January . . . . . . . . .

 I was 100% not ready to go back to work when Christmas Break was over. This school year has been REALLY hard! It isn't just one thing, it's all the new/different things. It's exhausting. It's feeling like at any moment you could be in trouble for not having a mask on, not sanitizing, not doing enough online, requiring too much. . . . the list goes on. Emotionally and physically I am very tired. I know it isn't easy for anyone, my students included, but it is still HARD!

Christmas cards are maybe my favorite part of the Christmas season. I just wanted to take a picture of them before I put them away. They make me so happy!

New Years day Amber and I hiked the Alpine Loop from the Aspen Grove parking lot. It was a gorgeous day. There wasn't a ton of snow but there was enough. The sunshine felt amazing.

 

The sun wasn't out in the parking lot we had to hike a couple miles to get above the clouds.

Moki was in heaven. I was too. There has been so little snow this year. It is sad.

The view from the top of the loop. So pretty.

The trees were frozen a little higher up and it was all so beautiful.

It was a great 8 miles. We were worn out after.

The next day Amber and I hiked up the American Fork side. We hiked on the Pine Hollow Trail and then came down on the alpine loop road. It was so pretty. The weather was great and it felt so good to be outside.

I love these Utah mountains! We hiked 4 miles this day and it felt great.

Sunday before returning to work Moki and I went up Rock Canyon. i have church at noon now so we have a little more time in the mornings. We just went up a couple of miles. It was snowing lightly. We enjoyed a beautiful morning in nature.

School started back up in full swing. It is always exhausting. All new classes and students. Basketball is also crazy. I had three players gone because of COVID the first two weeks back. That was so sad. It really hurt us but that is part of what we have to deal with this year. I was very excited when everyone was finally back!

I have been doing quite a bit of sewing to start the new year. Most my projects are not ready to be included on here. This is for Katelyn's birthday. I am so excited to get it to her. I think she will love it! Moki must lay on anything I am working on . . . she is the worst!

 Last Sunday Moki and I walked on the shoreline trail. It was a lovely morning. We started at Slate Canyon and headed towards the Y. You can see there is really no snow. So sad!

 

 

Moki let me get one good picture:) 

Sunday evening at dinner Audrey just wanted to play outside. I went out with her. She was in heaven. She loves the dogs right now. She was pretending to be one. She just sat at the fence and barked with them.

Then she played fetch like Moki.

We ended our outside time in Loralie's swing. This girl is such a cutie. I love her so much.

I brought a dress Nancy made for me when I was her age to dinner. I wanted to put her in it so Nancy could see. It took all night and some m and m's to convince her to try it on. It fits her perfectly right now. She is too cute. Nancy loved seeing her in it.

 Monday was Presidents Day so no schools. I practiced in the morning and then Sam and Amanda brought the kids down in the afternoon. Anthony came over too. We watched the kids so Sam and Amanda could go have some time alone to shop. We played lots of games and went to the park. It was really fun. Audrey and Emerson both wanted to walk Moki to and from the park.

I love these chill days with these cute kids.

Amber and I went up Rock Canyon this morning. We finally got some new snow. And we got a lot of snow, well the canyons and mountains got a lot of snow. It was so fun. It was also a good workout because there was so much snow.

 

 The branches had so much snow on them. It was crazy. We need the snow so badly so it is truly a blessing. I live for Saturdays with fresh snow.

It snowed almost our entire hike. I was very wet and cold when we finally got back to the car. It was a great way to start our Saturday.

The rest of the day has been spent relaxing and working on a church lesson. I have enjoyed the peaceful day.