Animal Pictures of 2017

Hurley wearing some kind of winter hat.

Daisy having her stick.

Calves.

Hugo.

Baymax.

Anne and the dog having their afternoon nap.

I set the box of chicks on her desk at left the room for 2 minutes. Jessica dumped them out and fed them crackers.

Baymax helping with the sewing. We also called him the Hobby Cat because he would sit next to anyone who was trying to work on something.

Baymax being a jerk.

Baymax reading with his girl.

Hugo just sits like a good boy.

Daisy wants an Easter treat.

Hugo camping.

Daisy camping.

Baymax being a jerk and not helping pack.

I asked Quinn to send me a picture of a really pregnant cow so I could feel better about how I looked.

Daisy enjoying her deck at the Bills's.

Taking Daisy from the Bills's to her new family.

Look closely. There are 3 cats in this stroller. A customer at the D.I. brought them in and had two dogs on leashes, too!

Father's Day Camping Trip

At the last minute, Jake decided to take all of us to North Fork for an overnight camping trip. We hadn't gone out so far this summer and the end of the summer is going to be busy with packing and moving so we had to hurry and go. The dogs, kids, and Jake were all packed up when I got home from work and we headed over the mountain to North Fork.

We were worried we would never find a spot on such a busy weekend but actually found one of our best spots ever! It was shady and big and flat. The dogs never got to go camping before so they were super excited to be there. They sniffed and sniffed all day.

For dinner we roasted hotdogs and had chips and soda. Then we roasted marshmallows for s'mores. Our tent is a great size for the four of us and I was really happy because Jake and I slept on the separate twin air mattresses and put the kids on the queen air mattress. Out of the family (including the dogs), I got the best night sleep! Jake's c-pap machine battery pack wasn't working, the kids' air mattress went flat, and the dogs whined in the back of the truck anytime there was any noise.

I'm always impressed when Jake can make pancakes, eggs, and bacon on a little camp stove. Delicious. Then we cleaned up and headed home. Camping is a lot of work whether you go for one night or a bunch of nights because of the packing and unpacking but it's always great to be out away from the screens and distractions!

December 2016

From my 2016 Mason Jar Journal:

• Noah and I went to Great to Be Eight for primary
• I went to the David Archuleta concert with Kayli
• 12.5.16-12.15.16 - Jake traveled to Columbus, Ohio for work

Noah, Dad, and Abbi home to celebrate Christmas.

Dad and Mom (Larry and Melanie)

Our backyard view on Christmas morning. We couldn't even see how big and close the mountain is.

Noah built this snowman all by himself.

Grandpa wearing Abbi's new Christmas hat.

Baymax wearing the harness Abbi asked for for Christmas. He hated it. He just rolled around while he had it on.

We played Noah's new card game on Christmas, Oregon Trail.

Kids' Christmas letters and lists.

Dad slaughtering the kids at Monopoly.

Abbi and Noah playing the long, long round of Monopoly.

Joey and Jessica Saari at work at DI.

When the kids thought shoveling was fun.

Joey left alone for the night so I took my treats to bed.

Kayli Robinson Pena and Joey at the Nathan Pacheco & David Archuleta Christmas Concert.

October 2016

From my 2016 Mason Jar Journal:

• Jake and the kids made a Snickers and Nerds costume for Halloween

Jake and the kids made these awesome Halloween costumes!

Abbi and Maggie Mendelson in their last elementary school parade.

Noah in the school parade.

Jake helping with pumpkins.

Toby dressed up for Halloween!

Daisy (2015) because she ate her costume.

I got a jury summons in the mail on my birthday. I was called in for selection. It was a murder trial over a drug deal in Riverdale. I was excused from the jury due to my relationship with Riverdale City Police.

Mom and Noah at Great to be Eight, the baptism preview for next year.

We saw this goat standing on the window ledge on 2600 North on our way to Jimmy's house.

Marlie and Abbi being weirdos while thinking of everything they want to do in NYC.

Noah brings me beautiful things he finds in the yard.

Another NYC art piece by Abbi.

I put this on at work (which I usually would NEVER do) but I had seen a video of a mom wearing one alone in her car, laughing so hard at herself. It is hilarious! I was laughing so hard while I had it on. The associates couldn't believe I was being so silly. If I ever see one at the store, I'm buying it.

Abbi getting immunizations for junior high.

We took the dogs to a new vet to have their nails trimmed. It was horrible. The tech didn't know what she was doing at hurt both of them. It was a bloody mess. The vet sent some treats and a gift card in the mail to apologize. The dogs ate the treats but we didn't ever go back there.

Kids made me lunch for work.

Dad in one of his funny t-shirts. He loves them and so does the grandkids.

Birthday t-shirt from Anne.