loved the nice weather and running free in nature.

The boys' fort.

Kaitlyn made Finnish cardamon rolls in our study of Finland this week. She also made a delicious dinner of tilapia, dill potatoes, oranges and peaches, and asparagus.

I took this screenshot to send to Brady and show him it looks like a snowy week ahead finally. We've had such warm dry weather this winter. I've loved it, but I know we need moisture.

I told him I was ready for a week of reading and staying indoors with popcorn and chocolate.

Alexis off to her first dress rehearsal of Hunchback of Notre Dame.

While she was gone the girls and I inventoried our vast collection of dolls and equipment. We have collected so much since moving here!

It was supposed to start snowing in the morning but at 3pm it was finally changing from rain to snow.

The 3 girls who hang out together all day and often stay for dinner at each other's houses.

Kaitlyn, 10, Lydia and Makenna, 9.

Valentine cookie plates.

Week ending 2-7-21

 

Last Sunday: I took the 5 little kids for a walk to get out of the house and enjoy the mild weather on the last day of January while Spencer and Alexis were at mission prep.

I think they were pretending to drive somewhere.

I love Talea hanging out with Spencer, the youngest and oldest in my home right now.

Spencer doing this cool trick of sliding a cup then tossing a ball to bounce off the wall and land in the cup as it comes to a stop. I love all my kids hanging out in the kitchen on Sunday nights having a good time.

Trying on masks a friend sewed for us. I sent her these pictures to thank her.

Monday: Day 1 of a week of great Swiss meals made by Alexis as we studied Switzerland.

Today's was alpmagronen and stewed apples and it was delicious.

Makenna and her friend Lydia measuring to see who was taller. Lydia is 2.5 months older.

Tuesday: Sending Madalyn birthday cards. I wish I had a copy of the cute cards the kids have written people over the years, but taking a picture will have to do. This was from Kaitlyn.

Playing at the park.

Alexis had a late rehearsal and couldn't make Swiss food but Makenna did a makeup meal of Iceland food that she never made during her week. We had shrimp, tilapia, and flat bread. Plus our traditional Groundhog's Day breakfast we saved for dinner when everyone was home: cream of wheat w/a peanut butter groundhog. It was a fun dinner!

Spencer made a huge pita bread fish sandwich. :)

Slumber party on the basement floor.

Wednesday: For Julianne's birthday lunch we had stromboli and brownies just like we used to when we took stromboli to the park and cemetery. Today we had a little movie party instead. I made the stromboli and Alexis made delicious brownies from scratch.

For dinner Alexis made us Swiss cheese fondue with French bread and chicken that was delicious.

If you drop your piece of bread or chicken you have to kiss your neighbor.

Then we had a chocolate fondue for dessert.

Thursday: Playing airplane.

Friday: Tilly and Ruthie playing ballet.

Another Swiss dinner: raclette.

Tilly came up to me with my purse and said she should have it because it matched her dress. I couldn't get a good picture because she walked away, but it was really cute.

Makenna's 9th birthday party. Turns out all 5 girls needed a babysitter for the afternoon so with 4 hours to spend, they first watched a movie, then drew silly people, then played the candy bar game.