I was going through my photos and realized I had a bunch of random photos showcasing daily life around here.

Briggs is the destroyer. He can empty a drawer or cabinet in no time. It’s a full time job making sure he doesn’t get into things and cleaning up after him.

We have really mild winters in the desert. But even with mild winters, I still get that spring project fever when it gets warm enough to not need to wear a sweatshirt. My first spring project was painting the trim on the pillars. A simple task – and yet it took a year for me to care enough to finally do it.

Each day this kid has a new bonk or scratch. Being a three year old boy explorer is not without its downsides.

Hallie will be turning 12 this fall. 12 is a big age in our church because you move from the primary (young kids program) to the young women (12 and older). We attended a special event to welcome in all the new girls who turn 12 this year. She couldn’t be more excited to be apart of this group. I’m trying not to be nostalgic because she is so happy about it, but I’m having a hard time swallowing the fact that she’s old enough. No more primary programs? New Wednesday night activities? Girls camp? What??

Hallie enjoys being in the kitchen with me and she’s able to help out much more these days. She’s always willing to help me try a new recipe and this particular day we were trying chocolate covered cinnamon bear popcorn.

Out takes from a few of our weekly photoshoots.

I bought this helmet at the goodwill for three dollars. It was a good purchase and has become the popular toy – Bennett doesn’t play football, but he makes sure to wear it while eating his pretzels.

Now that we have early church, and Steve is around more, Sunday afternoons are game time. Steve is making sure to teach them all his favorite strategy games and he’s taught them well because they usually beat him.

After our sledding excursion, our patio looked like this.

Saturday mornings are made for yard work and Briggs’ enjoys a freshly cut lawn – just like his father.

We take turns hosting Hunter’s friends after school for backyard football games and cookies.

Before school, the kids were waiting on the porch with their umbrellas until they saw the bus. Steve sprinted out to the but with them and grabbed all the umbrellas. Interesting fact: The kids don’t typically have recess on rainy days.

Sunday night family dinner when family (my lovely sister-in-law in the back) was visiting from Wisconsin.

 

Hunter’s class didn’t make fancy Valentine boxes – instead they each decorated paper bags. Of course his had a Green Bay Packer football player on it.

The hammock we purchased in Mexico has been used far more than I would’ve ever imagined. It’s between two posts on our back porch and they’re usually fighting to do their homework in it.

For Valentine’s Day we opted for a fancy family dinner at Red Robin. We rarely take the kids out to dinner like this – it’s usually not worth the headache – but the kids were on their best behavior and made sure to get our money’s worth of their bottomless fries.

Hunter really worked hard on his biography report. He was assigned Ben Carson and knew nothing about it before the project. His favorite part was creating the powerpoint presentation to go along with his oral presentation. When I was in second grade we were taught how to color in the lines – he’s learning powerpoint and excel.

Cannon got a new book and he requested that it was read every single morning. Steve was filling the quota before he left for work.

We have entered the world of Cub Scouts with Hunter. I’m grateful for leaders who take the time and make it fun and special for him because he absolutely loves going. He’s disappointed when there are pack meetings and he doesn’t go to scouts. The blue and gold banquet had a wild, wild, west theme.

Bennett did a science project with a solar oven and s’mores. Not sure he learned a whole lot but he loved the end product.

And that’s a winter wrap!