Painting Lessons

 Over the summer the boys had the opportunity to take painting lessons from my Grandma Karlson. Every Tuesday the great grandkids spent the afternoon in her garage learning her art. I can not tell you how much those afternoons meant to me. I got to spend time with my cousins while my kids got to know their distant cousins. We laughed, painted, shared lunch, ate popsicles and played football. I will cherish those memories forever. And I am so grateful my kids get to have those precious moments with their Great Grandma, whom they love so dearly. 

Caches paintings. He was with the younger group and didn't do as many. 

Becketts Paintings.

Taydens 

I will love these paintings forever. 

  

Molty

 Cache had a great day this week. His tarantula, now known as legs, molted! The coolest part was Cache knew it was coming. He was studying the behaviors and watching for clues, then researching it on the computer and sure enough, a couple of days later the spider shed its skin. While its not my cup of tea, his excitement was contagious. He dissected the skin piece by piece and found its fangs, which he thought was absolutely Christmas morning. 

Mission to Mars

Lat year, in July of 2020, Nasa sent a rover, Perseverance, to Mars. It took seven months to reach the planet 300 millions miles away. I was lucky enough to sub for the kids school, Woodland Hills, the day it landed.

Woodland Hills made the day a big celebration. The lobby was decorated, classes did special projects and activities and the whole school watched live as the rover touched down. It was fun to see the boys in their individual classes doing neat things and being in the school while it buzzed with excitement. 

The best part was watching the landing. The school erupted in cheers and applauses as it touched down safely. We were all part of history in our own way that day. I loved it and I love our school for making it such memorable experience for the kids. 

Sledding

The snow has been scarce this winter. We've had some here and there, but not as much as years past. This weekend, we had a bit of a snowstorm and took advantage while  we could. We pulled the boys around on the yeti and had a blast. 

We had two people inside the cab, two people in the bed of the yeti and two people being pulled on the sled. It was the best set up.

A word about our yeti, I LOVE it. I wasn't convinced we would benefit from a UTV when Scott started talking about it. And we certainly didn't "need" one. But it has turned out to be so fun, useful and such a blessing. It has taken us on summer adventures, hunting trips and up and down the mountains, and pulled us on winter sled rides. It has provided joy and family adventures that I will always cherish. 

 

Little Things

 I've been thinking a lot about the little things that mean so much to be and I don't want to forget. Here are a few:

Listening to Battle of the Sexes on the radio every morning with the boys on our commute to school. We all listen and guess the answers. It gets us talking and laughing first thing in the morning. Its my favorite part of the day.

Saying prayers, shutting the closet door and tucking in the little boys every single night. 

Picking up random lego pieces around the house in the most random places. 

When Kyle mixes up "usually" with "actually".

Watching Beckett flex in front of the mirror when he doesn't think anyone is looking. 

Whenever Scott had to move the drivers seat back in the van he says, "Dang midgets been driving again."

Taydens willingness to hug me and tell me he loves me whenever he leaves. 

Caches bouncing when he is playing and exciting game or watching an intense show. 

The fact that motherhood is not even second nature anymore, its part of who I am. 

The way the my planner found a home on the corner of my countertops.

The sounds of sports all day every day. Either being played or watched. 

How Cache covers his head to sleep just like his dad. 

The joy that hits my heart when the sun shines through my windows onto a freshly made bed.

The smell of our church house. 

My life is so, so good. 

Packard Date

Last week, while Matt and Jen were in town, we went out on an adult only date with the Packards. We went to dinner at Fugi Habachi Grill and then axe throwing afterward. It was so nice to spend time with Scotts parents and siblings without having to worry about our kids. 

Axe throwing turned out to be really fun. I wasn't very good, but once Cheryl showed me the right way to do it, I was at least hitting the board. I even got a bullseye or two. She was my lucky charm for the night.

Scott was pretty good too. Good enough to stick the axe in handle first. 

Progression on a bullseye.

I love these people and feel so blessed to have married into a great family. I love that I belong and claim the Packards as my own.