Home Schooling and Other Nonsense

Normal home schooling got old fast, so I taught the kids my own history lesson.

This might surprise you, but we spend a lot of time at the new house. It feels so close to being down, but with the governor's nonsensical restrictions it also feels so far away. 

General Conference was a wonderful experience that helped remind us what our priorities should be.

The kids definitely did not forget about donut making. 

DeA did her part to keep the tradition going.

That's some good frosting.

We fired up the grill and had some delicious steaks for dinner.

The perfect weather was great for hanging out and grilling.

DeA is getting anxious to move in. She vacuumed the unfinished basement. 

Dirt bikes and kids outside, those are some of the big reasons that we are excited to move up to the new place.

Jens loves puttering on the four-wheeler. She is only allowed to ride it in circles and in first gear, but she rides it almost all day long. 

I will take her on a fast ride or two a day. I couldn't help but stop and get a picture of her in front of the old shop. 

The boys and Leo camped in the back yard. The boys made it until 5am, Leo only until 10:30pm.

The Dodsons needed help with their chicken hutch. The kids helped clean it out and spread out new wood chips.

I was proud of how hard they worked.

Return of DeA and the Kids

DeA and the kids spent two weeks in AZ. They had a lot of fun and played with their little cousins. Somehow, Ryker ended up with his cousin's pull-up and had to wear it. Wow. 

We had hoped that the kids would feel some sense of normalcy, but when that didn't happen we decided to do things like hike to Elephant Head instead of doing homework. I think it was a great idea. 

Halfway up it seemed appropriate to take a picture of the kids. They thought it was because I thought they were cute, but it was really because I needed the break. 

Another hiker also needed a rest and offered to take one for us. Well played, kind sir.

Jens had never hiked the whole thing before and was pretty excited to accomplish something new.

We all made it to the top! It was a perfect day and we could see forever!

Eventually we started down the hill. That was a lot easier than going up it. 

Everyone was excited to see the progress on the house. It looks like a real home!

DeA played a cruel trick on the kids and said that they were going to have to re-do their grade level next year. They decided to get her back and had me help. 

Jensley fake cried because she was "sad" and "scared". DeA did what she does, and posted a rant on Facebook. That was about the time that the kids lost it.

They started cracking up and laughed at their mom. Payback, baby!

It has been fun sitting out on the deck and enjoying the big view.

Jens and Ryker helped me finish the mantle by staining it. 

Mama Zista and House Progress

Mama Zista loved going on walks with the kids in the breezy and cool orchard.

DeA and Lisa made sure to carefully inspect all the cabinets

It looks like a real kitchen!

Mama Zista made a new friend while she was here.

The big windows are trimmed out.

We went with a different sink design, hopefully now we won't spill water when I clean a pan. 

Spring Training was cancelled, but DeA and the kids still went to visit Aunt Lindsey and Mama Zista. They were a little nervous to travel with the virus stuff, but they were excited to go somewhere else while things were upside down. 

The stair railings are looking good. 

The fireplace stone is all in and Jens' mantle is in place. I can't wait to watch a fire and football game while DeA cooks her mythical sticky buns. 

The decking was laid down, and now we can enjoy our great view. 

The front porch area was prepped and ready for pouring when the governor put a stop to everything. We are completely shut down because of Inslee's ridiculous restrictions. 

at least the appliances were put in before the shut down. 

We did double ovens in the island. Everyone else said we were crazy, but we are pretty excited.