May 2021

GRANDPARENTS VISIT

Grandpa won these little girls' hearts by taking them on a train ride.

They had fun on the ride on toys too!

They treated us to a dinner at our favorite restaurant, Pita Jungle.

We were sad to say good-bye, but we were happy they could spend the weekend with us. 

SPRING FORMAL

Abby got all dressed up for her Spring Formal. She looked gorgeous!

THE TEMPLE OPENS!

Nathan was excited to attend the temple in January, but it was postponed due to the pandemic. He was thrilled to finally be able to attend. He had a wonderful experience.

MOTHER'S DAY

My kids woke up early and made me some delicious crepes for Mother's day. They also made me some beautiful cards. I feel so blessed to be the mom to such wonderful kids.  

CHARACTER DAY

Audrey dressed up as Strawberry Shortcake for character day at school.

BAND CONCERT

We were glad that COVID restrictions ended this month so Abby could perform in a concert with her  school band.

CAKE DECORATING 

For Mother's day the girls had a mother-daughter activity decorating cakes. They each did a beautiful job.

ASL CLASS

We had our last day of our homeschool ASL class this year. I had a great experience teaching these wonderful students. 

PANDA

Anyone that knows Audrey's obsession with pandas, knows that she was beyond thrilled to get a Panda Express gift certificate from school for completing a reading challenge. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JARED!

Jared got some of his favorite treats and lots of cuddles from his kids for his birthday this year. Abby and Maddy made him his favorite cake, chocolate with peanut butter frosting.

BROOKLYN

Brooklyn drew this picture of all of her preschool teachers to give them on the last day of preschool. Unfortunately she got sick and had to miss the last day so we sent it to them electronically. 

Brooklyn has been slowly becoming more comfortable with friends. She has been going to her friend Charlotte's house for online dance lessons each week. On the final day they had a backyard water party. 

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!

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.