March 2020- Anniversary, Ella/Abby birthday

So glad Ella and Darren came up for the last day of ski team.  It wasn't supposed to be the last day but it turned out to be the last day!!! We got to get a fun treat up at Bear Claw and do a few runs.  My knees were really hurting so it was hard to ski.  (Too many jumping jacks during Crossfit).  Darren and I got to have a nice walk for our 19th Anniversary.  I got a yummy treat and we ate then walked and talked. We had hoped to do something else but things are a bit different right now.  I was so glad Ellas young women leaders and girls went to see her Xanadu production.  They took some pictures since it only went one night and then had to shut down because of COVID-19.  

 We did some awesome yard work and my garden always makes me happy.  Abby had to cancel her 7th Birthday party that was planned.  But we tried to make it special and did some fun things.  Ella decorated.  We had her open a present every hour.  She wanted root beer floats.

The kids built a cool fort upstairs.  Tyler worked on his campaign for running for Freshman class officer.... He is the right "Ball"s to pick for the job!  Darren and Tyler got out for a few rides.  

It did snow one day and it was wonderful.  The girls were tired of homeschool and jobs so they stayed out there for a long time playing.  We have been doing some cooking classes.  Ella made homemade pizza crust and homemade sauce.  It was delicious.  Tyler made Beignets.  Oh my.  They were amazing.  Abby made buttermilk pancakes.  

 Ella had her 12th birthday.  W decorated and got her cereal since that is what she wanted.  She wanted peanut butter pie and In N Out burgers.  She wanted to open a present every hour also!  Lots of people texted and called and a few did stand out side visits.

 Darren and I had a fun date night.  It was a zoom friends game night.  So fun to get all together and visit.   Lots of laughing and feeling like we were just having a normal time!  Sunday was magical.  It was a slow down day.  Read in the hammock day. Fast with thousands of people around the world for this pandemic.  Abby finished her first chapter book.... how fast they grow!

Provo Canyon- backcountry

When every day is a stay at home day its hard to make them different.  But Darren has done an amazing job helping us run church and the sacrament.  He is providing well for us in this time of crazy.  Work is crazy with the audit wrapping up but everyone is working from home.  I was so happy he could get out with Ang and Wayne star for a back country morning.  The pictures were amazing.  Great social distancing.  I hope to get out with him one day/year!

LIfe- Covid 19- Pandemic

 Life seems to be interesting ... always!  The virus started in China in late 2019.  But it didn't affect us much until Ella's play was shut down after opening night.  Tyler got to see it but not anyone else.  Then school was closed for a few days, then two weeks and then a month.  Life slowed down, events were cancelled.  Calendars were emptied.  The store shelves were emptied.  Toilet paper, Hand sanitizer, bean, rice... all hot items.  I had a moment when my gym shut down.  I just was holding on to that shred of normal in my life. Fast forward a week and things started to settle down.  New routines were made.  slower paced life.  kids at home doing homeschool on the computers.  workouts over the zoom app.  Church at home. Daily walks or bike rides.  Baking classes.  Its going to be ok.  Spring is here.  We will stay away from others and hope this ends.