Top 10 of 2020

 

10. MEMES!!!! TIK TOK!!!! And general making fun of anything possible online to get through all the masking, social distancing, and quarantine!!

9. Christina gets her learner's permit!! She is the best Yaiya driver ever!!!

8. Heading to middle Nevada because everywhere else is closed... finding that it's absolutely gorgeous. 

7. Apple Hill!! We got to enjoy the treats of fall with Josh and loved every minute and ounce of sugar.

6. Las Vegas to celebrate Yaiya's birthday!! Greek food of the gods, swimming, hiking in the Valley of Fire State park, and enjoying some sunshine during the cold.

IN OUR NEW HONDA PILOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5. Surviving distance learning!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!! ZOOM meetings and Microsoft teams.

4. Surviving a summer of smoke from the California wildfires. All. Summer. LONG!! So lucky Aunty Pam and Sheila were kept safe. Multiple evacuations.

3. Trip to Oregon.... quarantine has us going crazy!!! Time to visit Uncle Corey and Uncle Bill and enjoy the pacific ocean, donut sampling, the most delicious homemade vegetable lasagna and basil lemon vinaigrette salad, and motorized scooters in downtown Portland. We love our Uncles!!!

2. No church. So odd to not go to Church on a regular basis due to covid restrictions. The children haven't been in Primary in 10 months. We are lucky to go to sacrament meeting 1 time a month for 1 hour. 

1. Trip to Hawaii. It was right when Covid was starting to get serious so Papa stayed home. We missed him very much. We had a wonderful time exploring the entire island of Oahu, enjoying rainy times at the Disney Hotel we weren't staying at, multiple beaches, and seeing nude Europeans hiking the Coco Steps. It was a wonderful vacation together with many memories.

2020 was definitely a year of adjustments. We are so very sorry for those that lost loved ones this year. We are so very grateful for all who went above and beyond to help others during this time of crisis. I know I am beyond grateful to Heavenly Father that Jody and I both had jobs, that my little babies were kept safe both at home and at school. That we have good health insurance.

I am grateful for a principal and staff at school who are supportive and wonderful. The end of my first year of teaching was spent on a computer screen attempting to teach little ones. It was a difficult transition because the district was extremely unorganized. My 2nd year of teaching has been phenomenal, I have a sweet class who I adore. I'm blessed to be able to do something that inspires me and helps me make a difference.

The kids at home have been extremely flexible. This year we've developed a little more gratitude, a little more patience, and a little more kindness.

Jody and I have had our ups and downs this year. It was hard, not going to lie. But through it all, we continue to try.

Selling Yaiya Sofia's home was a big decision. And a very hard one at that. Currently we're in escrow right now so not quite done there.

2020. The year that didn't stop. Sheesh.

Chickadee Ridge, Mt. Rose TRT

 

It was coooooooooooooold. But only my hands and face as I tried to get the snowshoes on.

And when the wind picked up.

We saw Santa on his way to the North Pole.

Alex can outrun and outlift me.... yet uphill....

We fed the birds from our hands, it was pretty extraordinary. 

540 calories. Much better than biking at the gym at 5AM.

Jay and Rachel's Annual Gap Outfits

 

Covid Christmas at Papa's

We sure are lucky to have the best Papa EVER. Christmas at his house included being spoiled, more spoiling, eating, more spoiling, and more eating. We got to watch the new Wonder Woman 84 and Soul by Disney.

We opened gifts, pigged out, and enjoyed a peaceful evening together.

 

10 year old gum.... hmmm.... The kiddos got plenty of stocking stuffers from Santa Papa and made some trades.

If this little boy destroys the RC car.... I am going to have a fit.

A bit much food.

A bit much fun.

Covid Christmas Morning!!! 2020

My clock is a bit fast.... at 6 on the dot AM Eli and Ella came crashing in. The night before I told them not a minute before.

They were so very excited and all the people who enjoy sleep woke up so we could enjoy the magic of Christmas gifts.

So excited for all the goodies!! We made lists, 1 thing we want, 1 need, and a book. It makes for very happy campers on Christmas.

Eli wasn't supposed to have a Christmas because he broke and took apart all his birthday gifts. Needless to say he was given gifts that couldn't "break". He was quite thrilled to have anything at all and was very appreciative with his hugs.

Aunty Pam and Uncle Bob spoiled us yet again. The shoes were PERFECT!!! The kids were very excited.

Eli got gifts for everyone this year. A small backscratcher for Ella that he had 5 tickets left over, He got a horse book for Christina, a unicorn book for Ella, and a "hack" book for Maria. He spent a lot of time at the store thinking about what they would like and budgeting his money carefully. He also gave me the chocolates he got from Santa which I was totally excited about but they somehow disappeared.

Ella declared it was the best Christmas ever.

We were thoroughly blessed this year with so much generosity from neighbors and friends. We had someone doorbell ditch us for 12 days with fun gifts having to do with the 12 days of Christmas- including a $50 chick fil-a gift card. We got an entire pan of peanut butter candy from Alicia. Ram gave us gifts cards galore. The McMillens gave us treats, more treats, and then free watercolor lessons for life and oh yeah, a bike their daughter bought with her own money and painted and fixed up for Maria.

Sheesh. We aren't deserving of so much love. It is humbling.

Jody and I fell back asleep after the festivities while the kiddos watched Star Wars. It was a beautiful sunrise.

We were so fooded out. 

Eli did the crystal growing set his sisters picked out for him, that PAPA so generously gave them money for. Did I mention my dad took them on a shopping spree for their friends? Talk about love and kindness and being the best grandpa EVER.

It was a great morning. We are so blessed and thankful to Heavenly Father for all in our lives. And especially for the birth of His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.