Hoohah 2020

It was a real tender mercy that this year's Hoohah happened. 

We had booked a house in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Just something low key and a good mid-point between the Richmond ladies and me in NJ. 

By the time the Hoohah came, NJ had a quarantine list that included most every state in the country, and every single state south of west of us except for West Virginia. Phew! That meant I could go to the Hoohah and not have to quarantine for 2 weeks after returning. Thank goodness! Plus, it was a nice, safe, low key place to go and just hang out, hike, cook, and relax. 

We could walk down to the Shenandoah from the house. And, we got in one small hike besides that. Lots of amazing cooking from Caitlin. Crepes, of course. And time in the hot tub, by the fire pit, and on the front porch. 

More time at home in August

 We caught a live jazz concert on Palmer Square on a Saturday afternoon along with some Bent Spoon. 

A sad moment for us this month was saying goodbye to the Bagley family. We have been so lucky to have them as amazing friends we relied on, loved, served, and were very served by. We brought them this card to send them on their way to Ohio. 

Back to church for us! YSA is meeting again in person. It is so wonderful to be in person again and feels so good to be there. The boys definitely have needed and are still needing some retraining in appropriate sacrament meeting behavior - my goodness! 

Brothers supporting each other in one more creation - can't even remember what this one is. With Lewis around, new creations are constant. 

The green sweatshirt, by the way, is a cute new addition to Lewis' wardrobe. He is so sweet and never really asks for anything - he's so low maintenance. But, he asked me for a bright green sweatshirt, and I was so happy to oblige. He's worn it just about every single day since! 

We decided to get a membership to Grounds for Sculpture once it opened up again. Seems like a wonderful place to support and a great place to enjoy and social distance. We played around the sculptures and enjoyed our traditional game of sardines. 

Micah and David had a week of swim lessons together. David did 4 weeks of swim lessons in August, and it was super for him. He had a really good time and seemed to be a coach favorite - how couldn't he be with that cute little voice and little swimsuit and towel! 

The older boys did 3 weeks of dive team in August. That was a really fun thing to try out! 

The slip n slide continued to make occasional appearances (mostly when David begged enough!). 

Found this pic on my phone that Beau had edited. He is so funny. This has been his thing. He says it in this really soothing, creepy voice and then moves in for a big smooch on the lips when your eyes are closed. So funny. 

Simple times in July

This summer was all about simple times. 

Tons of pool time - thank goodness for Penn Brook opening. A very simple swim team (twice a week for a month - no meets). Playing with just a few friends. And lots of time at home. It was too hot to want to do too much hiking or outdoor time if it didn't involve water, but we did lots of water! 

We bought an inflatable pool when Covid first hit, just in case the pool didn't open, knowing everyone would be out of stock. It was a fun, extra thing. 

Lots of dress up - always! 

Lewis got a hair cut! He was up for a change and said this was what he wanted. It looks great! Ice cream afterwards to celebrate!

Mike got some new hats for his birthday for my man who like's to keep his face always out of the sun.

David has turned into quite the focused artist. He designed these masks himself, and had so much persistence working on them. 

Lots of barbeques this summer! Lewis decided to do lots of challenges having people tie him up and getting out of it during our bbq!

Outing to Terhune. Their gardens are always so beautiful. 

Then these two made pigs in blankets with me. (We were hitting a rock bottom in terms of new, different lunch options!)

Pool time! 

Ash and Beau were quite the funny pair a the pool this year!

David tried the diving boards and loves the low dive. After he passed his swim test (yay!!!), he wanted to try the high dive. It turned into quite the saga with him going off of it twice, hating it, but somehow really wanting to do it again. By the third try, we had a show down with him refusing to jump down and me ending up on the top of the board to negotiate it out with him for about 20 minutes. But, we both jumped off in the end - phew! No more high dive this summer. 

Mike tried an adult diving clinic and had an absolute blast. He was fabulous! 

But...

He also got a concussion from it. (Darn accident!!! He's just too susceptible to them...still.)

Trip to the dentist for the three boys!

Lemonade stand. We weren't sure how people would respond during covid to a lemonade stand, but the boys were all in, and they made about $30. (People here are so generous and over-tip!)