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.