May 2022

Lots of goodbye this month...

At the beginning of the month, I took the girls to Louisiana to visit my best girlfriend, Jennifer. Our dogs did not get along! But Bryan was working on getting his parachuting license and wouldn't be home to watch him. So I had to bring Howie with us. Otis is really sweet, but definitely a protector. 

In the morning, we went to the Armadillo Stampede 5K in Leesville. The girls rode their bikes while Jennifer, Ryan, and I ran. Kate took off and I was running after her panicked she would get hit by a train, that I ran my fastest ever, until a train made us all stop. Ha! I ended up with the first female finisher and got to eat breakfast for free at the May Day Fest.

After we cleaned up, we went downtown to enjoy the festival.

Jennifer made us do this crazy awesome video!

The girls got some awesome face painting and slushies. It was really HOT! 

And then we went over to Jennifer's friend Zandy so the girls could create a cute little Mother's Day artwork for me. Isn't she the most thoughtful?!? Thanks Jenny!

The following weekend, our family flew to Utah for Bryan's mother's funeral. She passed away on the 4th of May surrounded by family in her home in Highland, Utah. I will forever be grateful for Debbie teaching Bryan good work ethics and strong mindedness. She had such a strong personality and I can see a little bit of her in all 11 of her living children. She is survived by 46 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren (probably more than this). If you knew Debbie, then you were sure to know her whole life story. She had a smile in her eyes and an enormous amount of energy. She was steadfast in her faith and the glue that held the Ahlborn family together through the years. I am grateful she is at peace after a tough battle with cancer. She will be sorely missed by all. 

She had a beautiful funeral service. The 11 siblings were finally together after 20+ years. Most of the grandchildren were able to make it out to the funeral as well. Stratton, Becky, Rachel, and Aunt Julie were the speakers and they all did a fabulous job describing their mother/sister. We were able to have a goo day celebrating the life of Chammelia Deborah "Debbie" Ahlborn. 

Debbie's one wish was to have family photos completed with grandpa. The photos turned out really well and it was nice to see everyone together.

When our family returned back to Texas, it was my turn to say goodbye to all my friends and co-workers at Seton Medical Center. This is the first place I have worked for a consecutive 4 years. I worked with some really great people and am really going to miss the place. 

The girls had their last day at Northside Baptist Academy. They spent 2 years at this wonderful private school during such a crazy time (pandemic) in the world. I will forever be grateful for filling up the last available spots the week before school started! 

School ended early with a pizza party, bouncy house, and obstacle course.

Kate's teacher Mrs. Harvey

Jane's teacher Mrs. Oster

Saying goodbye to everyone is so hard! I wanted the girls to be able to enjoy the last day of school and so we had an end of school, moving, and pre-birthday party at our house after school. One last hooray! I ordered Chick-Fil-A and a water bouncy house and let the kids go at it. 

Jane wrote this cute story about her summer plans. I love it!

Another goodbye...

I am so grateful for Mrs. Christie! She was such a wonderful piano teacher for Kate and Jane. The girls did a great performance at the end of the school year recital. Jane played "The Cinderella Waltz" and Kate played "Almost There". 

We put our Harker Heights home for sale on Memorial Day weekend. Over the last 2-3 months, Bryan and I have been preparing for our move to Kansas. We sorted through our stuff, hosted a garage sale, starting using up the freezer and canned goods, and fixed up the house (all the important things that need to be done before a move). We will miss this place!

Saying goodbye to our great neighbors!

And of course my best friend!

We started our 3rd drive to Utah at the end of May- actually the day after school ended! The house was packed (mostly) and we were headed to vacation before the great move to Kansas. Time for a little fun! 

A stop at Wilson's Arch to break up the drive. Bryan and I have been up for 24+ hours at this point...

When we finally arrived in Utah, I think Bryan and I took a 4-5 hour nap. We were exhausted. When we woke up, my parents were home taking care of our kids that we had neglected (kind of) while sleeping. So grateful they house and feed us during our times of limbo. 

Memorial's Day was a bummer because it was cold and wet! We were used to Texas weather and Utah wasn't really showing signs of summer when we arrived. Bryan arranged for us to go to the Children's Museum with Becky and Lauren's kids. They had fun, until playing in the water area and getting too cold again...

December 2021

The girls were in "A Church Mouse Christmas" musical with their school. They couldn't wait to show Bryan and I what they have been practicing over the last month or so.  It was really cute and they did  amazing.

The girls made this fun little gingerbread village. Jane created the "town feel" with the tree and street on the cardboard.

The girls had their Christmas piano recital at Chick-fil-A.  They get a free meal, play some music games, and have fun. It makes the "recital" less stressful for everyone.

Jane loving on our furry baby! It's about time for him to get a haircut...

Poor Howie was so ashamed of his new look.  He was hiding in his crate and appeared to be cold.  Don't worry, we bought him a plaid vest to wear!

Our neighbor puts on a really fun Christmas light show every night. The girls LOVE the music.

Decorating Christmas cookies.  I bought this special frosting from the store and Kate and Jane spent 2-3 hours decorating cookies.  They did a really good job!

We went to the Christmas lights at BLORA and visited Santa's Villiage for some treats and to see Santa Claus.

'Twas the night before Christmas...

And then the girls woke up at like 05:30. Ah! I couldn't believe it.  They have never done that.  Bryan told them they could look through their stockings, but they were really loud.  We might as well have just started at 05:30.  I think Bryan and I really need to come up with a plan for the girls not coming down before 0700.  How are other people getting their children to wait and look decent themselves while filming their children running down the stairs to the Christmas tree? That's not us!

Kate got make-up, books, cotton candy maker, clothes, electric razor and scooter (to share), and a bracelet kit. 

Howie got a rope and a pig. 

Bryan got gear for duck hunting.

Jane got a book, marble madness, an electric razor and scooter (to share), clothes, bracelet kit, and make-up.  

Although I am not pictured, I got some workout equipment, a fur coat (pictured with Kate), and headphones.

My famous cinnamon rolls turned out fabulous this year! They are ready to be cooked in the picture below. 

The day after Christmas, me and the girls started the long drive to Utah.  The weather was terrible.  Fog in Texas, high winds in New Mexico, almost hit 2 sets of elk in Colorado, and a random squabble in Utah.  I stopped in Pagosa Springs, Colorado for the night with Michael, Lauren, and their family.  It was fun to go to the cabin again- no dog this time.  Ruby was sad.  

When we finally made it to Utah, grandma and grandpa had more gifts for the girls.  I was so happy to have made it safely.  It was so nice to be home with my parents.  I love that they saved all the Christmas decorations for us!

We saw cousins and aunts/uncles, went sledding, hung out in the Linford's hot tub, ate dinner with grandma and grandpa Ahlborn, played pool, and celebrated NYE at Rachel's house.

And I went skiing with my sister!