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Saturday, March 31, 2018

March

Boys' glow dance (Ian went too)
Date hike at Fort Ord
Date night at Exodus Escape Room
Happy birthday Ian! We took his friends to see A Wrinkle in Time and back home for cake and playtime.
Fun times with Josh, Audrey, Declan, Claire, Porter, Mako, Coner and Boston.
My cute readers
Pi day! The Smiths joined us for a dinner of pie and ice cream.

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Laura's birthday weekend

I spontaneously flew up to WA to celebrate my sister's birthday. We had a wonderful girls' weekend!
Metropolitan Market--the cookies, yogurt, treats, yum! 
Anthony's sea food!
Mekong Thai--a favorite! The mango and sticky rice was WOW.
Mani-pedis with Laura and Lindsey
A lovely visit with Grandma Gayle
One morning I awoke to snow! It melted quickly. I loved my visit!

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Jan and Feb at the Briens

The first two months of 2018 were mellow and normal and it was so nice to have a slower pace. We had some beautiful days to be outside, too!
 We had fun at Forest Grove night at the high school girls basketball game. The kids got to shoot hoops at halftime and get jerseys again. And of course, buy concessions, their favorite part.
Audrey did a dance clinic and performed at halftime at a game a couple weeks later, too. 
My parents and Ben came to visit us over President's day weekend. We had a lovely time with them. Also, my kids remembered their cross stitch and had fun getting back into those. Such concentration!
 Ian and Declan passed their purple belt test. All the kids are struggling between enjoying karate and hating it, but I think it's worth it to keep them in and teach them hard work and discipline. 
 We have been enjoying nice family time, with movie nights at home, baking or making ice cream cones, and enjoying quiet weekends together, doing chores and yard work and taking it easy.
 I caught Declan engaged in a book--such a rare and beautiful sight! I hope he becomes an avid reader like the rest of his family members. 

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Christmas break road trip to the Croxalls

The day after Christmas, we piled into the car and drove to Provo, UT, stopping in Vegas on the way there and back. On our first stopover in Vegas, we walked around and showed the kids some of the sights. We then stayed a night with my friend Michelle in St. George, and the next five nights with the Croxalls, our beloved long distance friends!
 We took a trip to the Bean museum and the Nickel City arcade, but mostly our time in Provo was at the Croxall home, playing board games.


 We got to spend NYE together, and went to the Kryscynksis, another friend from our GA days--fun and surreal to all be together again in Utah.

Monday, December 25, 2017

Christmas fun

Merry Christmas from the Briens! We had a fun month celebrating, including cookie decorating with friends, a girls day for me making gingerbread houses, lots of baking, concerts, seeing lights and remembering Christ. 

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Happy birthday Audrey

Audrey turned 11 and decided to get her ears pierced for her birthday! She brought her friend Claire along and then we all went to Lalla Grill afterward to celebrate our beautiful daughter.