Family pictures

This actually gets easier and easier every year, and I NEVER thought I'd EVER say that! The only hiccup we had was when Haylee asked Kendall to hold Taylor's hand. I guess we could have switched Logan and Taylor, but Alexis REALLY wanted to hold Logan's hand. 

I'm happy with how they turned out!

Dave and Carissa

We've been living in Phoenix for 4 years, and this was the first time, ever, that Dave and Carissa came to visit. Dave actually had a work conference in Scottsdale, so he and Carissa decided to make the most of their trip and stay with us. It was actually lucky that William had requested no calls. He'd made that request 2 months ago because there was a anesthesiology conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, and we really wanted to go. But the only way we could go was if Paul and LeiLani watched our kids, which they couldn't, because Paul had an ER residency in the Grand Cayman Islands, and he and LeiLani had decided to go and turn it into a vacation. So Dave and Carissa didn't get to see Dave and Carissa. But we did!

They arrived Thursday night, as I was making dinner. The weather has been amazing, so we ate outside, with the string lights and pool lights and heaters on. After dinner, we hung out by the fireplace and roasted marshmallows.

Then Friday, they were gone most of the day for the conference. Carissa got a lot of shopping done. But they came back for dinner.

And Saturday, they were gone most of the day again. But we got a babysitter and met up with them at Olive & Ivy in Scottsdale. We kept it light because Carissa had spotted Coconuts, a fish taco place that they'd eaten at when they were in Maui earlier this summer. It was good, but a little too spicy for me (because of the wasabi). We then went back to Old Town Scottsdale to eat some beignets and take a golf cart cab around the district. We ended up in front of Creamistry, a place that makes ice cream using liquid nitrogen. So cool. And the ice cream was super creamy. Then we found out they have another location in downtown Gilbert. YAY!

It was too soon when they left Sunday morning. And Alexis asked about them for multiple days afterwards. We hope they come again soon!

Sunsets

Not all were taken by me, only the first 3, but look at amazing the sky is in Arizona! I love it so much!

School pictures

The school pictures are back and I am amazed at how much they've grown in just a year. Kendall, especially, looks like a little teenager. She kinda acts like one, too.

Date night

William and I's date nights are usually pretty basic: dinner, sometimes a movie, the temple, occasionally a comedy show. But this time we decided to go to a hockey game. The Wolverines aren't great, and that night, they lost. But we still had a great time and enjoyed watching the game. It's no secret that I don't actually enjoy the "most popular" sports in the world. Soccer is boring. And so is football. I'd much rather watch, in order, UFC, basketball, hockey, and baseball. Yay to date nights!

Top Golf

Logan and Taylor have both been taking golf lesson for a few months now. They enjoy playing and seeing themselves get better. I usually end up taking them and watching, but occasionally, William gets off early and comes along. When that happens, we stay and have dinner there as well. It's always a fun time! Especially when Alexis gets to pick the special song that lights up all the holes!

Cooking class, woodcraft class, and puzzle

I sometimes struggle to know and understand what my talents truly are. What is that one thing I'm really good at? Maybe even the best? Some people can sit down at the piano and just play beautifully. Not me. It takes me time to learn a new song, and I definitely can't compose. Some people have a very unique voice and sing beautifully. Not me. I manage, but my voice isn't all that special. Some people craft, some people bake, some people decorate, some people can dance, some people can tumble, etc. The truth is, there's always going to be someone who is better at something than me. I can do all of those things, but I'm not amazingly great at them. Maybe my talent isn't being the best at one thing, but being pretty good at a lot of things. Food for thought...

So earlier in the month, I took a cookie decorating class. It actually turned out to be a 4 hour class and I had to leave to get Alexis, then come back and try to decorate with her rubbing on my arm, and then I had to rush because I had to get the other kids from school and I barely made it. It was as stressful as it sounds. I probably didn't do my best job because of the circumstances, but I was still very happy with the results. Royal icing is science and art, believe it or not. It had to have that perfect consistency in order to be applied nicely on the cookie. It was fun, though, and I want to keep learning and keep baking.

Later in the month, I took a woodcraft class for the very first time. I'd been wanting to buy a Christmas card holder for a very long time, but I couldn't find one that I really liked. Then I found out about a studio that teaches people how to decorate wood and other things for your home. It was perfect. The wood was already cut, but I had to sand, prime, and paint. It was very relaxing and fun. I would definitely go back again. In fact, I was already looking up my next project while my paint was drying. I am very happy about how my Christmas cards holder turned out.

I also put a 1000 pieces puzzle together, in 3 days. I can't start a project and not finish it. Once I put my mind to something, it gets done, one way or another. So when I started this puzzle, not much else got done around the house, and I stayed up way past my bedtime, but it got done. Proud of my Positano puzzle.