February 2021

Pumpkin is a lover, and loves to try and sleep with the kids, although she doesn't love when they fall asleep and stop petting her. 

Sully's reading skills are improving! 

I made some more buttercream flower cupcakes. I think they turned out really well! 

Matix and Hawken are in the "Young Men's" organization at our church and they get to participate in lots of group activities. Usually, there are at least three activities a month, sometimes more.  Basketball night was fun, and Paul is one of the leaders, so he always gets to stay and play too. 

Paul's Grandma got her Covid vaccine and we got to take her, since it was very soon after her knee replacement surgery. She could walk fine, but it was a long line, with lots of stops and starts, so we were happy to see they had these wheel chairs all ready for us! 

More snuggles.

My dad's girlfriend, Amanda, sent all the sisters these necklaces that are puzzle pieces that fit together, and our birthstones. It was very thoughtful, thank you Amanda! 

Beautiful sunrise on the way to school. 

Brunch date with Mandy and Heidi, always fun. 

Paul, Solace, Hawken and I are all fire signs and I find these little lists pretty right on for us. 

Lullaby worked hard on her math facts and wanted to beat her own time as she improved. What a smart cookie.

Wearing the earrings Jill made for me from Christmas. Thanks Jill! 

The princess baby's hair style for the day. Several braids, braided together. 

Lunch date to a Peruvian restaurant. The food didn't look especially appetizing, but it tasted really good! 

Heidi and her girls came over for a cookie decorating day before Valentine's Day. It was so fun to have them over. 

I was invited to go to a craft day with a new friend. It was a weird experience for me, as I didn't know her all that well, but I was thankful for the invitation and I liked the little heart wreaths we made, mine are still hung up.

My green faded to a lovely turquoise, but it was time for some new color, and to get rid of all those roots. So... purple it is! 

Helping me decorate the Valentine cookies for the kids, and eating his own creations... I can always count on Solace to be right there when there is food involved. I made the secret note cookies again, and this time tried out a new thing to make it look like they were sealed with a wax stamp. I love how they turned out.

The next morning, on Valentine's Day, the kids were so happy to see what they got. They always get cards from Grandpa Chuck, and a few little goodies, plus cookies and love notes from us, so fun. Happy Valentine's Day.

Paul got me a new magic puzzle for Valentine's Day and we all got to work on it right away. They are so fun! Don't watch the video unless you want to see the secret magic of it all. 

Instagram filters are always fun for seeing new hair colors. The second picture had me wondering about brown! Who would have thought?

Lots of new snow in the neighborhood means lots more sledding, and snowmen, and snow angels. This time Paul was able to come too! 

We had a get together with the women's group at our church, and although it was nice to get out and meet some new people, it was really cold and not as much fun because of all the teeth chattering going on. 

We love a good surprise scare, I got Sully pretty good one time when he was coming down the stairs. So funny.  He got me back later that day, I'm sure.

My dad sent us the Sound of Music after finding out we didn't ever show it to the kids. He was shocked! The kids loved it.  

Paul and his childhood friend, Mason, joined a pickle ball tournament. They won some and lost some, but had a great time. It was mixed ages, but similar ability levels, so they played some kids, and some adults.

Lullaby got to wear some of Avia's earrings to church and she was SO excited, but they are pretty heavy, so that was it and then she switched back to her others afterward.

I got a free bench and decided to paint it. It was white when I got it. I painted it black first, leaving the brush strokes showing on purpose, then I started adding things. So far, suns and leaves. Later on I added more, but not in February. It was a slow process. 

Second shot done! Della didn't have hardly any reactions to the shots and we went out to eat to celebrate. 

Her hair this time is a TALL dutch braid just on top, as requested. 

Whiskey was already asleep at the foot of my bed when Pumpkin cuddled up, just a few feet away. This is about as close as they've ever been. Pumpkin does not like other animals at all. 

The snowy yard is so beautiful. Our crazy kids still love trying to run outside without a shirt on. Weirdos. 

Paul introduced "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" to the kids, and they were less impressed than we had anticipated. Some movies don't age as well as others. :)

We went to the Meadow Hot Springs with the Harmer family and had a blast, as usual, despite the crowd that was already there. 

I got a note on my car on the way to yoga one morning, sweet kids. 

Snuggles with kitties are always a happy thing for both me and this animal lover. 

Matix maintains his position in the family of our resident tooth puller. He got another one! 

Paul and Hawken like to go out to all the new neighborhoods where they are building houses and dig through the dumpsters for scraps of wood to build stuff with, but this time, they found a broken spot light. The wires had been pulled out and they took it apart and rewired it, and made it work again. They were so happy, Hawk especially!