Well, for starters, we FINALLY GOT OUT OF COVID QUARANTINE. Which is no little thing. But I wondered if it would be hard to assimilate back into the everyday life after being out 3.5 weeks. Turns out, it was easy to pick up the beat again. (The only real difficulties were school related. Arrow felt some frustration trying to get back on schedule with her class & Taylor had a mountain peak of homework to grade higher than Kings Peak.)

With COVID finally behind us, we rejoined society just in time for the swing of Christmas.

Here are a few things we were able to do in December (in no particular order).

The kids & I attended our neighbor’s orchestra concert. Our little neighbor did SO well. I was impressed with the performer turnout (for an elementary school, no less!).

(I had mistakenly thought that I could go mask free because #immune. I have learned otherwise and am back in a mask ❤ )

One of my favorite things about being a mom is teaching etiquette & manners. At this concert, we practiced hushed voices, speaking only in between songs, and how to applaud (they got that one down without instruction from dear old mom 😉 ). The kids were only able to handle 30 minutes of the orchestra before needing to go home, but they did SO well while we were there! Good job babies!

We had our first snow day in years. More about that here.

Cookies were decorated:

Gloves were lost in snow banks:

My sister and I went to a funky light show before catching a musical: The Music Man

I hadn’t seen this musical before, although Taylor’s performed in it a couple times as the town ruffian. Now I know that some of the songs that he sings around the house while he’s cleaning or putting the kids to bed are from the Music Man. Kind of a funny moment of unexpected recognition.

Thanks for being my date, Ky!

Speaking of that funky light show, Taylor & I took the kids later to check it out.

Every night before bed, we gather round as a family and say our favorite moment from that day and then say a family prayer. Usually, this routine prompts a final burst of silliness from the kiddos. This night they decided to lump up together for prayer :’)

Cheese slices & Amedia Bedelia with Grammy ❤

My sister Cam & I were going for the Beautiful Liar pose. Between us or Shakira & Beyonce, whose hair fanned out was best?

The best moment of MY ENTIRE LIFE was when a random ACTUAL DOG broke into my house and make himself at home. THIS WAS SUCH A HAPPY DAAAAAAAAY. (Until he had to go home to his real ownders 😥 )

Gosh darn it to heaven I want a dog.

Regular morning cuddles to start the day 🙂

Stories before bed

We inadvertently drove through what’s called a “snow squall”. The intensity and speed of a snow squall has convinced me into believing Santa really CAN visit every house in the night. I mean, just look at those roads over a 15-minute difference!!

(Taylor, as a hobby meteorologist, giggled the entire way while I wept silently into my hands hoping that death would be at least quick.)

We woke up each morning and discovered that Junior had once again chosen violence.

Finally, we rounded up the year by purging every.single.drawer. in the house. There are a couple closets left unscathed, but our home is filling SO much lighter and lovelier. Can’t wait to have it all done.

Happy 2022!