April 2020

April has turned out to be more of what we were dealing with in March. The stay at home order was extended to April 30, so it was the whole month.  The virus didn't hit our area as bad as it was thought it would. We will never know if it was because of everyone staying to themselves, or just because.

Cindy and Ken decided they couldn't come on April 18th as they had planned, which made me sad, but I totally understand.  Brian, Randy and Jared have come a few times, but not usually at the same time.

The picture on the left was taken on April 1st, giving us hope of spring! Then the one on the right was April 2nd! Crazy! The silly snow stayed on the ground for a couple of days!

Easter, 2020.  Certainly a different Easter than usual, since there were no big group activities.  Molly and Hallie had their own little egg hunt.  Maden made a treasure/egg hunt for Annie and Clark, even giving his own money as the treasure!

I was feeling a little depressed and had little ambition to do much.  Cindy and my friend Billie's daughter, JoWayne reminded me that Billie would have been busy making masks. So, I got busy! First I made masks for all of my family, (which are pictured in the bottom middle) then I have made them to donate. As of April 30, I had made over 200.  It definitely gave me a purpose and something to do with my time.  My mother has helped by cutting a lot of them out, and sewing some.

This is why I made masks for my family.  We would have taken more family pictures while Cindy and Ken should have been here, and since that was not happening, we did these to remember this crazy year.  Thanks guys for being so willing to take these pictures.

Hallie really did not want to wear that mask! She must have known that children under 2 years old are not supposed to wear them.  I laugh every time I look at these failed attempts, especially the bottom one where she threw it down! 

My sister Lynne asked me to send her some masks for her family, then rewarded me with this cute picture of her family wearing them.

Just some randomness with my cute grandkids.  Brian was pushing Clark, Annie and Ryder really high on the swing, there was a lot of squealing and giggling.  Hallie was really happy to go visit her brother, and she loved riding on the lawn mower with Uncle Randy.

These kids love to be together, and they love being outside! Ryder and Clark make up all sorts of games to play and laugh and giggle.  Molly loves Annie, and they had a great time on the swing. And that Hallie girl just thinks she needs to be outside every second.

We all laughed at Hallie thinking she wanted to drink the mustard.  Ryder got Grandpa to the game "Trouble" with him instead of their usual Hide and Seek.  Hallie thought she was really a big girl to ride in the big car seat, facing forward. (She only went 1 mile) Ryder and Molly are always so thrilled to see each other!

The Archery Range has become a favorite place to go spend some time. The little kids like it too. Ryder and Clark really had a good time on this particular day, making up fun games with sticks while the dads and grandpa shoot their arrows.

And Jared even gets to go sometimes. Then Nikelle tried Maden's bow out in the front yard. Archery has definitely served as a good diversion from being on lockdown.

By the end of April, the tulips were beautiful! I love them! The only thing I wish is that they would last longer! But, they were so beautiful while they lasted!

April 29th was a beautiful warm day, so I took my chair and went over to my mother's back yard.  I sat 6 feet away and we had a nice in person visit! That was a highlight of the week, or month!

Another thing I've found that I enjoy is digital paint by number.  These are just a few of the "paintings" I've done.  I feel so talented! It is very relaxing and fulfilling.

March 2020

March 2020 turned out to be a very interesting, turbulent, and a different month than we've ever experienced before.  I want to document some of the dates and happenings. We have learned all about Social/Physical Distancing, being in isolation or quarantine, only going to the store rarely, and staying 6 feet away from everyone.

*March 7 - was supposed to be our March family party, but because there were several of us that were not feeling well we decided to postpone it. Little did we know it was the beginning of a lot of cancelations and disappointments.

*March 11 -  The Utah Jazz game was canceled, then the whole NBA shut down, because of the Coronavirus or Covid 19.

*March 12 - The Church announced that all church meetings would be suspended until further notice.  That means Church at home!

*March 14 - All temples closed!

*March 19 - We made the decision to distance ourselves from my parents, we won't go to their house, and they won't come here.  They are in the high risk group for getting Covid-19. I take things and put them on their porch.  It has been really hard!

*March 25 - Governor Little issued a "Stay at Home" order.  This means only essential businesses open.  No hair or nail salons, no gyms, no dining in at restaurants, no school, etc.  It has been really hard, and really different.  

Now for some pictures of the things that have happened.

Some of us were able to go bowling a couple of times before everything got shut down.  Randy almost scored 200 in one game!

Molly and Hallie got to come spend the night one night.  We had a great time!

Brian brought Clark down to visit one day, his hair was fixed so cute, and he asked me to take his picture. He was so smiley and wanted to pose so cute.  He said it was picture day. I found out later that it was picture day for Maden and Annie at school.  Isn't he just the cutest?

Warning! If you're squeamish, don't look at this next picture!

No, I didn't beat up Blake! The bottom right is from where he had a basil cell carcinoma skin cancer removed, then the next day, he had a little accident when he was trying to load the 4Wheeler into Randy's pickup.  The ramps slipped off the tailgate, and the four wheeler's back wheels fell to the ground knocking Blake off, and he hit his head on the pavement.  The blood in the picture on the left is from the blood on his head running down his face.  We decided his head was like road rash and not a cut needing stitches.  It was pretty scary! But, he was fine!

Photo credit: Josh Packer. I love this building, and going there.  I went on March 13th and didn't want to leave, because I found out while I was there that it would be closed until further notice.  I was so sad when I left, and have missed it so much.

This little Hallie girl loves to be on the table! This was the last time I was at my parents house, I wish I would have taken more pictures of them!

We had an outlet in the garage that quit working, of course it was the one that ran the fridge and freezer.  Jared came to fix it, and of course it wasn't an easy fix.  He had to go up into the attic and reroute the wires. 

Randy found an archery range down by the Rose Ponds.  It's really a nice area, Ryder loves it there.  He pretends to shoot an imaginary arrow just like his dad.  He loves the stands with stairs.  We had a nice time being out in the fresh air and walking around.  Blake, Randy and Ryder have been back many times.

Ryder found a basketball hoop like we have at the Nissan store! Clark has called me on FaceTime quite often.  I love these cute pictures I took while we were talking.  He makes up games for us to play, and tells me about his day.

We have some little flowers trying to show their heads! 

Jerry Anderson had a diesel tank he wanted to sell, so Jared arranged for Brent to buy it.  Randy Gneiting brought his tractor over to help lift the tank onto the trailer.

We took Molly her birthday present.  She loved it! I can't believe she's 5! How does that happen? She is such a delightful, happy girl. Love you, Molly!

Celia sent these pictures of Maden, Annie and Clark doing their schoolwork.  Clark thought it was funny to wear all the hair scrunchies on his arms. 

Molly's 5! There was even a beautiful rainbow on her birthday! Maybe Brody was saying Happy Birthday, Sister! Since she couldn't have a real party, she had a drive by party.  She loved it, and was so happy to see everyone as they drove by.

February 2020

As I've been preparing the pictures for this post, I am amazed at the changes to our lives in the last month.  If I'd known that we would become so isolated, I would have enjoyed the events in February so much more.  So, my goal when Coronavirus goes away - I will cherish the moments with those I love more! And I will appreciate going to the temple, to church, to play games with my mom, and shopping without worrying about the shelves being empty.

Feb 1 - We started the month off with more basketball.  Maden's game was at Hillcrest this time, they had trouble getting the lights on, we thought it was going to be a twilight game.  Annie had fun taking some selfies!

Next, Annie's game, her little team is improving with each game.  We took Hallie while Jared and Nikelle went to Molly's dance performance.  Ryder and Clark had a grand time racing and getting drinks.

After the games and performance,  we went to Red Robin. The kids loved writing on the chalkboard.  This huge dessert that we shared was sooo good.

Feb 2 - Superbowl! Most of us went to Brian's house.  He had fixed a lot of food! It was amazing! Blake kept saying it was the best Super Bowl Party ever!

Feb 4 & 5 - Because Jared was working in Wyoming, and Nikelle got to go judge a pageant, Hallie got to come and spend the night on the 4th, she was a good girl and slept all night! On the 5th, we picked up Molly from her Aunt Bonnie's house. We had Ryder with us, so we took them to Leo's Place for a little bit of fun!  

Feb 6 - Hallie's 1st Birthday! She started taking a few steps! She made a mess with her oatmeal cookie! Ryder and Molly had a fun fashion show with Grandpa and Grandma's shoes.  Hallie really wanted to go downstairs with the kids. Then it was pile on Grandma time!

We took the kids down to I-Jump in Pocatello.  They had a great time!

We sang Happy Birthday to Hallie!

Oops! The pile on Grandma got in twice! Ryder got to stay late because Courtney had Parent/Teacher Conferences and Randy got delayed at his work.  They had a great hot tub party with Grandpa!

Feb 8 - More basketball!  Annie's game was at the same time, so we only made it to Maden's.  He played really well, he was aggressive and really into the game.

Next, we went to celebrate Hallie's 1st birthday! She was pretty dainty with her cake.

Next, we went to Molly's dance performances.  She was so surprised that all her Purcell family was there to watch her.  Such a cutie pie!

Lastly on Feb. 8, we went to a gender reveal party for Michelle and Adam's baby, it's a boy!

Feb 15 - Yep, more basketball! Go Maden!

Go, Annie!

Feb - 19  While I was at the temple, Blake took Ryder over to play with Clark.  They had a great time! They even got to brush George the Cat.

Feb. 20 - A day in the life of Ryder and Blake! Eating a ham sandwich (and liking it!) And Hot Tub Time!

Feb. 22 - The Purcell monthly party! This time we were celebrating Grandma Beth and Hallie.  We had dinner, and cupcakes. Even though she wasn't feeling her best,  Hallie loved the cupcakes, Brian kept giving her more! 

The kids played games, read books and Clark and Ryder had a good long bath!

Then, as people were getting ready to leave, an impromptu leg wrestling contest happened.  There was much laughter all around.

Feb 26 - While I was at the temple, Blake and Ryder had some adventures by the river in Idaho Falls.  They went to Carls Jr., and to see Aunt Kris at her work, then they waited for me at the Visitors Center.

Feb 29 - bonus Saturday in February.  Last ballgames for this season.  It was a good season, with a lot of improvement.  After the game, Randy and Brian and the kids got to have a little fun on the court.

We had time between the games to go to Texas Roadhouse, because that's where Brian chose.  Annie had fun taking more pictures.

Annie's last game.  She played really well, she was running the whole game! Great season, Annie!