Friday, May 14, 2021

April 2021

 FAMILY FUN

Audrey dressed up for Wacky Wednesday at school. It reminded me of how I used to dress as a child in the 80s.

Our little Strawberry Shortcake

Audrey in what she calls her Dorothy dress. 

Abby with a very flat loaf of bread. She didn't understand that the nutritional yeast I use to make vegan cheese is not the same as instant yeast.

Jared has been learning how to cut girl hair and has now taken on the role of barber for the entire household.


EASTER AND GENERAL CONFERNCE


The little girls in their new Easter dresses.

Brooklyn was excited to get her own Frozen parasol/umbrella.

Audrey is excited about our traditional Hot Cross Buns that we make each Easter to remind us of how Christ rose and overcame his death on the cross.

The kids with their Easter baskets. The older kids just wanted books.

Indoor Easter Egg hunt so our chocolate didn't melt.

Audrey helped me make our Easter dinner.

We were thrilled that we got to spend Easter Sunday listening to General Conference. My favorite part was when Brooklyn fell asleep on me for the first time in years. 

JEFFERSON PREP VARIETY SHOW



One nice thing about attending a small school is that Abby always has a chance to participate. She performed "Pirates of the Caribbean" on the piano, played her flute with the band, and acted out a couple skits with the Drama club. She did a great job!


MY BIRTHDAY

Abby and Maddy were sweet and made delicious Baklava to celebrate my 42nd birthday.
The kids all made me cute cards and we had a nice outing to watch Abby's variety show. Jared took me out to dinner at my favorite restaurant the following night.


BROOKLYN'S SELFIES






Brooklyn loves to steal my phone and take selfies.

BACKPACKING


Abby and Maddy had a fun backpacking trip with the Young Women.


COVID VACCINE

Jared has been fully vaccinated for a while, but I was hesitant. After being encouraged by the President Nelson to "Do all you can to bring COVID-19 numbers down in your area so that your temple opportunities can increase," I decided to go get vaccinated. I was nervous, but I kept singing "Follow the Prophet" in my mind before getting my shot. I didn't get the sore arm or fever like many people do, but I had about a week of horrible headaches as a result. 

VIOLIN RECITAL


Audrey's teacher put on a beautiful recital for all her students. Audrey hasn't mastered bowing yet, so she plucked out "Old McDonald." She is doing a great job learning all her fingering.


BIKE RIDING

It's become too hot to ride a bike after school, so we had to take Audrey to the park at night to practice. She finally learned how to ride a bike without training wheels.

Brooklyn likes to ride her plasma car while Audrey practices on her bike.

ICE SKATING

Brooklyn and Audrey did a great job ice skating.

Audrey was excited when she figured out to skate without her skatemate. 

Brooklyn complained that her nose was too cold.
Overall the kids had a wonderful time!


Thursday, May 13, 2021

Abby's 15!

 
Abby wanted German Oven pancakes with berries. The vegan ones didn't puff up as much as the ones she remembers from her childhood, but it was still delicious.

Opening her presents and cards. She was excited to get money to go towards her Japan trip next April.

Abby had a fun party with friends from church, high school, and homeschool.
Maddy made her a delicious cookie cake.


Abby at 15:

Favorite foods: Nutella and pretzels
Favorite colors: purple and blue
Favorite books: Keeper of the Lost Cities, Brandon Mulls books, Harry Potter
When I grow up I want to be: rich
Favorite animal: cheetah
Favorite activities: reading, playing the piano and flute, and hiking

Abby fills our home with beautiful music on the flute and piano. She is a good example to her younger siblings, and she is always willing to help with housework and babysitting. She is beautiful, smart, responsible, hardworking, and kind. Abby is such a joy to have in our family.