California Christmas 2020

Fall fun at Burnett Creek

Dane and Finn walk the trail while Logan looks for birds.

Chloe finished reading the Book of Mormon last year and received a chocolate pineapple cake from her old Sunday school teacher.

Chloe made Finn and Landon's cookie cake this year, by popular demand.

Finn backs away from his birthday dessert with some trepidation.

On our way to California for Christmas break!  These kids put in some long days and were great sports about it.  They may never want to eat another McDonald's burger again, though. haha

They always love the hotel stay, even though they share beds.

The boys enjoying Aunt Sari's swimming pool

Looking good, getting ready for Aunt Sari to take family pictures

Jocelynne stares daggers at me as a snag a rare photo of her.

Look out above Lake Elsinore, on our way to hike in the mountains

View of the mountains and Utah Lake from the Knighton's house

Hanging with the Knightons on our way home from California.

Making snow cream with some fresh powder

Right after Chloe's patriarchal blessing

My counter elves

Logan and Finn share a bed and mutually tolerate each other's sprawling sleep styles.

The kids got Monopoly from Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas, and we found that Logan is particularly fond of total economic domination.

Movie night with popcorn from our neighbors, Sue and Vic, who give us gifts every holiday.

I love that my older kids are happy to play with the youngest two.  Today Chloe played games with Dane and Tristan bathed and dressed Finn.  

Landon got another job at Purdue that will last through May, so we are no longer wondering where our March paycheck will come from.  We have been blessed to have jobs come through when we've needed them.  Still, I feel like we just turned the hourglass over and we're watching time run out again.  The goal is for Landon to get a second post-doc and work remotely so we won't have to move gain.

We're supposed to get 6-8 inches of snow over the next couple of days, so the kids have a snow day tomorrow.  They're all having a sleep-over in the girls' room, and I can hear them up talking still (past 11PM!).  I loved the time I spent chatting and being goofy with my sisters before bedtime, so I'll give them another few minutes before I break up the party.