Just as we wrapped up a particularly challenging spring/school year, summer presented its own challenges. Within days of school getting out, our dear elderly Kiki had what I believe may have been a stroke or a seizure. We went off to the emergency vet straight away, but by the time they were able to see us she had mostly recovered… Read more →
Time Flies (when everything’s a mess)
When last we left the Baxter family they had just finished a major basement bathroom renovation. The good news is that in hindsight it was well worth the trouble. For whatever reason it quickly became the boys’ preferred place to shower. With a middle schooler showering before school every morning it really cuts down on the morning bathroom chaos in… Read more →
William is 12!
William, who is now solidly a middle-schooler, turned 12 this spring. He’s come out of his shell a bit this year (as much as any introverted, anxious, perfectionist can). He started participating in chess club after school and was able to represent his middle school at the district chess tournament. He won 4 of his 7 matches and had some… Read more →
Deck the Halls, or another project of your choice
As discussed in the prior post, I got a new job in September, which left me working 2 jobs (by choice) until Thanksgiving. It was essentially the equivalent of a full time job for 2 months, but it definitely didn’t leave time for much else. Upon cutting back to one job, I got thinking about the new year coming up… Read more →
Back to School and other new beginnings
Back to school is a time of great excitement and anxiety for me each year. I’m always happy to have the kids back learning and seeing their friends, but also a bit anxious about how they will enjoy school each year. Will they make friends? Will they like their teachers? What sort of crazy germs will they bring home? Will… Read more →
Summer Shenanigans
I’m writing this post much much later than I anticipated. Why? Well summer was fun and then went out on a CRAZY note…more on that later. So what’s been keeping me so occupied? These kids for one! School ended, summer break started off with a family reunion in St. George and then it never for one minute slowed down. Summer… Read more →
California Dreamin’
Woo buddy. The Baxters and Koenigs did something I thought may never happen. We vacationed as a family all together! This was a huge endeavor when you consider that my parents had not been to the ocean since their honeymoon in Florida (1976) and my brother and his wife had not yet flown or vacationed with their 3 kids (ages… Read more →
Goodbye Epic Winter
Oh. My. Gosh. What a winter Utah had. I would like to think I could have written sooner if I wasn’t so busy sending skiers out to ski and shoveling snow. Utah set an all time snowfall record this season with 30 inches of snow water equivalent. I imagine that doesn’t mean much to most people so here is a… Read more →
Chris is 9!
Christopher–or Chris as his friends now call him–is quite the 9 year old. He’s grown leaps and bounds this year…several inches according to the board we’ve tracked their heights on each year. He’s tracking a full year head of William which honestly makes Christopher pretty proud and William more than a bit nervous. Christopher would like you to know he’s… Read more →
Oh Andrew (is 7)
Oh my Andrew. What a year we’re having. You are such a cute little pal at home and then some kind of teacher tormenter at school. Let’s talk about Andrew at home first. Andrew at home is a pretty smart little guy who deals in a currency known as hugs, ie “if you make me do that, no hugs for… Read more →