Twin Day at Tillicum

 Nona was sick for the first 2 days of Spirit Week, but had worked hard to make a shirt that looked like Mrs. Stillmaker's shirt for Wednesday. It was swap with your teacher day, but the other kids in her class told her it wasn't the right day so she kept her sweatshirt on all day so nobody saw her shirt. We went to the school that afternoon for Student conferences and the book fair and I showed her teacher the shirt Nona made. Mrs. Stillmaker said they could be twins the next day and she would wear her shirt to match. Nona is such a great kid. She loves big and really cares about people. She does have some sass and the better she knows you the more she uses it. She works so hard to make sure kids at school have friends and help in class. Someone asked Nona is her teacher was nice and she said, "no, but I like her". That is true she isn't a warm cuddly teacher, but she cares and is good for Nona. I really love this little neighborhood school and all the teachers who work hard to help my kids and those of the neighborhood. 

Christmas Morning Breakfast 2022

 We have started a new tradition over the last few years of having Phil's parents join us for Christmas breakfast before they head to visit all the others. I love having them over and it is always so great to see the kids spend some time with their grandparents. Phil always makes amazing food. This year we had to quickly eat so we could get ready for church. I have been trying hard to get more pictures with grandparents in them since my dad's passing so I had everyone pose extra that morning.

More Christmas Break (Zoo trip) December 2022

 We had a dry cold day during the break so we drove up to Seattle and went to the Woodland Park Zoo. Phil had to drop off his old work computer at SCGA so we stopped in there first. Nona loved going in and meeting all the people Phil worked with. The animals were all out and playful for this trip. The monkeys were singing and the hippos gave a good show. We stopped at fainting goat after for some ice cream and then hit a taco shop. Cannon was with cousins so missed the day with us. Even when it is cold I love the zoo.

Christmas Break 2022

 We finished off Christmas break with Miya on a hike in Eatonville and a trip to Costco for a hotdog. It was so great to have her home and get to spend time with her. Cannon was snowboarding with Gideon and Lyla was happy to miss out on the hike. It was fun to see all the water at Mashel Falls in the winter. 

Days Gone By

 I was looking at all the pictures on our fridge from photo booths with the kids when we were out doing things together and it made me miss Miya and Cannon so much. I miss these days when we traveled to Oregon with Phil when he went down for work. I miss the times when the kids were such good friends and we all loved hanging out with each other. I think it is on the days that I miss my dad the most that I start thinking about how quickly time is going and it makes me sad that so much of the time with my kids is gone. Then I think of the kid missing in these photos and I am so happy we had a special addition 9 years later. I sure do love my family and all the time we get to spend together.