MISC KIDS PICTURES 2020

 I always end up with several random pictures of the kids that are just so cute I have to include them.

For awhile Maggie wanted her hair straight up like this

NEW YEAR'S EVE

 We invited the Skousens over for New Year's Eve.  We played games, ate yummy food, and watched a movie.  Around 10 pm the kids all had a pot and spoon and went outside.  They all banged on their pot and yelled, "Happy New Year!"  It was so loud but so fun.  I remember doing it as a kid and remember how fun it was.

CHRISTMAS

 This year Christmas was low key and nice.  We got some fun outside toys for the kids.  It was nice to have an excuse to just stay home and rest.  We made cookies and delivered some to Alex's and Shane's teachers.  We also decorated graham houses (since I didn't have the energy to make ginger bread houses).  Alex and Shane wanted to sleep under the tree, literally.  We convinced them to just sleep near the tree.  I'm so grateful for all we have and that we are able to do fun things for our kids.

MIKE'S BIRTHDAY

 Happy birthday to Mike.  Even though he worked at least he was at home.  He had a birthday filled with yummy food.  For dinner he requested a huge hamburger.  He wanted a breakfast, lunch, and dinner hamburger with an egg (breakfast), salami (lunch), and the burger (dinner) plus all the traditional toppings.  He also wanted it on homemade pretzel rolls.  It measured 5" tall and 5" in diameter!  He could only eat half of it and saved the other half for the next day.

HOSPITAL HONK OUT

 During the pandemic we have tried to be creative when planning activities with the Young Women.  One night we did a Hospital Honk Out.  We went to the hospital and parked near the entrance.  We all stayed in our individual cars.  As nurses and other healthcare workers walked in to start their shift or came out after their shift we honked our horns and shouted "Thank you!" out our windows.  It was so much fun for all involved, those shouting and those shouted at.  I brought Alex and Shane with me.  We were going to have our windows open so we brought hot chocolate to stay warm.  I even opened the sunroof and they stood out the sunroof and shouted.  They had a blast and asked when we could do it again.

Standing out the sunroof

ULTRASOUND

 I had the anatomy ultrasound for the baby.  She is growing well.  No problems were detected.  It was such a relief.  At the same time, it was an emotional day for me.  I kept thinking about the baby we lost.  I thought about him being 3 months old.  I mourned what could have been while at the same time I was grateful for what was.  I look forward to having another baby and am grateful all is well so far.

MAGGIE'S SPOT

 With Alex and Shane busy with class and me sick on the couch, Maggie has found the perfect spot.  With the Christmas tree up we moved the blanket box to be next to the desk.  Maggie will take books and sit on the box next to the desk where Mike is working.  She then "reads" the books to him.

PAPA'S BIRTHDAY

 We celebrated Papa's birthday by having ice cream and wearing hats (he liked wearing baseball caps).

FIRST SNOW OF THE SEASON

 Yay for the first snow of the season.  The kids had fun playing out in the snow and the parents enjoyed some quiet for a little bit.

THANKSGIVING

 For Thanksgiving we were planning on getting together with our friends the Skousens.  Unfortunately, Mike came down with a cold a couple days beforehand.  The symptoms were similar to Covid in that he felt congested but nothing else.  He tried to get a Covid test but there were not any open appointments and we wouldn't get the results back until after Thanksgiving.  We decided to be safe and cancel.  We ended up just exchanging the foods that we had prepared and eating at our separate homes.  It was a disappointment to say the least.  The only picture I got was of the kids and their gumdrop turkeys.  I was starting to feel a little better and was looking forward to spending time with friends.  We have been trying to be really careful and stay home as much as possible so that I don't get Covid while pregnant.  There's always next year.

SHANE'S 6TH BIRTHDAY

 Shane is one year older.  It's hard to believe.  We made the day special with all his favorite foods.  Mike took him out for lunch.  They ate in the back of the yukon, and then they walked around Cabelas.  With me being sick and a pandemic we didn't do a fun activity like we normally try to do, but Shane was still happy and enjoyed the day.

BUEN GAUCHO

 Both Alex and Shane were chosen for the Buen Gaucho award.  They did a drive through ceremony where they were given a shirt and certificate and all the teachers lined up outside the school to cheer.  Alex and Shane got in the back of the yukon and we put the half window up so they could receive their award.  They had so much fun!

GENDER REVEAL

 We decided to find out the gender through chromosome testing this time instead of waiting for the anatomy ultrasound.  I found out and then had a sister in our branch make cupcakes with colored frosting inside.  Mike and the kids bit into the cupcakes to find out the gender.  The following day we did a separate gender reveal for each of our families and shot off gender reveal cannons.  We are so excited to have another GIRL!

SUPER SHANE

 Sometimes you just need to put on a costume and pretend you can fly.

COVID HALLOWEEN

 With the pandemic Halloween was different this year.  For breakfast we made donuts.  For dinner we had a spider pizza.  We decided to not go trick or treating.  Instead, Mike rigged up the cannon to be able to shoot candy.  He shot the candy in the air and the kids ran around gathering it up.  They loved it!  Later we used it to shoot the jack o lantern which they thought was pretty cool.

I told Maggie she couldn't have any candy if she didn't smile.

BIKE RIDES

 Now that Alex and Shane can ride their own bikes, Mike has been taking the kids on bike rides.  There are several bike paths that go for miles.  They love getting out and I love some time alone.  Hopefully next year I'll be able to join them on a family bike ride.

Shane practicing on his new bike

MIMI TO THE RESCUE

 Since I am so sick and with Mike's busy schedule with quarter end, we asked my mom to come out for a couple of weeks to help.  She was a big help in taking care of the kids and being another set of hands so that I could rest.  We also benefited in having her here over General Conference weekend and she made cinnamon rolls.  She also made a fun Conference trail mix for the kids.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures with her.

SICK PROFESSOR

 One blessing of the pandemic is being able to lecture from home.  I have been so sick that there is no way I could have lectured in person.  Fortunately I am able to lecture while lying down.  When it came time for class I took my blanket and computer to my room and held class from my bed.  My camera was off so no one knew.

ANOTHER BABY!

 We are excited to announce that we have another baby on the way!  Seeing me sick, Alex thinks/hopes I'm pregnant.  Somethings you just can't hide.  I'm more sick with this pregnancy than any of my previous ones.  In a month I lost 20 pounds and had to get IV fluid twice because I was so dehydrated.  I'm already counting down the days.