top golf, bowling, and asu gymnastics

Four friends from high school.

And their wives/fiancé..

It was so great to get together with these guys! While the guys have gotten together a few other times, it had been years and years since Eric and I saw everyone together.

We’ve also gotten to hit up the bowling alley with our kids a few times.

It’s so relaxing and good for us to spend some time with just these three when we can focus on them and actually talk and have some fun all together.

Layla and I met up with my sister and niece for an asu gymnastics meet.

It’s been good to get out and do some different things. 

an adventure at night

We literally cleaned the house for eight hours straight today. 

From top to bottom. And outside, too.

It stayed clean for about an hour.

Then the kids came home.

And I wondered how some humans can be so messy.

Then I left my dinner plate on the counter and threw my clothes on the floor instead of into the hamper.

Because I was so exhausted from cleaning all day.

The older boys went out tonight so we picked up dinner through a drive through with the three younger kids.

Since I cleaned all day I wasn’t about to cook, too.

It was my turn to pick a movie to watch. Because I said it was.

I picked Pocahontas.

I really, really love the music in Pocahontas. 

I don’t really care for the movie for any other reason except for the music.

Well, and for the wind that blows those leaves and her hair.

“Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?”

“You can’t step in the same river twice—the river’s always changing, always flowing...Just around the river bend!”

“Listen with you heart...”

When the movie was over, Layla and I were feeling up for an adventure. 

She grabbed a flashlight and we both grabbed our coats.

We walked along the canal in the dark.

We talked about the stars in the sky and imaginary friends.

We raced. I let her win. And then she let me win.

We ran and jumped over an obstacle in our path. 

She held my hand and smiled and chatted away.

We ended up at a park. A mile away.

We set a timer and then played hard. climbing and exploring and swinging for 10 min.

And I thought how lucky I am to be mom to this sweet, kind, thoughtful, genuine girl!

Who didn’t care one bit that my hair was extra poofy and I was makeup less.

She told me that when she was trying to get me to stop at DQ.

I think our adventure was pretty great even without that stop.

Layla was a perfect companion for an impromptu adventure at night.

I hope we get to adventure again soon.

hole in the rock and the zoo

My teenagers argue that we spend plenty of time as a family, but why is it that I feel otherwise and I can’t get enough of days like this??

When Eric has some days off of work after Christmas, we drove to Papago Park in Phoenix. We started our day at Hole in the Rock.

I love climbing all around this place and enjoying this beautiful view.

Kyler, Kacin, and Layla did more climbing than the rest of us and found an alternative route down the front. 

Love!!






Staying on the trail was just the right amount of hiking for Brinna and Perry.















After our little hike, we spent some time at the zoo.
It was such a great surprise to run into our dear friend AnnMarie from Utah!

Where did she learn to smile like that for pictures??

Hmmm.... thanks, Kyler.

I’m so glad we get to go on family outings like this. 

teenagers

Teenagers bring a lot of fun into our house. Especially these four. 

And especially when they get bored and do things like this.


Which worked much better than when they tried to flip each other.


Those poor teenagers that hang around a lot occasionally get roped into playing games with us, too.

Kyler helped me out with my phone...

To make this my lock screen:

We attended a court of honor for a bunch of boys and friends in our ward.

Kyler started his first job! He is pretty excited to be earning some gas and date money now.

Like this excited:

I know this has nothing to do with teenagers, but I am feeling so grateful for primary activity leaders. There are some good people in this world who show such caring, kindness, and inclusion and it makes such a difference. (I don’t have a picture of Layla’s leaders but they are fabulous and loving, too!!)

Running club, mismatch day, and a hike

After watching her brothers run cross country, Layla decided she wanted to race, too. So she joined her school’s running club.

They meet before school two days a week. Though, because of various circumstances she hasn’t been that often to practice. But she got to participate in the first district race. She did a little more walking than running, but she was a good friend to a friend of hers who hurt her foot and she finished strong. In 158th place. 

I’m so proud of her for being willing to try something new and to be a part of the running club! What a great experience for her.

There was a week of school spirit days right before winter break. Our favorite was definitely mis-match day.  When she was trying to decide what to wear, Eric teased Layla to wear one of the outfits that she tries to wear but mom makes her change. ;) Like patterned skirts with clashing colored shirts. She pulled out this creative outfit on her own.

We had cousins over on a Saturday afternoon and I got to take these kids on a hike. Preston and Layla were the most excited about being out in the desert with me, but they were all awesome hikers out there!

At the tip top!