Mid March

B had a surprise guest at choir last week (one of LTs friends came to visit all the kids, but B might have been the only one who knew him).

Bri was in Thailand all week and my brother had reminded me that we should try Bastiens (a steakhouse on Colfax that has been there FOREVER),  I took these 4 randomly one night that we had free.

The lighting for photos was not optimal, but we got one photo.

Missing her dad, but so cute.

The leprechans have gotten lazier and lazier over the years at our house, but they did manage to buy lucky charms (which mom said no to having late the night before St. Paddy's day, to which she was left this note).  And below, a double bowl served by himself for breakfast.

The big kids didn't have school Thursday due to a teacher strike.  Jochi had some friends spend the night (and they kindly watched B while I went to the big guys swim meet and Bri was out of town still).  They made Spanish Pancakes, and B cooked apples.

Always climbing.

And making his own OJ (and taking selfies).

And she's anxiously awaiting her favorite dog sitter as we head out of town.

 

1st week of March

The first week of March was PACKED.  In all good ways, some of which are not pictured (a swim meet, going to see Mary Poppins, regularly scheduled school, days off of school, let alone Brian or my jobs).

Jochi really wanted to go to the zoo while she was with us, so B and I took her and her friend.

LT went to a military ball with his girlfriend.

Jochi turned 16, so we went to Casa Bonita naturally (and threw her a surprise party, see below)

B and I went to Vail with some friends for a night to ski.

LT and his girlfriend went to Montana for a long weekend to look at MSU.

Friday night was the surprise party!  LT was in Montana and Ads was at a swim dinner (but joined later with a friend).

Saturday B went to our nephew's birthday party (while Bri and I went to Ads swim meet), and then Sunday we had a big family celebration for our nephew after going to see Mary Poppins (LT was still in Montana).

 

February

Somehow our life is very full, I have taken few photos and definitely not had a moment to write about our life.  But, above LT getting his first suit for a ball he has tomorrow night.

A lot of cooking and baking happens at our home almost daily. 

We made candles one cold day for fun.

Lots of VR and other video games.

Brian took these 3 to see Dogman.

Ads went to cheer on his old robotics team at a competition.

These two had a sleepover (apparently invited ALL the stuffies to it as well).

B's friends dad invited B and Brian to a Nuggets game.

We ran out of space in our mountain place with all the kids that came, but luckily have a pull out bed in the hall for B.

I took these 3 skiing (Jochi was sick and Brian took Ads to meet a friend to ski at Breck.)

Annual Valentines day fondue with some extra kids.

These two must have taken a selfie.

I snuck away on a girls trip.  Brian (no photos by me) was able to travel to England for a week and then currently is in Iceland for the week).

Jochi went to Casa Bonita with some friends (no picture) and then B was randomly invited this week by a friend.  Our family all goes next week, so lots of fun times at the pink house.

 

Little Baker

As a naturally clean person who doesn't like messes, it takes all my strength to see the good in this chaos.  BUT, I am trying.  After work each day and before the kids come home, I try and wipe the counters and clean the floors and generally pick up.  This particular day, I had done that and extra deep cleaning.  B had other plans (as did Ads, see mess near sink that was done by the middle child making smoothies and ribs as an after school snack).  Not only did I do some extra cleaning, B did some extra mess making (spilled half a bag of flower on the floor, opened sprinkles that left the counter covered in small balls of sugar , put the powdered sugar into the mix rather than the granulated sugar etc).  It took a lot of patience (and a lot of cleaning), but I did my best to embrace his excitement to bake muffins.  And in the end, the muffins were good, he was happy and the kitchen was once again clean.