Thanksgiving 2020

 Covid Thanksgiving this year translated into a small close-to-home gathering. Sarah and Jamie came with the girls. The holidays are not going to be normal like everything else in 2020. 

Everyone is growing up! Isaac looks outnumbered doesn't he? 

The ginger duo power of Isaac and Maddie  :) 

Willow hasn't had many gal pals to hang with this year. She was especially excited to see little Maddie! 
Maybe she's not so little anymore? 

We have a lot to be thankful for in this turbulent world and difficult year. 

Happy Thanksgiving family and friends! To our long distance family, we continue to miss you dearly. Especially around the holidays. Love you! Stay safe everyone! 

Dugway Geode Beds

 We decided to go on a November field trip with our "pod people." Digging up geodes would be a great addition to the homeschool curriculum too! This would be a day long adventure. 
Last time we were here was in January of 2012. I did a post about it here. 
We accessed the long dusty roads. Too much dust behind our caravan of vehicles for winter; just showed how dry it's been in the desert. Then we would hit muddy spots where the snow was still melting from a week or so before. 
The temperature and the feeling a "filter" on the sun is the only reason it feels like winter so far. 
We paused at a couple of Pony Express markers on the way and stretched our legs. 

We arrived at the pit. It was hard to decide where to start digging. We all went to work....

Not sure these two girls even dug. I think they just worked their mouths haha 

Loren dug the most impressive hole and collected the most geodes. 

We ended up with possible geodes of all sizes. Pretty cool! 

We cracked open the geodes we dug up. Success of the trip was made "crystal" clear! Haha 

Until the next geology adventure! 

Willow turns 7 !

 This crazy, ball of energy child just turned 7 ! 
Our sweet Willow. Our baby. Growing up. So big I can't hardly lift her. Unless it's on my back or with my feet! She's not very little anymore. 

Willow had a small crowd for her party.

Even though attendance was small, there was lots of unicorn power! 
Wonderful and colorful like our big 7 year old. 

Bryan made delicious cupcakes. Willow helped sprinkle them. 

Is blowing candles from a whole cake a thing of the past now? 

Willow continues turning moments into magic....

Ava sewed Willow a special unicorn :) 

Thank you everyone for sending cards, presents, and love ~ helping make her day special. 

Snow! Can it be?! Ok we had to go up to higher elevation, but it counts. First blanket of Winter!
Not sure we even had snow last year? Feels like forever. 

I'm hoping for a White Christmas.