February Love

 Jordan's 23rd Birthday

Every year on the kids' birthdays I look through their baby books.  I remember this little baby so well, yet it's hard to believe this is the same Jordan.  Crazy how it feels like a lifetime ago, yet just yesterday all at once.  

Her cake turned out a little more "Valentine's" than I planned, but it was still delicious.

We tried a new Taplas restaurant for dinner that wasn't great, but we had a great time and I'm glad we tried it. 

Super Bowl Party

Jordan and Mikel came over to watch the super bowl with us, so we made a bunch of yummy food.  It was an intense game, but luckily the Chiefs managed to win in overtime (and we got to see Taylor Swift in the crowd)!

Valentine's Day

I have been feeling a little down about only having one kid at home, so I decided to do a little extra for Summer for Valentine's day this year.  I left her a little gift each day (she called them "bed gifts") of the month leading up to the 14th.  Then on Valentine's Day I did a little scavenger hunt leading her to her gifts.  She was so excited.  We may have to do it again next year.

My sweet ministering sister (Sis. Fife) brought me this cute little rose bush for Valentine's Day (and put a little flag in since I got my citizenship the day before).  It was extra special because I had just read in my journal from when I was 8 years old that my grandma had brought me a tiny rose bush for my birthday:)

And of course my "real" valentine:)  Here's us a BYU where it all began.  My dad insisted on doing a photo shoot on campus and at the temple in Provo.  None of the pictures turned out great (I was barely pregnant and not feeling well), but I am grateful we have them.

 Flowers from Mike:)

Thanks goodness for February, jammed between January and March, to keep me going;)

Louis--My first "Grandson"

 Jordan and Mikel got a kitten!  

His name is Louis, and he is adorable and crazy all at the same time!  

We love him already:)

Everyone was very excited to see him when they picked him up

Family of 3!!!

Little model in his new apartment!

Snuggling with his momma:)

Yawning

With his crazy Auntie Summer

Auntie Kya snuggles

If this is a little taste of how fun it is to be a grandma, I can't wait!

We the people...

 I have lived in America for almost TWENTY EIGHT years!  

It's about time I became a citizen, right?  Actually, for a long time I thought I would never become an American citizen.  But slowly over the years and years and years, I just started to feel more American than Canadian (and that wasn't until a couple years ago).  I guess that's what happens when you live somewhere for so long.  

This year, my Canadian passport was going to expire, so I thought I better make my choice.  Do I renew my Canadian passport and Green Card or do I take the plunge and get my citizenship.  I decided it was time.  

$700, a 10 minute interview (plus a few weeks of studying), and a 15 min swearing in ceremony, and I am now an American!

I was not expecting to get sworn in right after my interview (because Mike's wasn't when he got citizenship in 2011), so I was kind of sad to just be there by myself.  So all my pictures are selfies haha.

Party All Night

Happy New Year...now go to bed!

That is how we rang in 2023.  Summer was crying when I put her to bed because she had visions of playing and partying all night (and so begins the giant let-down that is New Year's Eve haha).

So...this year, when my friend Geneva invited us to a "family" New Year's party with a countdown at 8pm, I jumped on it.

Summer had so much fun "blinging" everyone up, including herself:)

Kya and Clayton came and celebrated with us, even though they barely knew anyone there haha.

Summer is officially too old to trick with the early countdown, and when I tried to put her to bed she said "Alexa, what time is it?" and then started crying because she wanted to stay up until midnight.  

Needless to say, we did two countdowns.

Let's see what 2024 has to offer us!

Surprise!!!

How is it possible that Christmas is the only time all the girls cousins will be together until Kya's wedding next summer?!  When I realized that, I knew we had to throw her a bridal shower over Christmas break. It was a little tricky, but we made it happen...and of course, made it a surprise:)

So grateful for my team of helpers!  I couldn't have done it without them.

The jeopardy game was a big hit!

Last minute switch from breakfast to lunch, when I found out Kya had to work until 11am, but it turned out super yummy.

Drawing the bride on your head.  Becca was the winner.

The Bride!  Can't believe it!

Becca will be the MC at the wedding:)

Jill will be a bridesmaid

The middle girls 

Holly will be a bridesmaid also

With "The Big Girls"

Jordan gets to be a bridesmaid too

Junior Bridesmaid

Mother of the bride;)

Aunties

Grandma

Alaina

We were still missing Janae (who was there for part of the shower, I just didn't get a picture) and Brooke who couldn't make it.  Kya was so happy with all her gifts and I think she felt very special.  It was so fun celebrating her and Clayton.  Now we just have to wait 9 months for the wedding haha.

Christmas 2023--A Whole Lot of Plaid

Christmas has always been magical to me.  

Now that the kids are mostly gone, it's even more magical when they all come home and fill the house with love and laughter.  It's my absolute favorite! 

Santa went all in on pajamas this year!  

And somehow we got our "present pics" which have been absent the past few years!

And Jordan made a charcuterie board for all of us with Dad's Hickory Farms gift (per usual haha)

Dinner was delicious!

  Mike's crown burst before we could get a picture this year.