More Memes--Can't Stop, Won't Stop

 

Feeling grateful

I must admit, the #givethanks initiative was the perfect reset my brain needed this holiday season. Focusing on gratitude always brings me joy, especially if I take the time to write it down in a beautiful way, and I know President Nelson was inspired to invite us to join with him on this special project. Thanksgiving is long gone, but I still find myself going through the day overflowing with gratitude for the quiet beauty in my life. It's the simple things that make me teary, really.  A fire. A blossom. A smile. The darkness this last year has often been tangible but this season I'm feeling so much peace. Peace, and gratitude.

 

Tuesday Dinners with the Wigs

We have family dinner each Tuesday with the Big Wigs and it's definitely a favorite day for our crew! We switch off on houses and cooking responsibilities and it's nice to take a break from our normal schedule to spend time with them. Last week Papa and Gigi were wearing matching outfits, and I couldn't leave without snapping a picture of these cuties. (I found out later that he saw her getting dressed in the morning and picked his outfit purposely to match hers, awwwwwww!) Their love is so apparent and I really enjoy seeing and hearing about the sweet ways they show their adoration.

We escaped from jail!

The McKee siblings have a long-standing tradition of group dates in lieu of Christmas gifts and this year the Wigs went that route as well. Kate and Brendan planned such a fun night filled with an Escape Room success story, Chinese food, Leatherby's for dessert and a movie snuggled up on the couch. It was the best night spent together with Kate and Brendan--two people we love dearly. It's been so much fun living close to them and getting to see them often...especially when we can sneak out for an adults-only date night (the kids are SO OBSESSED with these two that they hog them completely when we're all together, haha!)  

An Escape Room employee let us take our masks off for a quick snap and honestly this picture looks a little criminal and foreign to me! Goodness, I miss seeing everyone's smiles. 

I was nervous I'd be claustrophobic and scared but I didn't have either emotion. It was so much fun and even better--we escaped!!! Merry Christmas KB, we love you BIG TIME!!!

Masked Santa

 We saw Santa last week. It's hard to tell, but he's wearing a face mask and the kids are sitting on the opposite side of a massive plexiglass wall. 2020, man. You can't make this stuff up!

Screenshots!

I'm just gonna lay these down right here because once again, meme's are 2020 life!

our garden

"It has a fairyland quality. It's a spectacularly beautiful Garden of Eden."

--Bruce Beehler

We have spent all of our October and November Saturday's working on the side garden, and it looks like December Saturday's are going to sadly (for me) or gladly (for him) follow suit. It's hard work for a city girl like me, but James is strong, hardworking, patient and encouraging and it's really pretty enjoyable sweating it out by his side--minus the fact that he thinks a 12-hour work day is the norm! Two weeks ago we moved 180 concrete stones to create a new terrace in what will eventually be our vegetable garden, and then last week James moved 20,000 pounds of soil to fill in the empty space. With over a half acre to our name, there are always weeds that need to be pulled, leaves that need to be blown and frankly, a whole lot of land that still needs some direction. It can get a bit overwhelming for someone like me who wants things done, and is used to a landlord making it happen! But James is thriving in our garden and has a plan to make things beautiful, and I love to see him happy. And we haven't been doing it alone--that's for sure! Nearly every weekend we have had friends and family out here tilling the earth with us. We couldn't have made the progress we have without everyone pitching in on our little community Garden of Eden.  

I failed to get a working pic of J+J when the McKee's were here for Thanksgiving, so I made sure to snap one by the tree later that night! We are so grateful for his help, and everyone else who has pitched in the last few months. Where would we even be without them?