November Wrap-up

 November was full of a lot of "little" moments that were wonderful....

Michael and I out on a date celebrating Carolyn's cancer-free anniversary at California Pizza Kitchen

Running into Amanda at Container Store (of course!)

The sweetest little sisters bonding and giggling over a book

Michael's "work outfit" :) haha

Figuring out how to get a fire going in the fireplace

Primary program - just my two youngest, and broadcast to the rest of the ward

First Sunday all three of our families at church together 

A park date - so fun catching up with great friends and letting our kids play

A young women activity

A wonderful time walking around Irivne Park and playing on their favorite equipment (during Thanksgiving break) 

A beautiful message from our prophet, Russell M Nelson

Our little bit of Thanksgiving decor 

I made a "practice" turkey on the Traeger - wanted to make sure it would turn out for Thanksgiving. OH man, it was so delicious

There was, for REAL, a shortage of Diet Coke at the stores - I was in a full-blown panic :)  So happy when I finally found some!

Evie (and Talon, not pictured) enjoyed a Stake Youth fall activity 

Our dining room table has been WELL utilized this month ... lots of Pokemon cards, LEGOS, crafts, and more.

We had no school on Veterans Day and I took the kids to Islands (their first time IN a restaurant since March) - and Nana and Bapa joined us!

After Thanksgiving we were so happy to have a visit from Doug, Heather, Elise and Nolan - it was SO wonderful being together!

Thanksgiving 2020 - "pandemic" style!

We had a WONDERFUL, but DIFFERENT Thanksgiving.  We were so excited to host for the first time at our house.  The plan was to set up tables outside on the driveway but of COURSE we got Santa Ana winds, and we made room and fit into the garage.  It actually worked out perfect and we fit everyone in.

My goal this year was to figure out how to SMOKE a turkey, and it turned out delicious - the best I ever had. 

It was just so nice to be together as a family, especially during this crazy year!

Pouches with a Purpose

DeDe invited our podcast listeners to join her in making "Pouches with a Purpose."  Cute pouches full of clean beauty products that we would give to women fighting cancer.  Our listeners contributed and DeDe was able to make quite a few.  I went with them to deliver them to Ginny's shop inside of the cancer center where her MOM fought breast cancer over 20 year ago AND where I went for radiation 3 years ago.  It was a little bittersweet but beautiful experience to be there and to pay it forward.

October Wrap-up

 October sure was a full month - even in quarntine!

After Uncle Neil passed away Talon, Evie (and their cousin Cora) all started new ortho treatments at a new office in Rancho Santa Margarita.  An old colleague and friend of Uncle Neil's took them on and we are so grateful

Dana (from Uncle Neil's office) was helping out our new ortho - so great seeing her!

For "crazy hair day" Trae said his hair is ALREADY crazy - and I think he's right :) 

After DeDe spray-painted her kids hair on my doorstep for their AM school, she left us the leftover spray and Macy used it for Crazy Hair for her PM school ;) 

Sweet Katelin and Macy on the see-saw with their dollies ... and playing in her room

Evie was able to go to her first (IN-PERSON) day at middle school. 

Excited to try the new iPhone 12 pro!

These sweet sisters are the BEST of friends

We had fires in our area again, and the Hansen family came and stayed with us for part of the day after they were evacuated.  Macy especially loved their sweet dog

A old high school friend that listens to our podcast sent us each a thoughtful gift ... mine had a platter that said "I live for days like this" and it was so touching!

Room Mom duties for Macy's class - the kids had to have a COVID-friendly goodie bag to go home with for Halloween (AND it had to "quarantine" at the school for a week before the kids were able to take it home)

Outdoor movie night for Evie's young women class

Talon and his giant order of nachos at Taco Bell

We attempted to go to the Pumpkin Patch but the line was HUGE and so we hit up a park with friends 

Evie's darling painting of the Christensen family she made for Grammy

Election time was SUPER stressful this year

First day of (IN-PERSON) seminary for Talon - now I'm the mom that gets to walk the parking lot :) 

Matching Mother-Daughter

Installed new RING cameras in our front yard and backyard

Talon got to go on his first campout of the year to Crystal Cove area

We FINALLY got a bed frame - 17 years of marriage with only a mattress on a frame.  We loved this headboard set

Glimpse of my Macy reading away in this sunny spot

Ice cream after getting our flu shots!

Flu shots were at drive-thru because of COVID - which was kind of cool!

Talon had his first in-person day of high school

First time attending church since March!  Our ward divides the families alphabetically - so we go every-other week in person.  We wear masks and sit apart, and it's a quick sacrament meeting.  It was SO wonderful being back with our ward family in the building. 

On our first Sunday back in the building Evie gave her first Youth sacrament talk - and it was live-streamed!

Occasionally Talon and Evie go and walk to pick up Trae/Macy from Arroyo (because they are home 2 of the days for virtual school) and it's so cute that they all can walk home together

Loving this happy middle school girl!

Our first Young Women's activity back in the building 

First time back in-person for piano lessons!

Impromtu movie night for Evie with Mallory and Ava

Nana and Bapa took the 3 youngest kids to the zoo - they've missed going SO much!

Lunch out (at Islands) with Mom, Dad, Celene and Chandice - we all wore masks coming in and they sat us apart from other customers

Trae had a little playdate with some buddies - they had so much fun!

We've been DYING for the new Mandalorian season to come out ... and it is AMAZING!

Fun Halloween party for these boy cousins at the Hales house