I've been looking forward to this week because it was the week I started my second internship and would be able to do therapy again! Unfortunately, though, there was no one for me to see! So, instead my emotions took a nose dive and I was sad and anxious about the possibility of not being able to get my hours. After some brainstorming and time with my supervisor, though, and I am feeling more hopeful that things will work out! I am doing a mental health fireside for a YSA ward tonight and you bet I'm counting that as an hour of community education!

Bethany had two play practices this week and then a little break because of a statewide theatre conference that kept her colleagues busy in other pursuits! We appreciated the break. Still, she is loving the experience and we are all excited about opening night this coming week! She drove herself to school once this week and has been driving to practices. She even drove Ben to a friend's house on Friday night which was a great help! 

Benjamin went to guitar, track once, and tennis twice. He went to a friend's house on Friday night and they played board games and then played Fugitive in the neighborhood. Ben had a great time! Otherwise, he has friends who join him online in his video games. Sometimes we can get him to watch a show with us and hearing his reactions is always fun!

Savannah had a mostly full week at work. She did struggle with a cold a couple of times. She also went to the stake dance Friday night. She didn't meet anyone but had a good time.

Kevin continues to have a full schedule of clients, supervision, podcast creation, and conference planning at work. He is busy, busy all the time!

 We celebrated Avery's birthday this week! She turned 3 years-old! She is a delight and we love her chatty, squealing, singing-to-every-topic self! Megan made Avery an incredible cake and Bethany decorated and we had dinner and presents and a great time!

It reminded me of her mom on her 3rd birthday. What special days!

Bethany had rehearsals every day after school this week and an all day rehearsal on Saturday. For the most part, she had a really good week. On Saturday after lunch though she started to feel sick. She pushed through, but after a nap when she got home that night she got really sick and started throwing up. We ended up driving her to the hospital. She felt a bit more in control of the pain by the time we got there so we just drove for a while longer and brought her home and put her to bed. She is shaky today and overwhelmed from the experience last night but mostly pain free. We'll take that.

Benjamin had guitar this week and two days of tennis and one of track. He went to a friend's house on Saturday night to watch a movie with a bunch of guy friends who usually play Minecraft online together. Sarah and Megan and Ammon came over on Saturday to play Acquire and they got Dad and Ben to play, too. Ben said it was his first time playing! (We are surprised because this is a family staple). He had a good time and decided he wants more board games in his life. I believe that can be arranged.

Savannah had to work the adjusted hour schedule at work this week and it about killed her. She does not do well having to wake up at 4:30 and work nine hours. By Thursday, she came home from work and slept until dinner. Went back to bed and still slept through half of the Friday half-day. She was a tired girlie!!!

I did homework and cleaned the house and read and spent time with my family. Kevin worked and created and brainstormed and tracked stocks. We hope you had a good week, as well!

 First week back in school! Beth and Ben both seemed to have adjusted well to being back.

Bethany has two changes to her schedule. The first is that she moved her math class to online. She hasn't started it yet because of a delay in registration but the welcoming emails have been upbeat! The second is a psychology class. So far, she loves it! That feels like a win. She is in another musical (Mean Girls) which is part of a class but they did start after-school rehearsals this week. That happened twice this week and it tired her out completely but she made it and she kept up with her school schedule. That is also a major win! She went to a dance for theatre students on Saturday night with her friend Macie and they made some fun memories there, too!

Benjamin has only one change to his schedule for the new semester. He no longer has PE and instead has small engine repair. Everyday I've asked him if he knows how to fix an engine yet but apparently the teacher is still doing get-to-know-you activities. He has friends in the class, though, so he is inclined to like it. Also, I signed him up for some time playing group tennis. That started this week and is on Monday and Wednesdays. He thought it would be terrible, but ended up saying it was really fun! We'll take that as a win, as well. He also went to indoor track practice once this week. They ran four miles and he was a sore boy the next day!!

Savannah, Sarah, Megan, Mariah, and Kolby came with Kevin and I to Barnes and Noble on Saturday and we finished up our book-buying out-to-eat grandparent giftcards from Christmas. We had a fun time, got some good books, and ate at CupBop. Beth and Ben opted out this time but spent some fun time together at home.

Kevin's busy with the YSA ward and with work. Per a change in revenue design, he has been seeing a lot more individuals in private therapy once again but still working on online content. He also still loves researching all things stocks and private investing in his free time.

I have been doing homework. I started getting things ready for taxes and am continuing my photo project. I read articles on my phone about gut health and mental health and parenting. I kind of like how my phone pays attention to what I'm interested in and shows me more and more of it. I think it's making me smarter!

Avery and Lyla were still with us for the first part of this week. On Monday, our adventure was to go to DI and then to the McDonald's playground. On Tuesday, Sarah and McKay didn't get back until late afternoon, so we took another adventure this time to the mall to play on the playground and sit in all the coin-operated trucks without putting coins in them. :)

Bethany helped Avery get ready for her parents to come home by helping her make a card and some confetti. They waited by the door and shouted surprise! and welcome home! Sarah cried and both Sarah and McKay were covered in hugs. They had a great time but they sure missed their kiddos!

That afternoon, Kevin had a chance to go to the BYU basketball game with an old friend, Kevin Simpson. They had a great time and even ran into a couple of their old friends from high school! It was super fun for him!

That night was New Year's Eve! Mariah and Kolby came over and the Kogers for a bit and the Mila girls. We played games until midnight and then toasted each other with Martinelli's! It was a fun night.

The next day was my birthday! I told Kevin I wanted to try to go four-wheeling so he got the four wheeler unhitched from the plow and all loaded on the trailer. We went to find the path I had heard of. We found it . . . but it was covered in snow! So we didn't go four wheeling even after all Kevin's work! But I sure appreciated the effort and the drive was very beautiful! Afterward, we went out for some hot soup for lunch and then to the mall for a foot massage. Ahhhh. Cali and Chey called me that evening. I love talking to them! That night, Megan and Ammon made mango salmon tacos and Savannah bought me a Magleby's cake. They sang to me and we played Family Clue. It was super fun.

Thursday I got my hair cut! And we tried a new doctor for Bethany. (Jury's still out on whether they can help or not.) On our way back, we stopped at the DMV and Beth got her driver's license! She's official!!!

Friday I did a lot of grocery shopping. Ben and Kevin played tennis.

Saturday we did a lot of cleaning and Kevin and I and Mariah and Kolby went to the temple to do sealings in the afternoon.

What a week! Happy New Year to all of you!!

This week was Christmas! We got to talk to Cali and Chey on Christmas Eve. It was so fun! We got to talk to Cali the Sunday before and Chey the Sunday after. It's fun to still be able to talk with them! We sure miss them.

We also celebrated Megan's birthday last Sunday. We played Settler's of Catan (she won!) and we had lasagna fro dinner and cheesecake for desert. We are so blessed to have her part of our family.

On Christmas Eve, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Gazdik's for candlelight dinner. It was yummy as usual! This year we added a dance off to our tradition. It was boys vs. girls. McKay, Ammon, Ben, and Kolby made a dance (Micah even made an appearance). Then Savannah, Beth, Sarah, Megan, and Mariah made a dance, too. They even made matching shirts and wore matching PJ pants. They both did great and were so fun to watch. We also had a talent show, did the nativity story, played the bells, and opened presents. We even had a white elephant exchange present after presents from Grandma and Grandpa. It was a fun night!

On Christmas Day, Mariah and Kolby stayed over night and Megan and Ammon met us in the morning for Santa presents and French toast breakfast. Once Sarah and McKay and Avery and Lyla were done with their Santa presents they came over, too. Then we did presents from each other and opened one by one. We laughed and thanked each other and had a great time. Megan and Sarah's families stayed for the day and we had a nice time playing games and hanging out. Mariah and Kolby and Grandma and Grandpa came back that evening for a turkey dinner. After dinner, Mariah had some Christmas games planned. One of them was dressing Ammon and Savannah up like Santa Claus! We had such fun! It was a day full of family and love.

The next day Sarah and McKay left for a three-day cruise and left Avery and Lyla with us! So, Kevin and I have been on Grandpa and Grandma duty. I've been trying to take them on an adventure everyday. the first day we went to Barnes and Noble with the fam to buy books (we love that tradition and the gifts from grandparents that make it possible!). The next day, I took the little girls swimming at the rec center. The little girls were unsure at first but then had so much fun. On Saturday, I took them to feed the ducks at the reservoir. It was cold so it didn't last too long. Avery talked to the ducks the whole time and Lyla took her bread pieces and ate them herself. Ha ha! On Sunday we went to church, but also the aunts and uncles came over and they played crazy games. We are doing a decent job of keeping them happy but I think they will be glad when their parents get home! It's been fun for us, though!