Life in Pictures

Photo dump. Two legs or four, someone is always doing something goofy. Unfiltered, unedited bits of my life over the last two months.

His New Favorite Quote

Chadwick's new favorite quote came from the most recent book club book, The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene:

"When the great lord passes, the wise peasant bows deeply and silently farts." 

~Ethiopian proverb

And Then She Turned Nine

Last month, our oldest turned nine. This sweet, smart, book-loving girl who made me a mama has been with us for nine years. 

The time has gone so quickly. Morgan Magoo is strong, enjoys school and especially her Gifted Talented class she attends weekly, loves to read, and has discovered a passion for downhill skiing (especially with her friend, Syd). 

She plays piano and is learning the challenges of gymnastics. When in the mood, she runs and jumps and wrestles with her younger siblings. She's a great helper around the house and I try to remember to utilize her as often as possible. Recently, Morgan has turned author and has the start to a delightful fantasy book. When grown up, there's a debate in her head about whether to open an exotic pet shop or obtain training for veterinary medicine. In either case, she plans to be an author on the side. I love her humor, her smile, and desire to learn. She makes our home a better place! 

There was an underwater theme for the family birthday celebration. We made cupcake octopus and the girls decorated the house. Family celebrations are always chaotic and fun and full of energy. This time was no exception and I'm grateful for the wonderful people in our lives. 

The countdown was on until Grandma and Grandpa Hunt returned from their mission and Morgan noted that they'll be here for her 10th birthday. I think she's missed them more so than her younger siblings. 

We also went to see How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World in theater with our family as part of her celebration. Dinner followed at Idaho Pizza. It was a great week!

We love you Morgan Magoo!

When the Hubs is Away.....

Things I can "get away" with while Chadwick is playing in Alaska at the 47th Annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race:

• Leaving my muck boots by the back door
• Not having the house *totally picked up of the toys and clutter that are part of my day
• Cooking easy, kid-friendly meals without guilt
• Eating breakfast for dinner
• Turning the sheep loose in the back yard and pasture
• Not putting away the hair straightener/curling iron after each morning use
• Being lazy about folding laundry and putting it away (I did promise that when he returned it would be a different set of clothes in the baskets in the den)

Idaho Sled Dog Race 2019

Things I miss while Chadwick is caring for the sled dogs:

• Help with dishes after a day of cooking and eating
• Having a priesthood holder in the home
• Taking turns singing songs to the kids before bed
• A warm body breathing next to me while sleeping
• His wrestling and playing "ouchie game" with the kids after work
• Taking Darwin for a run to get the wiggles out (Darwin is a better dog when he runs at least twice a week)
• His being the operator of and stress-carrier for CBH 
• A willingness to listen to my "brain dump" of all the stuff rattling around in my brain at the end of the day

December and Christmas

Yup, posting about Christmas six days before Valentine's Day. That's how we roll in the Hunt household that I call mine.

Let's set the stage.....

The two remaining lambs have been sent to the butcher and designated freezer homes outside of our garage. Side note: Morgan wouldn't hear of keeping any of the lamb, lest it be Nutmeg. Spencer, on the other hand, asked for a couple weeks when we would be eating the lambs. *sigh*

Abbie the Elf made an appearance and is up to her usual shenanigans - fishing in the tank, sitting on cactus and regretting it the next day, and hiding the in the best places.

Our neighbor brought over a beautiful gingerbread house that he created and which we proudly displayed the last two weeks of the month. It was broken apart and the edibles consumed by cousins Christmas night....

Both girls had concerts at school for music class. No great pictures obtained as we didn't have a great view. The back of someone's head with small children dots in the background don't make for interesting viewing. The music was great! The school has such an awesome, fun, and dedicated music teacher. The girls love her.

Morgan also had a piano recital, which she rocked. Mr. Bob has some amazing students under his tutelage and it was fun to listen to the varying levels.

New windows were installed December 20!! Three new windows in the bedrooms upstairs and one over the kitchen sink. Doing dishes has never been so beautiful.

End of December. The perfect Christmas tree has been chosen, cut, decorated, and losing needles by the handful for at least a week. Presents started accumulating under the tree, and Morgan has them all memorized - which ones are hers, which ones are new. We haven't had any snow since the beginning of the month (pictured below) and while there really isn't any in the forecast, we are all hoping against the odds.

Christmas Eve inched closer. School was released Friday. Chadwick had Sat-Tues off and we got to work making food, wrapping the final presents, and dreaming of snow. James, Jolynn, and their kiddos joined us for Christmas Eve smorgasbord. We ate and ate and played some games.

Then ate a bit more. I love the food of this season! Brings back so many memories of Christmases as a child. Christmas morning, I actually had to wake the kids up to open presents!! Well, that was after all three were awake from 3-4 am to get water, go to the bathroom, or be tucked back into bed. Wrapping paper was everywhere, there were squeals of joy with each one opened, and it was over too quickly. The girls and Spencer seemed to feel like they scored big, and we didn't see them the rest of the day as they played and played. (That is, perhaps, one of my favorite things - watching them play together for hours.) One of Chadwick's clients gave him a basket of gourmet dog treats. They were so lovely, I had to check the back twice to make sure it read "dog treat" as they looked too pretty to give to Darwin!

That night, we joined the rest of the Boise/Meridian Hunts, Austins, and Hambletons for dinner at Stephen and Tara's house. The lasagna was delicious and it was SO great of them to host the chaos.

The remainder of the month was spent playing with toys, playing with friends, and enjoying the lazy morning schedule of no school.

And that's December in a nutshell!

Lighting the World

At the beginning of December, the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints puts out what they call the "Light the World Initiative." The goal is to reach out to friends, neighbors, and strangers in a Christ-like manner in an effort to remember the true meaning of the Christmas season. (Find the link here.)

For our part, we hosted the Red Barn Nativity for the second year in a row. And added another session, one for the vets from IPH. We love this tradition - the gathering of friends and family, inviting them to dress up and participate in learning about the birth of our Savior, the building and strengthening of relationships through the process and after as we share a treat. The use of our barn in a novel manner. And even the way it teaches me to learn to manage my stress as we prepare, execute, and clean up after each activity.

We had a great turnout again and it was agony trying to decide which friends to invite for the second week. Our barn - and house - have limits on capacity which do not hold the friends I hold dear to my heart. Maybe we will need to start a lottery or drawing of names in the future (Erin, we will put your name in multiple times). Family the first week. Friends the second. Neighbors the third. And vets on the fourth week.

The Spirit is always so strong at the end as we sing "Silent Night."

I'm usually glad to be done with the final performance but wouldn't give it all up for anything. Chadwick agrees. Maybe next year I'll hire a professional to take pictures that aren't grainy and dark...and purchase a microphone for Chadwick so we can all hear him through the chaos of the event. =)