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Another Theatre Performance

April 22, 2021

Lizzy was in another Westwood Middle School Play called “Uncuffed”, an original musical comedy written by her theatre teacher, Mrs. MacCord. Lizzy wasn’t a big fan of this musical or how well they were prepared to perform it, so she did not invite us to attend. Of course, mom found a way to sneak into the back row (yes she paid but didn’t tell Lizzy she was coming).

Curtain call

Lizzy is the fourth person from the left side in the white top with black skirt. This is when she spotted her mother in the audience after the show.

A closer look:

That’s not a happy to see mom look. . .

Good job Lizzy, I did enjoy watching you perform…the play itself – eh, not so much.

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Happy 12th Birthday Rachel!

April 21, 2021

Rachel really enjoys baking and she wanted to try out cake decorating with fondant. So, she made and decorated her own birthday cake!

Great job Rachel for your very first attempt!

Later that evening we “lit up” our birthday celebration:

Make a wish!

We continued the tradition, carried over from my Mom’s side of the family, of making another wish as you cut the cake:

Apparently cutting through the fondant was a little more challenging than a regular frosted cake. We all (mostly) waited patiently:

Time for birthday cards and gifts. We started with the cards. This one was unexpected:

A card from her (not so favorite) teacher. Perhaps you’ll like her a little more now Rachel?!

A card and gift$ from Aunt Elynn:

Thank you so much for remembering me every year Aunt Elynn!

Next a card from Grandpa Ed and Grandma Joyce:

A beautiful card from Grandma and Grandpa!

And gifts from Grandpa Ed and Grandma Joyce:

Beautiful!!
A calligraphy set!
Thank you Grandpa Ed and Grandma Joyce!

A gift from Lizzy:

A very nice card from Lizzy.
Art canvases!
And acrylic paint! Thanks Lizzy!

Now for a gift from mom and dad:

A new mountain bike!
Awesome!
Happy Birthday Rachel We Love You So Much!!

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Happy Easter and General Conference Weekend!

April 3rd, 2021

Happy Easter!

Lizzy woke up first:

Rachel fell asleep on the couch so mom special delivered her basket:

These white cheddar cheese balls have become a favorite in our house:

Time to get ready for General Conference:

Don’t forget the fresh picked strawberries from Rogers Farm!

General Conference:

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Trail Bike Riding

March 20th, 2021

Lizzy grew out of her bike so we got her a mountain bike and decided to take it out for a spin on the Turkey Creek Prairie trails.

Lizzy couldn’t quite ride through the small entranceway:

Rachel and I got ahead on the trail and so we waited for Dad and Lizzy:

We headed straight for mom’s favorite tree:

This tree is so awesome!

The sink hole near the tree is pretty cool too:

Time to continue on:

Lizzy looks tired and I think it’s time to get Rachel a new bike too:

We took some time to hang out on the hill:

And climb and explore:

Mom gave this family outing a thumbs up:

It was a lot of work and they were tired, but we all had a nice trail ride!

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14th, 2021

We love to celebrate the holidays and Valentine’s Day is a fun “Loving” holiday we really enjoy!

Mom gave Dad quite a spread with fresh herbs, bread and cheese:

He seemed pretty happy!

Lizzy and Rachel had a full table of “Love”:

You can never go wrong with gourmet brownies!
Dad is looking pretty hard at these brownie’s. . .perhaps you girls could share.
A Valentine’s message from mom:

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Lizzy & Rachel,

Being Parents of two daughters is a wonderful and cherished blessing! Sisterly love is also a wonderful and cherished blessing! As your parents we share our hearts with both of you equally. As sisters this Valentine’s Day, you will share all these nice gifts with each other!

Wishing You Both a Very Happy Valentine’s Day!

With Love, Mom & Dad

Now back to the gifts. . .

I think they like it!
That’s a lot of stuff to share!
Lizzy’s cards are always “Extra” special!

Gifts are nice too:

Can’t go wrong with candy for Dad!
I don’t think he’s planning on sharing Lizzy. . . but you have some to share with your sister.
A Very nice card from Rachel too.. still don’t think he is going to share his candy with you either.

More Candy For Dad!

All his favorites in one day!
How about a kiss on the side of the head!

From Rachel to Lizzy:

Handmade cards are always nice.
This was “extra” special too!
A treat from the bakery.
Meringues!

What’s happening!?!


She shared with Rachel AND Dad! (mom respectfully declined the ball of sugar).
This looks good!
Sisterly Love!

Time for mom to give Dad MORE gifts!

The happy couple!
He’s all set now!

Lizzy to Mom:

Definitely “Extra” special!
Love!
Can’t go wrong with Dark Chocolate for mom!

Rachel to Mom:

Very nice card with calligraphy!
I love you too Rachel!!
Raspberry filled dark chocolate, YUM!
More Dark!

Last but not least, Dad to Mom:

And a gift:

More backpacking gear! They are almost ready to go!

Happy Valentine’s Day Patricia!

Patricia came over and we had something for her too!

Her favorites! Chocolates, Takis and Nutella!

We all had a very “Lovely” Valentine’s Day!

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Middle School Theater Performance: “The Key Of Chaos”

January 28, 2021

Lizzy had a lead role in this musical theater production written by her theatre teacher Mrs. McCord.

Elizabeth is in the center on the right side holding the end of the big key. She played the role of the mayo of the city.

Because of the ongoing pandemic (Covid19) all the kids had to wear masks (the audience wore masks as well).

Curtain call with one of her closest friends, Zoe.
Final bow with the entire cast.
They all did great; congratulations!
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Happy Birthday Mom!

January 21, 2021

We made some cards and had some special gifts for mom to celebrate her birthday!

Rachel has been working with paper crafting and came up with this pretty design for the front of the card.
Mom needed a clip for her phone. Thanks Rachel!
Rachel did some nice pencil drawings for mom as well. Fitness themed is always a win!
Mom LOVED this painting!!
This painting up in the gym!
Lizzy made a card for mom too!
As always an awesomely creative and loving message!
An Echo Dot Plug In. We can plug in a lamp and use Alexa to turn it on and off even when we are away from home!
Mom are you going to fight with Alexa with this too?!” Mom has trouble getting Alexa to do what she is asking. So, she often “fights” with Alexa.
A card from Grandpa Ed and Grandma Joyce.
Presents from Grandpa Ed and Grandma Joyce!
Organizing and fitness – how can you go wrong with gifts like these (for mom anyway!).
Of course anything hiking is an awesome choice too! Dad got mom a tent for backpacking!
This is what it says:

“Happy Birthday Dear Heather

You’ve got your tent for the AT, but it’s missing something: trekking poles!

So It’s time for another trip to REI. There we’ll get two sets of trekking poles so that we can set up the tent.

Are you excited? It’s all starting to come together! Soon you’ll be ready for the trail.”

Happy Birthday Cake! mom loves this mini hear cakes with chocolate cake, chocolate mouse with a chocolate coating on the outside!
Make a wish Mom!
Happy Birthday Mom! We hope you had a great day!
We Love You!

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Florida Trail

January 16, 2021

It was a beautiful Saturday so we decided to drive out near Ocala and hop on the Florida Trail.

Rachel and I hiked from this trailhead last year and we enjoyed it so much we were excited to come back.
We headed down to the water first thing this time. When Rachel and I were here last time we hadn’t noticed how close the water was near the start and we stuck to the trail. It is such a beautiful day for this!
Luna is so happy we are all together on this hike!
Time to actually get on the Florida Trail (Orange Blazes).
Rachel spotted this edible fungus. Nope we didn’t try it, we just took a picture and left it alone.

We made our way back down to the water.

The water is much higher than when we were here last time.
The twisty tree roots are still here!
Lizzy “pretending” to drink from the spout.
Time to climb back up to the trail.

We decide to go a little farther up the trail this time.

Another pretty spot by the water.
Lizzy found an interesting spot to relax.
Rachel found a friend!

Another successful family fun day out on a trail!

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Christmas with The Araque’s

December 27, 2020

Patricia and Franklin came over today and we exchanged gifts:

We are very grateful for their friendship!!!

Later that day. . .

Mom and Dad went to go get mom’s gift (from Dad):

Almost ready for their first backpacking trip together!
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Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2020

This is our first Christmas (since Lizzy was a newborn baby, having been born December 14th, 2009) that we have not traveled to NY for Christmas.

We slept in a bit and then came out to the stockings all laid out on the sofas:

Although the stockings were very tempting we First opened the gift about Jesus (this box was made many years ago by Elizabeth and over the years the girls have added to the box).

Lizzy went through each item and shared her testimony about the savior and His Gospel:

Scriptures are right on top.
The Articles of Faith are on the back of this card.
Jesus in the manger.
Jesus IS the reason we celebrate Christmas!

Luna had waited very patiently for her stocking!

Time for the girls’ stockings:

Bob Ross mint tin.

Dad’s turn:

Dipping oils for bread.

Mom too:

Dark Chocolate – mom’s favorite!

We have somehow acquired two cats (Mrs. Kitty and Big Mama) in addition to our two, Shadow and Windy. Big mama is the feral mama cat in the neighborhood that comes to the door multiple times a week (sometimes twice a day) for food. Miss Kitty is a neighborhood cat that has basically become our indoor/outdoor cat. All that said, we have a very large stocking for all the cats!

This “Special Kitty” cat food is specifically for Miss Kitty. She is the only cat that likes it out of all the cats and she comes “home” for it twice a day.

Time for Bunya’s stocking:

Time to open our gifts. Grandpa and Grandma Beck sent us a box of gifts:

Lizzy read us the card:

Grandma Beck makes beautiful baby dresses. The girls are planning to save them for when they have children. Dad got a huge bag of bit-o-honey candies.

Uncle Chuck also sent gifts. Lizzy read the card:

Grandpa Ed and Grandma Joyce also sent gifts:

Grandma Joyce has been making the towels. It is a great tribute to Grandma who made these towels for many, many years for all of us. We miss and love you Grandma Grandma!

There were gifts for Luna too!

The Bad Dad Calendar:

Treats!

Gifts from the girls to mom:

Rachel painted a picture with an Appalachian trail blaze for mom.
She LOVES IT!

And from Lizzy to Mom:

This Awesome T-Shirt for Mom’s personal training!!

The largest gift was for Dad!

Rachel’s turn:

Acrylic Paints!

Lizzy too:

Pants – the ones she wanted!

And this book!!

Mom:

Blue tooth ear buds.

We exchanged our presents to each other:

From Mom to Dad.
Twilight Books for both girls from mom and dad.
Dad is getting mom a hiking backpack for Christmas. This is something she will need to go to the store and get fitted for the perfect hiking backpack.

We were not able to make a snowman for Grandma Joyce this year. Hopefully we will be able to go to NY next year!

Merry Christmas!