February

We had a week off in February, so the kids and I went on adventures--this was a day out to Curiodyssey in San Mateo with the Bernardses. We love our time with them! 

Declan's Song of Sedna play--he has the best second grade teacher!

Declan and Audrey finally finished their cross-stitch projects!

Awesome kindness display at Forest Grove!

Ian's CA history field trip. I love this one. They get to do interactive things like making rope, cooking, stamping leather, playing games, embroidery, and Ian got to be in a little play that teaches about the Custom House on the Wharf.

I honestly don't remember taking this. The weather was SO bad all month, even took our power out for a couple days. I feel like I spent all of Jan and Feb inside, but apparently I went outside at least one time.

Spencer is still enjoying his karate classes. He earned his orange belt this month!

Roommate reunion

Jan 31-Feb 3 I went to St. George (flying to Vegas) for our 20 year roommate reunion. We all met 20 years ago when we started college at Ricks College in Rexburg, ID. Six of the girls lived together, and they adopted me in, and then I lived with them second year, while one lived off campus, and then then when another graduated early, she moved back in with us. Only four of the seven could make it to this reunion, but we had a blast. We hiked at Snow Canyon, got massages, ate delicious food, got sodas, made cookies, hung out in Vegas (and met up with another friend from Ricks days, Amber), and talked A LOT. I love my girls!

Michelle was our host--she lives in St. George and we stayed at her house while her sweet husband took the kids away to visit his brother. I want to visit Michelle all the time--I love spending time with her!

January

Fun day out at the Aquarium before heading back to school. 

Ian played a season of YMCA basketball Jan-Mar. He had fun.

We found a rainbow at the boys' school. The weather all month was cold, wet and windy! 

Merry Christmas

In December we had some great Christmas cheer. We toured the Streets of Bethlehem in Salinas--amazing! 

 We had a fun ward party complete with photo backdrop.

Some of my church friends: Emily, Shauna, me, Carolynn, and Bonnie

We went to a very fun White Christmas dinner party--all dressed in white!

We also toured Christmas at the Inns--really enjoyed it but do not recommend bringing children, and probably wouldn't do it more than every few years. We enjoyed baking and plenty of other fun activities, concerts and events. I love Christmas!

Christmas break

We had a fun Christmas day--presents and dinner at the Bernardses.  Santa somehow knew just what they wanted, even when three days before Christmas, Declan just had to have Santa bring him a compass. That Santa is pretty great.

 Mr. B and I decided to buy him a pricey board game he really wanted, Gloomhaven, and we spent a lot of Christmas break playing it (fun!), other games, watching movies, reading books, lazing about and eating cheese and chocolate. It was perfect.

Audrey celebrates

We sure celebrated this girl! A day out on her actual birthday, with manicures, shopping, dinner at Lalla Grill, and a cake (all with her friend Claire), and then a weekend party (board game themed) with her school friends (who wore me OUT). 

First manicure!

Finding all the birthday stuff at the mall (but not actually buying it...)

Happy birthday Audrey!

Audrey turned 12! She has become a beautiful, talented young woman, and we are proud of her.

Christmas season begins

Our ward had a fun Christmas dinner with this great photo booth--we all had fun playing with it!

November

The day after Halloween was the first warm day in a long time--we headed to the beach!

Thanksgiving brought Paul to visit, and a fun sighting of a sea lion!

My dream came true when I got to see a Broadway production of Aida. It was amazing!

Declan was the cutest in his class Thanksgiving play.

We did "Christmas at the Inns" this year, touring several B&Bs all decorated for the season, with music and treats. Delightful!