To be completely honest, 2020 wasn't actually the worst. (Except when they closed all playgrounds during prime playground weather haha). We traveled to Idaho almost every weekend to hang out with family and friends. We explored new mountain ranges, backpacked through the Tetons and the Sawtooths. (sawteeth? haha), found new hot springs, and camped with bears. The kids helped uncle josh with his Tree house at his new house, played on his rope swing leading to the dry bed, kayaked there and at Rigby Lake. We rode horses, colored the kids hair, and played dress up with cousins at Meg's house. We built a giant cardboard A-frame cabin with the box from our new king sized bed. hiked, had pool parties everyday, park hopped, attended a real princess party, and stayed up way too late out in our yard with neighbors. We played vball, badminton, bball, frisbee, had loud dance parties, and sat on the back deck at Granny's house. Went to Mesa with granny, papa, Jon, and Kristens family. Had movie nights, yummy meals, and casual nights at granny and papas house. So glad dan has a flexible job.
We happened to be in Moab when the world shut down. technically it was 3 days before we left, but we still decided to go with our friends the Faulkner's. We felt safe and felt like we would need this last little getaway before things got crazy. at that time we thought it would be 2 weeks, so I'm really glad we still went. we rented a cute house in green river, and explored there a bit. We did arches and capitol reef with the 6 bff kids and 4 bff adults. So fun.
Georgia's 3rd birthday was during our "2 week lockdown." She really wanted to be in Idaho, but we got to FaceTime both grandparents for part of if. (Lame, but oh well). We had a great time scootering around our town and playing together the 5 of us.
We did our yearly Yellowstone trip with my fam, and it was the emptiest I had EVER seen it. we got to see so many new things because we didn't have to wait in traffic jams or wait for parking anywhere. Just beautiful.
We still did our 4th of July CFFR as usual, despite being told to "avoid family gatherings," by the government. But I feel like that's what Satan would say... stay away from family as long as you can (but being with strangers at the store is fine). stay away from church, stay away from school and friends. avoid anything that could bring happiness. Don't get me wrong... I know how important it is to keep family and friends safe. I know it's important to keep the hospital staff safe and not overrun. But at what point to we stop living life vs, just trying to stay alive? We chose to spend time with family and actually live our best lives. So we did a family carnival in my moms backyard and loved spending so much time together. We had fireworks at Josh's new land, and it was so fun seeing everybody's individual firework shows because the parades and big fireworks were canceled.
Stori chose to go to the Tetons for her 9th birthday. So we decided to take the ski lift at targhee so they could see a similar view that we get from tablerock. She LOVED it! so did we. Then spent the evening with cousins at Granny's house.
Dan surprised me with an overnight trip to Jackson for my bday. It was my first time ever leaving my kids overnight (and I didn't even go 24 hours without seeing them haha, we left first thing in the morning-then came back the next afternoon). We hiked to Delta Lake, and it was INCREDIBLE!!! just so beautiful. On our way down we came up on a bear and her cub. They were waiting 2 feet of us, but didn't care at all that we were there. That was definitely a highlight of it. We stayed in a hotel in Driggs, but spent a lot of time in Grand Teton and downtown Jackson. Shopping without kids in a tourist town is so relaxing haha.
Sylvie chose camping in Stanley for her 7th bday. So many exciting/frustrating things happened that trip, but seriously so many fun memories. We went with the Faulkner's, so it was fun family and friend time. Hot springs, swimming, bears, earthquakes, ice cream, unlimited playing, and good food.
SCHOOL started in August!!! masks required BUT SCHOOL!!
Dan's actual bday was pretty lame. He got back from his backpacking trip the night before, so I counted that as his bday activity. We visited him at work with cards and presents, made him a GF cherry pie, and cozied up to a watch a show with cafe rio.
in 2019 we had planned Steve's 70th bday party. Lots of family and a big venue. 2020 happened and so did his sickness. Instead, we had a small gathering in the yard, had yummy food and good company. He was on oxygen, but I think he had a great time. We made a big picture book filled with everybody's memories of him. he said, "I feel like I'm at my own funeral." haha that was not our intention. first time having the whole family together since Kristen's wedding 10 years ago.
We had a halloween carnival with my family at Megans house. We had great weather, and had SO much fun with SO much family. on our way there, we all got a notification on our phones that "no one should gather in groups larger than 10 for the next two weeks." We looked at our phones for apx. 4 seconds and then went on with our lives. I'm making myself sound really harsh and insensitive, but I promise I'm not. I just really like being with family haha.
An example of me not being harsh and insensitive... The government also told us we couldn't gather with family for Thanksgiving, and we obeyed. Dan 100% regrets this decision though. It would have been our last Thanksgiving with his dad. He still feels bad about it to this day. Instead, we went to Saint George just us 5. We stayed at Dan's bosses house there and spent actual Thanksgiving day hiking all over Zions. It really was so much fun. Definitely different, but many memories were made. The next day we spent 7ish hours playing at Thunder Junction park. Sylvie said it was her favorite thanksgiving because she didn't have to eat turkey. Oh, and we also stayed home for Easter. SEE! I'm totally sensitive and kind. Easter was really great though. Small egg hunt, big feast, great church lesson from dan, and a beautiful walk around town.
Almost all of our races were cancelled for the year, except one. The first dam run in Logan. Stori has since committed to train and run it with us next year. I can't wait. Even though all of our half marathons were canceled, Dan and I still did our training. We did the most beautiful 12 mile run around the greenbelt in IF. Hoping to do several half's this year.
2020 was a crazy year. We traveled a lot and made a lot of memories that I will keep forever.
p.s. I'm so glad tjmaxx is open now :)
No comments:
Post a Comment