Toys

It's nice when Christmas gifts last more than a year of use! This tent still gets pulled out once in awhile.

Aunt Jeanene

My mom's sister, my Aunt Jeanene, passed away on January 22. I loved how smart, practical, fun, and supportive she was, and I was anxious to support my mom and cousins, so I was grateful for the opportunity to go to her funeral in Arizona. It was a lovely tribute.

We had a cousins' gathering for anyone who could come the evening of her funeral. It is fun to catch up with these people who were an important part of my childhood but who I seldom see now that I'm an adult.

My cousins had tickets to a Broadway rave at a nightclub...so typically and uniquely them! They invited me to go with them, and since I came to be with them, of course I went! I was a little worried because I didn't have my ID with me, but I figured I looked over 21, so I hoped it wouldn't be a problem. Well, we walked in the door, and the guy checking tickets asked for IDs and emphatically stated that with no ID, I couldn't come in. I was getting worried- this was a bit of a sketchy part of town, so I didn't want to wait in the car, but I didn't want them to miss the event- they'd buried their mom and mother-in-law that morning! They deserved this! Another employee asked if she should grab the manager; the door guy clearly wasn't interested in accommodating us, so I was glad this other girl at least was willing to ask someone else. This hugely muscled tough guy, apparently the manager, came up, took one look at this group of clearly middle-aged moms and said, "They can come it." Whew!

The next day, I got to go the Mesa Temple with my parents; they were married in this temple 45 years ago;)

My mom took us out for one of her favorite Arizona treats: donuts with ice cream inside! Delicious!

It was really a wonderful visit and I was grateful for my time there. 

Pianists

Sometimes, Ali and Eli sit down together and each play one hand of a piano song...it makes my momma's heart happy to hear beautiful(ish) music and their laughter too.

Christmas Gift

For his Christmas gift to his dad, Logan took Jason out to dinner. Logan got this huge side of ribs and, of course, enjoyed plenty of leftovers to eat for the rest of the week!

Anything but a Backpack

The other day, the principal at Jake's school emailed and suggested a prank for the teachers from the students: anything but a backpack day! The students were encouraged to bring their school supplies to school in anything other than a backpack, and Jake chose to bring his things in a pot! So funny!

Minitures

Eli has recently been into painting Dungeons and Dragon miniatures. He's getting really good!

 

Green Beans

Ali loves green beans, and recently sometimes she'll open a jar and eat the whole thing for a snack!

 

A Boy and His Dog

Cute boy and dog!

 

Golden Ticket

Jake's school has a book vending machine where students get to choose a book if they're nominated (and then their name drawn) by a teacher for doing something extra wonderful. Jake has been hoping for years that he would have his name drawn for this prize, and finally the other day he was! As a cherry on top, I was subbing for the Elementary School librarian that day, so I got to help him pick his book!

Downtown Game

For Christmas, I found a scavenger hunt-type game that took us around a Chicago neighborhood following clues to solve a "crime." It was a cold day, but we bundled up and had fun doing something different together.