January 2022

January was a bit of a blur. The month started off with a youth activity I drove to in Nampa where we saw what I think looks exactly like the tree of life. This might sound corny, but it was gorgeous. The rest of the night was a bit of a bust (weird concert, snow storm on the way home, cars sliding off the road, and the girls getting home too late. But we can't say it wasn't an adventure!

Emmie and Owen had season ski passes this year. And John and I had night passes. John took advantage of that and took Emmie up for an afternoon and evening of skiing. Emmie started off the ski season lacking confidence, but after a few visits to the mountain I couldn't keep up with her anymore. I am officially the slowest skier in the family. 

Owen got cleared to start skiing in January. But he was told to take it easy. I think he took it easy for his first visit. But after that I think he threw caution to the wind he was back up and skiing at full force. Sadly, his ski season was cut short after a fall where he twisted his knee badly. That kid just can't go for more than a few weeks without being injured! After his fall his knee was swollen to at least double the size it should have been. His doctor said that nothing was torn and that he just needed to take it easy. Which meant....no more skiing.

Other random happenings in January:

• Ainsley went on a date where she made cakes and delivered them to random people from school. 
• Ainsley also started hanging out more with her "french group" from school. Which was awesome! They are such a great group of kids. 
• Owen spends all of his time with friends. Which is great, but we miss him.
• Owen was ordained a priest the first Sunday of January.
• Owen started acutane. Which is super fun for him. 
• Emmie's indoor soccer team took 3rd place!
• I started teaching 6 classes, it took up more time than I wanted, but the money was nice.

The biggest event of the month was that Ainsley turned 18! Our first child is now an adult. 

Ainsley has developed a love of plants. She's had her eye on this string of pearls plant for quite some time. So she got that for her birthday, so college stuff, and a glass blowing class. Which she loved!

The highlight of the month for Ainsley was when she got to go do some glass blowing. She has been watching a show on Netflix called blown away and has become fascinated with it. We thought it would be a fun thing for her to do for her 18th birthday and would give her a nice little keepsake. She had to wait a week or so after her birthday for an available slot, but eventually the day came and she and I went down and she got to make 2 glass peices...with a lot of help, but the process was so cool! I'm glad she got to be a part of it.

Emmie also started indoor soccer in January. Her team did great! And it was good for her to have something to do on Saturday mornings other than lay around and watch TV.

Emmie also quit piano in January. I was a little sad about it...but she really hated it. Emmie seems to have a talent for art. So we swapped the piano lessons for some art lessons from a friend/artist in our ward, Brittany Hall. Emmie has loved it. She goes over twice a month and gets to create some art. She really is talented and I hope she continues to develop her talent!

Also, we got a new couch. Super exciting. 

Leo loves to perch up on is and look out the window. And clearly we love to take lots of Leo pictures....