My Trip to Virginia

 Zach DeShetler just got home in January from a 6 month deployment to Africa. I went to Virginia to watch the boys so that Paige and Zach could take a little vacation, just the 2 of them, to reconnect and have a break after such a long deployment. I absolutely LOVE taking care of these boys and was super happy to help out. Unfortunately there was a LOT of puking. About every 2 days another boy started throwing up. I think I handled it quite well and we ended up still having a fun time together but man...why do kids always puke at night? You get absolutely NO sleep because they are throwing up every 30 minutes or so. Poor kids, I felt so bad for them but luckily each boy only threw up for about 10 hours and I'm VERY glad all 4 didn't throw up at the same time! Paige and Zach totally owe me a trip to Guam to visit when they move this summer 😆

Alistair with his cool glasses on, ready for a walk!

Having some fun after school

Chalk art zoo

Donuts for breakfast

Super fun train museum

"Dogman" in the movie theater

Graham reading a story to his brothers. It is rare all 4 of them are quietly sitting together, I had to get proof!

The last night I was there Paige, Zach and Remy and I played a game all together after the little boys went to bed. Paige and I both hate games that take an hour to explain all the rules but we relented because Remy is so cute and we can't resist his request for us to play:)

I got together with Christine Watkins (my brothers ex-wife) for some lunch at a Buffalo themed restaurant in Virginia before I flew home

The beef on weck was super yummy. It was fun to get a little taste of home as well as catch up with Christine and see how she is doing.

January: Hikes, Protest, Chocolate Making, Twins Birthday, Julian gets Adopted!

 It was wonderful the twins were still with us for a few days in January. The let down after the holidays is real and so it was great to have the whole family still together so we could do some fun things.

We hiked around Mt. Tabor in Portland. I think the boys are reenacting a "Squid Game" scene here. Not quite sure BUT what I do know is that it makes me so happy to see them being sill and having fun all together:)

Group photo on Mt. Tabor

The twins organized a little get together with some of their friends in Hillsboro. Some of these kids they have been friends with since 3rd grade! I'm so glad they value friendship and the relationships they have made over the years.

I attended a protest in Portland. I will not go quietly into this abyss we call Trump and his supporters. If standing up for freedom and the rights of all people gets me arrested or killed...I want to be on the right side of history. I see the writing on the wall and I don't see this ending well for America or her democracy!

Julian participated in the blessing of the sacrament for the very first time now that he is ordained as a Priest. I was very proud of him for being willing to participate and do his part to serve

A group of my friends went to a chocolate making class at Vanday chocolate company in McMinnville, Oregon. It was such a fun and informative (and yummy) class

We all got to take home a little chocolate bar that we made ourselves:)

The twins are 21!!! We drove down to Corvallis to celebrate with them. We took them out to their favorite Thai restaurant and then had cake, ice cream and presents back at their little house. I'm so glad they are just an hour and a half away. I love them and am so proud of all their hard work at college these last 3 years:)

Julian found out a family in Takarazuka, Japan has agreed to host him for the year. He will be a BIG brother for the first time. We are so excited!