October 2020

October 31, 2020

General Conference was held virtually again in October due to Covid. I really enjoyed the talks. It is always so special to hear our dear prophet, Russel M. Nelson, and other apostles speak. I'm looking forward to reading the talks again.

Our stake is finally allowing us to start going back to church every week, still with many restrictions. We have to sit 2 rows apart, everyone has to wear masks, and the sacrament service is held after the main meeting because it is not broadcast. They are still broadcasting the main meeting for those who can't or don't feel comfortable returning to the church. We have also started having relief society, priesthood, and Sunday School meetings again, but those are still virtual. It is so great to return to the chapel! I love seeing all of the faces (at least their eyes since they are wearing masks).

A while ago, we sisters talked about our cousin Bob, who lived with us as a teen and has been an intricate part of our family since. Recently Bob's sister, Marsha, bought a house close to Bob in the Couer d'Alene area. We got a great idea - we would make it a grand family affair and invite all of our family to visit them. Unfortunately, there were some of the family that couldn't join us, but those who went had a fantastic time! There were 11 of us in all, Kim & I, Tasha, Zane, & Ish, Robin & Corbin, and Ashley, Mark, & Tristan.

It turned out to be one of the best vacations I have ever had! It was absolutely marvelous to visit with Bob and Marsha as well as their spouses Kate and Ed. We talked and laughed for hours on several different occasions. They all were so very accommodating and made us feel like we had given them great treasures by making the trip. My love for each of them has increased exponentially. We got to meet another cousin, Kendra and also got to know Bob & Kate's son, Michael. The last time I saw Michael was when he was about 8 years old!

(Back) Bob, Mark, Zane, Tasha, Kalel, Ed, Kendra, Michael, Kim, Audrey
(Front) Ish, Kate, Marsha, Tristan, Ashley, Robin, Corbin

When we weren't hanging out with Bob and Marsha and families, we had so much fun hanging out with our clan. I had booked 4 condos so each family could have their own. The condos were right on an arm of the lake, and the view was incredible! Couer d'Alene is absolutely gorgeous! We spent a lot of time skipping rocks in the lake, walking around the property, and of course, playing lots of fun games together. The three boys, Kalel, Corbin, and Tristan were pretty much inseparable the entire trip.

I am so very grateful for the opportunity to have this time with my family in such a beautiful location. I'm also grateful that I was able to supply the rooms for everyone so that they could go. In a year filled with Covid, panic, elections, violence, etc., it was very nice to have this special time together.

Toward the end of the month, the Woodlands all got sick and tested positive for Covid. They were all very sick. Since they had been watching Little Miss two days a week, she had to get tested. Obviously, she did NOT like the test. She was negative, but since Shandra had been around the Woodlands, and we all had been around Little Miss, we all decided to get tested.

While we were waiting for results, we all quarantined. It seemed like FOREVER until we got the results. We waited and waited and waited and didn't leave the house. Finally, we got the results - all negative. Thank goodness! So far we have all been very lucky.

We were able to do our annual pumpkin carving. Kalel was having a contest at school, so he did his all by himself from start to finish. He did a very fine job!

We were still in quarantine, so for Halloween this year we just put candy on the front porch with a sign telling the trick or treaters to help themselves. There weren't many who came.

Deck update: the deck is coming along - not as quickly and I would like, but it is getting done. We got the stairs framed in as well as the upper deck so now we can actually get a feel for what it will look like when it is finished. I hope I love it after all this hard work! I think I will.