January + Valentine's Day + CATS!

We ARE still alive over here and have not frozen to death. Here's what we've been up to for the past month and a half!

Brynn and Hubert at the OG (Olive Garden): 'Lady and the Tramp' style. haha.

Taking in a Force game...with extra fighting. It was very exciting.

One Sunday when Clara was at a sleepover, the three of us went to Black Coffee Waffle Bar after church and then for some crepes and boba at Tea & Crepe.

Then Brynn and I went prom dress shopping which was really fun. She did find a dress she loves so that was a relief. This is not the one she chose, but she tried on quite a few nice ones.

Clara made crowns for the king and I (me).

Clara had to write an essay to be considered for the robotics team at school. She waited for at least a couple of weeks to learn if she was accepted, and unfortunately was not. She was pretty disappointed, but she does have a chance to reapply next year when she's a fifth grader, and won't have to write another essay.

I think we both checked off most of the ideas Clara came up with to do with each of us.

I guess she and I didn't watch a movie, but she and Dana went to the Dog Man movie. Clara really loves the book series and thought the movie was great. Dana didn't rate it quite as highly as Clara did.

Brynn and her drawings.

I guess it was a couple of weeks ago now we did have a break in the sub-zero temps, so Clara went outside for a bit.

We did get a bit more now during that time too.

And Clara's class was able to go outside for their ice skating unit in gym class.

Working on an invention project at school.

My childhood friend, Sonja, came for a visit with her family. They were coming to town to celebrate their nephew's birthday and Reagan ended up staying at our house for a night as well on her way to the lake. We had a fun time visiting and I think Sonja and Reagan had a lot to chat about since Sonja is a nurse and Reagan will be going into nursing in college. (Brynn was braiding Reagan's hair.)

Eric and Sonja have two girls around Clara's age and they always have a fun time together.

That Saturday night Brynn and Reagan went to Detroit Mountain and then stayed out at the lake together.

Brynn resting after school one afternoon:

Oops, she noticed me with her smirk.

Done with pics!

This isn't even the coldest that's it's been, but just wanted to include something that documented what's been the norm for the past few weeks.

Brynn being studious as she noted...at Starbucks.

Brynn made some edible cookie dough for a school project and left some just for me in the fridge. Thanks, Brynn!

We watched the Super Bowl and had Clara's friends over to watch too and have nachos.

Illness is still circulating through the schools, and everywhere really, and it seems all four of us have battled something or other. Both girls missed a bit of school and Dana was home one afternoon from work.

Clara was snuggling with her Squishmallow kitty in an attempt to feel better.

Clara started up piano lessons again after her previous teacher moved away. This lady is really close to our house....and has cats, so it's going really well so far. Ha. She is very nice and a great teacher though.

Brynn doing her Valentine's Day shopping at Walmart.

We had no sooner walked in the door from Walmart and Hubert showed up to surprise Brynn with his valentines for her.

It was all hands on deck to help Clara with her valentines on the 13th.

Reading her valentines card from daddy.


Even Brynn got to make a valentine box for a party they had in one of her classes. It turned out really cool.

Benjamin came for a visit last weekend. We had a fun time watching 'Rocky' movies and he and Dana played games and spent time out in the garage.

Brynn and Hubert's kitty, Nix. I love how his arm is under Brynn's head. His fur coat looks so silky! 

This is the piano teacher's other cat...the friendlier of the two.

Brynn bought herself some blue light glasses and was showing me one of the pairs.

They've been celebrating half birthdays in Clara's class. She was able to choose two friends to have lunch with.