February

  Ivy is doing well with her piano and she is really enjoying it...I might have a piano player after all!  At least that is the hope.  Sometimes we have to take pictures of what we are practicing at home to send to her teacher.  She is learning a lot!

Molly had a soccer tournament in St. George the first weekend in February. She was so excited to play outside and to be with her team again and I was excited to watch.  We had both missed soccer.  (Even though she has practiced all winter.)  The weather did not cooperate with us and it rained nearly the entire weekend.  So that was unfortunate but not really surprising.  It felt great to get outside to play but the tournament did not go as well as they would have like or expected.  They played 3 games and lost 2.  The two they lost weren't really all that close either.  So, disappointing.  But they learned some things that they can work on.  We have one more tournament in Las Vegas in March and then the spring season should start shortly after that.  I know these girls have high expectations for themselves!

Piper Hastings, Molly, Courtney Baxter, Krysta Hook

Brynn's team was invited to perform at the Wasatch cheer showcase, like they do every year.  They had held their normal two-hour practice just an hour before the showcase and that was probably mistake number one.  Brynn said they did awesome at practice so she was excited to perform at the showcase.  Mistake number two was that the coaches wouldn't leave the routine alone...they kept changing it. Let's just say the night did not go well. It was not their best performance and a little frustrating that they can't just leave the routine alone and let the girls really do their best to perfect it.  But oh well, it was just a showcase and most people don't know what they are watching for anyway.  We love watching our Brynnie no matter what...and bonus points for getting the entire family there to watch!

Grace Vellinga, Khloie Kelsey, Molly

Brynn and Khloie

Molly went to the Sweetheart's dance with Cache Phelps. There was a little drama in the lead-up with Molly thinking about taking the ACT that morning and then her coach planning a scrimmage that afternoon as well.  Most of the girls were willing to work with her and her date was super chill about everything.  It just added some additional stress to Molly's life, haha.  But we got everything figured out so she could just go and enjoy herself.  And she did!  They did an escape room and lunch for the day date, took pictures, went to dinner at Back 40, and hung out at Soph and Libbie Locke's house before and after the dance.  Molly gets a little nervous about dances in the lead up but this one was really great.  She had fun with her date and the group was really great as well.  Success!

Cache and Molly

Molly, Soph, Ella ?, Kylie Bishop, Libbie

Molly and Cache on the far right

The 49ers were in the SuperBowl.  It was a big day for our family, specifically the boys.  But we all tried to be supportive and wore 49ers gear where we could.  We opted to stay home to watch the game and Justin planned a feast.  We had spicy apricot chicken wings, buffalo chicken meatballs, seven layer bean dip, and chicken taquitos with cilantro-lime dipping sauce.  The food was delicious and we thoroughly enjoyed it.  The game, not so much.  It was a close game, even went into overtime, but we did not come out on top.  There may have been some tears from a certain 14-year-old but everyone was nice enough to pretend not to notice.  The girls spent the entire time making bracelets and catching glimpses of Taylor Swift (only kind of teasing about this).

Valentine's Day-

Valentine's Day is fun but I don't always know what to do to make it special, since it's also just a normal day.  I spent some time the day before making some cinnamon rolls.  I had to hide the pans in my closet so the kids didn't see them when they got home from school.  I wrapped them up cute and had them sitting out on the counter Valentine's Day morning for their breakfast.  Molly and Stockton don't usually take the time to eat breakfast at home so I figured this would be a good surprise for them.  They appreciated it, especially Molly who was leaving extra early for a before-school ACT prep class.

Brynn and Ivy did their best to be festive.  They wore pink sweaters and tied red ribbons in their hair.  Ivy did not want any hearts braided in her hair and it's the first year I haven't done anything like that for a very, very long time.  Ivy had made her own Valentine box...it's a camera, if you can't tell.

Stockton and Brynn had Valentines to exchange gifts with so we had to do that...Khloie Kelsey for Stockton and Grahm Kelsey for Brynn.  A sister and a brother for a brother and a sister.  Justin and I have shared many, many laughs over this.

The day progressed as normal...school, work, piano, etc.  There were no youth activities so we got to sit down for dinner together.  I made baked ziti and we had artisan bread and salad as well.  The kids drew months for their Valentine dates.  Justin had to make a run to Home Depot for some tile that was being installed the next day in our basement bathroom so Molly and Stockton went with him.  I stayed home and got the girls ready for bed.  We did scriptures and prayer in Ivy's room and I remembered last minute to get a family photo.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Molly did come home that Valentine's Day a little stressed out because she had three different friends texting her and asking her if she had been asked to Prom yet.  I honestly thing that, just four days after the last dance, her brain did not want to think about another dance.  It's not a bad problem to have!  Anyway, no surprise that she did get asked that very night by a boy named Bridger Shaw.  She responded a few days later so now begins the process of getting a dress, etc.  At least she doesn't have to plan the date!

"Let's Kick it at Prom"...also came with a soccer ball and some treats

Another stunting session for Brynn.  So fun and awesome, Kollin is super encouraging and positive!

For President's Day weekend, the girls went one way (to Bear Lake) and the boys went another way (to St. George).  Stockton was playing baseball and it was the first time in a long time Molly wasn't playing soccer.  The tournament was good, they won one game and lost three but Stockton had a great individual performance and the losses were not blow-outs.  Stockton wasn't too upset about them and was just happy to play baseball.   I really looked forward to going to the cabin and just relaxing.  It felt really great.  The kids had plenty of cousin time, some snow time, and we went to church and had meals together.  It was wonderful.  But everyone was tuckered out and I had a quiet drive home.

Brynn had a two-day cheer competition in Ogden at the end of the month.  I was unsure how this would go.  They had changed their routine, did pretty well at their last competition, made a few more changes, and then had their worst performance ever at showcase earlier in the month.  It had been a rocky season up until this point. They went out there Friday night...and had their best performance ever and earned their highest score ever.  It was amazing.  They were so sharp and clean and just looked so good.  They were ecstatic.  Brynn had a cheering section that night and I was so happy they saw her team at their best.

Ali, Abby, Erin M., Brynn, Ivy

We were staying at my mom and dad's but we did go out for Chick-Fil-A with other cheer girls and moms before heading to Plain City.  Brynn had wanted to go to their hotel and swim but it was already getting late so I nixed that idea.  And then she ended up having a sleepover in Lucy's room with Lucy, Josie, and Ivy so everyone was happy.  I had my parents house all to myself.

Brook Moore, Savannah West, Abby Boyer, ?, ?, Ella, Evan, ?, Brynn, Claire Winsor, Abby Hansen

We were back at the cheer venue on Saturday.  Not too early, thankfully.  They didn't hit their routine as well as they had they day before but they still did great.  Some of the stunters had some bobbles but Brynn was solid, as she usually always is.  They still felt good about the performance.  We had a few hours to wait for results.  I met my high school friend, Karla, for lunch and Brynn tagged along with some of the other moms and girls.  Awards were later that afternoon.  Brynn's team took first in their division and they also got high point champions in their level (several divisions).  After so many ups and downs, this was so wonderful for them.  They were so happy and excited and proud.  Lots of pictures after this comp.  It had been a great weekend and boosted their confidence a whole bunch, which was very needed.

Tumble Central took home lots of awards this day

Brynn getting a hug from Ari Apostol, middle row

Lady Royal-Brynn in on the front row, second in from right

flyers: Ari, Brynn, Claire

coach Ashley Baer and Brynn

Ivy opted out of day two and stayed to play with Lucy and Josie.  They ended up down at the Walker's where Ivy got a ride on one of their horses, among lots of other playing.  It was a great day for her.

Ivy and Harper

Justin hasn't missed a cheer comp but we decided that it would work better that weekend if he stayed home.  He had to work on Saturday and we didn't want to drive two cars up and the tickets are expensive...so he stayed home and watched the video I sent him of the routine.  I had made a temple appointment for someone to use so he took a group of Stockton's friends to the Mount Timpanogas temple Friday night.

Khloie, Grahm Kelsey, Kelton Webb, Stockton, Payton Western

Stake YM Basketball has started.  Stockton and Jake Webb have been looking forward to this all year and after winning last year, they have high expectations.  Mostly, they are just having a lot of fun.  We have a lot of boys come each week (like 15 or more) and some are athletic and some are not.  Everyone is just supportive of each other and that is great to watch.  It's a good time for everyone.

I turned 42 on the 27th of the month.  It was a regular, old Tuesday.  And that was fine with me.  I did normal stuff at home, but I love being home so that was good.  I taught piano, drove kids to their things, and watched church basketball.  The one request I did have was not to plan, prepare, or clean up dinner.  So Justin got a pizza and we sat down to eat as a family and then we had the chocolate cake I made for myself for dessert.  I was happy to have everyone home that night.  I was talking to my sister earlier in the day and we were laughing about how when it's mom's birthday, it's just a normal day to which I said that I really love my life so a normal day is a great day.  And she agreed.  This is a good stage of life and I'm so grateful for it.  I love being a mom to these kiddos and being involved in all aspects of their lives.  It's a privilege to watch their lives unfold and hopefully I can impart some wisdom and guidance to them.  Mostly I really hope they see how much I love them, their dad, and Jesus Christ in all that I do.  I love the idea of my day-to-day actions being a symbol of my devotion to Jesus and that's what I really want them, or anyone, to think of when they think about me.

And I took this picture of Molly at Stake Girl's Camp Kick-Off.  She's the one up front in the red sweater.  As one of the YCL's, her job was to make a powerpoint and go over all the rules for the Heber Valley Camp.  She did a great job, as did all the YCL's, who ran the entire night.  It's going to be a great camp this year!