I haven’t been very open about my divorce on here, but it happened. I’ve been divorced officially since October 2023, but separated since August 2021. Most of that time was spent working and being with the kids, making a new life together from the fracture. Buying the camper, going on vacations, making routines, growing up too fast, and trying to make the best life we could together. And it was going fantastic!
And then I met Jamie, and the fantastic just multiplied into something even bigger. The future is great, this is going to be a big year of changes and joy. Jamie brings along 2 more kid additions making us a soon-to-be family of 7! Yes, that’s right, soon-to-be! Emmett, Elle, and Emily all adore her.
We met on the internet because that’s just how you do things nowadays. We had a few fantastically fun dates together and then brought the kids in on it and it’s just been getting better and better every week ever since. We compliment each other wonderfully and quite enjoy each others company. I’m so excited to build something together with her and share the adventures on here for all my tens of readers!
Emily, today you are 5! I can’t believe it. It feels just like yesterday you woke up a day after turning 4 and asked me if you were still 4. This morning you asked me if you were already 5. I love how excited you are to grow up – and yet I don’t love that you are growing up! You’re such an adorable addition to the family.
We had your birthday on Saturday and it was a big hit! Your cousin Sicily came over to do Princess hair, Jamie did Facepainting, Alicia made the cake and then I set up a little photoshoot and everyone got to model for the camera. It was a blast. You are loved by so many!
Some of my absolute favorite things about you is how happy you always get when you see anything cute, how much fun you have playing with your friends, I love listening to you play and use your imagination – you’re so good at make believe! I love that you still wear dresses almost every day, I love how fancy you talk sometime (Daddy what time will my guests arrive for my birthday?). I love all your little squeaks and squeals you make when you’re happy and excited.
Last November I took Emmett to Moab to do some off-roading, we stayed in a hotel. A little bit ago Elle asked when it was her turn for a Hotel Trip. This weekend we went to visit someone in Logan… someone I’m quite fond of but that’s a post for another day. We stayed 2 nights at a Hotel that had a very great pool and waterslide. It was a very lovely weekend.
A trip to Logan wouldn’t be complete with a visit to the Logan Temple.
Well. Winter is here… kind of. Unlike last winter, the snow has been more sporadic. It did snow a lot this week, though, and along with the Hilliers we decided it was time to go sledding. Bethanie had a few spots in mind by her house so we packed up and headed to Saratoga Springs.
The first location was wildly popular… and rather dangerous. It was a big bowl, all of the snow was packed and you went fast and hit hard if you crashed. Emmett crashed on his 2nd run. Poor kid, caught some air and landed hard, rolled on his shoulder and needed to sit out for a little bit. [Video coming soon]
After 30 minutes of stressful sledding, the adults in the room decided we should try location B, a smaller park not too far away. This place was perfect. The hill wasn’t crazy long which made it easy to go up and down, and we pretty much had it all to ourselves. Plus, the view was amazing!
Emmett, getting ready to triumphantly return to the hills after his crash.
Emmett and I headed to Moab this weekend with some friends for some off-roading fun only to be sidelined by a lot of rain. So we called an audible and went up to see the incredible view from Dead Horse Point… only there wasn’t much of a view. It was fantastically foggy up top which made for a very unique experience. Occasionally the fog would have a gap and we’d catch a misty view of the scenery below.
Tonight I asked Emmett and Elle to help Emily learn a letter that she missed when she was unable to go to Pre-school one day – the letter V. It made my heart happy to see them jump right in and be good teachers.
Alicia did an amazing job on the costumes for Elle and Emily, including the face jewels. They looked adorable and loved wearing their costumes. Emmett’s costume fell on me to figure out, and after struggling to find a LEGO option that wasn’t lame or too expensive, I opted to 3-D print it. I purchased this 3D file, $17 of yellow PLA, and spent two solid days printing out the head and hands as big as I could and it fit – barely! It’s pretty awesome. All-in, the kids looked fantastic this year.
You’re such a happy, happy girl… until you have you do what you don’t want to do. Like go to bed. Or go to Karate sometimes. Or go on a drive with me in the mountains. But when you do what you want to do, you’re just a delight. Your laugh and giggle is contagious. Your smile is adorable.
You’re a fantastic friend to so many, everyone in your class loves you. Everyone loves Elle. Your bed is overwhelmed with stuffed animals and you absolutely love it – and you know all of them by name!
This afternoon we had your birthday party. We’re pretty sure you ultimately ended up inviting the whole neighborhood and your whole class. So many friends came! We played Pin the Tail on Bandit, had a dance party, smashed a piñata, had cake and ice cream, played yard games… it was perfect.
You’re a delight in my life, Ladybug.
Alicia always knocks the cakes out of the park.Emily was scared of the horde that went after the candy, and it made her sad that everyone else was getting some.
