Home Depot Workshop

Last Saturday was our first Home Depot Workshop of 2017. This project was a good one. Everly made a toolbox. She doesn't have any tools yet to put it in, but currently it is carrying a tiny water bottle because she said if she is working hard she will get thirsty. She also painted it purple because, girls. She was a little bummed we didn't go to the same workshop as her cousins but sometimes the weekends are so busy that it is hard to make that happen. Everly hammered in all of the nails on her project and is also getting really good at painting. I know that sounds weird but when she was younger she would either glob on too much paint and it would take FOREVER to dry or she would not use enough paint and it would be streaky and Justin or I would have to fill it in. I also love that she is not one of those kids that has to use all of the colors. She likes things simple and clean and she does a good job of getting things done fast which is why we are able to go every month. Now we just need to get her some play tools for her toolbox!

        

love how she hammers with her tongue out!

 

Thank you home depot!

Goodbye Remi!

On Friday night we had a bunch of people over to our house to say goodbye to my niece's son Remi before he went back to stay with his Dad and their family in Missouri. Remi was here for most of December so it was nice to get to see him so much. He is about 2 months older than Aspen and they play so well with each other. They even spent a little time at the same daycare over the past month. She would get so excited to see him. Everly loves having him over as well so we were said to see him go but glad to have everyone over. My sister-in-law picked up pizza and beer and I made a cake that Aspen threw into my grocery cart last month. It wasn't anything formal, just a chance for everyone to get to see him one last time before his flight back the next morning. He is such a sweet little boy and we will definitely miss him. I hope it is not too long until we get to see him again. 

cheeseballs!

Aspen pounded her pizza and then ate some of Remi's!

Kids these days.

 

Love these kids. 

 

Storytime with Aunt Christy

Cousins and babies.

 

Justin, two of his sisters and one of their cousins on the left and all of their kids on the right. 

Zoo Trip

I had last Friday off from work and it was Everly's last day of winter break so we took advantage of our zoo membership and headed to the zoo. I normally go super early but I let the girls sleep in so we didn't get there nearly as early as we usually do. It was busy, but not bad at all and the weather was great. The girls wanted to see the orangutans so we headed there first. Everly is obsessed with learning there names. After that we headed to see the Rhino (who we sadly found out was euthanized months ago). Everly did get to go on the polar slide though which wasn't open yet when we went to zoo lights. It is a pretty tall climb and she did it all by herself so I was proud of her. We ended up walking by the giraffe's while they were doing the feeding so we ended up doing that as well. I was surprised at how Aspen was not scared to feed the giraffe the lettuce. They are such insane animals so it is always cool to get up and see them so close. We also watched a little bit of a live animal show before heading home for lunch. I know we go to the zoo a lot (and I never cared about the Zoo before I had kids) but they always have fun and we always see something different so I love it. Also, since we are already Zoo members, it is free which I also love. Aspen definitely passed out on the way home so it was a morning well spent!

Checking out the Komodo Dragon

R.I.P. Half Ear

love that little face

great morning!

New Years Eve 2016!

We had a great but very tame New Years Eve. It started off with a hike with my mom and sisters. It was rainy and cloudy but very pretty. We also ran into my brother-in-law on the trail. I almost lost my new Bluetooth headphones, but luckily enough I found them at the beginning of the trail. The rest of the day we got some cleaning done around the house and then we went to my sister-in-law house for New Years Eve. She made some delicious chili and we just hung out while the girls played. Her neighbors must have bought that fireworks kit from Costco because they were lighting off a bunch in their backyard and the kids loved watching them. Everly and Aspen love to play with our niece's son Remi and he loves to play with them also so it was a great night. All kids basically stayed up until midnight, although we went home at about 11:45. Our neighbors also had a bunch of fireworks that they lit off at midnight, although we were in bed so we just listened. It is hard enough for me to even stay up that late so I am calling it a success!

My sister and I jumping

 

loving the fog

 

My brother-in-law running by and where I found my headphones.

Happy New Years!

Winter Break with Papa

Last week, Justin was off almost every day to spend with the girls on winter break. Everly is still off school all of this week but is hanging out with Aspen at daycare until I am off again on Friday. Justin kept the girls busy last week with trips to the park and the mall and he also took them to the Arizona Science Center one day. It has been a while since we have taken the girls to the science center. Actually, I am not even sure if Aspen had ever been before but Ev has been a couple of times. It was also snow week at the Science Center so the girls got to play with a little snow outside. He had posted a bunch on instagram stories while he was there so I got to see a lot of what they did and they looked like they had a really great time. Of course, I wish I could have gone too but I am glad they had so much fun. I plan on taking the girls back to the zoo this Friday while I am off so we will get plenty of time together. Justin also took the girls for a donut date before the Science Center so I might have to spoil them with donuts also!

these two!

Obviously Aspen had fun!

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years! I just re-read my post from New Years last year (here) so I thought I would follow up on that for the next year. First a review of 2016. My biggest accomplishment of 2016 and probably one of my biggest ever was running a full marathon (here). I also turned freaking 30 this year and took a trip up to flagstaff (here and here). I went to D.C. for the first time earlier this year and then again in the fall (here here and here). We also had a big family reunion in New York this past summer which was a blast (here). Of course I can't forget about our Disneyland trip for Everly's golden birthday (here). I feel really lucky to have been able to see all of the places I did this past year. We have plans to see my favorite band in Vegas this March and then also I plan on trying to visit my Dad in Michigan for his 60th birthday this May. Other than that, I don't have any big travel planned until fall 2018 (Germany!). I have no real fitness goals on the horizon for this year. I enjoy running and lifting weights and mixing in some soccer and hiking and I plan on continuing to do that. I also am very consistent with my exercise so that is not an area I think I need to set any big goals in. I do need to work a little but more about balancing out my eating, but who doesn't. I am not exactly sure how I am going to do it, but this next year I would like to get more organized. I am sure a lot of parents feel overwhelmed at times and I think if I was a little more organized it would make the busy times go a bit smoother. 2016 has had a lot of ups and downs but I really feel lucky and happy with our life. I love my family, I like my job, and we are healthy so everything else is just details. Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Years! Here are my #2016bestnine pictures from Instagram: