To Do

When I think back about my life as "mother" I'm sure I'll go to this place in time.  Right now.  A schedule filled with bigs and littles, teens and tweens, and a very busy husband.  This post is simply my routine to do list week after week (actually last week), although incomplete. (How apropos because my  to do list is never complete.)
1. Entertain Ed.  We play at least five cards games every morning once scriptures are completed.  He then plays play-doh while I do breakfast dishes.  He's showing off his"Olaf."

2. Weekly dates with Austin to hole in the wall Mexican joints.  Where I pretend that I wear make up and leather jackets.  

 3.  Feed my 18 pound baby all night.

 4.  Attend YW events.

 5.  Feed my same baby all day.

 6.  Look for new recipes to feed the rest of us.  I tried a collared green twice baked potato last night.  Delish.

 7.  Happily talk on the phone to Dearest and dear sisters.

 8.  Make sure homework is complete and correct.

 While keeping these two happy.

And holding this one.

 Keeping him with his nose in books instead on screens.

 9.  Make all sorts cookies and casseroles and veggies.  I was accused in the market for being a juicer!  No siree, I eat all of these veggies.  I think I had one of every thing in my cart.

 10.  Feed this baby until he is sleeping.

11.  Run 3 miles on Saturday mornings.

 Follow it up with yoga.

 11.  Kiss this baby boy all over.

12.  Kiss this big boy all over.

 13.  Make dinner every night but Friday.

 14.  Bathe those little buns every morning.  He told me to find him...he was hiding.  How could I not?

This is hardly exhausting to post because it seems so routine.  Every night I climb into bed worn out.  I love this phase of my mortal motherhood!

Finally

I pretty much went all through school without receiving a "student" anything award.  I was thrilled that Meg was chosen for December as the IB student of the month.  Her awards assembly was boring, but she deserved that award.  I love her smug expression.

 This girl stuffed six chocolate balls into her mouth.

 This boy played in the snow in our yard!

 This mom made popcorn and cookies for a Sunday afternoon snack.  Thanks, Kimmie, for the Andes mint chips and corresponding recipe.

And, most of these items are insta repeats, sorry.

New Year

 Whilst making the menu for this past week, which means I go around the table and each of the members suggest a dinner entre, Austin requested sushi and was quite serious about it.  I made that happen thanks to Amazon sushi bamboo kit, Walmart for the seaweed, and Bonzai Bistro for the chop sticks.

To be fair, Austin helped me prepare and eat it.  The younger children went hungry, except for the fortune cookies they ate prematurely.

 But not Mr. Cuddles, he loved the rice.

 Am I going to make it again?  Yes.  Do I need a few sides so the others aren't starving?  Yes.

Utah Vacay

The rest of our Utah holiday vacation was completely enjoyable.
3rd Annual Girls' Day (babies Beckham and Ryan were also invited.)

 Veggie lunch

 "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"

 Nap time

 Maisie's biannual hair cut.

 Our New Year's Eve party in the great room.

 What?  A kissing selfie.

 Thursday was roller skating.

 Late-night chats with Jib and Dearest.

 First time at a Sushi House.  Delish!

 Bowling followed.  This is the only picture of the event. I did capture my 91 year old Grandfather on film getting a spare and dancing afterwards.

 Driving home through the Grand Canyon valley filled with inverted air and then snow on the ground at home.

Utah, I love you!  Until summer when we come again.

December 28th

Church was fantastic today. Brother Purdy played the organ, I chatted with Erin in the hall, and I sat beside Grandma Goodell in Relief Society.

 Evening hours spent almost winning dominoes.  I sat and played a game!  Which means we laughed, ate treats and simply loved being together.  Austin's expression tells you he was losing, badly.

My 34th Birthday

Yes, I'm old.  But I'm quite happy about it.  I spent the day being loved and loving all my family.  Austin took me snow shoeing and the freshly fallen snow was powdery, and the atmosphere was still.

I spent the afternoon wandering around Tai Pan with Ashley, Mom and Grandma.  We looked at everything we wanted.  Bliss.

 Home again to a lovely meal and birthday festivities with all my peeps.

 Haley and I often celebrate juntos.  We missed Gabby this year.

 My glorious folks.

 Our babies are three weeks apart in age.  We are six years.

 Sibbies at the party.

 Part of the gathering.

 One of my favorite pictures.

Today feels good.  I could easily list 34 reasons to love life and feel blessed.  Tonight baby is ready to be put to bed, but I must come back and record.