Galentines

Party time!

Nichole and I went to a Galentines celebration with friends. We had a potluck dinner and did some getting to know you activities.

Our friend, Stephanie, shared some things with us to remind us that our best Valentine, the one who loves us most, is the Savior.

After those activities, a few of us stayed to watch a movie. 

It was another great night with friends. 

 

P.S. That morning I got out for probably my last walk at the park before the lights are turned off.

Sunday Sketches

For Sunday Sketches, Jet requested a bat so this is what they came up with:

 

Jeremy

Jr. Jr.

Lucky

Jet 

 I like to see the different styles and techniques.

Celebrating with Food Again

February 3 was National Carrot Cake Day. I made carrot cake. I like carrot cake.

It was also Feed the Birds Day so Lucky and I reminisced last year when he was doing the Mary Poppins play on Feed the Birds Day. 

February 4 was National Homemade Soup Day. I made Ogre Stew. Yumm.

February 5 was World Nutella Day. We had hazelnut spread on tortillas with baby carrots and apple slices. 

Rise and Shine, Campers

I texted my son on February 2. "Rise and shine, camper. It's Groundhog Day!"

Then, "Bundle up (in your new coat) 'cause it's cold out there this morning."

Then, "It's cold out there every morning. What is this- Miami Beach?"

Then, "Not hardly." 

I gave him enough time to respond between each of my texts but he didn't so I had to do all the (paraphrased) quotes by myself. 

It's okay. 

For dinner, we had imitation groundhog burgers (black bean burgers) and potato wedges (instead of tater tots, even though it was Tater Tot Day). Mmmm. 

Family Time

Sometimes you have to MAKE time for the whole family or make the whole family take time. With a not so tiny family and everyone going in different directions, sometimes it's hard to do something with everyone (in the home). We do make sure to do Family Home Evening and family prayer and scripture study (those last two are quick, however, and sometimes with the phone on speaker). Oh, and sit down family dinner time is fun. 

But... to have everyone doing one thing together as a family (besides the normal necessary things) is not always easy. So I made everybody sit down together on Sunday, February 1, and I told them that one fond memory I had with my family as a child is when my oldest sister took the time to read to us younger siblings The Hobbit. As you know, I'm reading The Hobbit this year for the library reading challenge and I told everyone else they could read it, too. The book is for the whole family but I'm reading it on my own.

I wanted to read out loud to my family another book from my childhood so I made them all sit down (besides the bouncing around littlest- but he was still in the room and was listening to the book) on World Read Aloud Day and started reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to them. Besides being World Read Aloud Day, February 1 is also when Willy Wonka opened his factory up to the 5 golden ticket holders. We didn't get that far in the book but we did get started. I'll MAKE them all listen to me again another day.

 

Bonding Time

Bonding Time! You know I love it.

Sometimes it's important to stop and give someone the time they need. So one day when my son wanted to play board games, that's what we did.

Another day when my daughter needed to go to the library, that's what we did (we ended up going to both Provo and Orem Libraries). We had great conversations on the drive. We had great conversations in the libraries. She even gave me a book recommendation which would fit one of a number of categories for this year's Adult Reading Challenge.

Hot Chocolate Without the Brussels Sprouts

January 31 was both Eat Brussels Sprouts Day and National Hot Chocolate Day.

We didn't have any Brussels Sprouts so I made Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies (from A Season of Family Meal Plans, volume 1) with other vegetables instead. Yumm. Good with Brussels Sprouts. Good without.

Later on, I went to sleep while others in the family had hot chocolate. I obviously didn't get pictures because I was asleep. 

My friend, Stephanie, sent me Hot Chocolate Day greetings and a picture of hot chocolate she enjoyed that day. She knows how to celebrate, too. 

 

Earlier in the day, Lucky went to a friend's birthday party. He helped Jeremy build a balloon sculpture for his friend. His friend had a really good, "Whoah!" reaction when Lucky got to the party. Heh Heh.