Memorial Day

We were invited to Chris and Ang's for a Memorial Day barbecue.  It was soooo nice feeling like were having a regular family gathering, even though several chose not to come due to the virus.  I've been lonely.  Brian is at work all day and our kiddos have started back up their social lives with friends.  My life has not restarted yet though: no church, no gym workout classes, no visiting with other moms at our kids' sporting events.

It was an unseasonably cool day, only 74°.  Chris heated the pool! (David and Briana King, Isaiah M., Holden, Tanner and Chris)

Grandma and Grandpa Honey, Bri, Ang and Gram Vore

Brian visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Honey (Ang's parents)

I loved chatting it up with this group of family and friends.  Kyla McKown (She's expecting!), David and Briana King, me (w/ the visor), Laurel and CJ King, Emily Martin

My mom is still wearing her mask inside and out when she is with other people.  I'm glad she is being more careful, and I am also glad we get to be together more.  

My big bro grilling the burgers.

The teen cousins.  It seems like it was only a year or two ago that they were the little cousins.  Holden (blue shirt), Lauron, Aubrey and Tanner

Happy Memorial Day!

I Love Sundays

We haven't started church back up at the church just yet.  Here is a little snapshot from Zoom.  We missed having Bryn and Parker with us.  Also, Tanner had a few words to say when our usual 20 minute sacrament meeting lasted 40 minutes.  Life is tough when you are fifteen.  (Insert eye roll.)   

Sunday afternoon, Aub, Tanner and I started a Monopoly game.  We paused it for a few days and finished it up on Thursday.  Aubrey was victorious.

Sunday night was at our house this week.

Erin Meisje came home for a little visit.  I think this picture with Gram and Gramp hovering over her is pretty sweet.

Kerry, Kerry's girlfriend Quetta and group made an appearance.  Dylan, Quetta's son, will be heading into the Marines this week!  He was supposed to go in next January but accepted an open slot last minute.  We will miss him.  He is cute with all the cousins: patient, kind, crazy and fun.

Quetta's leg was bouncing and her eyes were teary.  She is a sad momma.  I could tell Dylan was nervous too.  He kept wiping his hands on his pants.  It's a big step.  Kerry went into the Marines at 18 and it really shaped is life.  I hope it will be as positive for Dylan.

Saying one last goodbye to Aubrey by trying to squish her a bit in her chair.

Bri, Grandpa, Chris, Ang and Mom

Tanner, Lauron and Erin Meisje

Erin, Charity and Gram.  We were able to play a round of Secret Hitler before the evening was over.  The title of that game sounds awful.  It's really just about trying to figure out who is Hitler and to have the Liberals win the game.  (Unless you happen to be Hitler or a fascist, of course.)

Vacationing Without Us

Bryn drove 8+ hours to meet up with her cute roomies in Houston.  She is spending a week with Ashlyn and Katelyn and their family at the beach.  Then the girls are driving to Dallas to meet up with Kiersten and Alyssa for a roommate reunion.  I am so happy for all of them.  Their Freshman year ended so abruptly.  I love that they found a way to get together again this summer.

Reunited! Ashlyn, Brinley and Katelyn

Parker headed to Possum Kingdom lake with Cole, Harper and Cole's family.  They also have several others friends that have lake houses up there so they have had group fun every night.  They have been boating, fishing, jet skiing, tubing, wake surfing and more.  

To be honest, I kind of wish they were at the lake without these beautiful girls close by...but what's a mom to do?

We have missed our big kids, but I am grateful for kind families who have included Brinley and Parker on their family trips.  They were both so ready to be out of the house and having an adventure.

Air Soft Wars

Last week Aubrey and Tanner had a few friends over a couple of times, and it made my heart so happy.  I've missed the activity and excitement friends add to our home. 

Tanner, Tate T, Aubrey, Breena W, Avery M, Brinley & Parker

Two days in a row, they pulled out the air soft guns and battled.  They strategized and attacked.  They streaked through front yards  and our alley.  

We have lived in this neighborhood for seven years, and we don't have neighbors living in the houses on either side of us.  It's kind of random.  It makes me more at ease with the teens running around, hollering and shooting each other though.  

I seriously love when my kids do group games outside.  It reminds me of my childhood days when we would play Kick the Can, ride bikes or ding dong ditch the neighbors.  We have never lived in a neighborhood with younger families though, so when it happens, it's because there are friends and cousins visiting our house.

Tanner showing me his neck wound.  Aubrey had a good one on her stomach and leg as well.

Avery has four older brothers and goes hunting so she had no qualms having an air soft battle.

Breena... gotta love the gun she ended up with!

One evening they played for four hours straight.  I LOVED that they were having so much fun.

Tanner's friend Tate.  When Tate took to the roof  during one round, I had to be boring and make a no roof rule.  Parker loved watching the group some from inside.  It was quite entertaining.  He would have joined in a heartbeat, but I'm glad he didn't.  The girls were too young (13) to have a 17 year old hunting them down! .

Sunday Night

Our Sunday night gatherings are pretty small these days.  However, this past Sunday, Gram and Grandpa decided to join.  I was kind of shocked.  It was nice to have them though.  We did a better job of social distancing with Gram than we did with Grandpa.  Whoops.

Chris, Bri, Gram and Ang

Brinley, Parker, Charity and Gramp

Charity's boyfriend Jake came for a little while.  It was nice to get to know him a little better.  Tanner, Aubrey, Holden and Lauron were outback the entire time, so no pictures of them this week.

Goodbye Home Church

The church sent out a letter today about plans to slowly start meeting in person again.  I have mixed feelings.  I definitely miss seeing and being with my fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints each week.  (Elder Nelson, typing all of that out was for you!)  I miss seeing the sisters.  I miss singing the hymns together.  I miss catching up with several members before or after services.  I miss Relief Society and the opportunity to discuss the gospel with other women.

However, our home church meetings have been wonderful.  I have appreciated the opportunity it gave our children to prepare and give talks more often.  Parker and Tanner have blessed and passed the sacrament with reverence.  We have been able to include my parents and a few ward friends and worshiped via Zoom.  

 

Aubrey willingly chose the and led the music almost every week.  And on a lighter note, Brian enjoyed teasing the kids about how much he was enjoying using his selfie stick.  

Each week after we end the meeting, I have been surprised over and over because the kids have just stayed.  There was a stillness and a sacredness in our family room.  Sometimes afterward we would play a game together, have FHE, watch a church movie or just visit.  I will miss all of this when we start back up again.  I am sure when we look back on the pandemic, home church will be one of the recognized blessings.

Bird Cousins

Hudson turned 10 last week, and we got permission to drop by a gift.  It's been 10 weeks since we've hung out with these little cousins, and it was so great to be with them again.  Ella kept asking her parents if she had permission to touch us.  We had a great couple of hours together.

We went with an ice cream theme since his birthday was kind of on hold or frozen this year.  Notice his basket of delicious treats.  Happy 10th b-day Hud.

Brinley, Aubrey, Charlotte and Ella

I'm glad the boys were willing to come even though they both had plans.  Tanner had Jaden over at the house, and Parker had evening plans with friends.  They had a great time also and were really glad they came to wish Hudson a happy birthday.

Parker and Ella

Jaden and Tanner  (Jaden wasn't sure how to get the riding toy started.)

So much is happening in this photo.  Jaden and Tanner were attempting to play pickle ball. Brinley was trying out the hover shoes and Char was giving her helpful tips.  Cut off on the right you can see were Adam and Brian were visiting.  Aubrey is at the garage opening either playing fetch with the dog or a game with Ella.  Lots and lots was going on all night long.  We had a great time hanging out with our family.

One Fourty One Point Two

I was back in my bathroom when Tanner came through to weigh himself.  He proudly said, "guess how much I weigh?"  I knew he was 135 lbs not too long ago so I guessed 141 lbs.  He said, "Actually, I am 141.2 lbs."  Then I stood on the scale, and I was exactly 141.2 lbs as well.  

Twins!

I wish I could say I am the one who has a six pack and is all muscle.  He lifts weights, runs often and plays basketball for hours everyday.  Tanner is a lean, mean muscle machine.  I enjoy a 45 minute workout workout a few times a week interspersed with a some neighborhood walks and lots of chocolate.  

And just to remember what 141.2 looks like side by side, here we are...

The Boys

Both Tanner and Parker got haircuts in the past week, and it is like a breath of fresh air.  SERIOUSLY.  They were getting so shaggy.  Tanner also chose to shave Pedro again.  (Pedro, in case  you missed this in a previous post, is his minuscule mustache.)  Those boys clean up well and just in time or family pictures.  I'm hoping I will feel safe enough to go to a salon one day in the future.  I am not there yet.  Sadly, I still have Carona hair.

Parker took me out to DQ for my Mother's Day treat.  He also bought a Blizzard for Grandpa as a thank you for teaching seminary this year.

We snapped this picture when he dropped off the Blizzard.  Also, Grandpa colored Gram's hair...pretty impressive.

Here is Tan-Man w/ his fresh cut.  It's longer than I would prefer on top but so much better than the mop he had.  He also was talking about growing out a mullet.  I told him he could do that after family pictures.  It will be our last family official family photo for at least a year and a half due to Brinley's mission and possibly three and a half years depending on when Parker goes out on his mission.

Let Freedom Ring

The Commemorative Air Force flew a cool formation over Odessa and Midland on Wednesday to show solitude as we weather the storms of Covid-19 together.  I went outside on Wednesday morning to watch, and I'm so glad I did.  It was awesome.  The planes were in a beautiful formation and sounded so powerful.  I felt proud to be an American and grateful to live in a country where I feel like we are in this fight together.

I saw a neighbor who lives a few doors down out watching from his porch.  Afterward, I walked over, and we visited for a few minutes.  That alone felt freeing.  We have all been pretty shut in the past two months with this virus hovering.  I miss chatting with friends and acquaintances throughout my day.

Here are a few other pictures from our week.

Grandpa and Tanner were reunited.  They see each other five days a week on Zoom for seminary, but it's been a few weeks since they've seen each other in person.  Grandpa could hardly stand to keep his hands off of him, but he did.  He's a hands on grandpa for sure.  Literally a hands on grandpa: poking, prodding, wrestling, tickling, hugging.  I appreciate their coordinating purple shirts.

Bryn has been diligently preparing to serve a mission.  She meets with her 2nd cousins Briana and CJ five days a week.  Usually they are on Zoom but occasionally they travel the 30 minutes to meet in person.  Briana returned home in February from serving in California.  CJ is leaving in August to serve in Canada.

I love that Briana (left) has this opportunity to share her knowledge, insights and experiences to help these two get prepared.  I am so impressed with Bryn and CJ.  They are learning the discussions, studying Preach My Gospel, memorizing scriptures, and practicing teaching.  I think they will be two of the most prepared new missionaries out there.  This is a small, no a large, blessing from Covid-19...the gift of time.  

We also had a pool day this week.  Yahoo!  

left-right: Mason S, Tanner, Tate T

The boys played some 21 and also some crazy fighting games.  Aubrey joined in at times.

I think we stayed three hours.  Unfortunately, the party took place during my dinner preparation time so I picked up pizza.  (I feel a little guilty about that.  Brian is working so hard everyday.  I don't want to squander his earnings into fast food too often.)

Speaking of Brian, he and Aubrey enjoyed a facial treatment the other night.

And this kid?  The seventeen year old in his "wear a shirt to dinner" safety vest?  He's on the go and out of the house as much as he is allowed.  With restrictions being loosened, he is gone some during the day and almost every evening. I miss having our Parker brother home as much as he was during the quarantine.