Greg turns 35!

I talked Greg into working from home on his birthday, solely for selfish reasons. Busy Season is kind of awful, and where his birthday fell on a Saturday this year, we made the most of it. 

He woke up and was able to work from the comforts of his own home, how unproductive it might have been. It has finally, sort of, almost sunk into my brain that Greg really hates birthday's, so I may have toned it down a bit, but we still did our best to celebrate him against his will a good part of the day.

I had coordinated with Katy a few weeks earlier to secretly come up to watch our girls so that I could take Greggy night boarding for his birthday.

He may have been reluctant at first, but when he could choose from any resort he wanted, he made quick work of finding the info he needed on the computer and purchasing our passes. A Greggy on a mission is a sight to behold.

Katy was prompt and the girls were beyond excited to spend the day with her, so off Greggy and I went to night ski at Brighton (I think).

Greg had his board and made the decision for me to Ski instead of Snowboard, so I planned to rent ski's, which ended up being a disaster. I waited 45+ minutes to get my ski's while Greg went down a few runs without me. I eventually got my ski's and found Greg, and off we went on our frozen adventure!

Brighton is beautiful! I had never been before in the winter, and it is a sight to behold. It was so cool to look over the mountain down into what we suspected was Midway/Heber. 

Greg was able to enjoy the beauty of the sunset while I was inside waiting for my ski's.

Together at last!

Because why wouldn't he blink for the photo?

We had a lot of fun going down the mountain. It always astounds me how fast Greg is! He has his sister Lindsey to thank for that, as he tells me. Greg sure doesn't move fast on his own feet, but when he's on a bike or a snowboard, watch out!

After we were sufficiently tired and frozen, we deemed the night a success and ski/boarded down the mountain one last time. We got some yummy dinner on our way home and were happy to see that Katy had managed the girls beautifully. All 3 were tucked in their beds without any mishaps.

We were so stuffed from our dinner, we decided to do cake and ice cream another day.

He may not like birthday's, but he does love us, and that helps make up for the rest, I think.

Greggy requested a homemade lemon rasberry cake, courtesy of @CakebyCourtney. With how expensive eggs were in January, it was a labor of love to get that thing made. The cake alone used 8 eggs. and the buttercream used even more! It cost a small fortune, but it was delicious so at least it was worth it!

We sure do love you Greggy! 35 never looked so good.

Finishing up December 2022

Here I am in July, finishing up the fun things we did in Dec 2022. Holy cow! I am so far behind, but it is so fun to relive all of the fun things I completely forgot that we did. I'll do my best to narrarate what we did the best that I can :).

Aunt Katy came to stay with us for the week and had a blast watching the girls for us while Greg and I went on a date. She's the best! The girls convinced her to paint their faces.

Our cute family under the Tree of Life.

Katy ended up getting sick, so she recovered in our basement for a few days. We loved taking her with us places.

Sof's Christmas gifts to her friends this year were cute rice pack Gingerbread men.

Claire took her new LOL doll with her everywhere. Here she is with Claire while she plays with her mini Hungry Hungry Hippo game.

Everyone obliged me one night by going to the Grand America and seeing the Christmas windows. We followed a cute mouse through his journey.

Only Quincey and Sof were brave enough to survive the frozen courtyard.

Our cute girlies!
This pic doesn't do the Gingerbread Hotel justice. 
It. was. HUGE!

The prettiest Christmas Tree!

Claire cat in her Christmas jammies completely mesmerized by the window.

Google made us a Claire collage. I'm quickly reminded that this girl is hilarious!

Campbell Companies purchased a showing of the Little Mermaid one night for their employee's and families @ Hale Theatre. It was mine and the girls first time there and the play did not disappoint! It was amazing!

Quincey and her cute smooshy face.

We were so happy to see the toys back at the library! We haven't seen them out since before COVID.

The girls were sure proud of their Christmas lights. They helped switch all of the old bulbs out and replaced them with the new pattern.

Where's Claire?

I finally got the piano tuned after having it for 5+ years. It was fascinating to watch, and the lady showed me how to take it apart. That may or may not be helpful for future projects ... just don't tell Greg.

We did our Thanksgiving tree again, and I was dying over the cat Claire drew on it.

Quincey absolutely LOVES books, and I love having a 7 year old who can read to her.

Sof was quite the little Jr. Jazz player this year. I was only able to make it to 2 games, thanks to all of the sick bodies in the house, so I'm sure glad Greg took pictures.

Froyo one night with my mini me.

Claire was having a moment one day, so I put her in her room to give us both time to cool off. I was dying when she started sending me messages through her window. 

Quincey quickly discovered she likes eating snow.

Seeing Santa at Cabela's.

Claire really wanted this fish.

She refused to pose for a pic on her last day of preschool before the Christmas holiday, so this is the best we're going to get, folks.

Claire and this fish had a staring contest. I can't remember who won. My money is on the fish.

Quincey turned 10 months and is so much fun!

She is starting to crawl and continues to be the world's cutest baby.

I found this video on my phone and kind of love it.

We spent New Years Eve at Get Air and had so much fun! They did a balloon drop this year and gave away unlimited cookies. We plan on doing this every year. It was awesome!

I found this video of Sof. She's hilarious.

Soaking in my cute baby, so sad to say goodbye to 2022 and the year she joined our family.

It's hilarious to see how many people Greg can carry up the stairs.

Looking down on their kingdom.

Greg surprised the girls with poppers to reign in the new year. They had fun watching them pop in the dark.

Mittens helped me count my year-end inventory. He loved it.

What a year 2022 was - we did a lot of fun things!

Greg turned 34
Quincey Rose joined our family
I turned 31

Sofia turned 7

Claire [mostly] enjoyed her 1st year of Preschool

We went out to eat as a family and survived Claire puking up her chocolate milk.

I learned how to navigate Cherry Hill with a newborn and 2 young swimmers

We had THE BEST TIME at the Oregon Coast

I somehow mixed up the start days in August, but Sof managed to still be on-time to school her first day of 2nd grade.

Claire patiently waited for her turn to start Pre-K

Claire turned 5.

We had the funnest trip to Yellowstone, Jenny Lake, and Jackson Hole, even though Claire threw up that night in the hotel.

We had a fun trip to Moab for Thanksgiving.

Sof had the best time playing Jr. Jazz Basketball

Everyone got sick except for Mom.

Claire, Quincey, and Greg all survived COVID.

Heidi saw Gentri.

We made so many fun memories!

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2022 was a year to remember!

...

Christmas 2022

Christmas Eve was a beautiful, relaxing day. We spent it delivering Neighborhood gifts, because why not wait until the last minute? The girls helped deliver while Quincey and I danced in the car.

Looking so cute in their Christmas Jammies!

Christmas morning came just in time for us to open gifts just before needing to get ready for church. As a kid, I hated Christmas on Sunday, but that has changed as an adult. There is a special spirit that comes as we celebrate the Christ child on a Sunday with our neighbors. 

Sofia was beyond excited to find a pink Magic Mixie waiting for her on Christmas morning. She spent all morning teaching it magic. It was really cute to watch.

Claire was excited to find LOL dolls and a big pink Barbie motorhome. 

Quincey had fun watching her older sisters and playing with the wrapping paper.

It was a fun, relaxing day. I enjoyed listening to Sofia and Claire play so cute all day long. Quincey and Greg had a nap, and we enjoyed time soaking in the Christmas Spirit. 

We finished the night off with our tradition of making Chili Releno's. They were absolutely delicious!

What a beautiful day celebrating the birth of our Savior.