Cats and Dogs

 We have a family group text among all 6 of us. It's fun and a great way to make an announcement, ask an important question, or relay information to everyone at one time, which is extremely hard to do nowadays with everyone's schedules. 

The thing that we share the most on these group texts, however, is the pictures that everyone shares of our cats. They're our main source of mutual entertainment. Here are some recent ones.

Leia loves to stretch out in the sun.

Awaiting dinner.

Take advantage of those sunny days here!

Luke loves to sleep in Jason's spot as soon as he gets out of bed.

Sneaky

Lazy

Leia started taking Luke's spot.

Kade is Luke's absolute favorite!

Sometimes they rest together.

Leia reminds me of a chipmunk sometimes. 

Trying to hide.

I spy Luke!

And this week, we are dog-sitting again. Victoria was out with the Livonia Sisters last week, and they were visiting a family in that ward who were lamenting that they didn't have anyone to watch their dog this week while their family went on a cruise. Victoria offered up our family's dog-sitting services, and since she's a service missionary, she's doing it for free. So, we have cute little Happy this week. He's pretty chill and reminds me of Toto. The only thing is that he had never seen a cat before, and so he's pretty excited when he sees ours. They are not even close to his level of excitement and are unfortunately not adjusting as fast as they did to Daisy, Pepper, and Ellie, all of whom were much bigger than Happy, so it's kind of funny that the cats are so put off. Anyway, all the animals will survive, and Luke and Leia will be happy when Happy leaves next week!

February Fun

We actually had fun activities this past week that didn't involve any of our kids' activities.  They were just pure fun and social.  

Last Sunday we went to the Kish's house for the Super Bowl. We never used to watch the Super Bowl.  Jason's not into pro football, and while I always thought the commercials and halftime show were entertaining, I couldn't care less about watching them, especially when our kids were young.  The past few years, our boys have been more interested in pro football, and even the rest of us, since the Lions were in the Super Bowl. We were happy to be invited to watch the game at the Kish's with friends.  Kade didn't end up going, and we left after half-time, but it was so fun!

The Moms

On Monday, Victoria hosted a Galentine's party at our house for the sister missionaries. Four companionships came, plus Victoria's friend Payton, who was set apart as a missionary two days later and is starting the MTC tomorrow. Each companionship brought a snack to share, and they all brought a "favorite thing" gift to give to another sister. Victoria crocheted those heart keychains I included in my last post. (That evening was also book club, which I go to every month, but after having been visiting at the Galentine Party and then going to book club with Valentine-themed snacks, it was like an extension of the party. Even my tap class the next night was Valentine-themed and seemed like another special occasion.)

We put together a charcuterie board.

Friday night, Jason and I went to the 40th birthday party of a friend of ours. It was a karaoke party with fun snacks and a soda bar. It wasn't with an actual karaoke machine, but a version online where a group can just sing along with the words displayed. We enjoyed singing with our friends and letting loose!

Saturday was busy with cleaning the church, the Stake Youth activity of dodgeball for Jason, Austin, and Erik, and the Stake Adult dance that night, which was a first. I was pretty excited about the dance and felt warmed up after the karaoke the night before. Those who planned the dance were doubtful it would be well-received, but it was a big hit, and I have a feeling they will be putting together many more Stake Adult dances. Jason and I did some country swing, cha-cha, waltz, Cotton Eye Joe, and some other line dances. We even learned a new folk dance that switches partners. It was a lot of fun. 

Photo station at the dance. 

Our kids kept busy between the two nights with friends and work. Victoria attended a dance competition to watch Sammie Kish and some other Dancin' Feet girls who were so young back when Victoria last competed with them.

 I have to say that it was a really fun week. It made up for the fact that most of my students and a lot of staff members at Red Bell have been getting slammed with COVID the past 2 weeks, and there have been some interesting days at work. We need some light-hearted fun, once in a while!

I got my ring fixed up. It was missing a diamond, and the rings had separated. It's 27 years old!

Kade made pizza for the family on Friday night.

Victoria made pancakes on Saturday morning.

Jason and Kade gave me flowers!

Art Forms

Victoria and Kade, my adult children, are still just as creative as they have ever been. It's been a while since I've seen their art in ways other than music and dance because they have gotten so busy with other responsibilities. Here are a few of the things they have been working on over the past month.

Victoria learned how to crochet and crocheted a scarf for her friend, two hats (not using a loom), is working on a blanket, and is making a bunch of little hearts for the sister missionaries in our area. She also made a quilt for a baby in the NICU at the quilt shop she is volunteering at once a week now. 

The blanket is behind the hats.

She definitely learned this skill quickly and well!

She'll put the hearts on key chains for the sisters.

Baby quilt

At the very beginning of the month, Kade decided to finally paint the piece of tree trunk that we had saved from the old sycamore tree in our yard. We cut it down about 7 years ago. In fairness to Kade, I don't think I told him then that I wanted him to paint it, but maybe a year or two later I did. That piece of trunk has been on our deck getting weathered for some time. Just before all the piles of snow we have received, Kade brought that trunk in and painted it in a couple of hours. He wants to make it into a side table for the sunroom. I don't know how long that part will take, but in the meantime, I really enjoy admiring his artwork, which he can do so quickly and effortlessly. And miracle of miracles, there was a 2-inch gap at the bottom where it was the most weathered. Since painting it, that gap somehow closed up most of the way and is hardly noticeable! 

That little line at the bottom is where the crack was. 

Yesterday, I made whole wheat bread with my new favorite recipe. Kade actually offered to grind the wheat out in the snow, bless that child! And then he suggested making "bear bread" with some of the dough, which is an old tradition of Victoria's, Kade's, and mine from when they were really young. I don't think Erik was even born yet when we were in our bear bread phase. At any rate, he doesn't remember when we used to make it. Bonus: Victoria made us dinner, too!

How does Kade make it actually look like a bear? Pure talent!

Delicious chicken!

This is from when we made tortillas a couple of weeks ago.

Maybe the next time we make them, they'll be more circular, but they tasted so good!

My kids are all creative in various ways, and some of them I still can't even fathom how good they are at the art they create, as my creativity is very limited. And whatever art I feel inspired to do is spent on my preschoolers. It works out well, though, since my own kids like to do it in their own way and time. I just like them creating it in ways that I can enjoy it!