Nov. 2020- Week 4- Break from School, Gratitude Posts, Thanksgiving, Decorate for Christmas, Visit my Parents, Nelson Zoom, Nov. Videos

Sunday we streamed church at home. The girls painted nails and all the kids played nice in the basement for most of the day.  After dinner and kids were in bed, we FaceTimed both sets of parents.    

 

Monday started our kids' Thanksgiving break from school!  It was still my laundry day and I called my Grandma Pat.  After lunch I got to FaceTime with one of my best high school friends, Stephanie Ericson Moger.  We talked for 2 hours and it was so wonderful to catch up!  It made me dig through some old high school pictures to find some photos of us to share.  Dan helped Ben clean his room.  The girls built a big fort in the basement.  I tidied up the school table. Dan and Ben punched more holes for the student council service project.  After dinner and laundry, we watched "Lego Star Wars Holiday Special."  Dan went to give David a blessing before his sinus surgery.  

Tuesday we spent the morning going through toys in the basement and deciding what to keep, give, or throw away.  We try to do this in November to prep for Santa bringing more toys in December.  After lunch, the kids played and I punched more holes.  Bethany did dance at home.  Kids played outside for a bit.  Dan and McKenna ran errands to the post office and library.  Dan took Ben to basketball and I had dinner with the girls.  After kids were in bed, we watched "Mandalorian" in the theater room.  

Wednesday I ran to Smith's in the morning to grab some last minute things for Thanksgiving.  Dan set up our Christmas tree, but we did not decorate it yet.  McKenna and Ben Zoomed with Brinley.  The kids had piano lessons over FaceTime.  I worked on putting Christmas lights on the front bushes and railing.  McKenna and I watched a virtual viola recital for her friend Sophia Madrid.  We filled out our leaves for our Thankful tree.  

We shopped online that night after kids were in bed.  Bethany did a cute ponytail at bedtime.  Alice hid under the table to poop.  

Thursday was Thanksgiving! That concluded my week of daily gratitude posts.  I posted about 1.) Family, 2.) Healthy body, 3.) My Savior, 4.) Technology, 5.) Music, 6.) Education, 7.) Modern conveniences, God's creations, snuggles, service, and a living Prophet.  

We watched the Macy's Parade after breakfast.  The Rockettes performance was seriously lacking this year.  So sad.  Around 11am my parents, sister, and brother came over!  Jonathan being here was a huge surprise to us all!  We weren't sure he would travel with Covid numbers being so high, but he really needed to be around family!  Alice clung on so tight to him when we came!  She wouldn't let got a long time.  My parents bought a prepackaged Thanksgiving dinner from Costco and all we had to do was heat everything up.  We got the turkey breast in the oven and the kids played on Jonathan's Switch to pass the time.  Everyone wore masks as best we could.  Mickelle brought Sadie in her crate and the kids loved playing with her.  We ate around 2:30 and had tons left over,  called the Smiths in AL, then the kids put on a little music recital in the piano room.  We had pie for "dinner" then cleaned up and played a game with the kids.  Everyone left around 7:15 and we put the fort away in the basement.  We also put away all the Thanksgiving decorations.  After kids were in bed, Dan and I watched "Crazy Rich Asians" and FaceTimed his parents in Hawaii.  

Friday after breakfast we decorated for Christmas!  After lunch we finished up the downstairs tree and the little tree in Ben's room.  We did some Christmas Mad Libs then Dan and McKenna did a DI run.  I found Alice dressed up and rocking out in the basement.  After pizza dinner, we watched "The Santa Clause" and after kids were in bed, Dan and I finished "Crazy Rich Asians."  Dan and I still have moments were we feel like this is not our house.  I've been very much looking forward to putting up OUR Christmas decorations in this new house and it was finally something to help us feel more like it is OUR house.  :)

Saturday I took pictures of the kids for their virtual school Christmas concert.  The theme was "Sounds of the Season," so I took pictures of laughter, music, and jingle bells.  Dan and I went on a lunch date and bought a couple more decorations.  We went to my parents that afternoon so we could spend more time with Jonathan.   My parents got two robot vacuums and it was great to see how much they have unpacked and tidied up their place.  The kids loved playing air hockey on their new table.  We also played Bunko and had spaghetti dinner.  After we got home and put kids to bed, I hot glued some more red ornaments and berries on a new front door wreath and garland.  Dan worked on this 5th Sunday lesson for the youth.  

Sunday we had combined RS and Priesthood where Dave Moulton taught about giving thanks.  Dan taught the combined youth lesson.  We had in-person church and I gave the closing prayer.  We had a Nelson family Zoom meeting that afternoon with Grandfather and Wendy for Thanksgiving.  It was great to see everyone again and hear a lovely message from Grandfather.  I also took pictures of McKenna for her virtual school Christmas concert.  She's learning to play the flute this year and is basically teaching herself since there is no in-person band.  She's doing great! 

Monday was a normal morning.  After kids were done with homework, I had a Zoom meeting with Amy about primary music stuff.  Alice fell asleep on me after she tripped and fell outside while getting the mail.  She scratched up her cheek. :(  I called the state office of education to ask about teacher relicensing and I found out some good news.  The requirements are much easier now!  After dinner I worked on making a Names of Christ Advent calendar.  

November Videos:

“All You Need Is Love,” Alice crazy while folding laundry, Ben slow mo kick of dominos, Alice falling asleep while eating, Thanksgiving Pilgrim people, Alice piano, Alice and McKenna “chicken butt,” Anna “Jingle Bells.

Nov. 2020- Week 3- Addresses/Christmas Card Prep, Grandfather Gratitude Message, Virtual Game Night

 Sunday we were up early in the morning due to noisy wind.  We had a normal morning with Zoom Sunday School lessons.  We attended church in-person and McKenna ushered and bore her testimony as the new YW class president for the 11-14 age group.  That afternoon we watched Dave and Laurie's "Family Rules" episode on BYU TV.  McKenna and I also watched the YW Face to Face celebrating 150 years of the Young Women organization.  That evening we drew names for our family gift giving at Christmas and Dan played ping pong with the kids.  I worked on collaging pictures.  

Monday I tried running again and was able to run 1.5miles with little hip pain, but it was not totally better.  After kids were home and homework was done, I raked some leaves outside and Dan fixed a couple Christmas lights.  After kids were in bed, I had my family conference call and we ordered our Christmas cards from Costco.  

Tuesday was a normal morning and I worked on gathering addresses for Christmas cards.  After homework, Bethany went to dance and I failed making cornbread for dinner due to forgetting baking soda!  I had fun for the next week or so gathering addresses and messaging with people who I haven't talked with in a long time.  It was a great way to reconnect with old friends!  McKenna had a Zoom meeting with Brinley and we worked on stuffing Christmas card envelopes and putting address labels on.  

Wednesday I volunteered in Bethany's class.  We had FaceTime piano lessons again.  I worked on addresses more.   Dan had Bishop stuff that night but still talked with me for a while that night as I was struggling a little with some mental health stuff.  He's such a great therapist for me.  :) 

Thursday was normal.  I called Jonathan and Bethany had music at home and Anna went to dance.  I made copies of our Christmas card write-up at the UPS store.  After dinner and kids were in bed, McKenna and I worked more on Christmas cards.  It's a big project, but I love it!  I got two silly pictures of Alice: one climbing, one with a green tongue! 

Friday we had a slow morning and listened to Grandfather's message to the world about gratitude.  He challenged everyone to post on social media, for the next 7 days, something they are thankful for. I'm so thankful for a loving and inspired Prophet who knows that "counting our blessings is better than recounting our problems."  After lunch, McKenna Zoomed with Brinley, I worked on a grocery order and we finished prepping our Christmas cards.  Dan and I went on a date that night.  We first stopped to pick up a prescription but the car in line in front of us wouldn't start, so we helped jump it.  We then went to Texas Roadhouse.  After kids were in bed, we also had a virtual game night with the Johnsons, Alexanders, and Days.  It was so fun and I'm so grateful to be able to connect with friends through technology during this Pandemic. 

Saturday I ran 2 miles while McKenna biked.  Dan gave himself a haircut and the kids played outside a bit.  Dan also went to lunch with Curtis Marsh.  After lunch, Dan took all the girls on a walk to deliver McKenna's thank you card to Becky.  I worked on punching holes for a service project for Ben's student council.  We also had the kids go through their school papers.  I vacuumed the master bedroom and we cleaned the basement as well.  After kids were in bed, we watched Utah's first football games of the season, which sadly, they lost.

Nov. 2020- Week 2- Snow!, Alice Fever, Grandfather Letter, Friends and Family Zoom, Fun With Dry Ice

Sunday we had the Winegar kids over from 10:30-12:30.  Swa was teaching their Relief Society lesson and since Jake was out of town, she needed somewhere for the kids to go so they wouldn't disrupt her teaching.  They also stayed later so Dan could administer the sacrament to all of us together.  We streamed Sacrament meeting from home which was so nice because we had a big snow storm hit right when it was time to go.  Later that afternoon, kids played out in the snow.  I put new pictures in frames around the house.  After dinner we played the singing game Spontaneous with Ben and McKenna.  We watched the second installment of the virtual Primary Program.  After kids were in bed, we watched an announcement from Governor Herbert about some new 2 week guidelines to slow the spread of Covid.  We decided we would hunker down for two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and not socialize with anyone outside of our family.  Kind of sad, but it felt like the right thing to do to be obedient and to feel more peace of mind hosting my at-risk parents for Thanksgiving.

Monday I tried running again after a two week break, but my hip was still hurting a lot.  After kids were home and homework was done, Dan and I left to sign papers for refinancing our home.  The kids wrote their Santa letters.  After folding laundry, we read and discussed the letter that was written to us from Grandfather for Thanksgiving.  It was so tender, personal, and heartfelt.  It felt like these were some of the most important things he wanted our family to know.  After kids were in bed, Dan and I went over our finances.  

Tuesday our carpool with the Whitchurch family was finally back on!  The kids chose to match all their uniforms with light blue and khaki.  McKenna had a little project where she wrote a story about being a rain drop and going through the water cycle.  Ben finished the creative part of a book report by drawing a portrait of Thomas Jefferson.  After taking Bethany to dance, I ran errands with Ben and Alice (air in tires, post office, library, get gas, and drop stuff off at Winegar's and Hamblin's.)  After dinner we had a dance party, and had a Zoom call with all the Websters to discuss Grandfather's letter.  Dan proved what an awesome #girldad he is by taking Bethany's hair out at bedtime but not losing any clips (all in his mouth).  

Wednesday we had FaceTime piano lessons.  I blogged a lot.  Dan had late Bishop meetings.  

Thursday Alice wasn't acting like herself.  She ate a little less than usual and needed more snuggles than normal.  I kept thinking she might throw up!  Thankfully she did not, but she did start to feel warmer than normal.  Once I took her temperature, it was about 101*.  Poor baby!  She fell asleep in my arms right before the kids got home from school.  Thankfully, McKenna got home first and was able to help all the other kids have lunch while I just held my baby.  It was so nice to snuggle her.  After lunch and some medicine she thankfully perked right up.  I helped kids with homework and called Jonathan.  Anna did dance virtually and I worked more on changing out pictures in frames.  I also made new updated Pilgrim people for our Thanksgiving decorations.  

Friday we woke up with Alice in bed with us.  Thankfully, her fever never came back and no one else got it.  Anna had a Zoom meeting with her class for spotlights.  Dan went to his Murray office and his car was also in the body shop to fix some rusted out scratches.  I tidied the mud room, then the kids all did their own things while I listened to my book and colored, cut out, and glued a paper Christmas village.  Ben had a friend Zoom with Henry and Taggart.  McKenna tried to make cookies but ended up running out of flour so they didn't turn out so well.  Anna played the piano lots.  That night Dan and I went on a date and then did some online Christmas shopping.  We were woken up by a big thunderstorm that night, which is quite rare for November!  

Saturday we picked up Dan's car from the body shop and it looked great!  Dan picked up groceries, the kids played Legos, and watched the BFG.  I did a load of laundry and washed my wallet and make-up bag as well.  We had a chill afternoon napping and watching football.  Anna had a group FaceTime with Desi and Mabel.  My parents stopped by to visit and my dad brought some dry ice for the kids to play with.  We had pizza for dinner.  I also mended the toiletry pouch from my diaper bag and listened more to my book.  *Dan was able to FaceTime Grandfather earlier in the week to discuss some family Christmas gifts and he said it was so fun to see and talk, just the two of them for a few moments!  We also sent a thank you note to him for his Thanksgiving letter and he sent us a thank you email.  He's too thoughtful!  We love him and miss him! 

Nov. 2020- Week 1- Decorate for Thanksgiving, Family Pictures, Ben's Baseball Pizza Party, Ben Play at Caleb's, Grandma and Grandpa Visit

 Sunday was fast Sunday.  I fed the three little girls then gave Alice and Bethany a bath.  We had Zoom Sunday School where Kristi Nelson taught.  After church, I packed up the Halloween decorations and got out the Thanksgiving stuff.  Ben has been doing stop motion Lego videos on Sundays.  The girls played nice downstairs.  Sam and Lara had brought us Halloween cookies to decorate, so we did that after dinner and watched the first video of the virtual Primary Program.  We also watched "The Great Pumpkin- Charlie Brown."  

Monday started a carline week at school.  I worked on figuring out our outfits for upcoming family pictures.  After kids were mostly done with homework, I ran errands to the Library, Michael's, At Home, and Smith's.  I found some new Thanksgiving decorations.  :)  We played Skyjo after dinner and folded laundry.  I FaceTimed Lara for opinions about our outfits since she would be our photographer. 

Tuesday was election day and a normal morning.  Alice wore a shirt with "Love" on it because I felt that was word was pretty important after such a divided campaign/election season.  After homework, I drew a new "Thankful Tree" and patched some clothes.  I wrote Becca Nicholes a 40th Birthday letter.  Dan worked on hanging Christmas lights outside.  After dinner, I went with Ben to his Basketball game.  Dan watched Frozen 2 with the girls.  After kids were in bed, I worked on a Costco picture order and we watched election coverage.  We knew a winner would not be declared that night, but it was still interesting to watch.  

Wednesday Alice went to Rachael's while I volunteered in Bethany's class.  I worked more on our family picture outfits and completely changed the color pallet.  The kids had piano, then afterwards, because the weather was so nice, I took my kids along with Desi, Henry, and Mabel to Lewis Park to play for a bit.  Alice kept going down the slide the "tricky" way according to her.  Erica and Kylee came too.  We took a picture of one of McKenna's art pieces for a virtual art show.  Dan worked more on Christmas lights.  McKenna had her first Aladdin rehearsal.  After kids were in bed, we watched a little of a documentary about babies.  

Thursday was a bit of a rough day with everyone bugging everyone.  I hate days like that.  :(  Lyla and Desi came to play later.  I talked with Meghan for a bit.  After running Anna and Bethany to music and dance, I picked up some clothes from Laurie's for Anna to wear in family pictures.  Dan worked MORE on hanging lights and I vented about how it was a rough day.  

Friday I went walking with Dan.  McKenna had an SBO meeting and in-person band practice.  Amy Hamblin came over for a porch visit.  After lunch we got everyone ready for family pictures.  We took pictures at Kays Creek and I love how they turned out!  Lara did a great job!  Afterwards, we went to West Bountiful Park for Ben's baseball team pizza party to celebrate the end of the season.  Kylee Behunin had invited other moms to meet at that same park which made it extra fun.  Erica and Jacquie Cloud came.  Dan finally finished hanging lights and we went on a date to Cubby's.  After kids were in bed, we watched the "Current War" about Thomas Edison.  

Saturday I went walking with Dan and did a little weeding.  After breakfast I went back out for a little more yard work.  We put the back patio cushions away.  Anna played with Mabel, Ben went to Caleb's and played in the leaves.  McKenna worked on her YW lesson.  We had a lot of rain in the afternoon and Brittana came over. The girls made cookies which didn't turn out too well.  Bethany went to Hallie's too.  Later, my parents stopped by.  McKenna went to the Winegar's for a movie night.  We received a beautiful Thanksgiving letter from Grandfather.  We FaceTimed Dan's parents that night to talk about the letter.  I finished my Costco picture order.