*Monday Memos* 8-17-2020

*MONDAY MEMOS*

   

 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge) 
Weekly recap of my rather crazy, insane, but fun and rewarding life!

dear monday, today I got in a five mile walk. Walking five miles is so much tougher than running it because it never ends!  I would much rather run five miles than walk it. It gets so boring too. 

It is VERY obvious we are living during a pandemic!

I did find some coins though. Among other things. When I got done, I went and picked up Chayden and Carson and brought them over here. Sky and Sarah had to leave at 4 a.m to go to Lindon to do FIRST LOOK photos. I figured the boys would be alone and bored all day and so I brought them here. I made them Funfetti pancakes and Chayden made eggs. Carson painted a wooden car craft kit I had and Chayden played video games. It was pretty hot outside and so staying in was the best plan. Sky picked them up before lunch. They were good kids. I got one blog post published! I am so behind!  

dear tuesday, I got up early and practiced the harp. I got in almost four hours practicing today because I practiced for a long time after my lesson too. I am so excited I am learning Petite Etude!  I have wanted to play it forever but wasn't sure I would ever be at that level. I have made it!  Now to master it. Well, to learn it first!  hah  I put together treats for the Sunbeams.  I also made zucchini bread for my ministering sisters. Dave was off today but busy with the yard all day. I delivered the bread to all my sisters. Not one was home. Go figure.  I ran some errands and as for the rest of the day I have no clue.  Sarah added eyes to the cow potato. Hah

dear wednesday, I got in three miles this a.m.  I rushed home to get ready to deliver treats to our Sunbeams.  I got some mini gummy bears and printed out the Come Follow Me pages. I picked up Pat and we were able to see Liam, Felix, Ever, and Sawyer.  We missed Eden and Adalyne.  We also took one to the new little girl named Ona. She is adorable. It was fun seeing them. They are all getting big!  

My goal was to get a full week done today of this blog. I was able to finish one but it is a slow go!  Ugh I am about six weeks behind. And I can never seem to catch up. It's like the laundry. Even if you are caught up you are still behind because you are wearing clothes that need washing. Every day I am living another day and it needs recording!  hah  But hopefully I will find some time and be able to get it caught up within a couple weeks. Sigh.  Carson and Sky stopped by for a short visit. 

Guru Gary sent me this today.  He sent me another one on Friday but I will post them both here.  I am baffled he would go to all that trouble and time and effort to do this! I was laughing out loud reading what he wrote to go with the photos. It brought back such great memories of all the crazy things I have done!  Who does that?  He is the nicest person! 

*With the NEW Blogger I can't get this one to enlarge so you will have to click on it. The other one did.  Everything is SO SO SO messed up!!!!


I am trying to get a shower planned for Sarah but didn't get too far on it today. Ugh.  I am also stressing about the wedding cake!  By the time this gets posted the wedding will probably be over!  That is crazy!  

dear thursday, the internet guy showed up this morning to try and figure out why our internet is always going off. It's so frustrating! #firstworldprobs I had to stick around until he was done and so I got out on my walk later than I hoped. I almost bagged it but decided I would feel better if I did. I got in three miles. I ran a little ways, but not much. Saving up the ankle for my Saturday run. McKay is still really sick. Poor guy. Dave gave him a Rocephin shot. He is worried his tonsils are so huge they will shut off his airway. He is a tough kid and never complains. I have the best boys. I ran some errands and then got Dave's parents dinner ready. I chatted with McKay while I made a salad and biscuits etc. Dave got home in time to drop it off.  I have been watching Shark Week all week. I can't get enough!  LOL I usually fall asleep watching it once I am in bed. Not sure why I love it so much!

These guys made a visit today....

dear friday, I got out on a walk this morning.  The air had a chill in it. Fall is not far away. I got in three miles. I saw this woman pushing a wheelchair surrounded by this stuff and then she took off and left it. Not sure what she is doing. Weird.  

Haylie asked me to borrow some stuff for her party for Brinlee tonight. She said she was stressed and not sure how she was going to get it all done. I offered to help in anyway I could. I took some stuff over and her mom came after I was there a bit. Before I left, Haylie said Brinlee probably wasn't going to get a cake because she had so much to do. I said, "How about I bake the cake and you decorate it?"  She was up for that. It was a ghost cake (she wanted a spooky party!) and so I came home and baked it. It was a four layer 6" cake with each layer a different color (purple, black, green, orange). I figured it wouldn't be too difficult. I had to carve the top one to the shape of a ghost head. But of course one of the layers crumbled on the side when I removed it. I was mad I didn't Crisco and flour the pans.  Will I ever learn?  But I managed to repair it with icing. That is one thing I am a pro at. Repair work!  I have had lots of practice!  It ended up being great and so I took it over. She was still stressed but I left it to her to finish. 

I got all dressed up in my WITCH costume. I wore my new apron thing I bought at the Grand American last year at our Witch's Tea. It is so cute! I wore the torturous shoes too!   The outside pictures shows the true color of the apron. I love it!  I got the hat there too.

I gave Brinlee a tea party coupon for part of her bday gift with a cute teacup I found at the DI. 

Haylie requested no toys *unless educational and no clothes. So, I got her books, a towel, a sparkly purple backpack, bath bombs, treats, a teacup and saucer and a coupon for a tea party with me, cupcake kit, workbooks for school, etc. I am not sure she liked it too much.  Next time I think I will get her clothes. It was fun. I dressed up like a witch as did Haylie and her mom and Brinlee. It was cute.  Sarah showed up dressed like Maleficent. Carson was dressed like Carlos.  Sarah brought a crown for my mom.  It was a small party. Just us, my parents, Sarah and her boys, and Haylie's mom and brother and wife and kids. Liam was cute as always. Brinlee kept hugging me and it was so sweet.  Love that lil' thing to pieces.  Sarah made some super cute spooky treats. Her house was all decked out in Halloween decor. Brinlee requested her birthday party be spooky. Maybe I should put  mine up now too!  Haha  We had cake and chatted and Dave headed out and I stayed a bit later. 

Fabio!  haha  He does kind of look like him!  Only Bryce is better looking!

Bryce played baseball with Chayden for a long time. Liam can really throw the ball! He has an arm. Sarah took me home after Haylie and I looked at all of her First Look pix. Wow! They are amazing! SO amazing!

Sarah told me Carson woke up this morning in a grumpy mood and said, "The only thing that makes me happy is making potions!  And Jodi!"  Ahhh.... He is the sweetest!

dear saturday, today Chayden wanted to go with me on a walk but he changed his mind so I hit the high school and did the track and surrounding areas. I ran the whole time (well a few walk breaks) and got in three miles. I was pretty happy about that since I haven't run much lately. 

I even found a penny!  Hey to you too, Tyson!

I took some shark cookies to Chayden and Carson this afternoon from Crumbl. It is Shark Week and I have been watching lots of the new programs. I can't get enough!  I chatted with Sarah for quite a while. Sky was there at first but had to go to some appointments. They stopped by later tonight so we could tell Chayden goodbye since he leaves tomorrow morning. Carson spent the night so he didn't have to get up at 5 a.m to take Chayden.  He took a bath and we had to improvise for PJ's and underpants since he wasn't planning on spending the night. I found one of Tyson's silky shirts that Tyson loved to sleep in. And some oversized Grinch boxers!  LOL Tyson was watching down with a big smile on his face I am certain. We watched some show and then I had to hit the hay. I was so exhausted! Oh this boy makes me happy!

dear sunday, Carson and I snuggled this morning in bed for a while. He is the cutest thing ever. We made his Build a Bear panda this morning. He sewed it all himself. It was fun. 

Dave made us German pancakes that were to die for! They are my favorite breakfast food I think. We even had a fresh peach to go with it!  Mmm.... Peach season is coming fast! I can't wait! 

We had church again today. Only the second time in five months. Dave sat on the stand so it was just Carson, McKay and me. Dave spoke for about five minutes at the end. We had a lot more peeps there this time than last. It still is strange seeing everyone in masks. McKay wanted to get home and so I didn't get to visit with anyone.  When we got home Sky and Sarah were here. They stayed a bit and then went home with Carson. They came back a bit later for dinner. We had ribs and baked potatoes and a jello salad I made and some bread sticks I made super quick. They were so good. 

Aubrey, Mickey and Sam ran over for a bit. Aubrey gave me a book she made of the girl's cabin trip for my birthday!  I loved it.  That's my quote on the second photo.

Carson was very happy to see them!  hah

We were laughing so hard while we looked at the pix. I shared bread sticks with them. It was fun.  When Carson heard they were coming, he hurried and made Micky a present and wrapped it. It was artwork and a card. He is so thoughtful!

Carson and I went out back and sat in the swing for a bit. The baby deer came down. I got the best video of them. 

Sky and Sarah were playing a game. It is cute how they always do that.  They headed home and I went up and watched the last night of Shark Week. Kind of sad it's over. 

dear random, this is a photo of my Grandma Helen (my Dad's mom) with some of the Raggedy Ann dolls she made!  Can you spot mine????  

Yep!  Mine is the only purple one!! I still have it!
She was such a cute and talented lady. I sure miss her.

I got my Homemaker's invite done!

My mom's famous Strawberry Danish Dessert Delight recipe!  I thought I better preserve it here!

Little Miss Kailani!  I miss her!

I’m Not Ignoring COVID

July 22, 2020

Mike. In a recent post, you said you’ve been to Tennessee and Georgia, giving speeches and filming for your new show. Before that, you were on the road shooting for Dirty Jobs. Is it really so important to film a television show in the midst of pandemic? Is it responsible of you to encourage this kind of behavior when infection rates are spiking? Don’t you watch the news? More and more cases every day – aren’t you concerned? Darlene Gabon

Hi Darlene

Of course, I’m concerned. I’m just not petrified.

On March 15th, the day after my part of the country was locked down, I posted a link to an interview with Dr. Michael Osterholm. I’m posting it again, because I believe you and everyone else in the country would benefit from listening carefully to what he has to say. https://youtu.be/E3URhJx0NSw

Dr. Osterholm is the Director of Infectious Disease Research and Policy. This is the same epidemiologist who ten years ago, predicted a coronavirus would come from China and turn our country upside down. In his book “Deadliest Enemies,” he described the utterly irresponsible way in which the media would report on the situation, the completely opportunistic and shamelessly political way our leaders would likely react, and the unprecedented chaos and confusion that would arise from all the mixed messages from the medical community. His resume is unexampled, and his analysis of the situation is the most logical and persuasive of any I’d heard so far. He’s also the only expert I know of who hasn’t walked back his numbers, reconsidered his position, or moved the goalposts with regard to what we must do, what we can do, and what he expects to happen next. I say all of this because Dr. Osterholm also predicted that we could easily see 100 million COVID cases in this country, with a very strong possibility of 480,000 fatalities – even if we successfully “flattened the curve.”

It took me a few weeks to accept this scenario, because 480,000 fatalities is a frightening number, and lot of other experts were saying lots of conflicting things. But eventually, I came to the conclusion that Dr. Osterholm was probably correct, and quickly navigated the four stages of grief that usually precede acceptance – denial, anger, bargaining, and depression. By late April, I had come to accept Dr. Osterholm’s predictions as a matter of fact. Since then, I’ve had three full months to come to terms with the fact that, a) I am probably going to get COVID-19 at some point, b), I am almost certainly going to survive it, and c), I might very well give it to someone else.

I hope that doesn’t sound blasé, or glib, or fatalistic, or selfish. Four-hundred eighty thousand deaths is an obvious tragedy, and I’m deeply sympathetic to all who have been impacted thus far. I’m also very concerned for my parents, and everyone else in a high risk category. But when Dr. Osterholm says that COVID can be slowed, but not stopped, I believe him. When he says a vaccine will not necessarily hasten herd immunity, I believe him. And when he says that “flattening the curve” and eliminating the virus have nothing to do with each other, I believe him.

Thus, for the last three months, I’ve been operating from the assumption that this is a year-round virus that’s eventually going to infect 100,000 million people and kill roughly 1/2 of one percent of those infected. I’ve gotten used to those numbers in much the same way I’ve gotten used to the fact that 40,000 people will likely die on the highways this year. That’s why I’m not panicked or surprised by tens of thousands of daily COVID cases; I’ve been expecting them. Unfortunately, many others have not. Every day, millions of people watch the same breathless coverage by the same breathless journalists, who seem determined to do all they can to foster uncertainty. And so, millions of people are still paralyzed by fear, because they haven’t been given a chance to digest the truth, (or, what I believe to be the truth.) Fact is, we can accept almost anything, if we’re given the facts, and enough time to get our heads around them. But if we don’t have an understanding of what’s really happening, we simply can’t get passed denial and bargaining, where so many seem to be stuck, understandably so.

Imagine for a moment you had no idea how many people would die in car accidents this year. Now, imagine that every single accident – over six million a year in the US alone – were reported on the same way that every new COVID case is reported today. Imagine every day you were told in hysterical tones, that another 16,000 accidents had occurred, resulting in another 90 deaths per day. What would that do to your willingness to drive? Six million accidents is a lot of accidents, and 40,000 annual fatalities is a lot of death – especially if you don’t know how high that number could get. But we DO know the dangers of driving, and we’ve accepted those numbers. Consequently, we’re able to make a grown-up decision about whether or not we want to assume the associated risk of operating a motor vehicle.

Again, don’t misunderstand. I’m not ignoring COVID, and I’m not pretending the risks at hand aren’t real. I don’t want to get this disease and give it to someone else, any more than I want to be in a car wreck and hurt someone else. So, I take precautions. I get tested often. If I can’t distance, I wear a mask – especially around higher risk people. I also wear a seatbelt, obey the speed limits, and check my mirrors before changing lanes. I’m aware that we’d all be a lot safer if we kept our cars in the garage. I’m also aware we’d be a lot safer if we all kept ourselves in the house. But that’s not why cars, or people, exist.

Anyway Darlene, that’s a long way of saying that I have accepted Dr. Osterholm’s numbers, and now, after three months of acceptance, I’ve made a decision on how I wish to live my life. Sooner or later, you will too. We all will.

Mike

PS. My foundation is selling masks to raise money for our next work-ethic scholarship program. They’re going fast…mikeroweWORKS.org/Shop
Mike’s Facebook Page

*Monday Memos* 8-3-2020

*MONDAY MEMOS*

   

 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge) 
Weekly recap of my rather crazy, insane, but fun and rewarding life!

***As of writing this post, BLOGGER has now decided to change it's interface making it very NON USER friendly!  It is impossible to position photos now and centering them or off centering them. There are so many issues now that never used to be. This is not a complaint (well- it is that too) but FACTS!  Search Blogger's new interface and all you will read are how much worse it has become. You can not say NEW and IMPROVED to this at all!  WHY did they change it?  Why fix it if it wasn't broken?  I HAVE NO IDEA, but I am NOT happy!  So, you will have to click the photos in order to view (if that even still works) because I can't adjust them. Sorry. And Blogger (Google) if you are reading this, CHANGE IT BACK or fire you engineers that made it! It's a FAIL!

For example, you can NOT delete ANY pix that you add! I accidentally added this ↓ one twice and there is no way to delete it. So I tried to put it to the right but now that makes them disappear, but instead of disappearing, they go to the top! So I tried to move it down a bit but cannot get it to delete!!!!  My only solution is to delete the whole post and start over and I DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR THAT!!!!

THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING!!!

dear monday, soooooo........I decided to just jump in and do the light I have been dying to take down in my kitchen today. Dave hasn't been on board to do it because he built it and basically worships it. LOL  I knew it was now or never with him being in Alaska!  I called Sarah and Haylie to come and help me since it is not a one man job. They were so kind to come. Here is the before:

It was a little tricky to get up inside it to unscrew the bolts. It was surprisingly easy to take down though. Only four bolts to remove. I found an electric drill but it kept dying and we couldn't find the charger so Haylie went and grabbed Bryce's. That saved us. 

We did a great job if I do say so myself.  It is kind of funny because I had called my dad before we started because I couldn't get the power to turn off with any of the breakers. He wired our house and so I figured he would know why it wasn't working. He told me to just try them all, which I did and we found the right one. It wasn't the one marked, so once we found it we went about the project.  Within about 30 minutes though, he showed up at my house!  haha  He had previously said he didn't want anything to do with the project  because he knew Dave wasn't going to be too happy.  And then Skyler showed up as well who had said the exact same thing!  Luckily, they both did because I think I had bit off more than I could chew and wasn't sure what to do with all the wires.  I thought I could figure it out or have them walk me through it, but I was SO GRATEFUL they were there to do that part!!!

Things were starting to look so much better!  It was down and the lights were gone!! YAY!! I was getting so excited!  We decided to add three more can lights so we would have plenty of light since it was a critical place in the kitchen which needs a lot of light. 

And then Bryce showed up!  I had a lot of man "power"!  Did I mention I was so grateful?  I have good boys!  They came to rescue their mama!  LOL

It looks SO good!!!  SUCCESS!!!! 
Well, almost.  The place the huge wooden fixture was left the paint a totally different color and so touching up and trying to make it match without having to paint the entire ceiling might be a trick.  I had to cut out a dime size paint chip so we can match it.  That was not easy but I managed.  But it WAS looking good!  It has made the kitchen look so much bigger too! I am loving it!  I am not sure what Dave will think, but too late now!!!  

 THIS ↑ photo is not supposed to be here either!  This is the photo of the finished job! But Blogger won't let me delete it!  UGH! 

  

The littles were so cute and so well behaved while we worked!

dear tuesday, today I had my harp lesson online. It went well. I patched up some on the ceiling and was just getting ready to get to the painting when Karen text and asked if they could stop by on their way to the cabin. I had told them I would come tomorrow with Carolyn so I could get this done first so I am not divorced!  LOL They showed up and basically kidnapped me!  I totally gave into peer pressure! They said they would come help me finish before Dave got back and that if I wait until tomorrow to go with Carolyn I will only have two days. It made sense. Sky didn't agree. He was very surprised I would just up and leave this whole light situation! They helped me water the plants and take out the garbage and do all that kind of stuff while I hurried and packed. I have never packed that fast in my life! The ride was fun. We stopped at Subway in Soda Springs and got dinner.  Once we arrived at the cabin, we hung out for a bit. Dave's parents went to bed right after we arrived about 7:30.  Actually, his mom was in bed BEFORE we arrived. We had to be quiet and that's not easy! LOL 

dear wednesday, today I made us breakfast.  We then walked to the old cabin where Kev and his kiddos were staying. He showed us where his lot is that he just bought. Wow! It's so nice!  He also invited us to go boating with them. 

Kevin's lot.... it's very close to the family cabin.

We took lots of pictures in the flowers.

Then we found these!!!  ↓ Oh my gosh, they are stunning!  I dug some up to plant at my house because I love them so much!

The lighting was different on these.  I think I like the top one best. But I added them all to decided before I realized I can't delete them!  So you get them all!  Sorry!
Come on Blogger fix this issue!

Just found this one. I think I like it the best.

Kevin took us boating on the Palisades. The water was freezing! Kevin dared everyone to jump off the bridge. No way Jose! I would rather jump out of an airplane!  I REALLY dislike COLD water!  I mean REALLY dislike!  Actually, I LOATHE it! But Aubrey and Karen took on his dare!  Brrr...............

Jumping off the bridge!  

He then pulled us on his large tube. Holy cow, that was so fun!  We ALMOST went flying out of it!  I am so grateful that didn't happen. Oh my gosh, I would have froze!!!  But still so much fun!  We were laughing SO hard!  Even though we almost died!  hehe

Carolyn arrived later in day with Grace and Natalie. We walked the dollar store. It was so fun to be up here. We then had dinner with everyone. We went to the old cabin and played games. It was so fun. Xan played with us. She is a doll. When we got back, we had to be very quiet since G&G Jo were asleep. It was pretty late. We stayed up late chatting after we got back.

dear thursday, this morning we all gathered for breakfast. It was yummy.  

Some fun at the cabin!  I have always loved this↑ sign (center) that hangs in the upstairs bedroom.

Heading to go float the Salt River!  Aubrey blowing up the tube!  It was hilarious!

Getting set to float!

It was a RIOT! Aubrey and Nat floated on their own tubes and kept getting caught in the trees!  So funny! I have no pix because I didn't have my phone.

We then went and got the BEST ice cream!

We had halibut for dinner. Well, everyone else did. I just ate the bread and salad. 

Mom and Dad W were watching South Pacific and there was a dance in it where they were doing these very weird moves and so we imitated them (above), but Mom and Dad were clueless. It was hilarious. At least to us!  After G&G Jo went to bed, we watched a cute movie. I can't remember the name of it, but it was cute. 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch. Sky was busy saving my life!  He went to so much work painting and matching paint and getting it to blend so we don't have to paint the entire ceiling, which would have been the case before I left for the cabin!  Whew!  I owe that boy!  Sarah text me with these photos saying, "He REALLY loves you!".  What a blessing!

This ↑ is the text he sent me after he painted the first time and I knew we had to re-paint the entire ceiling after seeing this. I even had the painter scheduled. But then he saved the day! 

dear friday, I got up this morning and headed downstairs to make breakfast. Mom W was trying to pack up the cooler because she wanted to leave asap. Dave's dad did not want to leave yet but she did. As I was making breakfast in the kitchen I saw a big black thing fly past my head in the kitchen. IT WAS A BAT!!!!  I screamed upstairs to Karen. I kept saying, "Karen!  Everyone up!  There's a bat down here! HELP!"  

Dad W saved the day and smashed him with Aubrey's flip flop!  Yikes!  So gross!!!  

Grandpa Jo killing the dang bat!

My HERO!!!

They tipped the chimney thing to get inside!  Yuck!

During all this, Mom W was really not happy. She got mad at the bacon and just wanted to get out of there. We couldn't calm her down even though we put the Sound of Music on. She was upset!  I haven't seen her that upset in a while. It's so sad what happens with dementia. She was never like that before. It's really heart breaking. But she is still a sweetheart. 

I decided to make lots of YUMMY pancakes for breakfast!  I made Smore's (which were to die for!), macadamia nut (so delish!), granola pancakes, and banana macadamia nut pancakes!  And I made homemade syrup!  

We got talking to Aubrey, Natalie, and Grace about childbirth. It was hilarious. The looks on their faces and the things we said that maybe we shouldn't have. LOL 




We then cleaned and packed everything. Look what I found on our walk to the store?  Hmm...... Not sure what that means????  

Bryce was in Lake Powell all weekend alone. And it was 115 degrees!  Yikes!

We then cleaned and packed and hit the road for home. 

I came home to a PERFECT light and ceiling!  Sky is amazing!  I owe him big time!!!  I was so happy!

  

I also came home to this... ↓ haha  Oh, that Carson!   

I cleaned and then headed to SLC to pick up the guys from the airport. It was so good to see them.  McKay didn't feel well. He was pretty sick. We bagged going to the Mandarin and went to Chick fil A instead. When we got home, I secretly video taped everyone's reaction to the light. Taylor and McKay didn't even notice it!  haha  I thought they would but Dave noticed it right off!!!  He liked it!  But he was in a very good mood so I had that on my side!  LOL  Whew!!!  It was worth all the stress and worry!  

dear saturday,  I didn't get on a walk today. It was so hot today!  I did go shopping for a gift for Linda's bday. I hit Crumbl as well. So yummy! 

Sky and crew came over. Chayden is here.  We all chatted and had pizza. I gave Mr. Cat a bath tonight because he came in completely covered in oil or something. He was NOT happy about it!  Poor guy!

dear sunday, I am 59 years young today!  And I am happy to celebrate it!  What a gift to have birthdays each year!!!  Truly learned that this past year! 
My friend Dawn posted this on FB today. She's so sweet.

  

I posted this on FB for Linda's birthday:

🎁🎈🎉🥳🎂 Happy Birthday to my sister in law Linda Lou! I LOVE sharing my birthday with you! Especially because you will always be older! hehe 🤣 Hope your day only gets better and I hope we didn't make it worse! LOL 😆Thanks for being such a good sport (since I know I have it coming next year!😱) 🎉🎈🎁🥳🎂WE LOVE YOU!!!

Guru Gary posted this: (gotta love that!)

And he sent this to me via email:

I got breakfast in bed!  SO yummy!  

I got my Granny on and got dressed up for Linda's 60th.  Karen and her girls came. She brought me a yummy cake and some fun gifts.

Everyone looked so cute!

Some pretty hot grannies! LOL

I think she was surprised but happy to see us. We kept her 6 feet away from us because she is being very vigilant with social distancing until Tanae's baby is here.

It's fun to share a birthday with her!

Dave was going to make a turkey dinner for my bday but I didn't want him to go to all that work and so I suggested we just BBQ burgers. He made a killer potato salad too!  Mmm......

My mom brought me this cute cake!  I got spoiled and had two cakes this year. I do LOVE cake!!!

I can't get over all this purple!  Perfect place for pictures of purple cakes!

How you blow out your candles with COVID.

FUN with all the fam and littles...

These are from Carson!  He is the sweetest! 

dear random, some pix from the boy's trip to Alaska this week... (a lot from screen shots from IG).

Flying during a pandemic....

Moose

Taylor's birthday!

And all the fishing!

I was kind of wishing I was there!  It IS fun!

Word was, they really had a great time!  As in, they were always laughing with tears streaming down their faces!  I guess McKay, Barry, and CJ were the most entertaining.  

dear quotes,