Colored Eggs and Polish Plums

Would it surprise you to know that the kids aren't always super jazzed to engage in our holiday happenings? But what am I supposed to do? 

NOT color the eggs? 

I'm fairly certain that would mark the end of the end. 

We forge on. 

In other news...Ethan made friends with a "girl" from "Poland" while playing a video game. They agreed to send each other classic snacks from their respective countries. Ethan paid $175 to ship a box of Kit Kats, Doritos and other American delicacies overseas. 

I was convinced some middle aged Polish guy was enjoying his treats and having a good chuckle until a box showed up today!

The chocolate covered plums and sesame snacks were pretty good! But far and away the best were the Prince Polo candy bars. And they sell them on Amazon!  Faith restored.

 

Ethan's Endowment

 Some days are just.... happy.

Laney and the teen years!

 Laney eased right into 13 with a friend party! Many of her dear ones were able to come celebrate with her!

I am so in love with her cute smile and her braces! Iconic!

We also had our family celebration on her actual birthday, since it fell on a Sunday. We started the day off with french toast, one of Laney's faves. 

She did have to go to church, but was allowed to skip out on performing at the piano recital...BIG birthday bonus. 

She chose a red velvet cake and we rustled up a pretty cute assortment of candles to make the occasion!

 Happy 13th, Laneybug! We adore you and can't wait to see what this year brings!

Cherry Red

 Everyone needs a dad that buys them a brand new cherry red cruiser so they can ride of into the sunset. 

Of Golf and Gardens

Happiness for Mark this week is a golfing trip with the Brothers...A Brocation, if you will.

Beautiful vistas in St. George, Utah

Happiness for me is turning these 6 old gardens into 8 new gardens. Each one will go from 4x8 to 4x10 and needs to fit with within the pre-existing sprinkler system. 

Complicated a bit by trying to save my asparagus and its impressive root system.

Trying to separate it into usable and viable sections took a shovel as well as a saw.  It hurt my heart. 

 And my back...

But I have a highly skilled crew:

And we welcomed Mark back from golfing with open arms and gratitude for his ample upper body strength. 

There are few things in the world I love more than fresh dark compost. 

And I've got the tootsies to prove it.

 

College bound

 The pandemic changed alot of things.

One of the real bummers was the kind of senior year Mathew had. No senior skip days, no marching band season, senior recognition concert,  no bonfires or all-night graduation parties. 

So Mathew decided that instead of missing out, he would opt out an move on to his next chapter. 

He graduated a semester early, then buckled down and saved up money to get up to college. 

Time to plan his first semester!

I'm sad for the things he'll miss (and the things I'll miss!), but I'm proud of him for taking what life dishes out and moving forward with purpose. Just over a month until we head to Idaho!