Random November

 I wasn't sure what to get Mike's dad for his birthday this year. In the past we'd do gift cards to Guitar Center, but that hasn't worked in a few years. My friend Clarissa posted about commissioned water color paintings, so I contacted her about doing one of Kevin and Louis. Mike's parents adopted Louis after Kevin died, and Steve loves the dog. She's been having health problems, so they may not have her long. When we gave it to him, he loved it. 

Another month, another quick trip to the Butterfly Biosphere

Happy Birthday Princess!

I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of in denial that my oldest child is a year older. Fifteen isn't quite as monumental as some of her upcoming birthdays, but it definitely means she's that much closer to adulthood. Her birthday fell on a Saturday and she was nice enough to allow the family to celebrate by going bowling. She came in third with a respectable score, but it may change once we stop allowing the kids to use bumpers. ;) We found that Audrey really likes bowling and has asked to go many times since. 

 

Sarah decided that instead of a raging party she'd like to do an escape room with a couple of her besties. They did the Harry Potter room, and escaped in time. Phew! After the escape room we went to Leatherby's for ice cream and she was THRILLED when they came to sing Happy Birthday to her. ;)

The biggest news was getting her learners permit. Yes folks, she's going to have her driver's license in a year. She passed the test on the second try, and has been doing some driving around town. It will be nice to have another driver around when the time comes. (She will be my slave. Finally!)

We are all blessed to have Sarah in our family. Her kind heart and helping hands are a huge help around the house. Here are 15 things that  help make Sarah, Sarah. 

1. Sarah is kind. Very kind. She has a good heart. 

2. She's a smarty. She chose to take all honors classes and one AP Class this school year. It's been a challenging load at times, but most of her friends are in class with her, so it's been a good year. 

3. She's got a great sense of humor. Gone are the days of jokes and insinuations going over her head. It's fun watching shows and movies with her and hearing her giggle at the jokes she wouldn't get a few years ago. 

4. She's a helper. One of the reasons we decided to have Audrey was because I'd have older kids that could help out. Their help has helped counter my old age. ;)

5. She's a great sister. Sarah loves her baby sister. She spoils her and I have to let her know Audrey doesn't need a million gifts and toys. She loves her brothers as well, but they have the potential of getting on her nerves more than her sister. :) 

6. She still loves to read, and read, and read. She finds new series and constantly rereads series she's already gone through. She's still a Potter Head, but sadly gave away most of her Potter shirts since she's outgrown that phase. Sigh...

7. She's a girly girl. She's grown and turned into a beautiful young lady. She's become more fashionable and actually cares about her hair. Her poor dad is not looking forward to her dating. 

8. She is a great organizer. I can check on how she is feeling by her room. When she's relaxed, her room can get cluttered occasionally. If she's anxious, her room is pristine. She adopted the way

9. She is quick witted and has the joke formulated and out before anyone else. 

10. She's responsible. Everyone always called her an "old soul", and now that she's a bit older it's changed to "mature". 

11. She's a teenage girl. Period. (I'd elaborate, but everyone that has had one or been one will understand)

12. I can't get her to run with me, but she's become more athletic and usually works out each morning when she wakes up. 

13. Sarah is creative and artistic. Her uncle Andy gave her a calligraphy set a few years ago, and she's learned how to create beautiful letter art. She's also a great artist and makes most of the cards we give away to people. Elaborate floral designs are he specialty. 

14. Sarah is a good friend. She isn't a people collector, but she values her friends and is a good friend. We're glad she's surrounded herself with a good bunch of friends. 

15. She's self motivated. Whether it's reading her scriptures on her own, doing her homework, cleaning, etc. she doesn't have to be reminded. (Often. Piano is another thing) ;) 

Sarah is a beautiful human and we feel grateful to be her parents. Happy Birthday Princess! 

Christmas mini session

 A friend of mine was doing "mini sessions" for Christmas pictures so I signed up for a 15 min slot. I was just going to do Audrey, and then I figured I should force all the kids to go. I'm glad I did. Sarah wore a dress I own and no longer fit into. It's crazy that she can now borrow my clothing. 

Audrey was compliant through the first backdrop, and then she was done. She would cry or scoul at the camera. For the final backdrop on the bed, we pulled the old "Don't smile!" trick and it worked. 

Yes, she's growing up WAY too fast! Yes, she's beautiful inside and out. 

Audrey was much more compliant once she was given a candy cane. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 This has been a crazy year, but we've had a lot to be grateful for. Mike kept his job through the pandemic, which has been a huge blessing. We've been able to give more than we usually do, since we've had our needs taken care of. The kids switched to online learning, which was not fun at all, but we had computers and internet to make it easier. My being home during the day has allowed me to help, and I've really felt for families that have both parents working. Health, strong relationships, love, food, family, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His love. So many things to be thankful for. 

It was Mike's parents year to have us for Thanksgiving, but they're social distancing. We decided to still Traeger a whole turkey and share leftovers with his family. We made more rolls than we could eat and had a low key day. (hence the lack of pictures) 

We wanted to count our blessings, so we did a "Thankful Tree". Rather than making one, I ordered one off Amazon. I ran out of laminating sheets, but I like having a visual reminder of some of  the things we're thankful for. Next year I hope we fill it. 

Fall Piano Recital

 With proper social distancing and masks in place the kids were able to take part in their fall piano recital. Mike would have taken part, but he was back east on a work trip. 

Steven was first up playing "Hero Variations", which is a song he'd been playing around with for a while. 

Sarah played two songs. The first was a duet of "Walnut River Rag duet" with her teacher Mary Beth.

Her second song was "Sonatina in C"

 

Adam played "Sports Car Boogie". It was an easy song for him, so he'd had it memorized for a while. He went up there, played a million miles an hour, and forgot a small part so he improvised and repeated. 

We decided to have the kids take a break from piano. No matter how many times we mention that it's a gift to them, they haven't quite come to the same conclusion. ;) We've planned on it only being a six month break, and Mike is going to continue taking lessons. 

Random October

 

The day after we got back from Goblin Valley I ran the Haunted Half Marathon in SLC. It was my first time on the course and although there were a couple hills, it was a good race. Super, Duper cold at the start line, but I did decent considering. 

Steven played fall lacrosse, and although there were some modifications to play, we're all grateful he was able to get some practice and games in. 

Audrey loves to run around like a crazy person and jump off things, so we thought it was the perfect time to start a mommy and me gymnastics class at Flip It Gymnastics. She has loved it.

It snowed the day before Audrey's birthday and she and Adam had a lot of fun playing in it. 

Happy Halloween

 Halloween is the perfect holiday for a global pandemic. Prewrapped candy, CHECK! Masks, CHECK! Social distancing while walking around outside, double CHECK! 

Sarah and I started our Halloween early by volunteering at the Provo Haunted Halloween race. She likes it, and I like getting her race credit. ;) My friend Emily and her daughter Ashley joined us. Ashley was all about yelling at the people to wear their masks correctly. It was fun to watch. It was a great excuse to get together and we went to breakfast after. 

Our big kids are now "too cool" for Christmas, so Sarah didn't even dress up until Tatiana talked her into it. We were going for a "Traditional wear whatever you want" theme this year. Mike was Bob Ross, and a huge hit around the neighborhood. I reused my favorite witch costume. Sarah and Steven were lame. Adam was a dementor or something, and Audrey was a little witch. She wore the same costume Sarah wore when she was two. Adam and Audrey were the only ones that wanted to Trick or Treat, so Adam got a ton of candy. Audrey finally understood what it meant, so she quite literally ran from house to house. 

Steven asked to have a Halloween party, so I made him invitations and bought enough food and treats for a party. What he actually meant was invite his same small group of friends over to hang out. My deliciously festive treats were barely touched. It taught me a valuable lesson on the importance of communication. The kids that showed still had fun.