Joyous January

Our January started in Palm Springs where we enjoyed the sun, a hike in the morning and playing in the pool all afternoon. Then we headed into downtown Palm springs that evening.

This little hike was down at the end of the road where we were staying. Unfortunately we couldn't go on the actual hike because we had Stella along and dogs were not allowed on the trails beyond a certain point. So we walked as far as we could and then went back. It was getting pretty warm anyways for a hike at that point.

It was bright and my kids never bring sunglasses so we can get good pictures. The terrain here was so crazy here. It was a lot of rocky mountains and very little vegetation.

That afternoon was absolutely glorious sitting in the sun relaxing and reading a book while the kids played in the pool and hot tub. Then I relaxed in the hot tub for a bit as well. What a fun place we rented.

That night we went into the down town area of Palm Springs.  There were not many people. It was cold and hard to find a place to eat because no where had indoor eating at that time in California. We got pizza and ate outside. We got some shirts and a nice time walking around.

The next day we went to the Joshua Tree National Park about a 1 1/2 hour drive away.  This was an interesting park and because it was a 3 day weekend there were a lot of people there. We mostly drove through looking at things and only stopped a bit. Again we couldn't take the dog in certain areas and we wanted to get back to swim so more and enjoy the pool and sun. We did get out a do a few little hikes.

Taking some selfies at the top. These guys love bouldering when they get a chance.

Again it was such crazy landscape here. Rock piles here and there and these Joshua trees that only grow in a certain area of California. It was neat to drive around and see all the different rock formations.

This was skull rock that we walked over to see. It was pretty cool and did look like a skull. Olivia and Stella stayed in the car while we did the short walk there.

We got some lunch and then drove back to our place in Palm Springs for some more swimming and relaxing. It was a bit cooler this day, but the girls still had fun playing in the pool. I am sure the neighbors and people who live there year round thought we were crazy...lol!

The next morning we packed up to go home but on the way out of town stopped in downtown La Quinta. The town we were actually staying in. They had a farmers market going so we walked through and took a few pictures before heading back to San Diego.  It was definitely a fun little trip and we enjoyed our time there. It would be a fun place to go back to someday.

Back in San Diego we had just a few days left before having to head home. So we started packing up and putting away all that we could amidst trying to fit in some more pool and beach time.

Our 2020 ornament

Had to get some gingerbread house pics before they were tossed.

The beginnings of the pack out. Since Hans had a brought our white van down fairly full of stuff, I had left stuff down there when I came in August and I had brought a lot down at Christmas time! So we had a lot to pack...we ended up filling both vans up pretty much to the brim.

It wasn't super warm but we had to get in a last pool day.

Dancing in the pool!

One of our last evenings we wanted to go do a little shopping so we went down to the ferry landing and did a little shopping and walked around.

And of course we had to make one last trek to the beach. I wanted to get a few pics of the girls on the beach like we had back in 2016. It is amazing how much they change in 4 years! Soaking up these days with these girls...I know they are so fleeting.

I wanted to get some pictures of the girls at the beach. Of course they didn't really want to do that, but they obliged anyways.

I took a pictures like this back in 2016 so I had to have

Claire almost 13 years of age.

And that evening we had to get a few pictures by the palm trees. We would head out the next day headed home to Washington.  It is always hard to say goodbye but we were ready to go home at the same time.

And the final sunset pictures!!

The next day we were up and headed out of San Diego early. We had to be out by 9, but we were out by 8 I think...on the long 2 day drive back home. This time with 2 vehicles I drove with the younger 3 and Hans was with Olivia.

 

When we got home Olivia had her boater license come in the mail. She did her boating license course and test over Christmas break while we were down there.

We were back and had science club at our house. The kids have been learning so much this year in our human anatomy course and I have been enjoying learning with them. It has been great to work through the book with friends because it keeps us motivated to keep going.

Dad took the food Cliare wanted this day to work and she was mad. So we sent this picture to him to let him know...lol!

Here are some pictures the girls drew and painted.

And it was mid January  before we pulled down on the Christmas decorations. It took a while to unpack and get back to school and then get the Christmas decorations down. I always love Christmas time and I am sad to  let it go.

The girls were still dancing at home on zoom in January.  It isn't ideal, but I enjoyed being able to make dinner or get things done while they danced and I heard the pretty music. They had a hard time paying attention though.

All the girls' Christmas ornaments they made this year with truth in the tinsel.

On this very chilly day we went to the pump park with friends. It was so so cold. The girls had fun. But on this day I got a call from my mom telling me Grandma wasn't doing well and was not expected to live much longer. This broke my heart even though I knew it was coming....it is still hard to hear.

And this was Audina's birthday party. It was a camping party theme so they went and played outside for a bit. It was a fun party for the girls even though they are a bit shy with people they don't know.

On this day we were doing school in the car while Aubrey was in dance class. At this point the girls had started to go in to class every other week when we could. Since Aubrey and Raelyn go back to back dance classes, we bring school work and whoever isn't in class works with me to get school work done. It works out pretty well and gives us extra time to get some one on one time in.

Our science co-op studied blood this time. So Claire volunteered to get her blood tested and she came out O positive we think...for some reason her control did not work right. Later we tested Olivia, Aubrey and Raelyn. Olivia came back O positive, Raelyn A postive, and Aubrey was A positive too we think.

This was our blood made out of candy.

Not sure what was going on here. Girls watching tv, Olivia doing school, and for some reason they are in their snow pants. I don't know...lol!

And some little kids skiis and boots I offered to my cousin. We were headed to Montana for my Grandma's funeral and were able to bring them some boots and skiis. Sad to see them go, but glad that someone we know can use them.

Next up February!!