I don't think it's any big revelation to anyone who knows me at all that January is my least favorite month. I am a summer girl and January just means the only real good thing about winter which is Christmas is over and we just have a couple months of yuck to get through. When I was a kid I'm sure January was more exciting since that meant I had a birthday but now that's just another reason to loath it. :)
Nonetheless, January came and went and here's some proof that I did get out of my recliner by the fireplace.
John and I rang in 2025 at the Folkertsma house. It was a fun night with good friends. I think we get a little less wild and crazy as the years go by but we still all made it to midnight!
I finally got the nerve to go through Costco's car wash. There is something about an automatic car wash where you have to line up your wheels to go on the track that terrified me. One sunny day I decided I was going to do it. Since it was a sunny day of course everyone in Whatcom County who has a Costco membership decided they needed their car washed so I got do sit in line for a while and be nervous about the process. When I made it to the front of the line and the attendant looked at my receipt, I actually expressed to him my apprehension and fear. He was actually very understanding and encouraging. I wanted to tell him that if the whole car wash attendant thing didn't work out, he should be a counselor.
Look! I did it!
It was a horrible experience. I got my wheels on the track without any incident however when the rollers and stuff started coming at me, my car went nuts. I have all these fancy beeping things that alert me if someone is in my blind spot or if I am too close to the car in front of me and I don't know how to turn them off. So, my car was moving itself, I couldn't see a thing and there was lots of loud beeping. Thinking back on it still makes me shudder. I don't think I'll do it again.
Car washes are scary, but spiders do not scare me. I found this big guy hanging in my garage. I even went to get John to show him. The picture does not do him (or her) justice.
Holly became an official Oregon resident. She was pretty proud of herself that she got her new license plates on all by herself.
My irrational fear is car washes, Holly's is crescent roll containers. She absolutely refuses to open them. I saw this on Facebook and it made me laugh. Apparently, she is not alone.
One more of my Oregon girl. I love it when she randomly sends me pictures during her day. Here she is at some sort of class. If you know Holly, you realize she is smiling because the baby is a mannequin. She doesn't actually like taking care of babies.
My nephew Chase graduated from Navy boot camp on my birthday! John and I got up early so we could watch it on live stream. My sister (and Kurt too) got to be there. It was super exciting. We are so proud of him.
I love Carly but she stinks. It's really bad in the winter when you can't give her a bath. I found this great place in Bellingham where you can bath your dog. They have all the products and supplies. I'm not sure I've ever spent $20 more wisely.
Carly was not impressed. She doesn't think she stinks and she did not enjoy her spa experience.
I was pretty proud of myself that I came in third place in our fantasy football league...especially since I know nothing about football.
We were in a league with Paige's family which was super fun and surprisingly very competitive. I found myself checking on my players repeatedly although I still prefer taking a nap than actually watching the NFL on Sundays. We had a little end-of-the-season get together the Sunday of the last regular season game.
A new president was sworn in. I wasn't actually there this pic is from the internet. Personally, I really liked Melania's ensemble although her hat did seem to get in the way.
Sam was home until January 7. Everyone in the Hiemstra House seems to be just a bit happier when this guy is home from school.
He went skiing a couple of times when he was home. One day he even took his dad and sister along (probably because dad was paying).
Katie goes back and forth between skiing and snowboarding. I don't think she's made up her mind which she likes better.
Mom and Dad flew in for Katie's musical. It shows how much they truly love their granddaughter to trade sunny Arizona for cold Washington. Holly drove up from Oregon to see Gramma and Grampa...
and introduce them to James. Katie had asked him to come up for her musical and he did!
High School Musical the musical was a big success!
More pictures later...
While Grampa and Gramma were here we had a doozy of a snowstorm.
A 70-foot cedar fell on our shop.
The temperature stayed below freezing for a couple of weeks (pretty unusual for around here) so the snow stuck around WAY too long.
John had gifted me two passes to the spa here in town for my birthday, so mom and I spent an entire day there. If you're in Lynden, I highly recommend Oasis Day Spa - we had such a nice time.
Sad news...Prue Leith from The Great British Baking Show retired. This new gal has big shoes to fill.
A pretty picture of Mt. Baker I found on John's phone.
Katie has really been into puzzles this winter.
John and I took advantage of Gramp and Gramma being around and left Katie for a night away in Seattle. We took the train in from Lynnwood and walked around downtown a bit,
got some cheesecake for later,
ate supper at a very interesting restaurant,
and saw Hamilton at the Paramount.
SUCH a great show. Probably my favorite Broadway show I've seen yet. I don't think there was a song I didn't love and the revolving stage was amazing.
We had a Valentine's party over here with the coffee crew. The theme was "vintage" so I had everyone bring their wedding photo. We ate delicious Italian, played some games, and laughed A LOT.
Even though it was a Valentine's supper, we still ended up with a girl's table and a guy's table!
Love these sweet friends. They were all such good sports!
And that's a wrap on January and February.
Made it!
