It has been the weirdest year. From an awful election. . . meaning awful choices and all the garbage we have to endure leading up to it. . . . . to COVID-19 . . . . . to online school . . . . to no gatherings . . . to sports getting delayed. No one has been left untouched by the things happening in the world right now. It really has been a wild ride. I have been so grateful for the evenings when I can sneak in a hike or walk and just enjoy the beautiful world we have been given.

I tested positive for COVID-19 and so I am spending lots of days in isolation. I HATE IT!!!! I will be here all of Thanksgiving. The timing is actually great, which sounds terrible, but it is. I have been very fortunate and don't have too may symptoms. The worst one is the loss of taste and smell. This sickness will touch everyone at some point. There has been so much misinformation I have no idea what to believe. Honestly it is hard not see it as a normal flu, but I do have a mild case. It has been a long year. I am looking forward to basketball finally starting after the break. I love coaching and getting to know girls better. 2020 has been a wild ride and it doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon!

Family In Town

Having family in town is the BEST! It is always crazy but I love it. Everyone came to town for Andrews baptism. It was such a fun weekend. We all hung out everyday. It was so nice to see everyone even though it is a pandemic. It happens so rarely these days that we are all together. It makes you really cherish the time we do get to be all together. Even if it is loud, messy, busy, crazy . . . you know all the things. It is always worth it.

 

  We went to my school and played for a really long time on Saturday. It was so fun and let the kids get lots of energy out.

I took Monday off work to hang with these cute kids. Then we went on a walk/hike and it seemed like a lot of work. SO MUCH WHINING!!!!! I still love them though:)

It was a beautiful morning on the shoreline trail and Moki was so happy!

I love them so much and am always grateful when I get to spend time with them.

We also went up to play in the snow. Olivia and Braxton were hoping/praying for snow. I really didn't want them to get their hopes up. The weather can be so disappointing. But we got lucky and it snowed!!! We went up to south fork and spent the after noon sledding. It was such a treat and so fun.

The kids played so hard. The adults laughed and made sure no one crashed into the road. Sam made sure he threw just enough snow balls to get his kids angry:)

We stayed long enough just to get all those boys injured and/or crying. Then we knew it was time to go home, get warm, and feed everyone. It was definitely a success!!!!

By the time we were back in the car everyone was happy again.

I was sad when everyone left town. It is always nice to get back to real life but it was so fun to hang out and play too. Moki loved having everyone in town but she slept for days when everyone left.:)

 

Andrews Baptism

 I am so mad at myself. . . . . I did not get any pictures of Andrew on his BIG DAY!!! Seriously how did I let that happen. It was a little crazy because social gatherings aren't really happening but seriously  ARGH. His baptism was beautiful. He was so ready. He is so smart and such a good boy. He is obsessed with sports these days. He seriously makes any day better and I love him so much. I love baptisms. I felt the spirit so strong during the entire program. I know he is following Jesus Christ. I know the Savior loves Andrew so much. I can't wait to see all that this boy accomplishes in life!

We did get a couple group shots after the baptism. It was a beautiful snowy day. This is the entire baptism group (minus Emerson, he wasn't feeling it)! They were only allowed 20 people.

The Brown Crew. I love these people.

The nasty mustache crew!!!!

Brothers . . . . .

Fall Break

 I can't believe we stayed in normal school all through term 1. After teaching online and in person I was more than ready for a much needed break. Aaron and Jacklyn are always so welcoming, they love the outdoors, and their house is dog friendly . . . it seemed like a great fall break option.

 They also got time off work so we got to play lots. We did a lot of hiking and a little biking. Through in lots of good food and a little shopping and it was a great break!

 

The first day we did a 9 mile hike close to their house. It was a beautiful morning.

 The second day I was there we decided to visit Lassen Volcano National Park. We decided to hike Cindercone and Lassen all in the same day. This meant a lot of driving and around 10 miles of hiking. It was fun and exhausting.

Cinder cone is one of the most unique hikes I have ever done. you walk through a beautiful forest for a mile or so and then this comes into sight. Pictures do not do it justice. This thing is STEEP. You climb 700ft in a half mile. It looks steep too, just not in pictures! 

We took it slow and went at a comfortable pace. It is also hard because you are on shell. It is steep and slippery.

You climb the outside and then when you get to the top you see the reverse cone. Seriously so cool. I felt like I was on Mars.

 

I am so glad Aaron and Jacklyn are always up for adventures.

Cindercone was definitely a success and I am so glad we hiked it. Very cool hike.

Then we hopped back in the car and drove for an hour to the Lassen Peak Trail Head. The nice thing about hiking to Lassen Peak is that you drive almost to the top of the mountain. It is rare to get to a peak on a 6 mile hike, but you get to do that here. And the views are amazing!

My favorite shot from the Lassen Peak hike was this one of Aaron and Jacklyn leading on the way down. This world is beautiful!

After we finished hiking we headed back towards Susanville. We stopped and ate some yummy pizza and then got back to their house to crash. It was Friday evening and my mom met us there when we returned. We ended the night with showers and games.

Saturday we walked and biked but stayed close to Susanville. We also played games and visited with my mom. Ia m glad my mom is always willing to drive to their place and hang out for the weekend.

We teased Aaron a lot for cutting out our biking sign on this picture. . . . poor guy! We did a 12 mile loop around Susanville as the sun was setting. So nice.

Susanville is so beautiful!!!! I love it there.

Sunday we went to church. . . . without masks. That felt amazing.

Jacklyn is so good at making sure we get pictures. I really appreciate that!

Except this picture. No one needs this picture:)

It was an awesome fall break and just the recharge I needed after a hard first term. I am so thankful for family and that their doors are always open!!!!!

Moki is 8

 I can't believe my dog is 8 years old!!!! So sad and crazy. Sad because dogs don't live too long. Despite all her craziness she has been an awesome companion. She is always up for any adventure and loves me and all my people. I try to overlook her faults:) 

Just like I try to overlook Anthony's NASTY mustache!!!

Moki has gotten me outdoors so much the past 8 years. I used to be a gym rat. I would workout every morning before work. Now I exercise outside so much more and I am so happy about that.

Happy 8th to the craziest most spoiled pup around!