Random Jan-Feb 2021

Spencer’s “science” project. It wasn’t very science-y but we got to eat a lot of cookies. So win?

 

Had Peter and Brenna over for her birthday. Love these two cute two year olds. 

When the kids don’t feel well they always end up in a bed on the floor next to our bed. 

Met a monkey at the park. 

Floating through the air on our walk. 

Green eggs and ham for Dr. Seuss day in Preschool. 

We finally convinced Spencer to cut his hair. JP Olsen cut it at his house. 

One of the things I love about Steve is desire and patience to teach our kids new skills. He usually the one who takes the time to teach our toddlers how to get dressed and put on their own clothes and choose. He teaches the how to ride bikes, clean, yard work, etc. I always think their too young, but he always has trust in their abilities and proves me wrong. Lately he’s been teaching the boys about cars. He has them help change oil and fix this and that. 

Rod loves taking pics with Andrea. 

 

Valentines 2021

Our 14th February 14th together. Love him more now than the first time around. 

A special candlelit valentine’s dinner with the kids. Rod even busted out a stache for the occasion. 

 

Katie's 34th Birthday

Amber was in the area on my birthday so we did lunch and a little shopping. Always so wonderful to have sister time. 

My birthday was low key, at home with the family. Which I didn’t mind at all. Jeffrey wanted a picture together because we both have tie dye shirts. Every time I wear mine he wants to wear his so we can be twins. 

And then Andrea wanted in on the picture taking too. 

 

Jeffrey's 5th Birthday

Such a fun and yummy cake to make. I love this kid so much. He’s sweet and funny and spunky and a joy to have in the family. 

 

Mom of 4

My sweet angel baby is quickly becoming a stubborn and sometimes sassy toddler. 

4 kids is tough. But it’s taught me a lot- like learning to relax and let things go sometimes. Ice cream before dinner? Sure. :) 

 I got together with some friends, and my friend Becca’s mom taught us how to make homemade chocolates. They were so yummy and fun to make. It was just what I needed. It reminded me of advice that Beeca gave me once. See below. 

She doesn’t get told no enough. 

Big Stuff

Spencer was ordained with the Aaronic Priesthood to the office of a Deacon. He’s now able to help with the Sacrament each week. 

I got LASIK eye surgery! It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but the cost held me back. I had the opportunity to pick up more hours at work so I decided to put that extra money towards my surgery and finally get it done. The recovery was a lot longer and more painful than I had been warned (after it was over Jamen told me his was the same but he didn’t want to scare me). But I made it through. I had dry eyes for months, but that also eventually worked it’s way out and have it 20/20 vision is amazing! Worth every penny and so glad I didn’t hold it off any longer. I had to sleep with these eye coverings for the first few days to make sure I didn’t accidentally poke, scratch or put too much pressure on my eye while I was sleeping. 

Another funny side story I found out I react very funny to Valium. You are awake during the procedure so they give you numbing drops and the option of an anti-anxiety medication to help you stay relaxed. It did it’s job and helped me stay calm during the surgery, but I was apparently very loopy afterwards. I thought I was acting normal but Steve kept laughing at me and I couldn’t understand why. I kept thinking “Wow, he must be in a really good mood today.”  I really, really wanted hot chocolate, I was going on and on about it. But Steve couldn’t find a place with that. So instead he stopped and got us sandwiches (while he was in the sand which shop I also sent a message to my family and my brother’s made fun of me after. I don’t remember what was in the message though). I started whining like a little girl that I didn’t want a sandwich but then I started eating it and then starting going on and on about how it was the best sandwich I’d ever had. He said my loopy behavior went on for about an hour until we got home and then I just collapsed in bed and fell fast asleep. Haha

Rod lost his two front teeth. Sooo cute!

Jeffrey got glasses! This is him picking them out. We went to the pediatrician for his yearly wellness exam and they did an eye exam which indicated he may need a prescription for one of his eyes. Went when to an optometrist and she sure enough he did. I was really worried at first about how a 5 year old would handle wearing glasses all day but he did 1000 times better than I expected. I’m so used to him in glasses now, he looks wrong without them. 

 First day with the new glasses. So adorable. 

End of 2020 (Thank goodness)

As I went through my pictures trying to find my top 9 images to depict my year I came to a few conclusions…

1-It was a veeeery long year. 

2-It was a very weird year. 

3-It was filled with more good than bad.

Many people I love having babies I now love, Sister Trips (early in the year thankfully), vacations (different than we planned but still a blast), technology, bucket list items, baptisms and at the center of it all—family.