Christmas is NOT Canceled

As we trudge through this pandemic year, we are grateful for every little slice of normalcy we are served.   It was fun for Dave to be able to help with scoring and timing at a swim meet for Grant.  

He is the one crouched down in the back on the platform.  The meets are pretty tricky to watch from home on zoom-it's hard to tell where the athletes are in the lanes let alone which swimmer is from our house!  But, yay that they have had a few meets.  Check out the view from the window-snow and dark.  Swimmers are dedicated- 5am practices and minimally clothes in freezing temps.  The walk to their cars cannot be fun!

Brenna also got to have a dance recital!!!  The dancers just wore masks back stage and whipped them off just as they were ready to perform.  As they finished their dance and stepped off, the masks were back on.   That was pretty smooth.  

The siblings were not too broken hearted that they were not able to attend a 2 hour ballet in person this year.  Ha!  But, one thing neat about everything being connected online is that Grandma and Grandpa McArthur could watch from Arizona!  They haven't been to a recital yet.  Maybe the spring recital in the spring will be virtually broadcast as well.  That would be nice because that is when she has 4 dances! There are some silver linings in this covid cloud that hangs over us! 

I have been feeling an urge to help these rockstar teachers with this most challenging year.  They are constantly having to quarantine or have students in quarantine.  Our schools are not allowing volunteers right now, so the best way I could see that I could assist is to be a substitute teacher.  I don't really want to have a full-time sub gig, so I have only put in my availability for the 3 schools our kids attend and one other elementary school that neighbors work at and that has the principal who used to be our elementary administrator.  I had my first job at that elementary school for a 1st grade class. 

It was a very tiring day, but it was fun!  I was wiped after yelling through my mask, entertaining 7 year olds, connecting to zoom with their full-time teacher, addressing a small goose egg incident, two lost teeth from kids at recess (blood and hysterics), a melt down over spilled Sunny Delight at lunch, and holding back the dry heaves as one kid in particular could not stop sucking on his mask-resulting in a soggy (then crusty) dripping PPE.    Bless teachers-unsung heroes for sure! 

School did have to take a little pause after cases were skyrocketing from Thanksgiving.  We decided to take a field trip to Gardner Village to look for elves one afternoon...

It was cold, but those masks come in handy for nose warmth!  I actually will be driving with Harrison occasionally and spot him with this mask on in the van. I tell him he doesn't need to wear his mask in the car, but often he says he just likes it!  I am so glad the littles adjusted so well to the mandates and restrictions.  

Harrison really wanted Brenna to pretend with him that they were kissing.  He thought it would be clever up against the KISS contest backdrop.  But, she would not comply; hence the distant/angry look from the brother there.  It was all down hill from there, luckily Dave works somewhat near there and I proposed a surprise visit to his office.  We stopped at the gas station for a treat for the kiddos and to deliver to dad and Harry perked right up...you just never know what will work with that one! 

We sang lots of Christmas songs and watched many holiday movies, had all our decorations in place-it was just as it should be in our home.  Some really fun neighbor friends of ours delivered a gift to us that brought some joy-a "self on a shelf"  It was a picture of the husband and mounted to styrofoam.  The idea is same as elf on a shelf.  We would move our little picture of Rob around the house and take pictures to send them.  While we all got a kick out of it, Harrison really only had full conversations with our actual elf-Kringle.  The holiday confessions and deliberations from Master H started to cross over to anyone from the North Pole.  I had the Rudolph song on and Harrison started talking about how great Rudolph is.  He proclaimed, "I don't know if you can hear me Rudolph, but I respect you.  You're special.  Probably the most important reindeer, I mean, Dasher, you 're good too.  I'm just sorry about your childhood Rudolph."    I am certain that meant a lot to the red nosed reindeer.  Haha! 

We adhered to the CDC advice for our Thanksgiving holiday and decided if we took precautions, we would gather for Christmas Eve.  We didn't want to miss another holiday with our extended family!  We cut out the dinner and desserts so we had a little festive dinner at our place before heading to the party.  We have also adopted the tradition of 'paying it forward' on Christmas Eve.  

We stalk a fast food joint that is open and try to jump in line before someone comes so we can pay for their order before they reach the window for payment.  It is a more difficult challenge than one would think!  Wonderfully, a lot of places are closed or not too busy.  We would wait in the lot and no one would come, then as soon as we decided to leave, someone would go order.  Doh!  We tried a few places and finally we just knew we had to leave.  We resolved to make one last attempt at the Wendy's by my parent's house and we caught someone!!  It felt like the right person and we were delighted to surprise them with their chili and fries on us!

Once at the family gathering, we stayed in masks the whole time and had the (almost) traditional celebration.  

Shannon and Rachel put together the greatest nativity reenactment of all time.  The costumes were on point, the music was perfect.  Harrison took his Wise Man role to heart and was extremely royal. 

 

We opened gifts from grandma and grandpa and had the white elephant gift exchange where Harrison scored some serious tattoo sleeves...

The kids set cookies out for Santa, went to the basement to watch a movie before falling asleep in time for the St Nick's visit.  We had a beautiful and mellow morning full of laughter (partly at the gifts Grant gave us from the dollar store- drug test for Katelee?), and definitely over the SHOCK potato that we got Grant.  We made everyone try it and we all ended up throwing it when it zapped us.  We dined on our much anticipated Quiche Lorraine, which never disappoints...

and waited for a few visitors as we lounged in jammies.  When each person came to say hello and Merry Christmas, we in turn greeted them with a SHOCK tato challenge.  Grandpa was the only one brave enough to do extreme mode, where he zoned out but never dropped that electrifying toy.  We love chilling and playing games.  This year we played SkyJo and quite possibly a family favorite of all time- Skull King.  After playing it on Christmas, we got the hang of it and have spent a lot of time with it.  Harrison gets decked out in Pirate garb, we turn on the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack in the background and yo-ho-ho the night away.  

Isn't it interesting how you can add to family favorites?  Traditions last through time. That is, after all, what makes them traditions.  But, one thing we've learned this year (besides gratitude for all we have and can do) is flexibility.  We can still have holidays and traditions, but sometimes they have to be adjusted according to circumstance.  Different doesn't have to be awful.  New adjustments can become adopted and part of the new normal that is so often talked about these days.  Some of those adjustments become things we want to last forever that we never would have thought about without being pushed into change.  Hopefully there are many things from 2020 we can see were beneficial and we want to carry them through our forever.  Christmas wasn't canceled, life isn't canceled, joy is  never canceled, it is often  just given a new perspective. 

Let Them Eat (Steak)

Well, Covid-19 has been in its full fury, spreading like a wildfire through the world.  So, the high school had a temporary 2 week close and most likely we will have another one soon.  Our case numbers have been in the 3-5 thousands and we are praying to make it through without any severe damage!  

While the world moves forward, distantly and in masks, we've had to face a lot of tumult, anger, political distress, division and fear.  What I have loved and learned again and again this month (and year) is that the Lord is aware and in the details of our lives. He is always there, He never abandons us in our hard times (or good times).   He knows what the entire world needs-He knows we need to be molded, to repent, to evaluate our direction and to prepare ourselves and the world for His glorious future.  We are in the middle of the last days, so lets do this!!  One of the very most special assurances came as President Nelson addressed the entire world.  Everyone was informed about a special message that would be shared by our prophet.  So, we tuned in and it was a brief and powerful speech-full of love and a challenge.  We were to flood the earth with gratitude and have prayers of thanks.  As we looked at things we were thankful for, our hearts were (and can always be) lifted.  

I am not a poster on social media, but by golly, if our Prophet gave us a challenge and really, what if this was part of spreading the word to every corner of the earth?  I mean that is a prophesy and all!  Anyway, I joined in.  I posted about sleep (Grant surely isn't getting enough sleep since he gets up at 4:15am for swim practice!!  but he loves it and we are grateful they are letting him swim), 

books, food (is there every any questions about how much we LOVE food here? I mean we seriously savor it...)

water, our world and my family.  It was fun to toss up a throw back picture or two in there as well.  

I have to include this one because we were shocked at how I look like Harrison in drag.  

So, with our spirits pumped with thankful thoughts, we had a unique Thanksgiving.  It was suggested to not gather with people outside your home, so we picked up the feast for my parents and Shannon 

and just dropped in to say hello ...

Then, we were off to eat at a restaurant.  Dave found us a table at Fleming's because nothing says Pilgrims and Gratitude like a juicy steak.  

We had really prepped the kids-discussing good manners, what the entrees would be, how delicious it would taste in our mouths.  People were freshly washed- Harrison had bathed an evening before.  As he was laying in bed, I looked at his wet hair he had slicked to the side and told him his hair was really something special.  He got up and told me 'it's Italian' and then proceeded to sing opera.  

So, we were really looking forward to a memorable, different and indulgent Thanksgiving feast.  It began to don on us that we would be wasting a whole lot of money on Mr Harrison at steakhouse.  We made a quick stop at Mickey D's

 on the way and felt better about his full tummy.  

So ridiculous.  We were sure we were set-the meal would be unforgettable.  And it was...

While I enjoyed the most delicious turkey of all time, the rest of my crew (sans Harrison because he was plump full of chicken nuggets) ordered steak.  Brenna was not impressed.  Not only was Brenna disappointed, she was nearly disgusted.  It was decided that we will 'let them eat steak' when they are mature enough for their palates to truly enjoy it!  Katelee and Grant have made the cut!  

We had a great time though!  Came home to Brenna's BINGO that she made, ate a LOT of homemade pie and watched a movie.  While we definitely look forward to years where we can join with our extended family, we are so very grateful for their support and opportunity we have grow through what we go through!  

 

That Year Masks Were Great for Costumes and Government Mandates

The year continues to make its attempts at normalcy-no holidays cancelled, school beginning, sports (some) resume.  But, the overall feeling is one of unsettlement and unease.  Who will come down with the virus next?  How many days will we make it to school before our next quarantine due to exposure?  Can we be with people in person or not? The questions remain but we push on because life goes on!  and October, in particular, welcomes the look of disguise, terror and masking up! 

So, we did our best to continue our regular terror-ific traditions- pumpkin patch...

We love wandering the rows and picking a pumpkin that has potential for decor and jack-o-lantern carving.  We miss our old pumpkin patch with the corn maze, but this one does have some swings and random farm animals (that I subtly avoid.  You never know what disaster making eye contact with an emu will result in).

We also made it to see the Witches this year, but we weren't convincing enough in how fun we are and to get the older kids to join us.  Ah well, a twist on this tradition too I guess.  Darn those kids for growing up! Ha!  Harrison was crying about the prospect of him getting older like Grant and Katelee.  

I was putting him to bed and he was just beside himself thinking about what he will be like when he is 15.  He said he likes hugging me and he is so worried that when he gets to join ranks with the teenagers, he won't hug me and love me like he does right now....(break.my.heart)...  He continued to explain how he loves being a kid and he is worried he won't remember how it feels and how he likes to be with his family.  You better believe I will be praying for those feelings to be brought back to him if he ever loses it!  Documenting this conversation is also going to come in handy if he ever doesn't want to be with us.  But really, he will always want to be with me and hug me, right???!

One thing he can look forward to will be high school dances.  Grant went to Girls Pref a couple of times -once with Makaylie

 

and once with Maddie.  We didn't get pics to one of the dances but he wore the same outfit, so at least he looked the same! ha!

The high school cannot technically host a dance-so no organized dances, stomps, etc this year.  The kids just group up and call it whatever dance it would have been.  Maybe next year? crossing our fingers and lots of prayers.

Katelee finished up her season of soccer.  She's a fun little athlete to watch.   It is extra fun to have family cheer her on that we don't see often, but being outside together in masks makes it a-ok.

 We loved cheering her on this Fall.  

Grant also tried out for the high school swim team and made it!  We look forward to being involved with that.  He is busy with work, school and swim, so he couldn't take off for spring break.  Dave was feeling busy too, but I decided we are tired of being at home, so the other 3 

and I hit the road and made a  little fall break trip down to Bryce Canyon.  

It was so fun!  Harrison thought he was going to die about half way into one of the hikes and I was questioning my ability to drag him across the red sand, but then we got to the cool part of zig zagging through the slot and he got a burst of energy-racing to the top.  

Man, there were some incredible views.

It was refreshing and gave me so much perspective about life as I glimpsed across the expanse

...then,  we were informed Katelee had been at someone's house while they were sick with Covid and everything we were getting away from came right back into view!  There's no running from coronavirus apparently.  It was still great to get away.  We tried to find  Dinosaur tracks on the way home, but mostly I just nodded my head and acted like I could see where they were when we found a marking!  I am definitely no archaeologist.

It was a prefect little jaunt and then we came home to quarantine Katelee.  She was allowed out in time for Halloween, which is good because she went south again with her friend Rian.  Rian's family invited her to join them for the holiday as they traveled for a baseball tournament.  While it was hard letting her go when we wanted to be with her, we said yep and she had a groovy time in St George.  

The rest of us were home  (well, Grant went to hang out with friends) and debated on the best (safest) way to celebrate.  Many people opted out of trick-or-treating.  We definitely didn't do our neighborhood dinner 'Eat Before You Treat' this year.  But, we came to the conclusion, going around in little groups with masks on would be ok for our kids.   Before the kids headed out, Porter and Jaylee stopped by to ring our doorbell...little cuties. 

When we happened upon Brenna and her friends, they were not wearing masks, so we did  give her a little reminder ;)  

not sure how long the mask was really worn.  She was a soldier, so you'd think she would be a stellar example of falling in line and taking orders...but went AWOL.

Dave walked around with Harrison (feeling safe from all space aliens as he protected the universe,  That's what Halo guys do, I guess?  Who knows?  not me and not Harrison, he just really liked the look of the costume.)

 I sat in the driveway handing out candy with a pair of tongs...for real.  I wanted people to feel comfortable -no spreading deadly viruses at our house, if we can help it.

I really think the mask added to the attire, I mean squids have more of a beak-like mouth, right?  The mask really works here-which is a good thing, because it definitely looks like masks are here to stay.  

Sunshine in September

Well, school started, as well as dance and some extra curricular activities.  Of course, because COVID is apparently not going away anytime soon, adjustments are being made-masks are worn, distance must be observed.  Thank heavens for the sun!!!  We can still be with people outside and we even felt good about having an almost normal Snowbird week!!  

We look forward to week 36 all year.  It was especially great because we got to see family that doesn't live around these parts.  Grace came down a little early so she and Katelee had quite the fashion show at Grandma's.

Haley and Gage drove in and entertained little people for hours...

Blake, Suzanne and Caleb were there, which was a special treat for Harrison because Caleb let Harrison join him in some serious games on the court.

This beast brought his A-game when it was the cousins...and then he quite literally turned into a beast monster.  Everyone had to evacuate the scene as we calmed the storm.  There was a situation with who threw the basket last, who fouled who, you know typical flagrant fouls during a hugely important competition.   Luckily, he took some deep breaths and came back to congratulate all players on good game...between the hyperventilating recovery breaths.  

We played game after game-Curses and cards, Double Ditto, Scattergories, you name it, it was played.  Loads of movies were viewed, delish treats were consumed.  We've become well known around the Iron Blosam for mixed drinks...with Torani sodas and Perrier, of course.  It is just a week we all enjoy. 

 And while it seems to be mostly about family, it's the mountains that steal the show...

The hikes are invigorating and gorgeous, apparently a little romantic, as well.  

We can't wait for next year already!!!

We decided to keep getting our money's worth out of our Lagoon passes and hit up Frightmares a couple of times in September.  It was the best, not crowded at all, fun Halloween decorations...I mean it's fun to see your kid looking like he's chopped in half, right?

We even brought friends a couple of times.  Perfect fall evening! 

And so, September has given us hope in the idea that life will continue on as normal as it can while keeping that corona virus always in the picture.  Schools are not able to do official dances but groups of kids are trying to make the best of it and organizing their own dance memories.  Grant was asked to go to his first one!  Can't wait to see how it goes in October.  

Yes, this school year will be different.  Yes, some things are cancelled, but yes, there is the sun, there are mountains and Snowbird...and on a lucky day, there are puppies!