End of 2021

 The last week for the year was nice and relaxing. Jacob didn't have to work. We didn't have anywhere to be for the most part. Rachel was invited to special basketball practices for players the coach was considering for A team. She went twice over the break, but skipped most of them in favor of relaxation. She also went to the temple with her YW group. 

Cari came to visit, which is always exciting. We went to the park to play with friends. The Reimanns and the Allens and some Howards came. The kids played kickball and the moms stood around and talked. Fun was had by all.

Our neighbors, Joanne and Eileen brought over a bag of toys they said Santa had left at their house for us. The kids loved all the toys and games they brought over: bingo, balls, colored pencils, games, and more.

A big hit while Cari was here was playing drawing games. They played blind portrait where you draw someone without looking down at the paper, fake artist, and the monster body game.

^Doesn't Rachel's portrait look beautiful?

We went to the Pima Air and Space Museum to explore all the cool planes: 

That NASA helmet says J. Campbell! It was meant to be!

The playground at the air and space museum is pretty awesome!

Haircutting party! Cari and Ryan both got their hair cut. Ryan wanted an R cut into his hair.

I got lots of puzzles for Christmas and spent some good relaxation time putting them together. Ryan also likes puzzles and helped a lot. I think Rachel pitched in on this one, too.

We went to the park again while Cari was here. It started raining, so we headed home, but Megan wanted to run (she's been enjoying running since she ran in the Mica Mountain 5k) and Cari was willing to run home with her despite the rain.

They got home dripping wet and ready for some hot chocolate!

For New Year's Eve we went to Todd and Savannah's house for the party. Besides food we enjoyed some games and fireworks and sparklers.

Pie Face was a big hit.

And an indoor snowball fight with Grandma took place.

We topped off the evening with a piñata and watching the countdown to the new year online. 

After the countdown and more snacks we headed back to our house where all the kids tried their best to stay up until midnight. And they all made it! 

Rachel went to the New Year's Dance at Sahuarita Stake and had a good time. She got back pretty late, so I had to stay up even later than just midnight, and I'm not good at late nighters like I used to be in college, but I survived.

Happy New Year! 2021 was not as drama filled as 2020, but we were still happy to say goodbye and move on to 2022! Cari headed home New Year's morning and we got ready to get back into our regular routines again (though that proved to be very difficult-a relaxing break made going back to work very difficult!).