May

May was a hard month but a good one. We'd known for awhile that Spencer's job contract was not getting renewed, so he worked hard applying for jobs that would help keep us in Pacific Grove. In May, we gave up on being able to stay and accepted a job in Olympia, WA, near our families. But life also went on as normal (besides finding boxes, planning the move, getting rid of stuff). 

Here are some highlights:

I took a mental health day for my last trip to Point Lobos (definitely coming back to visit someday!)

I caught these boys being sweet to each other while watching a movie.

Declan promoted from elementary school! He went to Forest Grove for all grades, K-5, and he loved it.

Good Old Days came back to PG after two years of being canceled (pandemic, of course). We all marched in the parade, the boys broke a bunch of boards at the karate booth, Audrey played in the marching band, and we had a great time.

I only got a picture of Audrey on the last day of school, but it's a good one!

Family board game time (before I started packing them all up!)

Spencer had a birthday and there was pie.

 

April

Some fun times in April!

Audrey was the high scorer at a youth activity playing human hungry hippo. 

Declan is a good helper!

Ian earned his green belt and Declan earned his brown belt--both broke boards too. It was a tough test: 2 1/2 hours with no breaks!

Declan had a fun birthday party with his friends. We played minute to win it games, ate pizza and junk food, and I made a delicious oreo ice cream cake.

Easter afternoon walk. We did an egg hunt around the house, dyed hardboiled eggs, and had a yummy dinner. And of course we went to church and participated in the musical numbers. But this is the only picture I took on the whole holiday. 

My kids love screen time, but usually they do something solo. I loved this moment of the two boys playing Kirby together and laughing, talking, and having fun.

I took Ian to his honors night--highest honors for his GPA!

My amazing friend Lisa threw me a big party for my birthday (about a week after the day). It was epic: Hawaiian theme, delicious food, wonderful company, karaoke, balloons, and lots of laughter.

Here's the family on my actual birthday. The day was full of love--my kickboxing class spoiled me, Spencer made me a raspberry trifle, and we took the whole family to dinner at Oceanside Lalla Grill.

I got to see Rent for the first time. It was a great show. I had to go alone because Spencer got sick but I enjoyed some me time doing one of my favorite things.

We had a rare warm day, in the 80s, so I hit the beach for an hour before going back to reality. I tried to read but I just kept looking at the ocean. And talking to Spencer, who came with me. The kids weren't interested in coming along and they had homework. Mostly they didn't want to miss out on video game time. But their loss--I enjoyed getting outside.

 

March

 In March: Spencer went to Hawaii with his parents, I went to Puyallup, WA to visit and help my parents (my mom had knee replacement surgery), and Ian turned 13. Not many photos were taken, but here's a few!

Oakland, CA temple grounds

Gorgeous Enumclaw, WA: hike with my brother Ben

Pacific Grove beauty

My parents' neighborhood

Spencer having a grand time with his parents!

January and February

Some fun moments from the last two months:

A visit to the Aquarium, Cannery Row, and Oceanside Lalla Grill

Walking in the woods

Tide pool outing--King tides!

Pfeiffer Falls hike

Sunday walk

Audrey wins best director at church activity

First time to Pinnacles National Park

Ian was in his first play: Seussical the musical Jr. He had a blast in his role as a Wickersham brother (naughty monkey).

Board game day, Spencer went on a Dr. Pepper run for his two redhead girls. :)

Grandma sent the kids a bit of cash in a Valentine's day card, and the kids cashed in for a Subway sandwich lunch (they are really into going to Subway whenever they can these days).

Life these days has challenges, but the greatest blessings I see are my relationships with my husband and three kids. We are close, happy, and enjoy spending time together. There's some sibling contention, which I hope will improve, but ultimately we are living simple lives of joy and I am so grateful.