Breakfast

The kids always like when I bake for breakfast. A couple weeks ago we made a bunch of blueberry pancakes for them to freeze for breakfasts. They ran out Friday morning with an uneven number. This meant someone lost and had to eat cereal. So today I committed to restocking their heathy high protein baked goods in the freezer. 

Homemade waffles with berry compote is a hit around here. Even David eats a quarter of a waffle. 

Kid of the week

I forgot to post this in December, but it’s important to remember this awesome feedback Clair received from her peers as kid of the week in December. 

I love that her teacher takes time to prioritize the kids recognizing good character in each other! Thank God for awesome teachers out there. 

A few more pictures from our New Year’s Eve celebration for the memories ….

Family picture. Too bad clair had already showered. 


Photo bomb as we prepare another family picture. 

Preparing the bubbly

Me and my big girl 

Confetti everywhere!

Ringing in 2023

New Year’s Eve has become a celebration each of my kiddos look forward too for each their own reasons I think. Ellie enjoys the pop music concert while watching the ball drop and the open access to junk food in her own house all night. Max enjoys the party aspects of it and that it’s a

Something different. Clair enjoys getting to stay up so late and commemorate the event with different memories. 

The past few years we have celebrated alone but with my sisters family back in town everyone was excited to be together again. So we did it. We had them over for the evening. Their was an 80s movie - Three Men and A Baby. There was laser tag - like in years past with a fresh batch of guns. There was an adult outing to Vintage for a couple drinks. There was lots of food and desserts for all. There was a small attempt at board games. 

There was a photo booth adventure directed by Katie. There was fun party favors and decorations for all to enjoy. The kids loves the noise makers and some may have gotten in trouble for blowing them loudly in others ears 

At midnight there was confetti popping in the driveway and there was the banging of pots and pans. 

There was some crazy moments and a little bit of emotions management needed but we persevered and celebrating letting 2022 out and bringing in 2023. 

I wish all my family a great 2023 and hope it’s a year

Of growth for everyone in personal development and in their relationship with Jesus. For me, I need to get my Heath a little better under control! 

Silly faces 

A team!

Kids insisted the adults get involved. 

“Jamie and Jelly”

Clair kept wanting a picture of kissing my cheek. 

My home town

I never imagined I would raise my family back in the same county and town that I grew up in. But, I’m really happy we are raising our family here. 

Today was a chance to enjoy hometown fun in gorgeous warm weather. The kids played the outside with their cousins. We short some hoops. David and I went for a nice long walk around town and stopped at the local coffee shop. 

Later in the evening we ventured downtown to Frederick to have dinner and see the boys on the creek. This annul exhibit is so fun and dinner was great. 

We were better about going into town more when the kids were little and the calendars were less crazy. I always wish we did it more frequently and I’m really glad we enjoyed some relaxing local highlights with our easy day today. 

Dinner snuggles

Tonight we went out to dinner as a family. It was a nice meal. As we sat there together clair wiggled closer and closer to me. She did not stop until she was flat up against me nestled into my arms. Then she smiles and relaxes. 

I love that she still appreciates and physically needs closeness and snuggles!

9 is awesome!

Christmas Break visit from cousins

This year we were lucky enough to have the Mayer family visit us for a few days from California. The kids and adults alike really enjoyed spending some relaxing time together and enjoying reconnecting. 

We had easy mornings with lots of strong coffee and conversation whilst the kids ran wild rediscovering the last tag guns and other fun things they enjoyed like tag and basketball. 

We had an impromptu game night together one evening with kids and then later an adult version. 

We had a family day that includes ice skating and a big dinner. 

It was really great watching the kids reconnect after three years. I hope we can do this more in the future.