February

February was BUSY in the best way possible. It all started right out of the gate with Miriam's 21st birthday!

Miriam and I both love a good brunch. 

Another year of Miriam making things happen, working hard, chipping away at life-long goals while fitting in as much fun as possible.  We love this girl so much.

 Sweethearts for Byron and Helena

Drowsy Chaperone was fantastic.  We loved watching Soren play neurotic George, and his tapping was amazing!

Second choir concert of the year, and since Soren is going to district with his solo from solo & ensemble he was required to sing his song at the concert.  He sang Lascia Ch'io Pianga from Rinaldo.

UVU Ballroom team put on a Giving Gala to raise $ for their upcoming competition in Blackpool. 
It was such a fun night! Wonderful food served to us by the ballroom dancers and we were completely entertained the entire evening. 

January Things

New Years Eve plans - Byron went out with friends somewhere, Soren had four friends over for D&D, firepit dinner and sparklers. Darin went to bed early, and I watched Anna Karenina and waited till the New Year was rung in to make sure everyone got home and the fire was put out.

Another great Hat's Off party at Centerpoint Theater.  Soren got to perform "Stick It To the Man" one last time with these amazing people. 

Mirissa was gifted some tickets to the Jazz Game.  So fun to hang out with the ladies in the Toyota Club. Jazz lost but we won.

Some truly amazing sunsets this month. As well as some great star gazing. Mars, Venus, Jupiter were all in their glory. I still love our window filled living room where I get to keep tabs on the sunsets almost nightly.  

Byron achieved 3rd place for his division in the State Cyclocross races. Combo of placement and getting yourself to every single race, even when the weather is awful.  Loved his grit, sacrifice and determination. 

He then won $50 in the raffle, lucky guy.

 This came in the mail this month.  Such a fun reminder of Newsies. 

I remember worrying so much if Soren could handle a main stage show, he is so young in these photos!

Yes, yes he can, he was scared and it was hard but he did it anyway. 

Although so many wonderful events have taken place, this month has felt very long and hard. Donald Trump was sworn in on January 6th, and it's been a circus government ever since.  I want to believe that he can't actually, legally do the things he is threatening. He is a horrible example of civility and leadership, putting in the least qualified people for every office, and is on track to be the most immoral president since Andrew Jackson.  I hope I am wrong on this, but things are very dicey and exhausting at the moment. 

Hoping February can bring in some love.  Things start out with Miriam's birthday! 

11

We have been blessed with the sweetest guy around for 11 years now.  I don't know anyone who doesn't like Byron...Scout Leaders, Primary teachers, friends parents, school teachers...everyone says the same thing "he is such a calming peaceful influence on the rest of the kids".  He is the same in our family, a true middle child peacemaker. He is fun too, with a great imagination.

Soren Miriam and I made a sneaky balloon/birthday breakfast supply run the night before Byron's birthday.  We had the Mini for some reason so we squished those balloons in tight with Soren (and no I couldn't see out of the rear view mirror, made sure we took only straight shots home).

So Byron woke up to 11 balloons bagels, fruit and nutella for breakfast.

Byron and Miriam gave Soren I-Fly certificate for his birthday in April.  About a week before his birthday, Byron was the first kid in his class to fill up his sticker chart for the year (what did I say...the guy is a teachers dream).  We had agreed with his teacher to do something fun to celebrate so I got both the boys I-Fly!!  Although this wasn't technically a birthday gift, I did pull the boys out of school early for Chick-fil-a lunch and then some flying!!

They both said it was hard, but so fun! 

Byron requested pizza, with a trip to the park, followed by ice cream Sundays.

Here is the real birthday gift.  

This boy had totally outgrown his mountain bike so he got to go out with dad to pick out a new one!

Last Week of School - An unpublished post from 2019