The Break and New Year's

We were planning on heading to SG right after Christmas and spending our Christmas break down there, but we just couldn't seem to muster up enough energy to do everything that needs doing in order to make a trip. We decided to save the gas money and stay home while Richie had time off work for Christmas. And man, it was just what the doctor ordered! We got projects done that needed finishing, slept in, and had lots of time together doing fun things. I actually felt on top of everything! (Which is a rarity) It was awesome. Here's some highlights:

Cute Benson and Grandpa


The kids "helped" me with some projects for about 2 seconds. Then my OCD comes out and they have to leave. Over the break I painted a "new" bed frame for Richie and I, painted some shelves Richie made me for the downstairs, and painted a little microwave table some neighbors were getting rid of. It's amazing how much life can be breathed into old furniture with a little love, and how new it makes the house feel.


We took the kids to see "The Tree of Life" in Draper. It's no secret Richie hates seeing the lights at temple square, so we thought we'd give this much smaller version a try...after Christmas...when we hoped there would be less crowds. Success!


Thanks to a gift card from Ben and Becca, we took the kids to see "Coco". We arranged for Benson to sleep at Grandma and Grandpa's house while we took the 3 older ones, but right before we left Gwen knocked her head on the concrete as they were pulling each other in the wagon on our street. She was throwing up and not feeling so hot. So she stayed at G&G's house too. The next day Grandma and Grandpa took just Gwen to see "Coco" so she didn't miss out too much. :) Lucky girl to have G&G all to herself!


We painted lots of thank you notes! Benson thought it was awesome.


We used another generous gift card to eat out one night at Dairy Queen (Thanks Christensens!)and since it was near Lehi, we used our newly renewed pass to Thanksgiving Point (Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Crosby) to go to the Curiosity Museum. It's so much easier taking the kids when Richie is with me, and we've found the perfect time to go: 6pm! Everyone is heading home, but the museum is open till 8, so it's 2 hours with much less chaos than normal.



New Year's Eve this year was really low key and perfect. We measured the kids and after Sunday dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house, we headed home and instead of making the kids go to bed immediately, we got in our cozy pajamas, brought all of our blankets into the living room, stoked the fire, and watched "It's a Wonderful Life". We never got around to watching it during the Christmas season, but we've decided it works pretty well as a New Year's movie also. Lindy and Gwen zonked out eventually, but Miles managed to make it till midnight, and humored me by going out to bang pots and pans. I left my 3 babies snuggled up together next to the fireplace and went to bed. It was perfection.


New Year's day for dinner we got together as a homeschool group at BreAnn's house for fondue! It was a new experience for most of the kids, so it was chaotic and really fun. I'm really grateful for these families who push me to be my best and who are my partners in crime with this whole crazy home-schooling journey. We missed having our newer family there, the Braithwaites, but we'll get 'em next time. Welcome 2018!