Valentine's from weekend to weekend.

   Greg and I participated in a really fun event last Saturday night, a Sugar cookie taste off. We went with our friends, Sabrina and Jason, who told us about it and it was super fun! Who doesn't want to taste and judge 8 different sugar cookies from local cookie vendors around the valley. All were yummy but there were definitely favorites. The one with the lime was the winner. We also got free drinks/soda, there was a photo booth, a fun swag bag with coupons, apron and other trinkets and a raffle. Greg actually won a really pretty gemstone necklace. I wish I was filming so you could see how silly/excited he reacted. Anyway, he gifted me that necklace for Valentine's Day, he's very generous.

My favorite were 4, 5 & 6.

The cookie providers and our score cards.

A perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day a few days early.

     When we got home Saturday night this was how we found Charlie. She was actually pretending to be asleep, as a surprise for us, but fell asleep for real before we got home.

Who sleeps like this?

     I realized recently that I'm going to have to have Carter do Charlie's hair on the days Greg and I are in St. George, which is coming up in just over a week, so I had him practice the other morning and he actually did a good job with the pigtails.

    And this puppy got a haircut and looks so handsome.

    And per tradition, we had our heart shaped pizza for Valentine's dinner. The small bottles of sparkling cider were a total win with the kids.

We had four kids to start and Carter came a little late to the party so he's not in the photo. Isaac had to work, bummer!

     So that was our fun week. Can you believe it's already the middle of February!? I'm just happy we've seen the sun more this week. NO MORE SNOW, PLEASE!!

Oh February!

     Remember when I told my friend that February isn't usually that snowy and it's the beginning of hope for spring?! And then remember when the first week of February 2020 brought the most snow we've seen all winter!? Seriously!! No school Monday and we probably shouldn't have had school on Thursday either. Please go away winter!!
     So anyway, I took a little video of Brock's most recent game. Apparently Brock does great at practices, according to his coach, but when it comes to games he's quite awkward and hesitant. He's trying but he's pretty much over it. McClane however is doing great and even made a basket at his game this week. He's also a rockstar on defense.

     We decided to join Kayli and Beau swimming last Saturday, which the three youngest were pretty excited about.

They love the water!

I don't know why Charlie gets this goofy smile on when we take photos. And notice daddy Tanner in the background. Apparently he's too cool for swimming in winter.

    Beau came in the pool area dead asleep and as soon as her mom woke her up and she saw the pool she was all smiles! She's adorable!

Kayli loves being a mom to cute Beau!

   Sunday Charlie and McClane were up and ready on time and with good attitudes, they're my only ones who truly like attending church right now. Carter's pretty cooperative too, I guess, but he doesn't request that I take his picture before church.

  And Miss Sapphire is entertaining, to say the least. After catching her like this in the bathroom it wasn't too long before I found her in there again and actually sitting in the sink. She's fun!

    Well that's our week's highlights. I didn't take any snow photos because, frankly, I don't want to remember snow, EVER!!! I am so happy we woke up to blue skies and sunshine this morning, I don't know how much more of winter I can take!

Bye, bye January!

     We finished the year long month of January with simpleness! Cute baby Beau is always a great way to finish up our weekend. The sunset, the other night, was definitely worth capturing and most of the kids spent their time on devices in their free time.

She's so FUN!

Gorgeous sunset.

This kid is in another world when he's wearing headphones.

Charlie picked out this outfit all on her own! NO MATCH Friday is what I'd call this ensemble.

      We're still in the midst of basketball season, Brock's over it and McClane's still enjoying himself. We've got plans to eat yummy food Sunday for the Super Bowl and hopefully have a few friends and family join us and today the kids are most excited about going swimming with their niece and sister. I'm just thrilled to see February arrive, it's a down hill slide from here into Spring! (Although I'm pretty sure, Dad, you'll get another chance to use that snowblower before we finish this new month.)

cuteness

  Our cute kitty has become the animal princess of the house. We've also had our dog friend Chloe visiting all week and she's been so sweet with the cat. Both dogs like Sapphire's food better then their own so she's often at an empty bowl waiting for a refill. And Charlie is happy to cuddle with any and all of the pets. The cat actually prefers to chill on Charlie's bed above anywhere else. We also had a fun snuggle with baby Beau Sunday night. It's been a pretty easy week!

She loves her 'perch'.

Sunday naps are the best!

Aunt Charlie and cute baby Beau.

     I can't believe we're at the tail end of January! It'll be spring before we know it and I can't wait!! I'm so over winter!

basketball, babies and birthdays

    Brock and McClane started their basketball season. It's actually McClane's very first time playing any team sport and I can't tell you how hilarious his first game was. I posted a short video of his very first moments on the court and it's pretty hilarious! (Although he doesn't find it funny at all.) He's learning more and more and I'm sure he'll stop 'shuffling' so much and will hopefully get a little more confident before the seasons done. Brock is also doing pretty well, considering it's only his second time playing with a team, and he's pretty happy to be the tallest boy on his team.

He looks like he knows what he's doing.

Brock isn't as aggressive on the court as he is at home when he's not getting his way, that 's for sure.

     I got to watch cute baby Beau one afternoon this week and she was so cute, fun and easy. She's a keeper!

     Brock is officially 12! He got the Xbox he wanted for Christmas & his birthday so his birthday was a little more low-key but he was still happy.

Rechargeable batteries will be a great investment for this Xbox junkie.

And no one hates when we have jello cheesecake!

    For school Charlie got to dress up as someone from another time period, we went with the 80's/90's look.

Those bangs are on 'point'!

McClane's representing people from the future while Charlie's a 'blast-from-the-past".

     So that's the fun from our week. I'm super excited to have a 3-day weekend to enjoy!

Hair, baby and pets.

     The title pretty much says it all. Charlie requested heart hair for church and I was happy to oblige. I watched Beau a couple times this week and the photo below was from the night she 'hated' her Joey for no good reason. I'm so glad she let me snuggle her to sleep anyway. (Primary songs did the trick.) And the pets like their occasional snuggle session with me.

I've never heard her cry as hard as she did the night I took this photo.

Cats and Dogs can be friends.\

     So far this New Year hasn't been too bad. Basketball season has officially begun and Brock and McClane are our basketball 'stars' this season. Their first games are tomorrow. Let the madness begin!

New Years 2020 & Youth Conference

     Happy New year! Let this new year and DECADE begin!

     We ended our year with some fun stuff. Greg finished the 1000 piece puzzle of Alpine with a little help from our neighbor and Charlie.

     Charlie wore one of her new dresses and looked so pretty for her last Sunday of 2019.

     Sunday night we attended the annual Kmetzsch Christmas party, which was fun as always and five of my kids got to participate in the white elephant gift exchange.

Carter's attempt at taking photos from a distance.

Charlie left happy, thank goodness.

McClane was also happy with his final gift.

Brock was happy and has been enjoying his box full of hot chocolate and his cool glass mugs.

     Smalls and Sapphire are definitely warming up to each other and are showing signs of being the best of friends.

     Our New Years celebration was fairly simple. Of course we never pass up the chance to serve up yummy foods and drink. We had some great neighbors stop in to help us ring in the New Year and it was a great night. 2019 wasn't bad, in fact it was pretty great, new grand baby, Mark's court case finally behind us and an amazing trip to Australia and 2020 is promising to be great as well.

Burn barrel and fireworks at midnight, what could be better!

     Our first weekend of the year was spent with the youth of our ward for a mini-youth conference that was pretty awesome. Greg and I both got to attend with the three middle kids, Isaac, Carter and Brock. There were about 65 youth and 19 adults and it was fun, well organized and held at a great facility where food was provided!

Carter with a couple of his buddies, Cole and Julien.

This is Carter playing a part in a skit his 'family' put together.

Isaac also played a part in his 'families' skit.

And Brock was the Deacon the campers ran from in his 'families' skit.

    We stayed at Aspen Grove, near Sundance in Provo Canyon and it's got some amazing beam and metal work in the main lodge where we held a majority of our gatherings/meetings. It was a great weekend and we have some amazing youth! I'm so grateful I get to serve amongst such great kids.

     Now we're ready for a new year of great fun and adventure. Let the fun begin!