Arizona - Part 1

We had planned this trip for early April, but as the world was shutting down at that time, we hadn’t been comfortable traveling. 

We are at a point where things are cautiously opening up with new safety practices in place. And we know family is essential for us.

So we packed our masks and hand sanitizer along with our sunscreen and swimsuits and rode the airbus down to Phoenix to visit Shawn’s parents.

After an easy flight, we rented a car and drove to Lake Havasu City. It’s a 3 hour drive, so we met Sue and Roger in Parker for dinner at Fox’s Dock Bar.

Family, music, water, boats...perfect way to slip into vacation mode...

We caught an amazing sunset on the last leg of the drive...

First Day of School

The corona virus continues to be a global concern and is changing the way we do so many things...including school. Our district pushed back the start date for the school year one week to continue preparation for remote learning, and started with full distance learning 5 days a week. It has been quite an experience. 

Distance Learning

Our kids have completed two weeks of distance learning so far. The first day was a little rough and I’m pretty sure we all cried...and those of us that didn’t actually cry wanted to. Technology issues, resisting assignments, constant interruptions. Day two was so much better. The kids were excited to see their classmates (even virtually) and excited to see their teachers’ responses on their assignments. Both work independently at their bedroom desks with headphones - Ryder on his Chromebook, Logan on his iPad. They have a full day of on demand and live learning from 8:50am to 3:15pm - including live broadcasted phy ed and music. Thankfully, Brecken has been able to do preschool in person this whole time.

Hybrid Learning

Today, we started the hybrid learning model. Our kids were a little nervous last night, but woke up with nothing but excitement! So much excitement!! Brecken was so giggly at the thought of being in the same school as his brothers. At one point, he told me he didn’t think he was going to be able to focus today because he would be busy looking for his brothers! We didn’t get into the school childcare program because the limited spaces have been reserved for Tier 1 essential employees. That means our older kids will get to ride the bus each day. And man, that diesel engine has never sounded as good as it did today. Yes, I’m excited to have a quiet house for my work hours, but even more, I’m so excited for the kids to have all the things back that they have been missing. Friends, teachers, recess, in person learning, independence, the opportunity to leave the house!! 

The big kids took the bus, but I had to drive Brecken since the preschoolers aren’t allowed to ride the bus this year in order to allow for social distancing. As I dropped him off, I could hear teachers hooting and hollering, welcoming the students back. So much love.

We had an equally wonderful welcome waiting for the kids at the bus stop when they returned home. Nothing but rave reviews from the kids. Already looking forward to Wednesday. 

Hurds Acres

Earlier last month, we spent our first weekend at Hurds Acres for the summer. It was a quiet weekend, as much of the extended family is reducing their travel due to Covid. 

But we enjoyed the weekend playing a couple games in the mornings...



Spending lots of time on the water - kayaking and paddling Big Sand and Emma...

Taking the boat down the chain of lakes to Zorbaz and up the lakes to Upper Bottle Lake...

Teaching the boys how to drive...









Having a bonfire and s’mores on the beach...





Enjoying the beautiful sunsets...





And of course, fishing.





Shawn also grabbed a couple drone shots. One of me paddling with the boys and one of the dock at cabin 3 (you can see the sandy lake bottom and the drop off)!





Always love a weekend up here. Looking forward to our next trip in August.

School's Out for Summer

What a wild ride the last few months have been.

Covid starting in March, violent riots in Minneapolis (and around the country) over the past couple weeks, having to run a highrise project and project team remotely...and distance learning that lasted through the end of the school year....

Distance learning felt both long and short. Both hard and easy. Somewhat nice and somewhat sad.

At the beginning of quarantine, we established a quiet workspace for everyone. We set up desks in Ryder's room, Logan's room and the master bedroom (for me - Shawn works in the kitchen).

Ryder and Logan both had an iPad from school for their daily work. Ryder was 99% independent and focused on his work. Once his class found their rhythm, he would do work online from about 8am - 10 or 11am. He generally liked it. He really liked his daily Google Meet calls.

Logan's work was a little tougher and most of it could not be done independently. Some of it was pretty tricky to complete on the platform provided. He was generally ok with starting it each morning as long as he had solid time from Shawn or I to help.

I think if most kids could choose, they would rather go to school than learn online at home. They miss their friends, they miss their teachers, they probably miss hot lunch. They are not getting in as much activity as when they are running around at the before and after school programs and with sports.

To celebrate the end of the school year, they had a car parade for all the students with the teachers out waving goodbye to the students. The boys decorated the Jeep with balloons and streamers and got to see their teachers one last time. I wasn't at that parade but did see the teachers the day before at technology drop off. Shawn and I both agreed it was a bit emotional! So much for these kids, their classes, their teachers, and each family to all go through.

We continued to celebrate the end of school / beginning of summer with our first pool day at Grandma D's on Thursday, a neighborhood street party on Friday, and some swimming with neighbors today. No hugs, trying to stay 6' apart, lots of hand washing.

Nothing is normal, nothing is perfect, but we're hoping to still make some great memories this summer and soak up all this extra time with our kids that we are going to look back on someday and wish we could have back.

(Photos to come)

Unofficial Grand Du Nord

Shawn, Nick and Paul have been biking the Grand Du Nord race the past couple years. We rent a house, the guys ride, the kids play, and the moms hang out. 

This year, the race was cancelled. We had to decide on May 4th if we were sticking with our May 22nd reservation. We were still on the stay at home order - meaning you could technically be fined and go to jail if you were pulled over for non-essential trips. Not that they would actually enforce it, but that just goes to show how on the fence we were about making the trip. 

We also had not been within 6' of anyone for months (per CDC recommendations). Most people wear masks if they go into a store. Some also wear gloves. So the thought of blending three families in one house almost felt unlawful. Actually, the rules 'relaxed' by Memorial Weekend and allowed groups to socialize (6' apart) in groups up to 10 people. So technically we were over by 2 [small] people.

But we kept our reservation. We drove the Jeep up to the North Shore. We let our kids play with the other kids. We hung out with and shared food with the other adults. 

It was amazing. It was so nice to feel normal again. They biked, we hiked, we skipped rocks, we had picnics and played yard games. All that good north shore stuff.

So glad we made the trip. We had a great time. And the guys put in their 100 miles in the saddle to earn their unofficial finisher shirts ;)

Wrangler

If you know me at all, you know I have wanted a Jeep Wrangler since I was about 15. And I have been talking about it ever since then. In high school, it was going to be a yellow Jeep Wrangler. In college, it was forest green Jeep Wrangler. As an adult, it was just 'give me any color, any year'!

When Ryder and Logan were toddlers, we went to a Jeep dealer with the intent to buy a four door Wrangler for our second car (we were a single car family / couple from 2004 until about 2013). The boys slept the whole time and we left with nothing but a brochure and crushed spirits. They are so expensive compared to the sedans we have owned. When the kids woke up, they were wondering where their Jeep was. I think they have wanted one ever since then, too.

Fast forward about 5 years to our rental car in Florida this past December. We all had a ton of fun in that car and actually found it to hold all of our gear nicely.

Then, about a week ago, Shawn was ready. He said he found one he wanted to look at (out of the blue to me) and was ready to 'test drive with his checkbook in hand.' We test drove one and bought it that same day.

It has only been about a week, but with everything closed, Jeep rides have been a fun 'activity' for the family :)