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! 

Moon Lake Monday

We had a lot to fit in today. We gotta make the most out of all that Moon Lake has to offer. We leave in the morning!

But first! We need to drive down the road a ways so we can get a signal, call dad, check our emails and not loose our daily streak on Lingvano and DuoLingo. The little girls don't have phones, so they weren't up for the drive. 

We made our way to the beach. Jordan leveled the sand for Mom's camp chair. He's a good egg. 

I'm forever amazed at how kids can acclimate to cold water. 

My feet go numb after a few seconds, but these two are happily excavating this huge log. 

The cousins spent every cent of their allowance at the lodge. I remember how wonderful that freedom was when I was a kid. Sneaking off and coming home with a candy bar or can of soda just for me. Kit Kat and a rootbeer. That's the taste of Moon Lake.   

We made to feed our little porch pirate before we got too involved with our own activities. He's wasting away to nothing!

More games with Aunt Bri! 

I did my best to broil some cookies (flipping them like pancakes works pretty well!)

And the kids settled in with a generous supply of paint pens and the flat rocks I illegally swiped from the dry Roaring River bed last week. 

We exude coolness. 

Ethan missed the whole thing. And I'm pretty sure he's not mad about it. 

Sunday Campfire Games

Sunday in the woods are a little weird. Each family handles it a little differently. Jordan and Cheyanne took their kids to Cheyanne for church in Duchesne. We opted for french toast.

Bri and Amanda organized a game for everyone and brought lots of treats for rewards. 

Games aren't my thing. They are never my idea.

But mostly I end up loving it and happy we all got to laugh and hang out together. 

The cousins ended the day reading out loud to each other. This is why we come...I hope they keep being friends as they get older!

Fat Sully and Hufford Cousins

 We love this place. 

The garlic knots are something special, let me tell you. 

But the wow factor of the huge pizza can't be beat! We had to share the experience with the cousins when they were stopping through Kansas City!

I'll take garlic knots to-go, por favor!

On our way home, we spotted a cool art installation. We had to stop and check it out.

And you know we couldn't resist getting in on the action. 

Dude...I love these kids. (And you too, Megan and Maf!)