BYUI Graduation

 My emotions were all over the place as we celebrated Kya and Clayton's college graduation.

Proud of  all their hard work.

Disbelief that 4 years have passed.

Sad to see them move so far away.

Happy we were able to be there to celebrate.

Excited for this next chapter for them.

And even a little blue that we won't be going to Rexburg again for a while.

I am so grateful we were able to spend some time with them, as well as Clayton's family, and have a beautiful, memorable, and enjoyable weekend.

In true Rexburg fashion, we had a little wind:)

Both Clayton's parents (and their significant others) and his sister Caitlyn came

Now the pictures where we don't have to stand on rocks in the wind haha.

Maybe Sumer will go to BYUI in 7 years...wait, that's kind of soon!

So glad Tyson drove up from Provo to spend the weekend with us too!  

Just missing Jordan.

The celebratory dinner

Goodbye BYUI

As emotional as these big events are, I am so grateful to be a part of them.  I am excited for Kya and Clayton and all the new and exciting adventures ahead for them!

Vegas 2025

I have wanted to see Garth Brooks live since forever...probably the 90s.  He was supposed to come to Seattle in 2021 and I was all set to get tickets with a big group of girlfriends, then 2 days before tickets where supposed to go on sale, he cancel the concert due to a Covid outbreak.  So when I saw that his Vegas residency was coming to a close, I just HAD to buy tickets.  Who knows if I would have had another chance, right?!  So I bought tickets and we planned a trip around the concert.  

I got Jordan and Mikel on board to come hang out with us and then bought them tickets to take Summer to Cirque De Solei while we saw Garth Brooks.  I was so excited...until I got a text from Jordan when our plane landed saying "call me when you land".  Mikel had the stomach flu and they weren't going to make their flight.  After a few sad, upsetting, frustrating, and angry hours, we decided to make the best of our trip.  Even though it's been 2 months since our trip, it still makes me sad that they didn't get to come.  Ugh.

We made it!

Summer tried her first In n Out

Summer loved the giant candy stores

We did a lot of walking...and my hip was inflamed the entire time, ugh.  

We stayed at the Paris Hotel and it was lovely.

Summer got to come to Garth Brooks with me...she was a good sport, until Mike told her how great Cirque De Solei was:(

We went on the High Roller at night, so we could see all the lights on the strip.  

It was pretty cool.

We tried Blue Bell ice cream (Clayton's favorite) and searched until we found a place that sold non alcoholic drinks in the big tall cups we saw everyone carrying:)

Blue Man Group

Bellagio Fountains

Arte Museum was cool.  This was our favorite room!

Freemont Street 

(very different during the day-family friendly even)

We wanted to eat at one of Gordan Ramsay's restaurants, but didn't make it happen

(eating gluten free was hard on this trip!)

The gardens at Bellagio 

Summer got to hold a parrot!  Worth every penny:)

Saw a couple getting married at Denny's

(Vegas is weird)

We went to The Pawn Stars pawn shop...Mike found hockey cards:)

Such a fun trip for this family of 3!!!

February Snow

 You know what I don't want in February?  Snow.  Honestly, by the time February rolls around, I am ready for spring! But I should know by now, snow is much more likely than spring. But...we got two days off school and an ecstatic 10 year old, so I can't complain.  

Summer loves the snow, but doesn't love building snowmen, so I made this one myself:)

This was before it really started dumping.  Snow sure is pretty.

The kitties love it when we are outside, even if it means trudging through snow up to their bellies.

"Make me a mermaid tail, Mom!"  Didn't quite work out haha.

Summer made everyone delicious snow cones!

And Summer and I did this trend where you do a face print in the snow.  I somehow turned into a thug and she turned into a chubby baby haha.  We laughed for the rest of the day.

Me as a thug

Summer as a chubby baby

I guess snow isn't all bad...I just wish it came in December instead of February!

Cook Offs

Sometimes it's tricky to find something two adults, a 19 year old (who is an adult too I guess), and a 10 year old actually enjoy doing together.  This winter break, we discovered cooking.  So far we have done 2 cook offs and everyone has had a lot of fun.

Steak Cook Off

Summer and Tyson both attempted a pan fried steak...one was under cooked and one was overcooked:)

Dad was of course the winner...cooking his steak on the grill and even grilling up some yummy potatoes as a side.

Dessert Cook Off

Summer's was a little rich (just nutella and whipped cream mixed together, but look at that presentation!

Tyson's gluten free mug cake actually turned out delicious!

Mom's won overall best, but both were yummier when you added Summer's to them haha.

We didn't get a picture of Dad's because his took to long.  

He made chocolate covered Oreos which took a while to set.

Now we need to come up with some more categories...

Canada Christmas

 This year we headed up to Canada December 27th to celebrated with the Kurki Clan.  I wanted to stop at Dad's grave, since Jordan had never been there and Kya hadn't been there since the funeral.  I thought we should all be there together at least once.  I so wish Dad was still with us.  He is missed everyday.

Tina took more pictures than normal this year because Becca wasn't with us (she and Brody are in Florida doing her cancer treatment until the end of January) and she wanted to send them to her.  We really missed Becca and Brody...it really wasn't the same without them.  Janae and Jason were missing too because they were skiing.  Luckily we got to see them before we headed home.

Tyler and Trevor were in a pretty bad car accident a coupe days before Christmas, so it was extra special to be able to see them.  So grateful they were ok.

The cousins are all grown up now.  Crazy.

On the way home I REALLY wanted to drive through the lights at the Tulalip Casino (30 min away). I am so glad we did because it was beautiful.  Next year we'll have to do it at a time when can park and get out and walk around.  Definitely worth the drive!