2022, December 26 - 2023, January 1

Happy New Year! Not many photos this week. We were too busy relaxing and enjoying some quiet time at home, maybe? 

On Monday, Landon got an MRI on his back. He has some inflammation, but it could have been a lot worse. He missed TKD this week. We take him back for a follow up in about two weeks. He should not be doing anything where he goes backwards (extensions) and should keep an eye on his pain and motion.

Mike cut a couple of snowflakes for National Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day. Below is the extent of this year's batch. He wants to do more than have them pile up. We're getting too much real snow here in the valley as it is! 

Landon's friend Corbin says hi. We introduced Corbin to Cupbop this week, and he likes it now too!

 

Landon went to the rec center, and the rest of us went to the Nebo SD gym this week just to get some movement in and get out of the house. It is awesome that the school district has gym that the whole family can use for free. Eliza pushes us to go, and we are glad she does. Pictured below is the Clyde Recreation Center close to us where Landon joins his friends.

Hallie was jonesing for some of the giant chocolate chip cookies Mike baked some time back. He also wanted some pepas (Argentinian thumbprint sugar cookies topped with quince jelly). Having misplaced the chocolate chip recipe, he had to look for it online (try them! They're easy and tasty), and while there he found a simple thumbprint cookie recipe that scratched his pepas itch and allowed us to use some of the freezer jam Hallie made earlier this year.  

Speaking of itches, Mike has continued to reflect on whether he can turn his snowflake hobby into something that he could sell as holiday art. Hallie and he went to a few stores to get some supplies to work up some concept art (we bought a simple frame and some fancy cardstock). While we were out, Landon accidentally elbowed a wall in the office as he was getting off the couch. Oops. Time to learn a new skill. The next day, the boys went to the hardware store for a patch and joint compound, and Landon fixed things right up. We guess this could be an excuse to finally paint the office. 

Mike also happened to find a LEGO ferry boat captain minifig that he thought would go nicely with the Titanic build. Joann for the win!

 

Here is a mockup of a framed paper snowflake, possibly coming to art fairs near us this coming fall. He's considering whether different sizes, matting, etc. might add to their commercial appeal. What do you think, dear reader?

Landon got back to his LEGO roots this week building a Ninjago set he got for Christmas. It has been a while since he has built with LEGOs, but he still has many sets on display. 

On New Year's Eve, we drove through the snow to Gma and Gpa M.'s to celebrate Grandpa's birthday, play a couple of games, and have a bite to eat. Fortunately, while the snow fell fairly thickly, we were able to get around. Landon is quite selective on who gets to use his VR, and below Grandpa is walking around Italy. 

Happy New Year! After coming home, everyone stayed up until midnight, which we think is a first for our brood. Thank you to the Doreys for past fun, Hallie and Eliza found some great party poppers to use in our night of fun.

We got snow pretty continuously throughout the day on New Year's Day. Mike ventured out to get steps in, but it seems like we all were pretty hashed and just kept things quiet to start out 2023.