Back to School?

Sunday August 23, 2020 

 Dear Family I almost don't know where to begin. If I could get into my old blog I would begin reposting there - but no such luck - so I am starting a new blog ~ aka Book 2. A chance remark by a friend this summer made me realize that I should start blogging again - just to keep in touch with our friends in family. First a 'tour' of my summer - then my thoughts on this crazy world we are living in.

Fourth of July at our house was a pared down affair. Curt and Heather's family went to Scott's in Boise prior to coming here - and they all got sick - so in the day of Covid we all decided it was better for them to stay put (they ended up with bad colds). Kent and Cady's families were here with us. So we had a very nice 4th sans parade and BIG fireworks. Mike had a little fireworks 'episode' so we will definitely be more cautious in the future. The lines have blurred terribly between work and home. I took a new position as an instructional coach for our school. I will be teaching half time AP Calculus and FULL time instructional coach (not paid for the full time part - but for a good portion of it) - the reason I say full time is because trying to help our teachers transition to online teaching is TOUGH! Mike was going to retire on March 31st - but the Covid hit and he couldn't see retiring to stay at home and go nowhere - so he might as well continue working - and is STILL working. He had also managed to do about 30 jigsaw puzzles. Towards the end of July I just HAD to get away before I settled in for the long school year - so we headed up to Park City UT ...and stopped by Scott's, Kent's and Richfield UT along the way. It was SO needed - even if Mike and I both had to work while we were there. Now we are back at home - getting ready to wrap up the gardening season and start the school year. WARNING - Picture overload! 

Jair and Becca

GB and Kawehi with Nainoa and Keari

Ethan, Chris, Cady, Emma, Landon & Luke

Amy with the crew and Ethan

The terrific trio - 

Mike helping with the cooking

Eric 'dropped in' - literally flew in for a few hours so he wouldn't miss dinner :-)

The bathroom remodel begins - or in other words - the bathroom ends up on the front lawn ~I will post the after pix when it's done. 

Eric's girls at the lake ~ Sophia

Bailey

Autumn

Kate

Curt has a start up company - for robotic apple picking. Highlighted in the September issue of National Geographic. 

Kelli Senior Pix 

Drowning in peaches (and tomatoes and cucumbers and....) Mike has bottled about 100 bottles of peaches and cucumbers  - I did the salsa :)

Luke holds Landon's hand at the dentist's office

My guy

Curt's kiddos 

Heidi, Bretty, Ryan, Amber, Isaac, Nicole

Water park fun - with Emma

Cady and Chris at the water park with the boys

Amber gets warm at the beach

Getting excited for birthday #6

Sand sculpture with Heidi

And Brett and Curt

Isaac - aka the pack mule

Ice cream for all after a day at the beach!

More water park fun

Curt's at Scott's: Ryan, David, Isaac, Derek

Water park fun with Scott's kids and cousins

Derek, James, David, Becca, Sydney (cousin), Clark (cousin) and Libby

James (Scott's youngest) just chillin'

Nicole's senior picture - she is at BYU now - having the time of her life - BTW - school hasn't started yet ~ teehee

'Garage' school. Cady and Chris have set up a kindergarten in their spare garage bay - they have hired a teacher and will have kinder in the AM at their house with 3 other children. Trying to cope with the online madness.

Curt's family goes river rafting.

Amber (Curt's youngest) and Libby (Scott's)

Heather and Annie get out for the morning 'run' - aka kid break

This is the facilitator at my WA State Shifting Schools conference.... and this is.....

my son Curt! 

Grandpa with Kyle and Ethan in Park City 

School online in CA - BLECH

Kyle in Park City

Sideways pick in Park City on main street having pizza - we could eat in restaurants in UT!!

Grandma Raspberry/marbles house

Friends at Fish Lake UT 

Mike and I and Karen and Richard Chamberlain 

(we spent an amazing evening at their cabin - saw the Milky Way that night~)

Boys and water and rocks - does it get any better?

Maybe it is better with watermelon?

We visited Richfield and Mike's folks gravesite

Some tender moments....

Curt entertains James at Scott's

Scott entertains James ~ smile ~ two year olds take LOTS of entertaining 

The crew at Scott's 

Shooting practice - we did this a few times this summer 

Meridian ID temple visit ~ 

I don't know how you are doing - but I know I REALLY struggled with school and church and the world shutting down. I had a couple of weeks where I sort of sat around and watched TV (and ate - YIKES!) Since then I have sort of come to terms with it - and am trying to live my best life. I have cleaned and sorted closets, spent time catching up on the little 'stuff' that seems to be ubiquitous and read a ton. I have also spent time spiritually strengthening myself through scripture study and prayer. I know that if my faith is greater than my fear that my future will be as bright as my faith. That is the only real anchor available to us in these crazy times. Love and miss all of you!~ Mom/Sis/Jan