Everly the Twelve Year Old

She's a busy girl. We had to hustle to fit a birthday party into her schedule. On the 13th, I picked her up from play practice after school and fed her dinner in the car while we went to pick up her friends for a movie!

 

Last chance to see Wicked in the Theater! We drove to Merriam for the good seats. 

She was even busy on her birthday (Tuesday), so we had a late dinner after she got done with OTO.  (salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls and green beans). 

She didn't have time to decorate it herself, but she was all for lighting her own candles!

We got the far flung kids on the phone and sang our off-beat harmonies. I was so focused on holding the phone up for them to see, I accidentally sang " dear Laney" instead of "dear Everly". DoH! 

The Flynns were there to help make her feel special. Courtney always know just what kind of makeup she will like. 

Some of her gifts didn't arrive on time, so she got the classic printed out pictures in a card. She's excited to have new bedding that matches her walls. 

But her favorite gift was this galaxy projector for her room. It really is super cool. 

Sweet dreams, Everly! 

Our Old Ways

The Terrys and Smiths have other plans, so we aren't going to be the pickleball version of ourselves. We're going back to the grazing and pajama versions. Our friends were supportive of the move. 

I would do a play by play, but we really did just eat and laugh and talk. The kids had fun playing games with Todd. 

I'm grateful to have friends that do not require us to entertain. 

AJ and Rebecca

New Year's countdown

Kids near and far...Kassie and Ethan celebrating in Utah

Mathew in Arkansas

Miranda and Anna under the table eating 12 grapes to bring luck for the new year. 

And a surprise visit from Evie, Anna's sweet friend. She walked in the middle of the night, because Anna's phone privileges were revoked for the day. I won't get into it. But I thought that was pretty lovely. 

 Happy New Years! 

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. 

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.

Holding on for a donut

This year donut night was my reason for living. 5 days before the blessed day, I had a baby heart attack when I thought for a brief moment that we had missed it. 

I don't know. 

Sometimes you just NEED your darling friend to make you fried bread dipped in sugar.

You need it it like you need air

or two pillows 

 

or secret chocolate

or a crying song

or a caffeine stash

Consider me tided over.  

I might make it to Pie Night.

Silver Anniversary and Crossfit Games

We are mere days away from our 25th Anniversary! Aren't we cute with our readers? 

We planned to celebrate by taking the kids to Aunt Sarah's in Arkansas and then going to the Crossfit Games, but Mark planned in an extra day in Ft. Worth to have a real date. He nixed the long drive to Texas, bought flights and made reservations at Capital Grille. It was perfect. 

The hotel surprised us with a special treat. The restaurant sent us off with a goody bag too...so we had a yummy chocolate picnic after our early dinner.  

We grabbed an Uber to a movie theater and watched "Twisters". Then we took the scenic route back to the hotel. I'm a sucker for an artistic alleyway. 

The next morning, we checked into our Airbnb. It was super cute!

We had the best roomates: Dan and Lauren Smith, Ross and Lauren Terry and Zach Nash...who grabbed the way too short futon in the living room. Game nights, cooking meals, talking Crossfit and investigating the sinkhole hidden under the dining room rug. These were the perfect people to do all of the things with. 

Watching the games in Dickies Arena. We froze our butts off up there. The AC was on overdrive.

We spent our time walking from the arena to the Vendor Village and back, doing workouts (not me, mind you)

finding yummy places to eat, even if it takes a brutal, soul wrenching walk of torture to get there. 

Uber? Uber?

watching for our photos show up on the jumbotron!

eating sooooo many acai bowls,

and hanging out with the sweetest, quirkiest, nerdiest friends a person could ask for. I love these ding dongs!

And just like that, it was over and we were trapped in a plane for 4 extra hours, just trying to make it back home to our babies. 

Well, our teenager babies, which, as we all know, need the most love of all.