Finishing up January

 Casey finished up his basketball season with his team this past Thursday. He had three games in the last couple of weeks. His team won one of them, however he's lost a lot of players over injuries so they struggled ending the season. He still has districts and possibly state in the next three weeks with JV and Varsity. Casey got to join the seventh graders and go skiing on Friday. He had a good day on the hills and enjoyed himself! Casey's also been working on building a bench to go at the end of our bed. He's hoping to finish by Valentine's - Can't wait! 

Kendal got to do a Young Women's escape room on the 20th. My Advisors Mom put it together and it was very well done with a sweet message at the end. She got to do a second escape room and watch a movie the very next day at school with the other 5th graders that reached their reading goal in school. This week Kendal made a string art of the temple for Young Women's. She did it on her own and it looks pretty great! Kendal got all A's and a glowing review from her parent / teacher conference this past week. Her teacher loves her eagerness for learning, her wonderful attitude / personality, and said she makes it a joy to teach! Kendal will also be starting an accelerated math program this spring! Today Kendal made some pumpkin doughnuts. One of her young women's goals is to cook something new a couple of times a month and she wanted to do a dessert. 

Peter has had games the last two weeks. His team won both games! Peter is such a good little defender on the court. He does his job well. He attempted a few baskets, and hopes to continue to work on his shooting skills / confidence the rest of the season. For Peter's reading party on the 20th at school they got to watch a movie. He's already working on his second reading goal and I know he'll crush it! Peter received some very good grades as well. He is the highest he's ever been in reading and his (sub) teacher praised his friendliness and good attitude in school. She also said that even in stressful moments she can look over at Peter's ever - smiling face and can't help smile herself. 

Alice is still doing some preschool with me. We're working a lot on letter sounds, and a bit on numbers. She did learn how to spell her last name recently and happily shares when asked. Alice had her 4 yr old check up this past Monday. Despite her picky eating she's growing like a weed. She's in the 80th percentile for height (3 in taller than Kendal and Peter were at her age). and 50th percentile for weight. She's a healthy / thriving little lady! She got her Toddler shots and even though she was very upset in the moment she quickly recovered with a sucker. Alice likes dressing up as a Dr and taking turns with Jemma lately playing Dr. She's also given me a lot of "check ups" (which increased after her well check visit this past week). She also plays dress up every day. This week she had Jemma be a princess and she dressed up as a superhero to save her. (However she forgot the word superhero and called herself a killer in a skirt! - Yep she makes us laugh daily!) She and Jemma seem to be more at odds lately over their play, but it's good for her to share and learn to work with others. 

Alice and I helped at the school library this past Monday (She either goes through dozens of books or the Librarian puts on read aloud book video's for her). I ended up spending half an hour fixing the shelves that Kendal's fifth grade classmates wreaked havoc on during their escape room fun. I took a hard look at our finances this week and we got our taxes done yesterday. We'll continue to work towards a house this year - hopefully with this crazy high market we can get our miracle! Kendal and I both read Diary of Anne Frank this past month. I've read a lot of WWII books in the last couple of years. It's fascinating and heartbreaking all at the same time. Kendal found the book interesting (luckily Anne Frank's book is her perspective of the war being hidden away learning of things through the news instead of witnessing a lot of the horrors first hand). I also worked on a our family photo books. I punched out a couple of books (2018 and 19) within a week so I could get the books on a great discount. Our hard drive containing pictures from our whole marriage broke - I sent it off to get fixed and found out this week it's $550 to restore everything! Can't say that didn't hurt a lot - However these pictures are our lives - so fork over $550 i did : ( . I'm grateful for photos and this blog. The memories they hold are truly priceless! To celebrate the kids wonderful grades we took them on a rare night out to eat. Peter has earned a couple of rewards for Pizza Pie cafe so we went on Friday and enjoyed some pizza! 

Hope

The kids had their dentist appointments last week. All came out with no cavities and clean / shiny teeth. I had Jemma that day so I got to wrangle a wiggly toddler for a longer than expected appointment; thankfully the other three were immersed in their movies the Dentist put on.  This last week was the end of the semester. We're half way through the school year! Both met their reading goals and both are looking forward to Art that starts up this week. 

Casey's back into the swing of school and coaching. He's had five games these past couple of weeks and four more to go before his girls are done. He's still got injured players and his practices and games are filled with trying to work with / without them. It's been one of the most "injuries" in a season that he's ever had. Casey's rolling along in the school year. Besides kids being defiant with masks and sometimes having a rowdy fourth period he's doing good and enjoying his classes / students this year! He's won a few games here and there, but mostly just hopes to end the season on a good note. 

I am rolling along with life. Kids, home life, and Young Women's. My days are full, my sanity is a roller coaster = life. It's fun having Kendal in my young women's group! I'm so lucky to be her first YW leader! I had a training a couple of weeks ago with the Stake. Young Women's is so very different than when I was in it. The girls work on their own goals, they are supposed to take over the church lessons, and activities. (Being the youngest group, we leaders help a lot and have only had a few girls step up and take on activities all on their own.) We as leaders are a support system to help these ladies see / gain their potential as amazing daughters of God! I'm also upset over our extra hard drive crashing a few weeks ago. It has all of our photos from 2006 on. With our laptop crashing last summer I lost every photo I had there also. So I took it into best buy with no luck. They sent it off to some special tech place so I'm hoping and praying I can get those sweet memories restored and back! 

Kendal is in between sports so she has more free time lately. She still has piano, but she gets to fill her afternoons with friends more often these past couple of weeks. She is so social and is loving this down time. Kendal had an orthodontist appointment last week. She's got a few more teeth to loose and gain before she's ready, but it's looking like this summer or fall could start her braces journey. She's made personal goals for herself through the young women / youth program. While a couple are going well she has some work to do on her others. She also crushed and doubled her AR goal. She's working on a special readers award this year and is reading different books to hopefully get it. 

Peter is our busy kiddo these days. He came back from the break to find out his teacher has throat cancer. She is out for the next few months (probably the rest of the school year). She's got surgeries and chemo a head of her. We hope the best for her and pray for her recovery daily. He's got basketball going and we decided to put him in the literacy group that goes after school T / Th till mid march. We're also still trying to have him gain more independence and take charge of his school work. So instead of me pushing / prodding / fighting with him for many hours every day to do homework; it's on his shoulders. This is definitely going to take time and Peter gets to learn sometimes we fail when we don't try. Peter had his first basketball game this past Saturday! His team is the Warriors. They played a good game and Peter did a wonderful job in the game. He was such a great defender and did well in his offence rolls. Casey and I did laugh though on how when he got the ball he tended to go all around the court rather than going into the basket. It was a close game, however the other team pulled out a couple of three's toward the end and ended up winning by two. 

Alice is back in her little groove with Mom. She's happy on days we have Jemma over (even if it's sill a love / argue relationship) because it means a play mate. They play with all of the dress up and go through every outfit multiple times a day. She's obsessed with her dolls, and has enjoyed her calico critters more since her birthday. She's still doing preschool with me, but she has less enthusiasm for the work book theses days. 

  

 Kendal's friends Brook and Meadow lost their father a little over a week ago. It was very sudden passing and quite sad. Kendal and I went to the funeral for him (Tex Vernig). We pray for Dana and her girls and hope they have angels to bless and comfort them at this time. We also have some family members in the midst of trials with life / health. The kids have noticed our prayers to bless ill / down / suffering family and friends who are in need of help have grown a lot. It's hard to explain it all to the kids but we continue to pray, fast, and hope for the best possible outcomes in all situations. I've also grown in my appreciation for God's plan and the knowledge and blessings I have of eternal families along with the gospel and it's light. To add more to life we are apart of an ever chaotic world; between covid and political unrest our worldly issues are very daunting these days. 

 Hope is a big thing for me / us right now. I've had a lot on my mind with hopes for this year, and my family. That hope has shifted and turned outward to the many around me who need hope in their own lives. I'm so grateful for the gift of hope it's a light at the end of a tunnel, it's a rainbow after a storm, it goes hand in hand with faith; most importantly it's something that I can hold on tight to and share with others.  

Alice is 4!

Alice turned four today! Alice is a ray of sunshine in our home! She has such a bright and silly personality that keeps us smiling all of the time! Alice is our girly girl. She loves all things dress up, dolls, music, princesses, etc. She would wear dress up all day every day if I let her! She spent a lot of this last year in her Anna dress. She now has more variety so her outfits change regularly. She loves her dolls. Her big doll, her Barbies, her little princesses, and her calico critters. She enjoys paint, play dough, and being crafty. She's loved doing home school with mommy this fall! We love her personality, she is at such an honest and silly time in life. We are so lucky to have Alice as our caboose! We love you sweet girl! 

I took Alice out yesterday for errands and turned it into a pre birthday outing. Along with errands we got her birthday cupcake from Barnes and Noble, birthday balloons, (which she insisted on handling the rest of the day) and decorations, along with lunch! 

Alice woke this morning to lots of presents. She got spoiled for sure! We set up her new calico critter house that we fully furnished and she got a koala bear family to go with it. My parents gave her a cute unicorn dress that she loves, a big cuddly blanket, a Dr. kit, and a bunk bed set to go with her play house! Aunt Katherine gave her a ballerina doll outfit and some frozen books (perfect because she declared it a frozen two birthday!). Casey's parents gave her a new barbie with fun outfits! She was thrilled with it all. She spent quite a while playing Dr in all of us before she tucked into a long day of dolls of every kind. She and Peter watched Frozen 2 while Kendal and I went to the Virnig funeral. Daddy came home though while we were gone and made the kids Mac and cheese. We had more play time this afternoon. Alice really wanted to help with her cupcakes. (Definitely messy, but she was thrilled, so that's all that matters!) Alice insisted on more noodles for dinner so we had spaghetti! We got to talk to a lot of family today and just play the day away so life is pretty good for this little girl! 

Alice interview, age 4

Favorite color: pink, 

Favorite Activity: playing Barbies

Favorite Food: macaroni

Favorite Animal: unicorn

Favorite song: Let it go

Favorite Holiday: Halloween

Favorite Book: Elsa and Anna

When I grow up: home school, dress up as Elsa 

Nicknames: Ali (she said this, we don't call her Ali, but a few extended family members do), short cake (short for strawberry short cake), peanut, 

At age 4 Alice is 3ft 6 in. and 35lbs!

Christmas Break

 Alice started off the holiday break with some Yoga. Peter and Kendal got to spend some time with friends at the start of the break. 

On Wednesday we made gingerbread cookies. That evening we went out to find some lights! First we went to a botanical garden place in Twin falls. We got to go on a winding path along around the grounds and enjoy all of the plants / tree's lit up. After that we went out to Hansen to the Rock Creek Station and did their little walk that was covered in figures, blow up things, and antique Christmas items. The kids got to see Santa and got a candy cane (Alice cowered in Dad's arms). 

Kendal finished her Harry Potter Advent Calendar just before Christmas. She had a blast and loved opening a door each day to discover what was there and make it! She and Peter have played a lot of Harry Potter Lego play this past month because of it! 

We celebrated Christmas Eve by going to Gemstone Climbing gym (Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa D for the kids' passes). Peter had so much courage that day and made it to the top three times! Along with climbing to the top of the big boulder a few times. We've spent years trying to get him to climb to the top and we were so proud of him for getting there! Casey joined in climbing as well. Kendal loved it all as usual! Alice wouldn't climb anything till the end, when she made a few silly attempts. That night instead of our typical dinner with Brett and Vanessa we stayed home and ate dinner and watched a show together. 

Peter may have come out a few times through the night, but Santa came nonetheless ; ). Peter and Kendal were up and out just before 7. We made them wait in our room till Alice woke up. They were pretty good listening to a story podcast and waiting. Alice came out around 7:40; we listened to the first Christmas story and then went in to see what we got! All three kids were so happy with their gifts. We had a very easy going day playing with presents and just enjoying family time. We got to video message Casey's parents and my family as well! Late afternoon Casey took Kendal and Peter to go shoot arrows with Brett, David, and Becca. The girls mostly played in the car while the boys shot arrows. Casey got a couple of bullseyes! I stayed back with Alice to play dolls : ) 

Peter got a remote control car, and an edible chemistry set from Santa. We gave him a bike, books from his sisters, shirt, sheets, and a few other fun things. He was so very excited to have his much anticipated car and rode it all around the presents the rest of the day. Peter was also very happy to get a set of athletic under clothes. He's worn them endlessly since! He and Casey did some edible chemistry in the afternoon (he liked some things and was grossed out by a couple). 

Kendal got a book lover's set from Santa, a new bike from us, a comforter, books from Peter and Alice, and, and some other fun things. She's so excited to get her library all set, stamped, and recorded! She also got a yoyo that she's been attempting tricks with since then! Kendal also got her "promised" pineapple that we enjoyed. 

Alice received her much anticipated barbie doll from Santa along with some barbie clothes, and doll clothes. She got some dress up from us (that she spent the whole day in : D ), some books from her siblings, and some other fun things. She played the day away with her dolls, and was very happy with all that she got! 

Our family gift this year was an outing to go sledding at Magic Mountain. So off we went Saturday to enjoy some time on the mountain. Alice surprised us and loved sledding. She was overjoyed with it all, had the biggest smile on her face, and just wanted to go over and over again. One of the workers recognized that she had a continuous grin and commented on how happy she was, to which she replied with arms out wide saying "I love it!" . She also ate endless amounts of snow and went through a few pairs of gloves  - but not caring - just loving it all! Kendal had a great time sledding and even went down by herself the last bit we were there. Peter started out fine, but the big drop on the hill put him in a nervous state (actually gave me a start a few times). He let jitters get to him a few times, but he made it through with some courage from Dad. He claims flat sledding  (at Grandpa's shop) is his much preferred way to go. We were so happy with this outing together, and even with some snow coming at us for part of the time we had such a great time together! 

We headed to Logan after church last Sunday. The kids got to open gifts from family and we had a nice meal together. Kendal got headphones, earrings, a build a bear outfit, gloves, shirt,     Peter got a puzzle, headphones, a mandalorian Lego set, build a bear outfits,    Alice got a dress up booklet, gloves, a Tinker Bell costume, and a cute cuddly lama.    Casey got a new tortilla press, a book and we got some goodies, I got new shoes, and the best present - a journal Book of Mormon that my Mom marked with favorite / personal scriptures. We were spoiled as usual, and so grateful for our gifts! We also got a new game Splendor that we enjoyed a lot during the week! Everyone got into the game at some point and we really enjoyed playing it! Below is Alice's favorite part of the week - dancing to music from Grandma's peanuts gang figures. 

Andy and Campbell came up Monday and we had a nice family dinner together. I got to take some dinner up to David and Anica; see their new finished basement, and gush over our sweet nephews (mostly Emmet ; ). 

My mom bought the kids gingerbread so the girls and I made cookies on Tuesday morning and decorated them. I put together some houses that we saved and made with Peter when he came back with Grandpa from the job site where David and Casey were working and my Dad was helping. That night we got to have pinacolada's and watch a Christmas show! 

Wednesday Grandpa took Peter to work (play) with the big boys in Richmond. So all of the girls and I went out to see Nana. Kendal got to see and spend time with Emma while we were there. Linda, Clint, and Tayson also stopped in as well. It was great to see them (haven't seen Clint / Tayson in years). They brought their sweet little yorkie which terrified Alice to no end (she crawled onto my lap and was insistent she stay there all nerves over a little dog that did nothing - mostly sat next to Clint on the couch). Billie came over with Maggie and after a bit Alice was persuaded to join in and play. We needed to head out so Billie offered to bring Alice along later. Alice was spoiled with Maggie and got a build a pet unicorn stuffie. 

Thursday was a very low key New Years Eve. In the afternoon the kids went out to play in the snow. I joined them and we attempted to make a snow hill / slide, which turned into a snow sculpture of a turtle. That night we had pizza and a game night with the kids. No one stayed up till midnight, but sometimes that's just fine and this year it was. 

Friday afternoon we took the kids sledding down at the shop. David, Elliot, and Isaac joined us and the kids had so much fun going around in the sleds. Peter was very happy to whip around behind the four wheeler and took to casting snow balls at us as he passed. Alice was nothing but smiles and stealing snow now and then to lick. Kendal had so much fun and got to drive a bit in the end! Grandpa brought cocoa for a break that the kids happily enjoyed! It was a great time together! That evening we celebrated Auntie Katherine's birthday early with a nice dinner and cake and ended the evening with a movie. 

Saturday was an easy going morning at my parents house. After lunch we got a brief visit by the cousins and got to gush over Baby Emmet again! We went out to Nana's for a bit (poor sweet Nana had fallen a couple days before without us knowing). Breaks my heart to see her down, but I'm grateful her pain isn't too bad. We were very blessed to be healthy and get to see and spend quality time with family over the break, as well as having some good down time at home enjoying our little family! 

We came home Saturday evening. Casey was over the broadcast on Sunday and I had Young Women visits to make. Kendal is an official Young Women now!! It's crazy, yet so awesome! I'm so excited that I get to be her first Young Women's leader. She's coming in with 7 other girls! She's been anticipating this for the past year, and her time has finally come! Peter gets to start basketball this week, and Casey's back in the grind of school and basketball as well.