2023 At a Glance

This past year had several bumps in the road with a lot of trips to the hospital for everyone except Zander and Lucas. We have a lot of medical bills to pay, but we had some of the best times with both our families. We spent two weeks with the Washburns traveling the world and going on rollercoasters with several family members so willing to step in and help Stephen and I with our young kids so that we, ourselves, could have some fun. We spent an incredible week in Twin playing with cousins and having sleepovers, playing in the canal, and going to kid's camp. Every year it always comes down to the fact that even though we have bumps or rough roads to navigate we always come out the other end feeling so blessed and grateful for everything we have, especially our family. God is good.

January

• We took Grandma and Grandpa to the Midway Ice Castles. This is one of the kids' favorite winter activities.
• Hannah decided to cut her own hair for the second time

February

• Grayson started potty training (this took a good portion of the year around 9 months to master)
• Grayson made his first trip to the ER to get his forehead glued back together after falling on the corner of a chair.

March

• Stephen was diagnosed with gout

April

• Grayson turned 3
• We got to spend spring break and Easter in Twin Falls with all our family
• I got to go through the temple with Charity as she received her endowments. What a special day for her and for me since I got to be with my sister, two brothers, and mom and dad in the temple. I haven't been in the temple with my family since my own wedding almost 15 years ago.
• Celebrated 14 years of marriage!

May

• Spent Memorial Day weekend in Elba at the cabin. We went on an adult four wheeler ride and rolled the four wheeler hurting my foot.

June

• Took a cruise with the Washburn clan and played in Universal and Disney World
• Lucas turned 8

July

• Lucas got baptized
• Spent a weekend with Family at Cherry Hill to celebrate Halle's 17th birthday
• Had surgery on my wrist to remove a cyst
• Went on a fun girls trip to Boise with Becky and Trish
• Lucas got the worse sunburn I have every seen

August

• Hannah turned 6
• Hannah got her tonsils taken out

September

• Hannah broke her arm at school
• Lucas won an Oculus gaming system from a karate family event

October

• Made applesauce with grandma in Twin
• Took the kids on a staycation to Cascade Springs
• Saw the solar eclipse

November

• Spent an incredible Thanksgiving weekend at the cabin while it snowed
• Zander turned 10
• Got to watch Devin and Quentin play a ballgame on the Jazz court

December

• Made a water softener cake for Kinetico's Christmas party
• Had Christmas celebrations with both of our families
• Took the kids to the Golden Spike National Monument

New Years Eve

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Golden Spike National Monument

 I have driven past the golden spike my whole life, but have never stopped to see what it was all about. I noticed they were having their Winter Steam fest going on this weekend, so we had an impromptu adventure up north. I packed up the kids and we drove an hour north waaaay out in the boonies to experience the golden spike event. Their museum was really interesting with lots of history and artifacts surrounding the mid to late 1800s. We saw the steam engine blow its steam, toot its horn, and blow its whistle. It was loud! We got to ride on a motor railcar, and a pumper car. We had hot chocolate and stopped at the Golden Spike restaurant on our way out of town. It was a fun couple of hours to get the kids out of the house and off of the tv for a while.

Christmas Morning

 Christmas Eve the kids did their traditional scavenger hunt for their gifts. They got pjs and a new book.

"The children were all nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads."

Hannah wrote Santa a sweet note, and Lucas left some cheese and crackers out for Santa

Christmas morning. We only did two gifts under the tree this year because we did a big experience gift for the family. We got season passes to Lagoon!

Christmas at the Cabin

 This photo captures the essence of our family pretty well

Now we're somewhat ready with a few more forced smiles

Jaidin was the big winner this year. There was around $85 in the pot this time. Probably the biggest its ever been.

These two were having a fun time teasing and talking to Adam all night.

Hannah got stuck on top of the fridge playing hide and seek. I had to go rescue her