Winnie Muse

 I'm not the only one that loves Miss Winifred

Eagles v. Chiefs

 The Chiefs are going to the Superbowl for the third year in a row. They are going for a "Threepeat", if you haven't already heard...

Chiefs fans all over the world are praying extra hard every night. 

On Track went up against a Box in Philadelphia in a head to head workout, just for funsies!

That called for lots of red and yellow decorations and our best local artists to produce Mahomes' buns posters. 

We spared no expense and it was 

AWESOME

Philly:

On Track:

Sadly, the Chiefs lost and so did we. 

But I loved every minute of it. We live to squat another day.

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??

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.

All the colors

 I am loving Laney's latest series of sketches. 

The colors are so expressive!

February Art

There is art everywhere I turn these days. I love it!

Megan is working on a still life series for her painting class:

She made this awesome piece in sculpture:

A few more drawings that she has sent us in our family chat:

Laney is just as prolific as ever in churning out sacrament meeting illustrations. 

This is the garden people series I clearly inspired when asked that age old question, "What should I draw?"

I particularly love this voluptuous lettuce lady! Isn't she she curvalicious?

This is one Laney just finished for art class...an illustration of everything going on in that creative brain:

And then a "little ditty" the did just for fun (I love the rain):

A little doodle I found on Everly's desk:

And "Deeana", Everly's foot woman. 

She joined us for our bedtime prayers. 

I am surrounded by creative kids! I need to get a photo of AJ's sharpie tattoos and jalepeno heads!

Up and Coming

 Laney was selected to show their art at the Olathe Education Center! 

The first of many, no doubt!

Laney's Art

Here are just a few of the projects that Laney has recently finished. I will add more as I find them in the photos!