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.

Meanwhile...back in KC

Ethan and Kassie got up early to take the "littles" to the WWI museum. 

Megan stayed back and worked on her homemade pizzas....when I tell you she has it down to a science, I really mean it. She is serious about making pizza. 

And we are all the better for it!

I, too, had big plans. December is coming. I need to store up energy and collect inner peace. 

Mathew arrives this morning! He's hopped up on caffeine, pretty wired and pushing through. 

aaaand we have plans to go thrifting! We are searching for various kitchen necessities...is there anything better than going thrifting when you actually need something? So satisfying. 

Who knows? We might find a solid gold Christmas tree!

Pumpkin Time

 I did actually wait until the last possible moment to buy pumpkins. I searched high and low, only to find every vegetable and fruit for sale, except pumpkins. I remembered that I saw a pile of (probably expensive) pumpkins outside Hen House, so I got myself over there post haste. 

And look at that! I got the last six acceptable pumpkins in the city. For real. 

Winnie likes this tradition!

Looks like the girls love it too! 

Mark was working late, but got home just in time to scoop, plan, carve and light his pumpkin in record time. 

In order: Anna, Meg, Mom, Everly, Bug, Dad

Ethan and Kassie had their own pumpkin carving night!

Newlywed punkins!

A week in the west

I took a trip out to Utah to spend time with Mom. I snagged bonus visits with Ethan and Kassie as well as a fun trip to St. George to see Kaira and her family and her cute puppies!

The first night there, we went out to one of Ethan and Kassie's favorite spots, Chubby's. It didn't disappoint! 

Mom had a sick day, and I used the time to sit down and catch up on months of budgeting. But the next day she was feeling better and we took the opportunity to hit the grocery store and avail ourselves of the fine spread of Utah "salads" at Macy's. In all seriousness. I'm impressed. 

We got to see Ethan and Kassie's apartment and have a little chat. I love that they are making those newly wed memories! 

The next morning, mom and I headed down to St. George. I got to spend lots of time with the three wiggly pups. They were so cute! And their teeth were so sharp. 

Cinnamon, Stubbs and Silvie

A few other highlights....spending time with my nieces!

Scootering in Snow Canyon. So gorgeous and strangely meditative, even speeding along. The red rocks and desert just give you a solitary feeling. I'd love to bring Mark and the kids back here to do this again. 

We got to sink our toes into the red sand, softer than any beach I've been to, and we spotted lots of lizard tracks

A trip out the the adorable Frei's Fruit Market

And then the Taffy Shop....Kaira know all the best places. 

7 bucks to fill a bag. The only rule is it has to be able to close. 

Oh. It's on. 

The best part was the taffy identification chart. I'm all about the proper organization of my candy. 

Dinner with the Tuckers, even Charlie! Mom's treat.

Before you know it, we were driving back up to Spanish Fork, had one last visit with Ethan and Kassie and I was flying back to Utah. I briefly considered getting another almond croissant from my favorite spot in the airport, but even I know that's excessive. 

 Until next time!

Ethan And Kassie's Open House

Ethan and Kassie are coming! And Kassie's parents are coming! Holy smack, we gotta clean this house. What if they find out that we aren't especially great at cleaning our bathrooms. 

It's definitely too late to repaint the basement. I had good intentions!

But the flowers are gorgeous, the photos are lovely in their thrifted frames, the plates and cutie-pie caramel corn cone holders arrived just in time. 

Mark is smoking the butts!

4 almond bundt cakes and 7 Chocolate Lovers are ready for display and slicing.

The spread is set! I love the weathered wood with the silver frames and pink roses. Makes my heart happy. 

We set out the tables and I prayed that the shade would move into place.

People started to arrive and Ethan got to introduce his sweet bride to the people he loves. It was so fun to hear him say, "This is my wife, Kassie!"

It took us about 10 minutes of watching people cook in the sun before we knew that we would need to go to the shade. It was not going to come to us. Kyle, Janelle, JD and Katie jumped in to get everything shifted over. 

Sooooo much better. 

We settled in to greeting everyone and introducing our friends to Kassie's parents. It was a beautiful day. Julia and Sara kept the food full and the forecasted rain did not arrive. 

The garden was sparce but manicured. But the new fence looked so nice and the lawn was green and pretty. 

The Asiatic Lilies did me a massive favor and chose this very moment to bloom. The only last a few days, so this is nothing short of a wedding miracle. 

Dad's roses were not as flashy, but just as beautiful. I need to plant more of them.  

We had a lovely time chatting, letting kids play in the swings and holding Audree's new baby boy. 

And just like that...it was over. Folks went home, we froze the ridiculous amount of leftover food (why can't I learn to cook a normal amount??), delivered extra cakes to the deserving and breathed a sigh of relief!

All that is left is to hang around, convince Kassie that Winnie isn't scary (she is totally scary) and get to know our new in-laws!

Sweet Benevolent Universe, it didn't rain!