March

 Progress on the house continues...LeGrand got all of the insulation in the front put in and we finished up pulling wires into outlets for lights and plugs.

The kids had some fun with my phone...seems like they get their hands on it every chance they can!

This day cracked me up...There was a contractor taking pictures and doing some things at the company house and couver wasn't having it so the lady was afraid to get out of her car. LeGrand loaded him up in his truck and drove to the top of the lane until the lady left - I couldn't help but get a picture of LeGrand and the stinky dog in his truck, ha ha!

We more than NEEDED a BREAK!!  COVID mixed with house building we hadn't been on a trip in far too long - we packed up everyone the end of March and headed on a southern Utah adventure - it was SO much fun, we thoroughly enjoyed every minute.  It wasn't quite as warm as we'd hoped but ended up being the perfect getaway/recharge!

We started with a stop in the town of Loa --just for our Loa!

Then on to Torrey where we stayed with plans to see Capital Reef national park

We had SUCH a fun time at Capital Reef, the kids loved just being able to do all the exploring they wanted to and we loved not having a schedule so we could just take our time - it ended up being one of our favorite stops on the trip.

Then we were 'supposed' to be on our way to Bryce Canyon and the lady in charge of the directions (ME) took us the wrong way, ha ha.  We couldn't help but stop at this random guys "Treasure Garden & petting zoo" ...the kids thought it was so cool.  Ha ha

It ended up being a fun detour to see Grand Staircase and Gobblin valley - we would have loved more time in Goblin Valley to explore!

Our last stop was Bryce Canyon, it was a bit colder than Capital Reef and Goblin Valley but luckily they had just opened the road all the way to the top the week before we got there so we were still able to have a fun hike and enjoy seeing all that Bryce had to offer.

                                       

SO enjoyed our little family re-fresh, in the midst of the house-building craziness!

2021 - What a year!!

 It's been WAAAAAY too long since I have updated this blog, in fact I'm now seeing that it has been almost an entire year!  I'm going to do my best to update the months but I though it fitting to start with a 2021 explanation.

It was easily one of the biggest 'growth' years...or trying/frustrating/hard just plain hard!  We spent more than half the year in the depths of building our home - our home that was supposed to only take 6 months, turned into a full 12 months, we're learning that's basically the joys of building - mixed with some unforeseen effects from COVID.  By the end we were more than exhausted (and completely sick of spending money) and that was when all the work was up to us.  From electrical (and ALL that involves),  and tiling, to finishing all baseboards, painting the ENTIRE house, painting and hanging doors, finish trim around doors, windowsills, flooring in bathrooms and sealing the concrete floors, wiring and hanging all the lights and fixtures, a whole ton of Caulking, hanging wallpaper...it was A LOT, and frankly by the time we could actually move in I really despised the place. I was so sick of working my guts out 24/7...there were still some things to do when we moved in (like tile the master bathroom shower) and I don't do well with 'unfinished projects'.  My parents saved the day and showed up for a full two weeks after we had moved all of our stuff in and helped us get completely unpacked, finish some projects, organize some stuff - it was so helpful and much appreciated.  That was the end of July/beginning of Aug.

Now that we've been here 5 months I'm starting to learn to love the place.  There are definitely still things, like all the little things I know are wrong, and then a garage floor that has to be changed because they didn't slope it and the first big snowstorm I pulled my car into the garage and all the snow melted off and flooded my laundry room and office....ugh.  Also, because of the size of the house we are still figuring out the best ways to heat without paying a fortune to keep us warm...there's been a lot of growing pains for sure.  I'm making it a goal this next year (2022) to try and see all the good :)  The kids love it here, they make use of the gym nearly every single day, they love having their friends over for parties and there's plenty of space for everyone to have fun!  The views blow me away everyday, they are incredible even in the middle of winter!

...now here's the rest of this blur of a year! ha ha

January + February

January was mostly a blur...I was over-the-top busy with my little hobby job and we had two different visits from Grammie and Papa here to help LeGrand run electrical in the house - sure made the month fly right by!

Loa got her first Perm compliments of Grammie

The beginning of February we got a big snow storm...there was this giant chunk of snow/ice in the middle of the road so Laexin got out and moved it to the side of the road.

The middle of February Grace hosted the Jr. High boys bball tournament -- we've had a pretty good season with the boys really growing in their abilities.  Laexin has especially really started to shine.  We were worried about the tournament as we had to play two teams we haven't beat all season (played them both twice, lost all 4 games)...the boys played AMAZING and we ended up winning all three of our games and coming out as tournament champions!

I LOVE watching Laexin play - it really brings out the competitor in me!!  He has made huge strides in his abilities this year and it's so fun to see him play so well!  I can't wait to watch what high school brings!

Christmas 2020

Christmas this year was quiet, and honestly - a little lonely for me.  I sometimes just wish we had close friends or family closer to spend holidays and other events with.  Nonetheless, we made the best of it!  Starting this year, LeGrand works on Christmas day...for the next 7 years.  So we made the best of the days before Christmas.  And luckily, LeGrands work is super flexible so he was able to stay home Christmas morning for a bit before heading to work.

Christmas Eve we went to Poky and Had Chinese food, then we came home and the kids acted out the Nativity for us, opened presents from Oma and Opa and then watched a Movie.

Christmas morning we told the kids they couldn't wake us until 6am, ha ha!  Everyone had a great time and said it was the BEST Christmas :)  Then LeGrand headed to work.  I fixed Crepes for breakfast while the kids played with their toys.  Then for the rest of the day we had finger foods.

December Shenanigans

At the beginning of December we took Laexin to get fitted for his first real suit... He is growing so much and getting so tall that all the church pants I buy him last only a couple of weeks then he needs new ones so we decided to get him a suit that could be altered as he grows, he doesn't look thrilled but he was actually really excited.

Linq was messing around and snapped this picture of us at Lunch afterward

The second week of December the kids got their Christmas Jammies. It's fun for them to be able to wear them longer during the Month of December

The weekend before Christmas we took a trip to Vernal to visit Grammie and Papa.  They played a fun game with the kids and spoiled them with all sorts of surprises.  We made the kids spread them out, opening one toy a day while we were there to give them something to entertain them.

They got an unexpected snowstorm when we were on an adventure to see the new barn/shop.  The kids were trying to catch snowflakes in their mouths, then PaPa showed them how to grab the electric fence...the more people the less shock, ha ha!

It was a fun 4 night visit.  We got to see their house after the remodel and spent lots of time playing cards!

 

Busy season, 18 Years & Thanksgiving

My November was basically spent fulfilling lots of Christmas orders---the busy season hits and life gets extra crazy.  But I have just been so overwhelmed with gratitude, it just happens that my business has really blown up at the exact time that was needed for our family.  With the house being built and needing extra income and at a time in life where I have the time to do the work.  It has all been such a blessing...I just keep praying that I'll have the guidance to make the right decisions.

On November 15the we celebrated 18 years of marriage!  Wow! Some days it feel so short.  We didn't get to do much thanks to all that's happening in the world - maybe next year!

We were home alone on Thanksgiving so I cooked a meal and we had LeGrands parents over to eat with us, it was simple and quite and kinda lonely but sometimes that's just how life goes.  It was a good day...the kids were happy to not get out of their PJ's ;)