Jan/Feb 2023

Some highlights:

Audrey played in the pep band at basketball games. Declan got her this mustache accessory for her trumpet.

Audrey painted a cute ceramic gnome at YW activity.

Declan and I did a puzzle. He keeps making me play chess with him, too, and I'm terrible. And I don't enjoy it. But I like making him happy.

Spencer took the boys on a hike nearby.

I caught Declan being contemplative and thought he was adorable.

Love this.

On a family walk on The Evergreen State College Campus. I love the flora here.

Audrey and I took a walk and found Narnia. I know.

It snowed again! The kids got a day off of school and the boys spent a few hours playing and sledding in it. Good thing because it was gone the next day.

We also went on a trip to Monterey--post coming soon!

 

Trip to Monterey

 We miss our Pacific Grove/Monterey home. But we are settling here in Washington. The kids had a few days off school, plane tickets were cheap, and I figured, why not visit our old home? Spencer couldn't come because of work, but he was supportive of our adventure (as usual, he's so awesome).

We can't wait for the next trip! We kept saying to people, hopefully this summer. I'm going to need to substitute teach a LOT more to make it happen...

Christmas break

We had an amazing Christmas morning: big breakfast, church (where Spencer, Deco and Audrey played a brass trio with the choir), and gifts. Then we headed up to Puyallup for a family dinner. I loved it.

Winter break was super fun--we kept busy! We met up with Monterey friends at Defy (trampoline park), and some of my siblings/family joined us too. I laughed and played so hard, I was sore for a few days. And Ian was delighted to see his friend Mako.

A Christmas dinner photo. My sister Laura was in town for two months to be with her new grandbaby. I adored every second I got to spend with her--she lives in Texas now.

We surprised the kids with a Christmas gift of a day at Great Wolf Lodge. So fun. I love that place, especially the crazy water slides. We might have to go again for no reason one of these days (but it's pricey!). We partied hard over winter break, but we also had some good down time. I ended up not feeling great on NYE, so we were mellow at home, and it was actually very nice. We'd hoped to have one last party with my family while all my siblings were in town, but we'll meet up again soon, I'm sure!

 

December Delights

We celebrated Audrey's 16th birthday at our house with an extended family dinner. I finally got to hold this perfect baby (my niece's first).

For a birthday gift, Spencer took Audrey to the Olympia Symphony--a John Williams tribute. Audrey is a fan of his compositions (as are most of us!)

(fake snow machine--the ambience for the concert was very cool)

Photo of Declan with his church class. This is his last month in Primary and in January he begins the youth program for 12-18 year olds. No more Primary kids in this house, and that's bittersweet.

It snowed! We had a couple of late starts for school, Declan had a blast building snowman and throwing snowballs, but it was fairly short-lived. He got some snow gear for Christmas and hopes for more snow.

Cute pic of my dad and Deco in beanies.

Ian, prepping for a band concert and looking sharp. All three kids did great in their holiday band concerts. 

November

November was full of family time, fall leaves, starting Pandemic Legacy 2 (Spencer, Bonnie and Audrey playing; it's an ongoing board game), Thanksgiving, and normal life. It's starting to feel a lot more like home the longer we are here in Washington.