Social Distancing Living and Learning

 This unique time has given us so many adventures already even though we can't venture too far from home.  We have been working hard on learning new skills and getting better at other things.  

 After giving Papa and Grammy's boat a good cleaning, it was time to give it a spin on the open water!

Everyone got a turn driving the boat and of course honking the horn. 

 During our online learning we spent some time doing experiments together...the messier the better. 

 Marie is getting so confident in her baking even making cake pops for the first time.  It took a lot of steps to get them put together and we are thankful she did!

 Marie has also been spending time working on her dances from her dance class.  She is able to follow the routines online and gave us a show in her costume.  Even dad learned a few steps of one of the songs.

 Wood working is another area the kids have developed.  They came up with the idea to make a carpet ball table and then helped dad build it while mom helped them paint it. 

It's been a really fun addition to our house and yard!

 Brooks has been doing a lot of artwork with his school time...for earth day he got to make his favorite ocean animal and a picture of the earth.

 We have to have fun too...so one night during dinner we watched the Walt Disney World fireworks show on their blog.  It took us right back to being at that magical place!

 We learned how hard it is to NOT hug our grandparents...we paid a visit to Grandma Nel and Grammy and Papa to say hi.  We miss them and can't wait to spend more time with them.

 

We also spent some time learning how to skip the perfect rocks...sunshine and warm temps brought us to the water and it was so good to have fun at the shore. 

 Bennett has been doing some projects for school.  He even drew this amazing picture of a howler monkey after he did a report. 

 And finally....we perfected roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.   We have been able to spend so much more time together as a family around our fire pit in the evenings. 

A new way of life

On March 15 we were alerted by our school district that we would be shut down until further notice due to the COVID-10 "Coronavirus" epidemic spreading. We had just spent a weekend with family up in Minneapolis and this wasn't a complete surprise as we had been receiving updates concerning the virus spreading and precautions cities were taking through the news all weekend long. 

That evening, our thoughts were running a mile a minute...how would we tell the kids, how would they react, what would happen with our work, how would we continue to teach them at home?

Along with schools, my pediatric speech clinic would also be suspended until further notice. I notified my patients, completed some paperwork, and cleaned out my area a little so it could be used for other purposes. 
Andy would still work but his job would experience some changes as well. 

The first morning of no school, we told the kids about the virus, how dangerous it could be, and why the school was making the decision to be closed for awhile. Both Marie and Bennett were upset and confused, Brooks was a little sad about missing his friends and teachers but seemed more excited to be home with everyone. 


We were given a window of time that we could go get a few things out of the school building so we went and grabbed Bennett's boots and Marie's glasses.  It was so odd walking through the empty school building not knowing when we would return. 

As the shock of all the changes and new schedule began to wear off, we settled into a new "normal" as everyone calls it.
We are entering week 4 of everything cancelled.
We are finding our way through home-schooling with guidance from teachers.
The kids get to check in with their classes via video chats.
We work out at home with classes provided by gyms and the YMCA.

Our dogs are getting sooooo much attention they can hardly believe it.  We love to go on hikes and they of course get to come with us.

Marie did her STEM fair project at home - a rubber egg

 Andy is working but his work has changed.  The hospital and clinics have moved well and sick visits into designated areas and are limiting how many patients are in the certain areas, limiting entrances, and screening everyone who comes into the building.  Andy receives constant updates on the virus, what seems to be working, what doesn't, how to take care of patients who contract it, and how to protect himself.



We miss our family...we want to hold the new babies, play with our cousins, cuddle up with our grandparents, and laugh with our aunts and uncles.  We video chat, send cards and letters, but of course it's not the same.



 We miss our friends...the kids are learning that your siblings can become your best friends.

We miss school...our school did a parade for our elementary kids and it was adorable yet heartbreaking to see teachers wave at us and then wipe their tears away.

We are having some fun - learning new skills, getting better at others we didn't have the time for before, and we do laugh a lot when we become a bit stir crazy! 


 We are creating together - crafts, recipes, and chaos!

Brooks learned to ride his bike with no training wheels!

We are grateful...Andy is working to keep us safe, we have a home that is warm and and cozy, our families are safe and healthy, we can trust that God is in control.

 Stay tuned - this Covid Quarantine should make for some interesting blog memories!

Winter Happenings

 

As winter continues on we are staying busy with a quick trip to Minneapolis to visit Don and Jean along with Uncle Nathan!

We enjoyed the Como Zoo, make your own pizza night, puzzles, walks, and lots of laughs. 

 We love our USD Coyotes and we spent some time watching them in the Summit Basketball tournament!

 Andy & I enjoyed our yearly fancy night out at the LRH fundraiser for the hospital foundation. 

It's always night to have a little fun with friends, dress up, and of course support a good cause. 

 

Marie enjoyed her first travel season of basketball.  Her Papa was her head coach with help from her Dad and another friend's Dad.  She learned a lot and she was absolutely a thrill to watch! 

Marie and I went to Sheldon to watch Alissa dance in her special dance team night!

It was such a joy watching her do what she absolutely loves.  

 

Family Vacation-Winter 2020

We surprised the kids with a trip to Florida this winter...specifically a Disney Cruise!

We started our trip in Cocoa Beach for a little beach fun at a beach front hotel.  We have stayed at this hotel before and enjoy how laid back it is and how close it is to the beach.  We stayed right by the Pier and enjoyed beautiful weather for 2 days before our cruise took off.  

 

When we arrived at the hotel we realized that somehow Marie's luggage did not make it with us to the hotel...it was either left or stolen between the airport and the rental car podium.  Andy made phone calls, I consoled Marie, but in the end we had to make a shopping trip to Ron Jon's Surf Shop for her...it was crazy and a big surprise but we ended up finding great things and we felt much better after we grabbed some dinner.  

Our biggest highlight of the Cocoa Beach stay was a complete surprise for us - a solar orbiter was launched from the Kennedy Space Center at 11:03 pm on our final night!

We sat on the beach among many other viewers, counted down, and watched it launch!  

It was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.  All of our kids enjoyed it but of course Bennett was in his glory. 

 We spent time digging in the sand, finding shells, laying on the beach, playing football, and of course swimming in the ocean.  

The next day we took off for our Cruise!  

At the ship we met Brian and Tina.  Getting checked in and onto the ship was easy and painless...except for Brooks dropping his sandal off the ship in the first half hour!  A kind Disney employee ran it back up to us...lucky it wasn't in the water!

Disney does everything well and nothing on this trip disappointed.  We had a amazing room that had joining balconies with Brian and Tina, endless soft serve ice cream and movies, a hot tub on our private deck, great food, swimming, mini golf, Pirate night, live Broadway shows including Beauty and the Beast,  and so much more. 

 

Andy & I enjoyed a little alone time while the kids spent time in the kids club.  It was a great way to grab a drink together and enjoy the beautiful view. 

 

 

We got off the ship in Nassau, Bahamas and enjoyed a horse drawn carriage ride around the island, had some coconut drinks, and Marie got her hair-wrapped.

By far our most favorite experience was the private beach on Castaway Cay.  We splurged for a family cabana and enjoyed a full day on our own beach with our own open water area. It came supplied with snorkel gear, tubes to float on, hammocks, lounge chairs, stocked fridge and snacks.  

Andy and Tina snorkeled the longest, Marie and Brian snorkeled together, and the boys and I explored the island and snorkeled alone trying to get it all figured out. 

Later in the day the tide went out and the kids could explore even further finding shells, sand bars, and fish. 

This was so relaxing and I will forever remember watching the kids play in the sun. Driving away from the cabana, Andy and I asked each other if we'd ever make it back there again...we agreed we'd love to take our grand kids there maybe someday :)

After the beach day we had one more day at sea....Andy gave me some spa time and we all enjoyed the ship one more day including an amazing fireworks show with Pirate Night. 

 

This was a trip of a lifetime and we are so grateful for this family time together and time with Brian and Tina too.