Silas turned twelve this year. It’s hard to believe our little boy is getting so big and grown up, and will be a teenager next year! At twelve, Silas is an incredibly hard worker, very motivated, organized, and a self-starter. He is still a pretty positive, cheerful, friendly guy, although at times he has his moments (he is a tween, afterall). Silas loves cars, music (both playing and listening to it), hanging out with friends, and plotting ways to earn make money. He wants to be an entrepreneur or go into business when he grows up.

With Justin, Ethan, Landry, Dax and Ethan.

We celebrated his birthday by inviting a few friends to play VR games in Seattle.

It’s been said that February is the bridge between winter and spring, and I like looking at it this way. There are crisp, sunny days that give us a glimpse of what is around the corner, but still many gloomy days. Here’s how we bridged the month.

We visited Jonathan’s office. This picture makes me wonder whether our family will have a third generation at Microsoft one day.

I volunteered at Layla’s Valentine’s party

Silas is playing another season of basketball with his team, the Gladiators

We took Everlong out and went to dinner at Ivar’s

Layla and Clare at gymnastics. They opted to wear hair pieces for team pics.

For midwinter break this year, we went to Puerto Vallarta for some sun and a little culture. The kids were excited to travel outside the country and eat lots of tacos. We had a fantastic time and took a ton of pictures. I’ll let those tell the story.

The kids loved the revolving door at Portland Airport

On the flight I made this cute pic of Phoebe using Microsoft CoPilot

Walking to the Uber spot at Puerto Vallarta airport. While were were waiting we witnessed a heated custody argument between a man and woman on the street. It made quite an impression on the kids.

The kids loved the swim up pool bar at the hotel. And the fresh chips and guac were SO good!

We had a great time on an adventure trip to Las Caletas. Really glad we did this!

Here are a few cute videos we got from the trip

We got to have close encounters with a stingray and a sea lion. Kieron was really good at holding the slippery stingray.

Lucy!

Unfortunately, Layla’s excitement turned to fear after a little while in the water.

Layla and Silas got to do the kids zipline course, while Kieron and Avery did the big kid one.

After playing, we had a fantastic lunch and played on the beach until the boat came back

We got to hang with the captain!

The entertainment…

Back at the hotel

The kids loved these coconut drinks. After you finished one, you could take the coconut to get cut up and then eat the rest of it.

Toward the end of our trip we took an Uber to Sayulita for the day. We had a great time!

Choco banana

At Beach of the Dead

At La Rustica, our favorite pizza place

The kids loved getting fish pedicures

Avery was especially ticklish!

Papa turned 80 in February and I flew out to Pullman for a surprise visit. We had a great time being together and celebrating the man, the myth, the legend, and the best dad a girl could ask for.

We went on a lot of walks together

Scott invited some friends over and threw a party for Papa. It was really fun!

Family dinner out

January is a long, dark and dreary month in the PNW. Here’s how we passed it:

Jonathan and Silas took Everlong out for a quick day trip.

The new, covered magic carpet at Central

We bought a new piano!

Nana came to visit and celebrate Christmas together

Somehow it all morphed into a fitness competition between the kids

Plank off!

Making sour dough bread together

Chess night at Boy Scouts

It snowed! (Barely.)

Current home project: built in cabinets and shelves in the office

What cleaned pennies best? Ketchup and soy sauce were the winners.

Snow day!

This guy can’t wait to try out his snowboard

Pumping iron with our oldest

Aerial yoga classes

Spa night

Avery did swim team this season. Here’s the team honoring the seniors.