2018 - PART TWO
JULY: Amanda and Ryan had everyone over for fireworks. It was a gorgeous day out and all of the kids were in great moods. They loved the fireworks so much. Especially the snaps.
Fourth of July hangovers are not, I repeat, ARE NOT for the faint of heart. River had an asthma appointment and him and Hollis were both 100% naughty. I bribed them with sunglasses and slushees to survive a Target trip. Nothing like rewarding bad behavior. I’m not above it. #Surviving
My baby sister got married in July but first, we celebrated at her bridal shower. The day started out with rain but it ended up getting really nice, then extremely hot. All the same, it was amazing and the company was even better.
I drew my first muley buck tag this year. I have never hunted in my life so Sean had a lot of work to do in order to get me ready for the season. Sean teaching me is always risky, I swear he has no idea how little I actually know but he was patient and it turned out I got a good shot! (See November)
We got in bow practice, too. The girls fell asleep on the way there which was kind of a bummer because it was an incredible night with the most amazing sky. I can’t believe how much we packed into out summer days. Nobody got to bed on time from May-September and they were tiiiiirred. I don’t know how it happened but when we got home, we usually ate, went to the pool, did baths, books and somehow it was 9:30 and we had some crabby kids on our hands.
Wedding rehersal… but first, nails!
Abby + Noah’s wedding day. It was perfect, filled with tiny bits of both of them everywhere we looked.
Yep. We packed in a wedding and a birthday party into one weekend. BAKER TURNED ONE. We got rained out at the pool but we got in some swim time before then went to our house for dinner. All’s well that ends well, right?
SEPTEMBER: It started out with the stomach flu for Hollis. Buddy and Baker followed suit closely behind. It landed over a weekend so we laid low and put in a lot of snuggle time. They were all feeling great by Sunday.
I tried to take them out to snag some pictures. EVERY.SINGLE.KID gave me attitude.
Sean and River started hunting season so it’s usually the girls and I. We went out to lunch and had a shopping date and for whatever reason, it stands out to me as a really special day. I’m so thankful for my family and ALL of my kiddos but it was a fun date and they were both so sweet. My sister met up with us and we ran through Scheels. Baker opted for a nap. Sweet babe.
River had his third set of tubes put in. It’s seems a little bit excessive but he does so great when they are in and as soon as they fall out we are running into ear infection after ear infection. I’m hoping this is the last set he needs. Papa Kenny came along to help and I’m so glad he did. It’s nice to have an extra set of hands and HE WANTED HIM INSTEAD OF ME!?!?!? I was like “Huh? Are you sure? Oh. Ok.” He did really well and was perfectly fine after he had a little snack and then we took the rest of the day to watch movies together. I just adore that time with them. I hope my kids always want to hang out with me.
I turned 30! I got to have lunch with a few of my ladies and shop a few small boutiques afterwards. It feels so good to walk into another year with this crew by my side.
OCTOBER: I couldn’t resist this picture with my four favorite people all in one spot. We were on our way out the door, Sean and River had appointments and River was adamant that they match. Hence gray jeans for both! Cuties.
We implemented chores this year. Cleaning the toilets isn’t on the list but they offered to help clean the bathroom this particular day. We still struggle through the consistency of chores but it’s getting better all the time. I’m happy if they pick up their messes. They are notorious for pulling all of the toys out and abandoning ship. Get back here…
Baker, Hollis and I did a pumpkin patch day before it closed! It was the very last day they were open and it was getting COLD towards the end of the day. Sean took River hunting in Montana with him and they got a doe. He was OVER.THE.MOON. about it. He talks about going back to Montana all the time. 100% Sean.
I’m not sure why I convince myself that I need to make Halloween costumes but I like them better. No worries, we were making a shark template on the eve of Halloween. It all came together. We went to our church for trunk-or-treat then headed over to my moms. She watches the kids and takes them to her friends to show them off while Sean and I sneak away for a date. We have done this the past two years and it’s a fun tradition that we all look forward to.
NOVEMBER: Skate dates began! We love ice time. River and Hollis started hockey and skating last year and have improved a ton this year. We got a sitter for Baker and went out with the kiddos. I started to bribe the kids to get out the door faster on the days I need to fill gas (one of my least favorite things to do) with gas station candy and they L-O-V-E it!
My first hunt. This one is a huge deal for Sean and I. Hunting is more than a hobby to Sean, it’s part of him. He has asked me for years when I would go with so I said to go ahead and put me in for tags and if I ever get one, I will go. GOT ONE!
The first day was super, super cold. Sean set up this tiny tent with a little stove and to say I was worried about it was an understatement. He made me a killer quesadilla on it and it kept us warm all night.
Before we left, my father-in-law gave me an army sleeping bag, I went to back thinking it was going to be super, super cold but I woke up in the middle of the night and the first thing that came to my mind was “I’m still warm"“ and then I went back to sleep.
Day numba 2. Sean spotted a bigger buck right away in the morning. He pointed it out but I never saw it myself. #StillLearning
He found this guy bedded down and asked what I wanted to do. I thought he looked super good so I got set up. The longer I waited, the more jittery I got so I decided to go ahead and make the shot. I looked over to see what Sean was doing but he was still looking through his scope. I followed suit and saw that he wasn’t running away and I asked if it was a good shot. I got the thumbs up. It actually felt like way more responsibility to take the life of something that is providing for our family. It was different than I had anticipated.
We walked in and got a closer look. He was a perfect shot (Thanks, babe! Our gun range sessions all paid off!) Sean taught me about boning him out and we packed up. He also had his jet boil along and made me a tea. It was a surreal moment - the snow was coming down, the tea was hot and I was super proud. I could tell Sean was proud of me too.
I’m usually not a beer drinker. I will say it has never tasted so good + we had to celebrate Ginder style.
Lastly, we went out for dinner and drinks. This goes down in the memory books as one of my favorite times with Sean. We have been together since 2009 but it was a first for us together and I loved every bit of it.
DECEMBER: December was filled with A LOT of jammies, wrapping paper, presents and more jammies.
We snuck away on a date! This is so important to both of us but it’s also really, really hard to squeeze in from August-December. We met up with some friends for dinner and drinks then spent the night at a different friends. The next morning Sean and I had breakfast at the oldest restaurant in Bismarck and these breakfast nachos were insanely delicious.
I’m not sure why I didn’t get more pictures of Christmas but I didn’t. It was SO COLD out. It actually is still SO COLD OUT (It’s February!) but we took the kids out for some target practice and they loved it. Baker snacked most of the time and I documented it the entire time. Because she is the cutest babe.
It was a good year, one of the best in my life. I would give full credit to Sean, our babies + our incredible tribe who make this life so sweet. I have some big goals for 2019 and I hope each of you do too.
May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself. - Neil Gaiman
