The Rest of December

We played at the new park.  The kids love this merry go round.

I just love these trees.  All the leaves are now gone but they were so beautiful for the first few weeks of December.  

We had a couple of robotics competitions.  We have done two of them virtual.  

We did our Christmas baking.  We did several light the world activities.  

We made gingerbread houses.  

We had step competition.  Michael was doing church business while walking on treadmill.  I know you are all dying to know who won, and it was me.  lol

We went to check out the Christmas star.  

Dallin got braces.  

We did a Christmas light run.

It was fun to see all the lights on foot.

For personal development we made a little Nativity.  We do them via Zoom right now.  

My Aunt made these awesome stockings!  We love them so much.

We had a great Christmas!

A friend gave Joshua an air horn to wake us all up in the morning so he was the first up Christmas morning.  lol

Leah and Evan got roller blades.  They are getting the hang of it.

The older boys got hover boards.  They are so good on them.

We also put a volleyball net.  We are having a blast playing volleyball.  We have been playing everyday unless it is raining.

We played lots of games.  The game above it called awkward hugs.

Aaron got kinetic sand.  He loves playing with it.

We have been relaxing and taking it easy around here too.  

We also went to a wedding.  It was so pretty and fun.  

 

Happy Birthday Joshua and Date Night

 

Joshua turned 14.  He wanted to paintball for his Birthday.  Michael took him with a friend.  Michael forgot to take pictures.  

My sisters and I planned a date.  We went out to eat and went on a carriage ride to look at lights.

We had a good time.

We finally decorated for Christmas.  The kids were super excited.

On our date we made the boys shirts.  It said my deer on it. lol

Thanksgiving and Race Day

 Well, I guess I'll start with Race day because that is how the pictures went in.  After the race we ate a Barbecue restaurant.  Michael and everyone hated.  I didn't mind it.  I was so hungry that all food tastes good.

I loved the shirt and medal!

Jenny ran the half and I ran the full.

Originally we were going to run the Marathon in Memphis, but with Covid we switched it to Tucson.  Tucson ended up cancelling which deferred my marathon to 2021, but I was ready to run.  I found a small local one a week earlier than Tucson was going to be.  I signed up and went for it.  

It had several Covid protocals.  It felt very safe.  The race was great!  I am a little sore and the 8 loops was a little crazy, but my training paid off.  I learned a lot and enjoyed all the training and race.  I am so grateful for everyone cheering me on and everyone who supported me.

We had a great Thanksgiving.  We just had my brother and sister over with their families.  The food was good and the company was great.

Michael and the younger kids slept in the tent on Wednesday night.  They watched a movie and slept pretty good too.  It was cold outside too.  They were brave.  The older boys are too cool to sleep outside now I guess.  

More November

We have so many leaves in our yard.

The kids are loving it!  We raked 3 of 4 times this week and it never looks like we did the next day.  I sweep multiple times a day but whenever the door opens the leaves come flying in.  I do enjoy the fall and cooler temps so I'll take it.

Crumbl opened up here, so we went to check it out. We enjoyed our cookies!

Aaron is so sweet to help me me sweep the front steps.  I love when kids are excited to help.  They grow up too fast, and start complaining when doing chores.  ha ha

Evan had his first robotics competition.  He did great.  Michael and I disagreed with the judges on scoring but Evan was happy with the points he got.  Kids are such great examples to us. 

Leah and I were playing around.  I made a "new" mask for her.  ha ha

 

First week of November

Joshua newest classmate joined him for PE.

Joshua was exposed almost two weeks ago now, so he has to do his work virtually.  He says he get more work done at school but he is doing ok.  

Aaron and I wait for the bus to pick up the kids every day.  We usually sweep the leaves off of the front porch.  Aaron wanted to to take a pic.

Evan and Leah have been working hard on their robot.  

 

I ran 20 miles on Saturday.  Jenny ran 16 .  We both had places we had to be at early so we started running really early, but totally worth it.  I had a lovely runners high and got to go to the temple.  It was a great weekend. I have now entered the tapering phase of Marathon training.  It has been so fulfilling.  I can hardly believe all the miles I have run. 

Halloween Weekend

We had cousins and a friend come over to carve pumpkins.

We love carving pumpkins.

I think they turned out great.

Halloween morning we had soccer and robotics tournament. Joshua volunteered at the robotics tournament which I thought was really sweet.  He had to sacrifice a good hour or two of sleeping in.  :)

Leah got to wear her costume.  

She was really nervous. The score taker told me to tell her to breathe.  She did great.  

We had a socially distant trunk or treat.

The primary set up a little obstacle course.  It was really cute.

The kids enjoyed it.

The older boys didn't dress up but helped hand out candy.  We had a great time.

My neighbor did a mad science show and invited the kids in the neighborhood.  We enjoyed it.

I wasn't sure what to expect for trick or treaters but we had quite a few.  I sat outside because it was so busy.

My neice had a Birthday.  We had a good time celebrating her.  I loved this picture with the static electricity and the girls' hair.