Back to Life, then Boom!!

We were able to safely make it home back to California despite cold weather and even stopped to see my parents and have dinner with them since they beat us back by a couple hours.  We traded cars back and prepared for school, etc.  My friend Michelle took our family pictures (I usually have to take advantage of that around my birthday when I can tell Jared it's my birthday present if he cooperates).

Jocelyn had been begging for a couple months to get her hair cut so I told her she could get it cut after our family pictures.  Right after pictures she was ready and it turned out really cute!! My friend Jody cut it for her and I think Jocelyn has been really pleased with it.  Jody also put feathers in the girl's hair which they were very excited about.  Jocelyn had a book report due for school and the elementary school had "crazy hair day."  The girls woke up and Lillian told me she wanted a koala habitat on her head.  LOL!!  I had to use a little creativity (which is hard to come by at 6:45 am). Luckily Jocelyn helped come up with some good ideas for that.

Crazy hair day with the neighbors

Jocelyn with her book report

I am continuing with teaching another round of Emma's preschool and my, oh, my! What a bunch of cute little sassy girls.  My mom came to hang out with us for my birthday and to attend a Growth Mindset Workshop with me.  It was pretty interesting-the kids were even well taken care of with the provided babysitting.  That weekend we decided to dig in with our flooring project downstairs.

Center time at preschool

Tile is out!

Removing tile downstairs

  What a mess to tear out all the old tile and put in the laminate we scored on a black friday deal (that had been sitting in our garage). I went out with some of my friends for my birthday and then we went out to dinner with my parents and Jared the next night.  I felt spoiled for sure!! Emma loved having Nana around to help play legos, read to her and let her nap while I was transporting the older 3!  And my mom helped me prep for art cart. yay!

Caitlyn Birthday pie

Nana playing legos with Emma

My parents watched kiddos while Jared and I were able to get away for an overnight trip to Carmel on my birthday.  The weather was amazing, the hotel was fun and the restaurant we went to for breakfast had been featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" and was really delicious.  The afternoon that we were leaving for my birthday getaway Jared received a job offer in Utah.  He had interviewed there when we were visiting over Christmas and we both felt it would be the right move for our family, but somehow the reality still hit me and I ended up being pretty emotional about leaving my parents and home state, my friends and the place where I delivered and raised all my kids.  Life as we knew it changed in an instant!!