It's All About Family

It's always a wonder what the children play when avoiding work and devices are not the option.  We're back to Monopoly again.

I choose to use my finest minutes in study every morning.  This is my morning pile.😁

We're studying Georgia O'Keeffe this week.

He's really good at it.

He always starts out strong.

Just a little note I found beside my water glass. (-Ed's)

I crocheted this snake for a little boy at church.  He seemed quite pleased.

Thursday morning (just three days after coming home from Utah) I flew to Utah for the express purpose of celebrating Mother's 70th birthday.  The local sisters found us accomodations and fed us famously.  Only the two nursing babies (both boys) were allowed.  We spent the evening listening and loving, chatting and snacking.

Friday morning, Mom's birthday, we stretched and landed for breakfast in a snow globe.  Natalie was our DJ, and our server was quite patient with the extra orders of pancakes and the spilled water.Birthday Breakfast

The after a bit of light shopping, we gathered for sweet converstation filled with understanding and complete communication.  It was really unifying.

The 4:30pm dinner appointment was another surprise, because the five brothers were there!  Mark and John drove from their far-way homes, which meant that Mother and her 11 children were all gathered around her to sing, celebrate and love her. Birthday Dinner (Blast my incorrect harmony.)

Then we sung again with real cupcakes.  The rest of the evening all 12 of us sat in a circle and listening to the teenage glory days of Rick and John, with a few interjections from Jim and Mark.  Kimmie taught us a new game, and we watched as John's luck was unsurmounted and Rick's luck was nonexistent.  Typical.  We all found sleep at midnight when Jim started getting ready for bed, and we soon followed.

Satruday morning we took the Birthday Girl shopping.  

Then we drove home to her house where her posterity was waiting to celebrate our angel mother.  She cried and laughed and just beamed.

Two of my eight babies were there as well.

Andy's mutual count was up to 1,088 "likes" in three days.  I guess he takes a different girl out at least 4 nights a week.  Luckily he balances work and school as well.  He's a lovely adult.

Sunday morning was a roadtrip to Pocatello.  Maisie and I found a very happy couple complete with two happy babies.  We rushed to church wherein Meg and I each held a baby and chatted in the halls for two hours.  Good times.  Best times.  Glorious times.

Winnie Boo Boo

I'm really getting used to this "grandma thing," but I'm not getting used to the fact that I love this little family so much -- more that words express.

Little-mommy

Photo Opp

Sisters

My three oldest are really focused in their own pursuits, and yet, they know what is most important and most rewarding.  

Nick and Maddie are not featured.  They have begun tennis and track, and are only home 12 hours, and they sleep 8 of those and do homework the other 4.

January Ends

Sunday we fasted, so that next week we didn't have to fast in the car.  We three live in a house with five boys.  With Meg and Maisie gone and Andy home, we three are out numbered in so many ways.  But, we did match at church.

Studying juntos.

I had a million meetings and responsibilities, but they didn't.  Nick won Catan.

Meg sent me this.  My fat baby is so cute.

Cousin Kate S. sent us Flat Stacey.  Molly and I showed her a real good time in AZ.

I even included a little crocheted cactus souvenir.

Reading hammocks for the win!  70* and a require novel is an epic sum.  I didn't hear from them for six hours each school day.

Sourdough seed bread.  Goated.

Sourdough English muffins.  Snarfed.

AHAHHAHHA!  I have officialy gone down another scholastic rabbit hole.  We are studying the lives and works of famous artists.  Most days we recreate masterpieces.  My darlings can recognize 40 famous works and name their artist.  (I think it's a great game.)

Ryan's "The Scream" by Edvard Munch.

Eddie's "Son of Man" by Rene Margritte.

Molly's "Out of the Frame" by del Caso.

An experiment.  These doughs were started at the same time.  Can you tell which is sourdough driven and which is yeast driven.  Nope.  You can't.

Molly made cookies.  I ate cookies.

This newborn baby boy is leaving me for BYU Provo.  We work out everyday.  He somehow gets gains, I just put along.  I  no longer make HGH.  Boo.

Friday we drove to Highland.  Molly was squooshed between the two big boys.  They used every bit of her seat (whilst she was still in it), and they stunk.  

Some moments they were awake.  The three in the back row were neither heard nor seen.

Once we finally arrived in Provo, we visited Maisie and her dorm mates.  She fed us hot cookies and gave us the grand tour of their lovely dorm.  Their little place is filled with love and brightness.  

She even sang to us.

Austin took us to the Bean Museum for a quick tour of the main floor.  My children were quite entertained and entertaining.  Once we arrived at Mother's, she fed us and gave us warm and clean beds.  Every person was in their own bed, and that means she had so much laundry when we left.  I know that bringing big people for a visit produces quite a large footprint.  It's very kind that she let us fill up all her beds, nooks and crannies.

We three went and bought temple clothing for Maisie!  (She asked me to crochet strawberries for her.  I did.). 

Then, off to the temple we went where she made sacred covenants with God.  Her face and soul were filled with light.  She was literally glowing.  We're so proud of her.

Meg drove down for the session, so I had all eight of my children gathered about me.  Life is is grand.

Group hugs!

Sunday we went to church with Grandma Kim, and said our goodbyes to every one big in our world.  Nick said it best, "Well, we're going home to our small family again."

Our bigs sure love our littles so much.  Our little sure love our bigs so much.

We are blessed.

Practically the Von-Trapps

I spoke in the Sedona ward sacrament meeting, so naturally I asked my children to come and sing with me.  We relearned "Tree of Life" and sang.  (Andy and Austin sat out, and I poorly accompanied.). Ward members were so glad to have a musical number.  Family choir serves us so well.

We're really into peanut butter popcorn.  Peanut Butter Popcorn. 

Sunday night Grandma arm wrestled the children -- she was the winner and giggled.

Best study buddies.

Molly still uses her lunch veg and creates faces.

I baked this pretty little cake with Ermine frosting.  Do it.  Ermine Frosting

TREE OF LIFE FHE: This year was pretty great.  We had a rod of iron and a tree filled with jelly fruits.  The children each took a turn walking to me as I beckoned them to come and partake.  

Evening study.

I baked this sourdough chocolate loaf.  It was pretty magical.  

Molly's crack on the underside of her toe was really bad, so she used the shopping cart as her crutch for a few days.  Cracks are the worst.

School in session.

A seeded sourdough loaf.

Massage moments.

I navigated the ski adventure this week.  Austin had schoolboard meetings, Andy had classes and work, and Nick and Maddie couldn't miss again so soon.  70 miles north is a winter wonderland.  Eddie acted just as Austin would have:  He remembered where we parked the car, he noticed where the shuttle pick up was, he carrried the backpack with lunch, he made sure Molly had all her gear, and he came up with the best plan to ensure that our long waits in line were worth it, "Ryan, let's take as long as we can going down."  Mollly zooms right on down, I slowly make my way.  Once Eddie was waiting off to the side in the tree line -- "Ryan had a bit of a crash."  They wait for each other.

Perfect bluebird sky day.

Saturday was our stake youth Brand New Year.  My presidency and I were in charge of 130 youth and leaders for seven hours.  First we served a two hour shift at the "Feed My Starving Children" project.  Then we went to the Mesa temple for proxy baptisms, 2024 youth theme introduction, games, music and snacks and dinner.  I came home exhausted.  

Ryan played a few football games.  

 Maisie had a fun adventure on Utah Lake.  She writes tons of papers and reads lots of books.  We are excited about her upcoming temple covenants.

Melijah and the babes moved!  They spent the week unpacking and finding their new normal.  The babies cheeks are filling out, and everyone is healthy.  She makes so much milk.

Sad news:  Austin's favorite band is coming to Vegas, but he was busy at football and I was busy in Mesa, so we didn't buy tickets.  We are very, very sad.