Saturday was headed out on our first hike of 2020. The trail was more crowded than usual for this time of year, but the weather was lovely and I suppose we weren't the only ones in need of an adventure in the great outdoors.
We hiked up in Yellow Fork Canyon. It was beautiful and getting up and away from the world, almost made up forget what we're all experiencing down on the ground and around the world.
We hiked up a "peak" we hadn't ever hiked before. It was steeper than I (and Peter) prefer, but we made it. Only one of us cried a lot... and it wasn't me. But you know, he did fall down "like a thousand times". Also, one of us is prone to extreme drama and exaggeration as well.
Brothers on the hunt for lizards.
Baby lizard SUCCESS!!!
The hills are alive... with the sound of Corona.
Just look at that sky. Once you get a taste of hiking, you get itchy for more, and sooner rather than later. We're already planning a hike for later this week, not to mention every Saturday until normal life begins again. Once our regular activities pick back up, we can still hike, but we won't have as much time as we'll have the next few weeks. Gotta make the most of it.
Abe went off the beaten path and found a patch of snow.
Brothers Fox-- not the most stylish bunch, but they've got some good lizard catching skills.
They are my joys.
They are so different, but both equally delightful.
Selfie at the peak.
I adore when children pass through the really un-photogenic phase. With the first couple of kids I was concerned that maybe it was just them. But no-- it's a definite phase and it's hilarious.
And then they grow up and we spend a lot of money to straighten their teeth so we can enjoy their lovely smiles:)
I notice there is a real lack of photos of Faith on this hike. There are two reasons for that-- she is fourteen and somewhat "entitled" to be moody at times. That can include avoiding even a beloved mother. Also, she is a dang fast hiker and I couldn't keep up with her to get her picture.
You know what? All things considered, it was a pretty good week. There was a lot of down time, and yet that time was employed so enjoyably, that each day went by quickly and its rather shocking that another whole week of staying home has passed. Everyday I think, we will probably never have a time like this again. I mean, Abe is still working and we are still doing our homeschool schedule, but with absolutely no obligations to go anywhere else, that still leaves a lot of time to spend however the heck we want to-- as long as we stay away from other people.
This post is a little look at some of what we've been up to during this historic time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Greta is quite the performer-- mostly for her own entertainment-- but as the youngest of eight siblings, she usually has quite an audience of adoring fans. Even so, I frequently hear her singing alone in a room. She loves to strum on the ukelele and sing and dance.
A little over a year ago Faith stopped taking gymnastics classes to switch to swim and water polo. Well, in the absence of swim and polo these days, she returned to her roots and has been practicing her gymnastics again. She said it's a pretty good workout. I wouldn't know:)
George and Cannon working on their parkuor. We have had some really lovely weather this and I am so grateful. I can't even imagine if this pandemic struck in November and we couldn't get outdoors to feel the sunshine and relax.
I don't recall what Peter did to deserve the punishment of being tied up with a jump-rope, but I feel certain the punishment probably fit the crime. May I just say, Peter might be having the roughest go of this new reality. He has been quite out of sorts lately and is very quick to complain and protest. Give me strength.
This grouping was thoroughly entertained with Just Dance a few nights back.
Greta, Peter, and George brought me little vases of flowers from the backyard-- the prettiest flowers our yard has to offer.
I mentioned our "Magic House" before. How this house magically becomes whatever we need it to become. Nowadays, add "dance studio" to its list of credentials. The boys are doing live Zoom ballet classes online now. The last few weeks they've just done classes live streamed on YouTube. But these are better because now the teacher can (and does) individually call out students to fix things. Cannon said he was terrified of the teacher and consequently worked even harder than he would have in class. Ha ha! That's what I'm talking about!
George had a drum lesson with his band teacher online. He loved it and learned some new stuff he's been practicing. The drums are in the basement and every time he starts the playing, the first couple hits make me thing there is an earthquake or something is wrong. Of course I immediately realize it's just George practicing and I love it.
That's Cannon down in the corner doing his guitar lesson. Dang, technology is amazing! And I am really impressed to see how everyone is hustling to make their gig still work-- dance studios, restaurants, music teachers, delivery services. It's impressive to see everyone get creative with their solutions to this dilemma we're all in. "Necessity is the mother of invention".
Perhaps the highlight of the week was going to two different missionaries' drive by homecomings. This picture is of Bethany's friend (really, we all consider him a friend) Connor. He had a rather harrowing experience getting home from Peru. It was wonderful to see him safely home.
Then later in the week we paid a visit-- Corona style-- to Tanner who returned from the Adriatic North mission. It made our hearts happy!
But seriously--- WALKING is the name of the game all day, every day. We live for our walks. Multiple times a day someone announces, "I'm going on a walk- does anyone want to come?" And different combinations of Foxes head out for a walk. Sometimes they are shorter 15 minute walks. Sometimes they are hour and a half walks. But we LOVE them. The girls are easily clocking 10 miles some days. We often plan our day around our walks. Cannon and George often ride their scooters and Peter rides his bike. We push Greta in the stroller. It's so healthy and feels so good.
Elinor and Faith and I took a long walk along the canal road last evening. I think technically we were trespassing and we aren't supposed to walk along the canal road. But seriously, we're in a pandemic. I think the authorities have bigger fish to fry.
Elinor and and Faith are impressive speedwalkers. For the record, Elinor won this race.
And now, to combine two things I dearly love-- walking and Jane Austen.
Did I mention how much I love walking:) When I finish blogging today, I shall take myself and my loved ones on an Easter walk.
Cool tricks and pics on the trampoline. George is a master flipper.
Elinor is just a wee bit flexible:)
Way to spot the landing, Faith.
Nice, tight tuck, George!
Abe made cookies with the Littles.
And, if you walk enough, you can eat as many cookies as you want!
Little kids on the roof. Not my idea. I have been assured they were being well monitored and they were unscathed in the adventure. All's well that ends well?
The big event of the weekend was GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!!!
This General Conference has been the most remarkable conference I can ever remember in my whole life. President Russell M. Nelson may not have known the specifics of what this conference would entail-- at least in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic and the stay at home orders and such. But when he said to take your vitamins and prepare for something unforgettable--- he meant business! I have LOVED hearing the testimonies of the apostles as we celebrate 200 years since Joseph Smith and the First Vision and the restoration of Christ's church here on the earth. I am so grateful for the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel so uplifted and hopeful. I don't know what the future will bring (we never do), but we are a part of His kingdom and we are trying to build our house on a firm foundation-- that is, Jesus Christ. One of the songs the choir sang, pre-recorded, of course, was "It Is Well With My Soul".
I say, it is well with my soul, because of Him. It is well with my family's soul because of Him. It is well with the world because of Him. Even in this uncertain time. Here is one of my favorite quotes from this conference. It is by Dale G. Renlund. "The Savior loves to restore what you cannot restore; He loves to heal wounds you cannot heal; He loves to fix what has been irreparably broken; He compensates for any unfairness inflicted on you; and He loves to permanently mend even shattered hearts."
How beautiful and how true.
I was moved to tears multiple times during the five sessions of conference. I couldn't even sing or speak during the Hosanna shout and singing of "The Spirit of God". I felt the Holy Ghost so strongly confirming to my soul that these things were true. I felt so grateful to be a part of such an event. I believe there is opposition in all things. However awful something is, there is something equally marvelous happening. We are in dark, scary, uncertain times. But the light of the gospel shined forth into the world with such magnificent power this weekend. I am so thankful to be a part of the work.
Besides sitting around watching 10 hours of conference over two days, we had quite a lovely time with our first backyard hot dog roast of the year. The backyard cookout gives some serious bang for the buck. Meaning, it is cheap and easy to do, but it feels like such a treat; it's relaxing and so out of the ordinary.
And don't you think food always tastes better when cooked outdoors? But it's so much easier in the backyard than heading out on an actual camp out.
Life's simple pleasures:)
I was pretty happy last night to have all my chicks back in the nest. We can't go anywhere, but we get to be together.
After the last session yesterday, we roasted marshmallows and made s'mores. Cannon looks like he's casting a spell, but actually he was dancing to the traditional 80's playlist playing in the background of any Fox family backyard cookout.
So many conflicting thoughts and feelings right now. It really does feel like the world has been turned upside down. We are into our third week (ish) of this Corona virus/Covid 19 craziness. I have lots of ideas swirling in my head-- I doubt any of them are helpful and they are feeling stressful. I find that when I write down my concerns, they become less stressful. So here are some of them--in no particular order.
1. This seems much more serious and scarier than the media first reported-- or at least what I interpreted they were reporting. When we first started hearing about it, I understood it would be mild to moderate cold symptoms for younger people and more dangerous pneumonia for older folks. It is still more dangerous for older people, but it seems like it's pretty awful for younger people as well. I am genuinely hoping to avoid anyone in our family catching it. Maybe that's not reasonable, but that's my hope.
2. The morning of the earthquake-- March 18th, our dishwasher leaked and flooded (and ruined) our kitchen floor. Mind you, we'd been hard on that floor and it was definitely past its prime. So, besides the hassle and some expense, it wasn't entirely unfortunate. For the last two weeks we've been living in a construction zone with fans and ripped up floor. And this past week has been the actual construction of getting the new floor put in. The contractor is a good friend and neighbor of ours (along with the help of another friend and neighbor) and they are doing a magnificent job. They're repainting the main floor as well--it will be so fancy and I am so excited to see the finished product.
3. One thing that has been rather humbling for us, is for these friends to see just how much work is needed in home improvements in our house. Neither Abe nor I enjoy, or have any skill in this area. For quite some time we didn't have the resources to put towards home projects, so we neglected what we ought to have attended to some time ago. Oh, well. Here we are now, grateful for the expertise of those who can help us out.
4. Peter is obsessed with building a dirt bike trail in the back yard. How did he even get the idea? He asked about it at least 25 times today. Peter gets an idea and he is not easily distracted. He also attaches to certain articles of clothing -- and this week it's this red Nike hoodie. I am extremely grateful for the nice spring weather we've lately for the kids to be able to spend a lot of time outdoors while the construction is happening indoors. They are already getting a little tan and it's only the beginning of April.
5. All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players...
I took this picture after they had removed the railing but hadn't torn up the rest of the old floor yet. You know we would get excited to realize we now had the perfect stage in our own home! As of writing this, the railing has been reattached, so the stage is no more. But at least we know we could have one if we wanted it!
6. There are some really crummy, unsettling things about this stay-at-home/quarantine business. AND there are some really great parts. Down time. Family togetherness. Slower schedules. Time. Sometimes, vacation times like Christmas break and summer are challenging for me, because the expectation is to not be productive. Nowadays, we are going slow, but still with the expectation of getting school work and practicing done. Kind of the best of both worlds. This picture was family D&D on Sunday afternoon with Clark as a master dungeon master. This was Peter's first D&D session and we got a pretty great little video ...
7. I am thrilled to have all of my Foxy Ladies back in the house together. I adore their company.
There are times when I am enjoying them so much and then I remember that there probably a lot of people who are having to stay home pretty much alone. I feel somewhat greedy (maybe that's not the right word) that a quarantine for us basically means more time with lots of people we like the best in the world anyway.
8. Abe is working from home and we love it. This week was a little more chaotic with the construction happening, but even so, he had a great week and we enjoy having him home. Often time one or two kids will go into our room where he is working and quietly work on their school work. They just like being around him. Mostly, in this uncertain time, we are feeling beyond grateful for the work that he has.
9. TECHNOLOGY!!!! Can we all just take a moment to acknowledge technology in our lives right now. It's amazing. I am teaching piano lessons online. It's not a effective as in person, but it works. It's miraculous. That's all I have to say about that right now.
10. A few weeks ago-- heck, it could have been a year ago-- I've completely lost track of time passing. It feels like it was a long time ago, but I think it was this year-- anyway, Abe and I went with friends to go see a play at Hale Center Theater-- Bright Star. Remember way back when we could go to the theater with friends? I LOVED this play. I LOVED the music. Last week I ordered the piano music from the play and Bethany has been singing while I play and we're basically in heaven. We found on YouTube a theatrical concert performed by the original Broadway cast. We were eating it up and loving it. Greta has gotten into dancing the the beyond adorable way a three year-old little girl does. She was getting into the groove of the music and Bethany and I were cracking up. We called it her "Janky Leg Dance".
One more video of Greta entertaining us on a recent neighborhood walk. We go on A LOT of neighborhood walks these days.
