The blog that time forgot

 Updating this blog has been hanging over me like a giant black cloud since my last post. I have two drafts in the folder from this summer but life has been hectic and I try to respect teen privacy and honestly there are just a lot of tik tok videos to watch so I haven't made the time to write about our family.  So my goal for the rest of 2023 is one picture a day of our shenanigans with a little write-up.  Hopefully that will get me caught up.  

Lincoln is still a puppy and a big presence in our house.  Not always a nice presence - lots of chewed up stuff, he loves to dig in the trash, he's finally MOSTLY potty trained, he routinely eats the cats' food, but he's also a giant snuggle bunny and super sweet when he's asleep.  Aren't we all.  

He's made friends with the dog that lives next door and if we don't watch him closely, he'll sneak out the front door, run to their house and wait on the front porch until they let him in to play.  The neighbor dog is an older puppy too and they have a great time together.  Lincoln and Charlie are BFFs and love to wrestle and play tug.  Tootsie just wishes that everyone would shut up and let her nap.  Me too Toots, me too.  

My dancer

Reina's dance year culminated in her recital earlier in the month.  This year, she took ballet, pointe, hoop and a ballet conditioning class.  It's been so fun to watch her skills develop.  I never thought I'd give birth to a ballerina.   

I asked her for a nice selfie on the way to the recital.  This is what I got.  

Reina on pointe.  Look at those feet!  Those graceful arms!  Where did she come from?  

I loved this pose too.  She was a flamenco dancer. 

The ballet performance.  I recorded part of this on my phone and she looks so sweet.  

Hoop!  This is Reina's second year and she made a lot of strides this year.  She makes it look so easy.  

Look at that flexibility!  

 We love to watch our girl dance.  

The Month of May

 It's 9:35 pm on the last night of May and I'm trying to figure out how to recap the whole month.  It's been  a whirlwind of school projects, dance classes, football (already?!) practices, work travel and a trip to Alaska for Glenn.  But we've all survived! 

The last day of school is exactly one week from today.  Both kiddos are more than ready to wrap this one up.  It's hard to believe that they will both be in the same school next year. I'm not having the nostalgia of 'no more kids in Jr High' because frankly it all went pretty fast.  Reina is attending her class' Promotion Dance tomorrow night even though she's grumpy about still having to go to class on Friday morning.  Will has a few more tests and projects to complete but he's almost done with his sophomore year.  Football starts in earnest this weekend with a 7 v 7 competition on Saturday and a camp in Greeley on Sunday.  

Glenn was in Alaska last week bear hunting on Prince of Wales island.  He did not come back with a bear but he did have a good time.  I was very jealous of the pictures he was sending - that area of the state gets 13 feet (FEET!) of rain each year and it was so gorgeously green.  We missed him like crazy but he's back home safe and sound.  

We added three more chickens to our flock.  We lost our two oldest chickens to old age over the winter and this family can eat a crazy amount of eggs in a week so it was time to add some new girls.  A co-worker bought too many at the farm store a few weeks ago so she gave me three.  We have Brownie, the Other Oreo and Dolly Parton.  Pictures coming soon.  It's a complicated dance of keeping them separated from the other girls because it takes a while for chickens to become friends and holy cow this is probably going to be boring to read in ten years.  Also, Lincoln wants to eat all of the chickens or at least chase them all over the yard so that adds a lot of fun too.  

Reina has a dance recital in a few weeks.  She was in a school play a few weeks ago.  She did a great job and had a big part.  More pictures of that too.  She's gearing up for a summer of some babysitting jobs and art projects with Grandma.  Will isn't playing baseball this summer which we are all missing a little bit but football takes up a lot of time and he wants to devote all of his energy to getting ready for the season.  

Let's bring on the summer!  

Spring Break 2023

A million years ago, well actually three weeks ago, we packed our suitcases and headed to Los Angelos for a long spring break weekend. All four of us hadn't traveled together in a long while (pre-Covid?) but we found a great house/dog/cat/chicken sitter, rearranged work schedules and hopped on a plane. 

A few months prior, we decided that we should take a family vacation because our time all together is getting shorter (Will graduates in two years!) and we also needed some sun.  It's been a long winter.  We debated which coast, locations, etc., and then I found cheap airfair and hotel in LA so the decision was made.  Glenn was skeptical until I mentioned the La Brea tarpits - which were also what Reina was most excited about oddly.  Long story short, we had a lovely time.  It wasn't without hiccups, teen angst and crowded sleeping arrangements but we made it work.  

Look at these happy faces on the airport shuttle.  Smile for mom!  

Our first stop was the La Brea Tarpits.  It was even cooler than we thought it would be.  Highly recommend if you are in the LA area.  

We set aside the next day for exploring.  Lots of google maps and Glenn serving as the navigator (DIRECTIONS!), we found Dodger Staduim, the Coliseum, another museum and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

At a park overlooking Dodger Stadium.  Will gave Glenn a piggy back ride because he can. 

Glenn & Reina

2 out of 3 smiles.  

The ceiling outside of the LA Natural History Museum

The fastest walk through the Hollywood Walk of Fame known to man. I was the only one who was into it so it was a short trip.  

 

Our last full day was designated as Universal Studios Day.  We had a blast.  

Hogsmeade! 

Hogwarts!  We rode a ride inside the castle and it was pretty cool.  I mean, I had my eyes closed for most of it but everybody else seemed to love it.  

The car from Magnum PI!  This was the Studio tour and it was a lot more fun than I expected.  Plus it wasn't a roller coaster.  

Glenn loves the Simpsons! 

Next year's Christmas Card.  Sums up the day in a nutshell.  

On the last day, our flight didn't leave until the evening so we packed up the hotel and headed to the beach.  We picked Venice and it did not disappoint.  It wasn't quite sunbathing weather for the general public but Wyoming teens were quick to strip down and get some UV rays.  

Yes, Glenn is wearing long pants.  As was I.  We were comfy.  But look at that ocean.  

So that was our trip.  It was nice to come home and have the rest of the week to hang out, get driver's licenses, make cake pops and watch movies.  Then it was back to the grind.  Can't wait for the next one.  

Is it a Driver's License or a Mug Shot?

 It's a Driver's License!  Will took his driving test today and passed with flying colors.  He is now able to drive himself to school, drive himself home from school, run errands for his parents and most importantly, drive himself home from the school after late night football games.  No more setting my alarm for 1:00 a.m. to check on the status of the bus.  Well, honestly I'll still be checking on the status of the bus, I just won't have to get in the car to go pick him up.  Congrats kiddo.  

A letter to the birthday boy

 Dear Will:  

Yesterday you turned 16.  My goodness.  You are going to take your driving test next week so that will be another celebration.  Yesterday you didn't want a party - just some takeout and an ice cream cake.  You asked for a new gaming system which we let you open on Friday night because you wore us down with your negotiations, a trait that will surely serve you well in the future.  

Will, it's such a delight to see you grow up.  You have amazing recall for all sports trivia, facts, statistics, and just now you asked me who the leading scorer for UW basketball and then ridiculed me because I didn't know it without googling it.  I think you should grow up to be a coach or an AD.  I'd say radio or tv announcer but I don't think you like to talk as much as that job requires.   

You had a great football season as a sophomore and we were so proud of how you played.  You won the Scout Team Player of the Year and you are already working hard to get ready for the Fall.  You competed in wrestling for the first time and while it wasn't your favorite activity, you worked hard.  We are so proud of you for trying something new.  Your PE class is finishing up a dancing unit and what I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall for that session.

Will, your sense of humor is still a delight.  Your sarcasm is constant.  Your design esthetic could be described as 'monastic' (white walls, dark furniture, lack of knick knacks).  You are sweet with the pets, except the chickens who drive you bonkers in the summertime when they screech outside your window in the morning.  The cats view your room as their refuge from the puppy.  Your little cousins think the sun and moon revolve around you.  Your sister doesn't take your advice but be patient there.  

Happy birthday Will-Will.  You are so loved.  We can't wait to see what the next year brings.  (Well, we can wait if that means that time slows down just a little bit.)

Will and Lincoln in his first few days with us. 

Birthday tradition- an ice cream cake.  I should have ordered a bigger one.

This is not your favorite picture and I'll probably end up taking it down when you ask me to.  But you let me take your picture on your birthday and there were too many giggles and this ended up being one of the better shots.  

Meet Lincoln

Meet Lincoln.  He's another rescue dog from the reservation that we have added to our pack.  He joined our household in January after we lost Trigger.  He helped fill the whole in our hearts a little bit with his squishy face and puppiness.  Charlie took a few days to warm up to Lincoln but within about 48 hours, they were best buddies.  Now the wrestling, rough-housing and dog shenanigans is non stop and Lincoln's not even full grown yet.  Tootsie acts like the referee.  Both cats are not fans and Coco now chases him which Lincoln thinks is the greatest game.  I'm hopeful he'll grow on them, too. 

 

A letter to the birthday girl

Dear Reina:  

Yesterday, you had your 14th birthday.  FOURTEEN?!  Unfortunately, you spent the evening before your birthday barfing your guts out so your actual birthday was kind of a bummer.  You stayed home from school but Dad and I took turns keeping an eye on you.  We had to reschedule your birthday party trampoline park extravaganza but we are going to do that next weekend so you get an extended birthday celebration.  

For your birthday, you finally got your own TV.  You also got a lot of generous checks and giftcards, your own fitbit, some earrings and an outfit from Forever 21 but don't forget that Will gets to pick it out.  That should be fun.  

Reina, you are a delight.  I probably say that every year but this year its just the best way to describe you.  You have a wicked sense of humor, interesting insights and interests in a wide variety of topics, highly effective sarcasm and a big, big heart.  You are working your way through eighth grade with good grades and a big group of friends.  You are still taking dance classes and getting better and better at hoop and pointe.  I can't believe you'll be in high school in the fall but you will be more than ready.  

You have discovered the joy that is movies from the 80's and 90's and you love to critique the fashion.  You are picking up more babysitting jobs which is nice because you love taking care of kids and you also love money so it's a good combination.  You like to draw in your downtime and I'm amazed at your talent.  It clearly skipped a generation from my mom straight to you.  

Lest anyone reading this in the future thinks that every day is rainbows and unicorns over here, you do have a delightful temper, too.  (I also know which side of the family that comes from.)  I hope you always stand up for yourself kiddo and make your opinions known.  

Yesterday when you were still feeling rotten, you and I sat together and looked at all of my blog posts from your first year of life.  The last fourteen years have passed in the blink of an eye but when I look at your face, I still see that beautiful little baby girl who wore a giant flower on the her head and sat on her brother's train tracks just so she wouldn't miss a minute of the action.  We love you so much, Reina.  Happy, happy birthday teen girl.  

For posterity's sake - I let you know that I didn't love the idea of selfies being taken while someone is lying down so you immediately sent me my phone buzzing with many, MANY incoming pics like these.  Artful staging by the way.  

This is not your favorite picture but this face is so very you.  "MOM!  Take the dang picture!"  

 

Trigger

Our Trigger dog passed away on Friday.  We've known for a few weeks that his heart was in bad shape.  He was still pretty perky  and he wasn't in pain so we made the decision to bring him home and hope that he would be comfortable.  Friday night as we were getting ready for bed, he slipped away peacefully. Even though we were mostly expecting it, we are all pretty sad.  He was almost 13 so the kids don't remember a time without him.  Glenn and I just miss his face and his stubby wagging tail and his constant cleaning off all of the dishes in the dishwasher.  

Trigger was a naughty dog for a significant portion of his life.  He used to run out the front door any chance he got and race up the street.  We'd hop in the car and race after him but with his head start, he'd usually have a 15 minute adventure until we caught up with him.  He also did the same thing anytime he was off leash camping or hiking.  Certain members of the family can't drive past a camping spot in the Snowies without remembering the day we spent tracking Trigger down (instead of camping and hiking ourselves!).  

Trigger also enjoyed eating food off of the counter, off of people's plates and in the last few months of his life, he liked to pull the cat food bowl off of the table and eat that.  One time he dragged a couple potatoes and two bananas into the living room and while he just nibbled the potatoes, but he ate both bananas and somehow managed to peel them. 

He was an affectionate and loyal dog who loved Glenn the most.  Once he got too old for his own hunting trips, he'd mope until Glenn came home and then he'd sniff every item of clothing that Glenn had worn, as if he was reliving the hunt.  A few times, I'd take the other two dogs on a walk and have to leave him at home because of a sore leg and he would howl until we got back.  It was the saddest, most dramatic noise.    

We can't forget the great Chicken Coop mystery.  We had no chicken eggs for months, couldn't figure out why there was coop bedding in the house until we finally caught Trigger red-handed (red-pawed?) in the coop snacking on fresh eggs.  He squeezed his appropriately-sized frame through a chicken door because he needed a snack.  

Trigger loved his pack and they miss him.  We've noticed Tootsie walking around the house a few times and I wonder if she's looking for him.  I'm glad he had such a long life and I'm so thankful that he found his way to us.  

Trigger loved sleeping on the couch.... on his back with his feet in the air.  

I took this picture after I sprained my ankle.  Dog pile!  

Trigger loved nothing more than sleeping in the sun in our backyard.  He was mostly deaf in the last year and there were a few times where he didn't hear me coming and I had to double check that he was still breathing!  

This is how we will remember him.... sitting in the sun looking at us while we yell his name like "what?"  

 

Christmas Wrap-up and I'm 50!

We had a really nice Christmas and I meant to write about it a bunch of times last week but then I got busy hanging out with kiddos, cleaning up from Christmas and knitting (I'm knitting again!), watching Andor with Glenn (so good!) and I didn't blog about any of it.   But we had a nice break.  Glenn and I worked some of the days.  Will had wrestling practice.  Reina tried out experimental recipes in the kitchen.  The cats terrorized the Christmas ornaments.  Fun was had by all. 

We received so many lovely presents - it's hard to pick just one that's our favorite but I asked everybody tonight for a quick review:  

Reina's favorite present was her iPad from Mom and Dad.  She downloaded a drawing app already and has quite the portfolio already.  

Will's favorite present was an interesting Broncos sculpture from Aunt V and Uncle M which had some money taped to the back.  He hasn't put the sculpture in his room yet because he's scared to wake up and see it staring at him. 

Glenn's favorite present was a mug that I had made with pictures from Will's football season. I'd like to say I made the mug but that was all Shutterfly.  

My favorite present is hard to choose from but it's probably a drawing that Reina did for me that I need to frame and hang up - and take a picture for the blog!  

Today is my 50th birthday.  50!  I've been dreading this one a little bit.  Fifty just feels so .... fifty? Didn't I just graduate from college?  Or get married?  I think underneath it all, this feels like a decade of big changes.  I'll probably get a new job this decade when I can retire from the State.  Kiddos will graduate and go to college this decade.  Who knows how many animals Glenn and I will bring home in the next 10 years.  But the day turned out pretty great.  My co-workers decorated my office in black crepe paper and pictures of me photoshopped as Sally O'Malley (SNL, google it).  Glenn gifted me a car detailing from an actual detail place and not just me with the shop vac trying to get out the detritus of almost two years of driving teens around.  Reina picked out some really pretty earrings and Will got me a really nice wallet (he dislikes my current wallet and he has opinions about a lot of things).  I also got gift cards and cash and a book. I'm a lucky middle-aged lady.