Memory lane with Cael

I spent a few days going through photo albums to get a few pictures for a graduation slideshow for this handsome young man. How is he graduating from high school??? 

And how is he getting ready to turn in his papers to serve a mission???

He is my FIRST and my OLDEST-- where has the time gone by?

9th grade Eagle Scout- Hawaii

West Point

Family photos Sept 2020

primary photo shoot in Germany

7th grade in Hawaii

 

Painting away with Tom

This winter I decided to explore some of my artistic abilities and take a watercolor painting class with Tom Nixon. It has been such a good therapeutic season when the dark and the cold set in. I knew that I had something planned every week, and I got to go with one of my very best Alaskan friends- Emily. 

Tom is such a storyteller-- at 80 years old he is painting/teaching almost every day of the week, sometimes 2 or more classes a day. I think part of the fun of painting class was listening to wise words of wisdom from "grandpa Tom".

 I really did start off painting so much more than what I am painting now. I had no idea what I was doing and so I was making all sorts of mistakes along the way. But I was trying and giving myself the chance to do something for me. After so many years of only taking care of small babies and children, this was a chance to try something.. It felt refreshing. It is hard to put yourself out there I guess. And now here we are at the end... I am starting to get the moving bug and so I don't have the "energy" to just paint anymore. My last class will be the end of April. This time painting and listening has helped me endure the Alaskan winter and enjoy my time at home.

Happy birthday girl double digits

OH boy! My birthday girl is 10!!

We had a family party and then invited friends to join us at the swimming pool. The brothers picked out some sweet treats for gifts-- which is perfect because Brielle is a sugar-momma!

A traditional birthday card from Gma Gpa Platt with $5 inside. I wonder what Brielle will get?? more candy of course!!

Trying to the these boys to smile nicely for their sister was like pulling teeth, they couldn't look normal for one, so we had to keep trying... which made them look even worse and then I had to try again. GAHHH....

Okay... this one looks "okay".... but you can see the frustration on Cael's face. He was ready to be done.

The Carr girls came over after swimming for brownies and ice cream. An easy treat to have all ready and prepared when we got home from swimming.