Lovers Day Special

Between school and the actual day,
Lindi had about 3 different heart inspired hair-dos for Valentines day.

This was the only one I got a picture of.

The Evans hosted their annual Lip Sync party!
This year we (tried) to do dancing with the person behind you using their arms as yours, to a mash

up of different songs. 

Little people wanting to be involved make things tricky, ha.

Who let the Dogs Out?

And these New Kids on the Block were the only other pictures I got of the night.

Sunday was Valentines Day this year.
We invited Grammy over for brunch.
Crepes and bacon with fancy glasses to hold our fresh squeezed OJ.

Grammy had a mystery dinner at her house!

The kids had choices to mark on their menu.

It was in a secret Lovers code, so they weren't sure if they would get

a baked potato, or mashed until it was served to them. 

The adults were in charge of putting together all of the orders and serving them to the kids.

With all of the grandkids we have, it got a little crazy keeping track!

But they enjoyed it.

 

Something froze over, and a certain animal flew

There is a first for everything.
Never in a million years would I have thought this would happen, but it did.

We puppy-sat over a weekend.

I know, I'm still in shock I agreed to it.

Miss Winnie came and made my children the happiest they ever could have been!

I was second guessing myself when not 5 minutes after she had been
dropped off she barfed on my carpet!

She is not completely trained so her Taj Mahal came with her!

Such a cute fluff ball.

This little booger made it difficult to enjoy the dog.

Every minute she was whining that it was her turn to hold her.

Or opening up her pen at 7 am and letting the dog out to pee on the floor.

4 year olds and puppies are super fun:)

That sass.

Lindi had some of her school friends over for a play date.
They were chomping at the bit for a snack so I
 whipped up a kid friendly charcuterie board!

It's funny how a different presentation made them devour the

 mediocre snack they would have turned their noses up at if had been served on a paper plate!

Rusty started Spring basketball games.

This pretty thang gets his hair and makeup done every Sunday after church!

No words.

And its rare to find her conked out during the day. 

Lindi got a new primary teacher, Sis Wells,  and she is the best!

If only we could have in person primary to enjoy her!

In the meantime she goes above and beyond to stay connected to her class.

Priesthood

Rusty was ordained to the Aaronic priesthood.

How is this even possible?

He got to pass the Sacrament right afterwards.

My sweet Rusty boy, so grown up.

He is such a joy.

I love him so much, and grateful to have 3 priesthood holders in our home now!

What a blessing to have 2 close cousin friends on each side of the family.

These 4 are best buds and I love the relationship they have with each other.

Elder Burch was getting transferred so the missionaries stopped by to say goodbye.
We have loved having them over, such great missionaries!

And of course have a leaf war!

 

A New Year, FINALLY!

BUH BUY 2020!!

We hosted the party at our house again.

Instead of making sushi, we ordered in and added $150 of pizza and wings.

Yes, we know how to party!!

The kids played outside in the streets the whole night while the grownups hunkered 

down in the warm house playing ripple... with consequences!

Got geared up for the new year.

My mom found this gem on her phone the next day.

Oh goodness.

Round one of fireworks.

Casey whipped up some waffles and bacon knowing we like to party late.

 

Somehow, every one of my children lasted until 1am.

I don't know if I should be proud or scared. 

Christmas time, is the BEST time!

It was a busy Christmas season!

Which was just fine with us.

I was nervous Christmas would be canceled because of Covid.

We met up in a parking lot with the Goodman clan to

load into 3 trucks to check out the Illumination of Lights!

Our truck had me cracking up.

Squished in like sardines.

I hopped in the back of Jesses truck where Kristen and I had the
 place to ourselves!
We ended up chatting the whole time,
not paying much attention to the lights. 

I guess the little elves from the North Pole heard the begging and pleading from our kids

that we are the ONLY family without an elf on a shelf. 

We woke up to BLIZZARD sitting on our counter!

Such a surprise.

It was as if we were going to Disneyland. 

Our neighbor gifts this year were not something I typically would do.

However, very fitting for the mess we've been dealing with lately.

We just love the Cotters!

Judy and I planned a Cookies and Company night

at her house one Sunday evening.

Nothing fancy, just a much needed neighborhood gathering 

of in person interactions and socializing!
It was good for the soul.

Santa made an appearance!

Grammy had her Christmas dinner and activities!

Playing the left, right, left game with presents. 

And the nativity!

Traditional gingerbread cookies and Christmas light looking with the Evans!

White elephant adult exchange at Grammy's with a few
 being broadcasted through the television.

The technology these days are mind blowing!

Christmas Sunday!

Party at the lake on Christmas Eve!

Thank you Piatchitellis for the invite.

The grand finale was Santa spreading joy on the surf board.

The people on the Dolly Steamboat got their money's worth that day!

We met up with Jesse and Kristen's family, and Grammy for 

dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

Then played the dice game!

It came down to these 2 fighting over the jackpot.

Lucky Jesse got the 4 and it was game over.

Writing Santa a note and plating some cookies for him to enjoy.

The calm of Christmas before the hurricane of wrapping paper,

card board boxes,  and small plastic pieces strewn about!

Matchy, matchy Christmas day with my girlies!

The highlight of the day was holding the Evans new puppy, Winnie!

I am NOT a dog person, but that girl was growing on me big time.

We enjoyed the rest of the day with both of our families.

Grammy made us special Papa pillows out of his long sleeved shirts!

Our glory days as parents have arrived!

We came home bushed to the girls begging us to set up their Barbie resort.

Without asking, the boys jumped in and put it all together themselves!!

Best gift they could have gotten us.

The fun didn't stop Christmas day!

We went out to the desert with the Rudd's the next morning.

 

Our gift to our parents was a trip to the McCormick train light display!

It was cold!!

But a pretty decent display.

And with that, December was a wrap!