Cute, cute, cute, and Thanksgiving!

I forgot to mention EZ's dance photo.  He didn't get to participate in a recital because they cancelled it due to Covid.  But, they still got pictures taken and I should have posted this before summer, but here ya go!  He doesn't look that happy because well, he wasn't.  For some reason he got really shy and started crying.  He was the only boy in his class and was not in a mood to be the center of attention.  He calmed down eventually but still didn't really get a good smile.  Oh well, he still looks handsome!  

This other picture is his 2nd grade picture.  So, even though I forgot to take a first-day pic, at least we still got a school year photo!  Again, he didn't want to smile.  He does not like the spot light!  At least he didn't cry this time.. I didn't get around to giving him a haircut beforehand but I did just trim around his ears and neck so it looked more on purpose to be that long.  I bet if I hadn't mentioned anything, no one would even notice he was a little shaggier than usual!

My sister and bro-in-law came for another visit!  We always try to take cute pictures, some are better than others.  Haha!  

A friend of mine invited us to her homeschool one day and the boys had a blast.  We got to play laser tag as well as learn some stuff.  It was a bit lengthy though and I didn't want to be driving the boys there everyday.  So, we didn't shift gears and join.  EZ is doing online learning and it's going fine.  We really felt like if we could help contribute to slowing the spread of Covid, this could be it.  Since I'm a stay-at-home-Mom and just have 1 kid to coach with online learning, I was in a position to make that happen.  Plus, we are still considered students of his normal school so we are contacted and able to participate in all goings on.   These are weird times and I don't judge anyone's decisions.  We're all just trying to survive and do it the best we can!  This same friend of mine started teaching EZ piano lessons so we still get to see them once a week and have a play date.  Since he's not around kids all day long at school, at least he still gets in some amount of socialness.  

Okay so Bruce is just cute!  What more can I say!

Well okay EZ is too!  We put up our tree a bit early this year because whatever this year has kinda sucked and any amount of joy is welcome!  So what is up with my eye?  The strangest thing happened.. all I did was wipe off my make-up one night before bed, like I always do, and when I look in the mirror, I have this like popped blood vessel in my eye!  It didn't hurt and I didn't feel it at all actually!  But it did last for about a week and was super dumb.  

John had decided he wants to get into better shape.  His job at the hospital has been very affected by Covid.  It's really amazing how many ways it has disrupt the world and relationships.  Anyway, after months of depression, he knew that if he started exercising that he would probably feel better inside and out.  One day I went by my neighbor's and saw this machine in his garage.  I commented on it and he asked if I'd like to have it.  I couldn't believe it!  So yeah, that weekend we moved it into our house.  We're not sure how many pounds the weights are or anything, but it's a good start!  It gets used!

Time to decorate!  You can see we still had our pumpkins out but put up our Christmas lights anyway.  I bought a few more lights because again, adding the joy!  I was really happy with it.  The lights on the bushes are twinkly.  

Thanksgiving already!  A sweet friend of mine who also takes Covid seriously invited us to her home to eat and celebrate.  We feel safe getting together.  It was sweet of her and we ate well!  We also did a little karaoke.  EZ was still a bit shy but he was excited to do it!  He sings so well.. he didn't get that from me!  

September & October

 I can't forget to mention that our fun neighbors have a pool!  We went over there to swim several times and it was always so much fun!  It's one of those 4ft pools so not huge, but definitely big enough!  It's really perfect for the kids!

Our peaches are still growing strong!  Just look at how many are on that branch!  Then just look at how juicy!  We made peach ice cream this time too and it didn't disappoint!  We added a little whip cream to make it peaches n cream.  Okay so the wet Bruce picture is of the one time we made it to the splash pad this year.  Because our neighbors have that pool, we didn't really feel the need to drive across town for the splash pad, but we did have to go at least once!  That is the only picture I got!  Okay and that zucchini is humongous right?  I mean, when things grow here, they grow baby!

Bruce started year 2 of preschool!  EZ started 2nd grade online and I didn't think to get a "first day picture."  ...poor kid, sorry!  It's a strange world these days and we're still adjusting.  We agreed that because Bruce's preschool only had 4 students this year, and it's just a few hours a week, that our chances were pretty safe so he could still go.  It's been going great!

Getting ready for Halloween!!!  My mother sent the boys these pirate masks.  We also painted pumpkins!  I did these ones, I guess I didn't get pictures of the ones the boys did... arg another fail!  Bruce wanted a clock pumpkin so I did this one for him.  It's "almost 5," just like Bruce, haha! Well making and frosting cookies is also a fun tradition and they turned out so cute!

I forget why but one day we headed to Show Low and had some time to kill so we went to a park.  There we met a gentlemen with this cool parrot.  He explained how the pandemic has been challenging for these very social birds so he takes it to the park and other places so the bird can stay happy.  Interesting that even the birds are affected by having to quarantine!  He was awesome though and even took John's hat off with his beak!  It was a lot of fun.  Isn't he beautiful?

Even though fall is approaching, I still got a wicked sunburn from trimming bushes one day.  Season changes are always tricky.  But the cooler weather makes for great days at the park!

Halloween party!!!  John and I got out our old Gomez and Morticia Addams outfits and we won second place in the adult costume contest!  Bruce won first place in the kid contest!  It was such a fun night full of good food and great people!

We went to another party a few nights later where everyone brings themed food.  I did my classic jell-o brain and other jell-o creatures.  It sorta fell apart by the time we got there but it still got eaten up! 

Finally trick-or-treating!  It seemed a little risky this year because of Covid but we decided it was worth the risk!  We would remain outdoors and candy is all wrapped so not too worried.  We hooked up with our neighbors and just walked up and down our street.  Not as many people were answering their doors but the ones that were ready ended up giving the kids handfuls of candy because they weren't getting as many trick-or-treaters and they wanted to get rid of it.  So, all in all, a successful year!  Our boys went as a Storm Trooper and Robin.  

The sky was gorgeous so we had to get a picture!