5 in 5

Did I mention that I feel like life is changing around here? 

I have proof. 

SO MANY PARTIES.

5 parties in 5 days. 

And not only that, but I didn't need to find a babysitter for any of them. 

Wednesday: Relief Society dinner: Soups, salads and chatting with the ladies. Courtney and I were peer pressured into attending. It turned out ok. A 4 out 10.

Thursday: Coaches Pickleball Party: I picked up the food (twice) from Fajita Pete's and then wrapped myself in my electric blanket and watched everyone play. I'll give that a 8 out of 10. I was warm and I had snacks. And I really like all of these people. 

Friday: Wachter Holiday Party: It was "country Christmas". I own this red flannel and a leather belt. I was comfy and I got to spend the evening with Mark, so I was pretty happy. Andy Ebert and Les Harvey work at Wachter too, so I had a few people to talk to. I'll give that a 6 out of 10. I would've taken dinner and movie by ourselves any day. 

Saturday: The On Track Christmas Party. We had a great turn out and it was fun to see the community growing and forming friendships. I'm pretty proud of us. AND! I got some chocolate and chicken leg socks! 8 out of 10!

Sunday: Pat Crownover's Christmas Open House. I didn't take a picture, but I think you you take a look of this screenshot of her, you can use your imagination. Think pinapple cake, potato chips and onion dip. We were in and out pretty quickly, because we are truly worn out. 

Life is kinda fun these days. I like all the parties and dinners and open houses. But I kinda miss thoses quiet evenings when we had all the little kids home and we would read a Christmas story out of our collection. But for now, just tell me what to bring and text me the address. 

AJ on the road

 Guess who passed the learner's permit??

She's been driving for two years in the elementary school parking lot....but now she's legal!

Merry Liftmas

Everly's second Oly meet and she killed it! Gravity was feeling lighter today and she PR'd both of her lifts! 17 kilos on snatch and 21 kilos on clean and jerk.

 

She got a snazzy medal and second place! 

She's crazy cool!

Charcuterie in Bethlehem

Here's a funny little story. 

I almost got tricked into running this whole activity. But my mama dint raise no dummy. 

I slip slided into the infinitely less stressful job of creating a little shop for the the "Night at Bethlehem" the ward put on for the ward Christmas party. I volunteered for the charcuterie shop. I know...it's funny. I don't doubt the fine citizens of Bethlehem enjoyed their fair share of shelf stable meats and cheeses, but did they call it charcuterie?? I think they called it dinner. 

But we're rolling with it. 

We dug out our bucket of earth tone fabric with rough-cut neck holes, loaded the truck with every tablecloth,  basket, candle and tassley pillow we could find.  Don't forget the staple gun!

And check it out!

Can you believe this beautiful hand-painted sign Megan created for me just hours before the party. She's so talented! I was blown away. 

I was a little stressed, maybe a little jaded. But we actually had a good time running our Charcuterie Shop. 

Anderson's ran the Bakery

And I loved our Roman Guard and Friar Tuck 

And this was probably my favorite Christamas program ever. It was a shadow nativity, with Brother Jackson singing "Hallelujah". It was lovely. 

Now what do I do with all this leftover cheese??

Movin on out

He's all settled in. He's got his own apartment on the third floor. We hauled his furniture collection up one step at a time. We gathered up some facebook marketplace finds and met up with Joe and Jean at Abuelos for dinner. 

It never really gets easier to leave a pup behind. 

Different kind of beautiful

I usually want the tree to have cute woodsy ornaments, with glass and gold accents. So pretty. 

But these guys have been sorely neglected for many years. 

It's pickle and potato year, my dears.

You know how Christmas kinda has that familiar feeling? I've noticed that the feeling is slowly shifting.  It used to be footy jammies and reading Christmas stories. 

Now it's getting help with math homework 

And dying hair with friends. 

comparing feet 

And supporting our parrotlet in her french horn dreams

She's gotta get ready for auditions.

We are embracing our pickleness and potatoeness. Bring all your butter sticks, your astronauts and iridescent wiener dogs. We're in the mood to roll with it. 

And it's beautiful.

To 2025 Maren

 I know how hard this is for you. 

Let me help you out...this is one reasonably attractive way to arrange the shelves for Christmas. 

Add a few battery operated fairy lights and we're good to go. 

Advent Calendar, Flying Home and Goat Portraits

December is here! And all my kids are home. 

Poor Kassie has a cold (which might get her out of work when she goes back home) but she rallied for church and we filled the pew! 

We had them pick out of the calendar before they left for the airport, because everyone needs to have a special gift!

We are auditioning a new tradition...the advent puzzle. The chocolate calendars have waned in popularity. Some kids forget they have them, others eat all the chocolate at once, then save the plastic template, convinced they will melt some chocolate chips down later and refill it. I get the itch to clean and throw it away, devastation ensues and round and round we go....

The advent puzzle has potential.

And we won't start every day in December off with chocolate breakfast. I'm liking this more and more.

I drove Ethan and Kassie to the airport. They seemed happy and excited to get back to life. We loved having them here, Kassie fits into our family perfectly, but I'm so glad they love each other and when it comes down to it, they are building a home and life together and that's where they want to be. I  wouldn't want it any other way!

As for us, we are headed out to Shaver's farm to say hello to the goats, tiptoe around the chickens, learn about sourdough and have dinner with new (and old) friends. 

Why are goat's pupils rectangular?

Chickens are scary. They're....organized. (Chicken Run!)

Crystal Shaver is a new member at the gym and we have become fast friends. She's a homesteader and a homeschooler. And she's super nice! She is endlessly patient and teaching us all to use sourdough. 

Laney left them with a parting gift. That's one lucky goat.

Now, let's go home to our feisty bird.

A Birthday in 2 parts

It's funny, it's not a "friend year" and yet we ended up with all the friends climbing at ROKC. Isn't that what we did last year on our "friend year"?? Ugh. Why am I such a softie? 

It might be because we bought climbing passes last year on Black Friday and they are going to expire. So we might as well go. We gathered the youths and set them free. I tried not to hover. 

I mostly succeeded in being separate and aloof, but, as Anna will bear solemn witness...this group can be a little volatile. Drama is always moments away. 

We did have a few dust ups, but ended on a high note with a game of wiffle ball and some grocery store pizza hot out of the oven. Teenagers are an adventure and everyone knows it. 

The remainder of the birthday celebrations came the day after she turned 14. Ethan and Kassie were in town for Thanksgiving and Mathew was passing through on his way to his new job and apartment in Arkansas.  Having the whole family there is rare!

We started the day with.....Climbing at ROKC! Yes, I bought another round of passes on Black Friday. This time we will use them in a more timely manner, no doubt. We always learn our lessons the first time. 

Everyone but me, Ethan and Kassie went for a climb. Kassie stayed home with a cold, I have the hip of an old grammie, and Ethan blamed his BMI. But we all had fun!

Mathew conquering the practice climbs before heading to the taller ones on the main floor. 

Everly overcomes her fear of heights every singly time we go to ROKC. I think they call that exposure therapy?

Bug climbing in cargo pants!

That's a fine figure of a man 

Megan has gotten in touch with her competitive side this year...she was determined and angry! 

AJ looking the part with her new chalk bag and chalk sock. Very cool. 

We paid to climb, but my favorite part was watching everyone try the grip tester. Mark got the highest, of course, but Mathew and Ethan weren't far behind. We are a competitive bunch! 

And look!! It started snowing while we were climbing! You know what that means....

Bug has got to make the barefoot run!

We snuggled in for some Mario Kart and naps...

We had roast and all the fixings for dinner. AJ didn't choose it. She was adamant that she not select a special dinner because she "just wanted everyone to be there". Which is so lovely. And also leaves me to figure out what to make. We had planned on Poor Man's Burnt Ends, but a lunch trip to KC Joes and an inch of snow made that less of a good idea. We also skipped cake or ice cream because AJ is in the midst of doing 75 hard. So....how about roast? and mashed potatoes and rolls? 

How's that? 

Whatever. It's the presents that matter! 

Original goose art by Bug. 

And her very own guitar!! She's been learning for the last month or two and she's getting really good!

Don't sit down! The day isn't over because tomorrow is December. We DO NOT begin December without the tree. 

And isn't it so darling with the snow??

Darling and cold. And snow gets on your pants and shoes when you try to see if that tree is cute enough to bring home. We are famously fast at choosing our trees. This one was an all time record. 2 minutes flat.  AJ was the lucky picker. 

Aren't we cute?? Now wrap that puppy up and lets get out of this chilly warehouse!

Ornaments will be another day, but we figured we'd get the lights on (twice) and pop up the garland. The LED are, in fact, not warm. They are cold and dead and devoid of Christmas love and magic. Kassie and Megan helped me put them up, rip them down and replace them with the good old incandescents. 

Not a bad birthday, all in all. A bit here and there. Full of family. Jumbled up with Thanksgiving and Christmas and 9 personalities. But we had fun and we celebrated are new 14 year old!

And she will have some Egg Nog ice cream in the morning. It's 75 Hard approved.

I reward myself with a quite moment in the closet. Just me, the space heater and Winnie tucked under my hair.