Walking on Thick Ice

 Winter in Iowa isn't complete without our annual walk on the ice! Although the lake froze and thawed several times this season, we had no worries about walking on the ice mid-February.

Emma was the photographer for these epic love shots- 

And I was the photographer for the paper bag princess!

And no one- including the pup- fell in this year! 

Laney Bear is 7!

 The sweetest pup we've ever had turned 7 this January! 

She is always right in on the action when the birthday treats come out- look at thos big eyes! 

Distgusting, but she loves a good duck head and pig snout. Happy birthday, you sweet little carnivore!

All partied out. 

Silently judging us- what would Laney say and what would she sound like if she could talk? 

The winters are long and cold and hard for all of us. Laney is lucky enough to get to wrap up and hunker down for hours on end. 

She brings us so much joy and a nice humbling amount of frustration when she bum scootches on my favorite rug or snaps at the dog sitter or wanders up to a coyote just to make a new friend. She is a forever toddler, and we love her so much! 

Kicking Off 2026

 There is just never a dull moment around here, even in the dead of winter! January was FULL of all the things, most of all show choir! 

And band!

And show band!

I spy Adam! 

One Act- Adam's final acting engagement for his sophomore year. 

So! Much! Show choir! What would my 2013 self think of this?? I could never imagine how invested we would be in show choir, or how much we would love it! 

2026 is the official end of our elementary school days. Noah's going out with a bang!

We hosted Life Prep- at least four times a year our entryway looks like this and I love it. 

Emma and I went on a date! First to see Six- 

and then to the botanical gardens- 

Noah looking swag!

Winter youth conference!

Another date!

Some of us enjoy Mr. Myer's teaching style more than others. 

And another date! I have a feeling a lot of these happened while the father was in Mexico and Puerto Rico. 

Over at BYU, Leah started a new job as an ice cream scooper at the creamery!

Phew! What a great month!