Sam's Home!

Our nephew Sam made it in from Fiji last week.  We are so happy for Jeff and Sarah to have him home safely and to have all their kiddos together for at least an evening or two.  

He was supposed to be released in early August but do to the pandemic, he, and many other missionaries around the world, are being released a few months early.

Andrew, Caroline, Emily, Sam, Sarah, Ruby, and Jeff

Sarah has been so cute and supportive about Brinley's mission preparations and call.  It makes me just love this moment for them even more.   Hoping we will be able to chat with Sam over Zoom or FaceTime soon!

Pushing Through the Boredom

Overall our self quarantine has gone pretty well.  It definitely get a little monotonous and boring at times though.  

We have been very diligent to just be with our family this past week because Parker and Tanner had contact "one away" from someone who has Covid-19.  The boys both spent time with brothers (Harper and Tate) one evening who were in direct contact with a man who found out he had it.  Parker, who is my most social one, has handled being home 100% of the time much better than I expected.

I am trying to do a few things each day I can feel good about.  I try to workout, keep the kitchen clean and house picked up, read my scriptures, make dinner and spend time doing things with each of the kids each day.  Even when I am tired of playing board games or basketball or snuggling, when they initiate, I especially try to say yes.  

Last week the girls and I brainstormed ways we could serve others.  We are happier when we reach out to others.  We didn't come up with much, but we have a few things we are going to put into action which makes me happy to even think about.

Here are a few random pictures from our week.  

Strong and creative.  I would prefer them trying things like this but last week they pulled out the air soft guns.   They were the targets.  Ugh.   I did insist they wear eye protection but if they want to take the risk of being shot, their old enough to choose.  It reminds me of a spot on phrase, "you can't help stupid."

The U.S. leaders did a turn around and now say masks are recommended when going out in public.  I broke into our 72 hours kits that Grandpa and Grandma Gwilliam gave us one year.  They are amazing that way.  (Thank you once again Joyce and Jerry.)  

This was me standing outside in a long line at Walmart.  Only 100 people can be in the store at one time.  It was freezing, and I was feeling like a dork with my hoodie and face mask on, but such is life.

I walked over to my parents one day and we visited on the phone through the window.  I love being able to see them in person while we visit.  (Last week was very stressful for our entire family because we found out a healthcare worker who both my parents had direct contact with had Covid-19.  My parents saw him two Mondays ago.  He was diagnosed 8 days later and today marks 14 days for my parents since they had contact with the healthcare worker.  I think they should be in the clear.  It's a huge relief.)

How cute is this?!  One of my friends from church, Sandy McKown, brought by Jr. Mints to help me survive this stressful time.

Lots of hanging out.  I thought it was cute that Tanner was playing with Aubrey's hair but then I overheard him telling her he was picking all of the lice out of it.  The boys tease her and pick on her endlessly.  Brothers--ugh.

Isn't Tyson the cutest!!!  One day my sister-in-law Denise FaceTimed us.  It was so fun to catch up with them.  Aubrey and I were playing a card game and so Tyson went to their closet and got out cards.  Then he and Aubrey played together.  It was adorable!  (They just took turns putting down a card each...Tyson always won though because after 5 or 6 cards, he would put down the whole deck and sign "all done.")

I wanted to add some color and cheer to those walking up and down our street.  This little display in our front window brings me joy as well.

We have had beautiful weather this spring so far....a huge blessing for us.  Bryn set up a workstation outside for a few hours.

 Aubrey organizing some homework.

This cute guy is Elliott S.  We have been friends with his family since he was two.  Can you see he has his leg flipped up over the back of his neck?!  His flexibility is impressive.

Aubrey and I have been having story time with Elliott and his sister Eva and brother Peter everyday at 1:00.  It's been so fun.  It is definitely more of a blessing for us.  It gives us a way to serve and feel like we are making a difference.  Thanks for sharing your kiddos Katie.

Our young women leaders also offered the girls a chance to be pen pals with other young women from Idaho.  Aubrey received her first letter on Saturday and wrote back the next day.  She's super excited, and I love that it gives her something to look forward to.

Baby steps to figuring this quarantine thing out.

Sunday Night Social Distancing Style

Well, with the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping across the world, our Sunday night gatherings have been on hold.  However, a week ago, on March 29th, my parents invited us all to gather by Zoom.  (I forgot to post last week!)

It was really fun seeing everyone all at once, and I especially loved when the little cousins would holler out to each other and waive when they saw each other.

This screenshot is THE BEST.  Notice Kerry on the bottom right?  This is exactly how he feels about our in person Sunday night gatherings.  It made me several of us giggle.  We know he loves us...he just does not love gathering and hanging out all evening.

 I think we visited for about an hour.  Here are a few other pictures from the evening.

Aub

Cute Gram and Gramp

Kyla, Erin and Jeff, Lauron braiding Kate's hair.  (We tease the Vores that they are horrible
about social distancing.  They have all of these young adult children who have been out of the
country for Study Abroad courses and  have now come home with their significant other to visit the family.)

Blair and Sutton 

Nate and Beth are quarantining and working from their cabin!

Brit and Ella

Sure love this family of ours!!!

The Dandelions vs The Champions

We played Guesstures, a charades game, as a family one evening.  It was The Dandelions (Bryn, Tanner and I) vs The Champions (Parker, Aubrey and Bri.)  Sadly, we got creamed by The Champions.  Here are Park and Aub in action:

It was intense!

Right before we had scriptures, I accidentally passed gas and said "excuse me."  The boys didn't know for sure what to think.  They were horrified and and cracking up and in shock.   Tanner insisted on getting a video of me saying it was natural.  The girls were saying, "Of course it is natural!"  The boys were like, "We have NEVER heard Mom do it though."  Whatever....Crazy kids.

Tan getting his video of me saying it was natural.  He wants to use it against me the next time I call him out for rudely farting on purpose.  Won't work my boy.

After our Come Follow Me study that evening, the boys moved on to Xbox and Disney+ while Dad and the girls played a few rounds of an Instagram game.  (I guess it's an Instagram game.  I question is asked  and you have to tilt your head either your direction or the other person's direction depending on your answer.  Example of questions: Who spends more money?  Who is more athletic?)     

This evening was fun, funny, relaxing, enjoyable....just an ideal family night together.