CO trip + a dance recital.

Friday, May 20

We left a sick and tonsillectomy-healing Mar Mar and flew to CO so we could see our people there and attend Evie's dance recital. (I may or may not have been up much of the night before with Mar as she felt sick to her stomach and was super stressed about throwing up with her highly sensitive throat situation.) We had an early morning flight (Bill had to work), so we headed out with only a couple hours of sleep, praying that Mar would get by (with a little help from her friends boyfriend).

I got to spend the day playing with these cute girls.

They are so fun and I had the best day with them.

Saturday, May 21

The day started with an early game of Pretty Pretty Princess. Little Billy is a pro at that game.

Then we all got ready to go to Evie's dance recital.

That girl has pois-on-al-ity. 

(to be said Crutchie-style from Newsies).

It was so fun to see V shine. She did a fantastic job!

Sunday, May 22

More fun with these girls.

Monday, May 23

A snuggle with NJ before we head home.

Lots had gone on back at home, which made this trip have some emotional hiccups, but I always love my time with Tay, Nae, and these adorable and fun grannydaughters. For whatever reason, Nae seems to be around for my {extra} emotional moments, and she is such a sweetheart for lending a sympathetic ear, warm hug, and sugar hit (she knows my love language haha).

I miss them already.

Nora Jane's big toe.

 Saturday, January 29 - NJ was in the kitchen of her home. By herself. Tay and Nae were in the other room, and were alerted to the situation by the screams of NJ. They ran to her and gave her cuddles as they assessed the damage. They couldn't really see anything terribly wrong until they noticed drops of blood on the floor that were coming from one of NJ's feet. She had black socks on, so they carefully removed the one from her injured foot to discover that the tip of her toe was nearly severed. They aren't quite sure how it happened, other than they have a tile floor, somewhat heavy barstools, and one of the barstools had toppled over with Nora Jane. They took her to the ER to have her toe checked out.

Tuesday, February 1

NJ would need surgery, but until then, her toe was wrapped and her foot splinted.

Gigi and Li'l Bill sent her a doctor kit to {hopefully} help ease her anxiousness around doctors and hospitals.

Wednesday, February 2

Surgery Day.

NJ handled it all like a champ.

Friday, February 4

A pink cast, some fairy dress ups, and the best big sissy can make any girl smile.

Saturday, Feb 5

Boss Baby Back in Action

Nae called these pics "A Series of Nora's Emotions."

Tuesday, February 22

Still hanging in there... one day more.

Wednesday, February 23

The cast comes off.

Again, NJ handled it like a champ. I'm super impressed with this girl's resilience.

Saturday, February 26

Doing just dandy {as long as she has her shoes or boots on}.

(with her "hoppies")

Nae said, "She's doing GREAT! The surgeon was an absolute perfectionist and her toe looks perfectly normal, minus the missing toe nail. It's incredible. It doesn't seem to bother her at all! Hallelujah! She's still a little ginger on her left leg but we think it's more from her minding the stiffness in her ankle from it being completely immobilized for the past 3 weeks."

The first time you experience a child's big injury as a parent is tough, too! Tay and Nae handled it all so well. I'm so glad they kept us in the loop and informed so we could keep them all in our prayers and their names on the temple prayer roll. I'm also grateful for good doctors, and for all those who watch after these precious little people.

January birthdays and shining moments.

January 7 - Brielle's party (actual birthday is Dec 31)

(This was primarily a Paull Family party - Jason's brother, Matt, and his family were in town, so his whole family was planning on attending the party. As it turned out, a few canceled at the last minute, so it wasn't as big as Lex thought it was going to be, but I had suggested we do a Syddall Family celebration in conjunction with Mar's party on Sunday to keep numbers manageable.)

I can't believe this baby girl is already 2 years old. 

Time flies on wings of lightning... so true.

I didn't snap many pics, but I'm sharing a few of what I have.

Bill and I had to {unfortunately} leave the party a little early because we had an RCWilley service person at our door (after dark) to replace a broken part of a dining room chair (we've been waiting on this part since Sept). {Extra unfortunately} it turned out that he didn't have the correct part after all, so we are still waiting. The last I heard it's coming in May. PEOPLE. I could go on forever about this {highly unfortunate} event, but I will instead try to focus on not letting the shining moments pass me by... and trying to stay positive ;-)

January 8 - Mar's Birthday

Mar spent the morning with her friend Jonah.

I spent the day preparing for her big family party the next day. This was a big birthday (21!), and she had requested lettuce wraps and cheesecake. I, of course, went all out and prepped an Asian feast of beef & broccoli, orange chicken, fried rice, chow mein, shrimp summer rolls, AND lettuce wraps. Plus her cheesecake and a white chocolate raspberry bundt cake for Brielle.

I sent Mar a Marco Polo and a text, but did not hear from her that day... technically. She texted me around 1am saying how she had been home (in her apartment) most of the day and had been really sick. Oh no.

January 9 - Mar (and Brielle) family celebration

Mar started texting me while Bill and I were at church.

She was still really sick.

We decided she should go take a Covid test, so I helped her search out a place she could get one without an appointment. She took a rapid test, and within 30 minutes of testing, was informed that she had tested positive. She wouldn't be coming to the party.

Rats.

I texted everyone to let them know (Mar had been at our house the Friday before) so they could make an informed decision about whether to attend or not. Everyone decided to come. Hallelujah.

I'm so happy that at least one party girl was there!

I felt so bad that Mar spent the day at home, but we video-called and sang to her. The rest of us enjoyed the yummy food and cake, and had fun celebrating Brielle.

January 20 - Lynnea and Bill's birthday

I'm so grateful that Tay and Nae send us pictures! These two were of their family celebrations for Lynnea's #33.

Those smiles are the sweetest. I miss seeing them.

Bill's momma and papa took us to lunch to celebrate Bill's #56.

We cannot bid the sunbeams to lengthen out their stay...

Later that evening Bill and I met up with Mar after she (and Bill) got off work and we went to dinner to celebrate s'more.

The food was delish, and we all got a kick out of the Mutual App date going on at the table next to us.

January 23 - celebrating Bill and Jason (+ a little Mar)

At our next family Sunday dinner we celebrated Bill and Jason (actual birthday Jan 16). We also snapped a few of the pics of Mar we wanted to take at her celebration... but couldn't haha.

(those balloons were deflating fast in the cool outdoor air)

The birthday boys:

Wow - so many candles, so many birthdays, so many years coming and going.

Time flies on wings of lightening; we cannot call it back.

It comes, then passes forward, along it's onward track.

And if we are not mindful, the chance will fade away,

For life is quick in passing, it's as a single day.

I love these people.