The Keene Family

To be honest, it was maybe the most relaxing Easter ever! We started with a yummy breakfast: frittata, donuts, and berries. Then we enjoyed streaming our church service and worshipping together. The day was bright and cheery, and we got some nice outside time. I told the kids I wanted one photo, and of course they made it happen for me. After church, we did an art project the kids got in their bunny baskets. We did 3 hours of yard work together... and that made me happy. :) We planted new flowering plants in some spots that needed brightening, and visited with my parents outside on their porch when my brother and sister in law and niece dropped by to sit in the sun and say hello from a safe distance. I decided to avoid the traditional Easter dinner. I can't remember every making one, and I don't like ham anyway, so we switched to homemade burgers, fries, and shakes. Everyone was very supportive of this change! Jim loved grilling, and we had a great time enjoying ...

I told someone the other day that this was likely the best winter break I've had in a long time. I felt like it had a nice balance of time at home with nothing scheduled, outings and fun activities, family events, and friends. Sometimes we get to the end of break and wonder what just happened! This year it felt like we did a lot and yet were rested and ready to start the new decade. It started with the NASA Gymnastics team holiday party and gift exchange. Then we had a two-day tournament for basketball. Surprise! Cousins who flew in for Christmas showed up at JT's game - so fun! Day two, JT and his friends ended up getting matching hats at the local outlet shopping center. Monday we went skiing and brought Preston along. Tuesday was Christmas Eve, and I served flank steak, steamed baby red potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. Then we went to candlelight service at our church, a highlight of the year for me! For dessert I made my annual crumb-t...

We spent New Year's Eve doing a few fun things we love... first, we took the kids to see Rise of Skywalker with the Drew family (well, three of the six children in the Drew family, and their parents). Then we headed home to get some things done, and ended up at the Drew house with the Lee family and the Shipp family, to close out the night. We laughed and talked and snacked until 10:30 pm... when we headed home and went to bed!

Our annual neighbors BBQ at our house was a wonderful afternoon of relaxing with family and friends! We started off with a few kids and people...  And by evening, we had a whole crew!