Spring Break

Spring break did not turn out how I had planned this year.  With the country facing a pandemic and everything shutting down and people distancing, we really could not do anything.  Teresa got to attend Fiona's birthday party.  And the girls and cousins had some play time together.  We went for walks and played a little outside.  We watched movies, baked and played games.  All good things, but different than expected.

We ended our visit to family a little short.  I did not want to bring risk or anxiety to my family and thought it might just be better to be at home during this crazy time.  I am thankful for the memories and a few ways to escape some of the realities we now face.  I did not take many pictures, but a few to remember our brief trip north!

 The Super star sisters doing one of their famous shows!

 Timothy recording some of the girls' show.

 A mom and her girl enjoy a quick hug before we both go our own ways to social distance!

Grandma and her grand kids.  Notice that one grand kid is taller than Grandma!

Birthday!

My birthday has had its fair share of memories to go with it.  One year, Troy was in Honduras, another he had a prayer service at night and another a Lenten service.  There have been sicknesses.  There have been floods going on, and cranky kids at kindergarten orientation.  This year is another to add the list with the country in a pandemic and social distancing galore.  It just meant that my family had to (I mean got to!) hang out with me all day.

Troy decided to have a little fun and have a few friends and family text me throughout the day.  The GIFs could finally come through on my new phone.  I got swiftly beat in a game of checkers by Timothy.  (He later beat Troy pretty soundly in chess, so felt a little better!)  Teresa prompted me to make a mountain pillow for her.  We hiked on the heritage trail and found that is where the wild cheetos grow in case we have to search for food later on.

No dinner out this year, so we brought it in and had a movie night.  Same place as last year, but I planned ahead and knew the kids would not want the pizza and ordered their kids meals for them.  Everyone was happy.  We watched the movie Snow Day.  It would have been Frozen 2, but we are saving that for Troy.  He had to zoom with the Seattle church he was supposed to be presenting at.

There were a few moments today, but overall it was a good day and I am very blessed.

 I had to have a few pictures to post on the blog to commemorate my day.  I think I have a flower picture about every year.

 A selfie with my cake.  No candles to blow out this year, but still a tasty brownie Strawberry torte.

A little hike on the heritage trail!

Band Concert

Timothy is choosing to end his time as a trombone player soon.  He has a couple of concerts this week.  Here are some photos and video to remember his band days.

Wilderness Vacation

We decided to zip off for the long conference weekend again this year.  The Dells was our destination and we opted for The Wilderness for a change of pace.  We did a one night stint and got in lots of water play on Thursday and Friday.  Timothy loved some of the slides.  Teresa loved the wave pool.  My favorite might have been the lazy river.  (I would have said the hot tub, but it was opened up to the outdoors, so the cold air defeated some of the really hot feeling!)  And Troy liked some slides and jumping in the waves some too.

It was nice family time to play together and make memories.  Below are a few pictures.

After the water park, we visited Aunt Mary.  It is always fun to catch up with her.  Teresa enjoyed some time outside collecting icicles and making an icicle garden in Aunt Mary's back yard.  The kids both made signs for the pizza guy as is the tradition.  On Saturday morning the kids (mainly Timothy) talked us into going to the trampoline / playground park.  Then it was lunch time and we were soon on our way home.

It was a brief trip and visit, but a fun one.  It is nice to have breaks from the daily routines once in awhile.