December 2020

 December was a great month!  We enjoyed lots of family time and Christmas anticipation.

We were able to decorate gingerbread houses with some new friends, the Lara family.  Alma Lara has been taking the missionary discussions and we thought it would be great to get to know them better.  Her husband is already a member of our church but attended the Spanish Branch, so this was one of our first few times having them over.  They also have 2 adorable little girls that the kids enjoy playing with.  I forgot to take pictures, but here are some of our creations afterwards.  (Note: Alma was baptized later in the month of December and we were privileged to attend.)

Our neighborhood also got into the Christmas spirit and we got "socked".  We enjoyed the fun surprise and passed along the fun.

Mid month we participated a community garden project that Matt has initiated at work for those who want to join.  We had a great time getting outside and working hard to clean up debris, rake leaves, prune tree limbs, and stake out a garden plot.  I hope we can put a few avocado trees there.  It is on the land next to his plant from where we also enjoy pomegranates each fall.

For Christmas Christian really wanted to make cookies for his school teacher because he knows she loves cookies.  We gave her some baked (not touched by hands after baking) and some in frozen dough form.

Unfortunately, because of the pandemic (not to mention the current Stay at Home order) the girls were not able to participate in a full dance recital with their studio.  They were, however able to bring parents in 2 at a time to see some of their dances.

The girls were also able to do a little performance with their teacher that is from our stake that they take lessons with.

I love my girls and it is so fun that they have grown close through quarantine.

Also, Eve and Sterling had a band performance of sorts.  Everyone pre-recorded their music parts and then they were combined together.  Families were able to view them at the local drive in (which came about when Covid hit) or over Zoom.

Meanwhile, Matt works hard to support all of us and he has very much enjoyed BYU's football season!

Eve enjoyed making homemade gifts for her friends, mints and bath bombs.

A few nights before Christmas we helped with a last minute church Christmas drive by celebration.  They asked us to be the Nativity stop.  We played beautiful music and it was a sweet night.

I enjoyed preparing gifts for my Young Women, 12 days of Christmas project, and gifts for local friends.

Christmas Eve was simple and cozy at home after we delivered neighbor gifts.

Christmas was of course very fun and nice to enjoy time together.

The morning started with stockings.

Then breakfast and the Nativity reading and singing

Then opening of gifts

Oh Brother!  Photo bomber!  Guess we'll have to take another photo so we can focus on the right subject.  Ha ha!

My friend Stephanie Hoyle and her family sent us this game and we had a great time playing it together!

Then we enjoyed a leisurely morning.

And a snack-y lunch

Matt discovered this monstrous lemon on our tree.  Even nature gave gifts today!

Then our neighbors invited us over for a Christmas piñata and outdoor play.  The Ashbys are awesome neighbors!

Matt also put Christian's bike back together after painting it (from pink - it was Sheri's).  Now it can use a new seat. :)  Christian had a great time riding around the neighborhood!

The rest of the day was relaxing with  playing games, playing with make up and nails, a delicious dinner, and apple pie for dessert.

We spent New Year's Eve enjoying a lovely bonfire at the Mollard's house.  We came home and toasted to the New Year with sparkling cider. We recognize that with all the challenges of 2020 we have been tremendously blessed!  We are so grateful for the peace that we have through the knowledge that our Savior came to help us find our way back to home and help us on our journey here.  We are given blessings daily to sustain us and enrich our lives.  We are grateful for loving family, friends, a warm home, all the necessities of life, and an abundance of other blessings.  We feel great gratitude, as well as hope for a healthier and less turbulent new year for the world.

November 2020

 November was a wonderful month to reflect on our many blessings!

At the beginning of the month Christian was able to go back to school 2 days per week.  He attends via Zoom M-W and in person TH & Fr.  He is glad to work with his teacher in person and interact with classmates more.

This is what many at home school days look like.

We had a fun Young Women's activity, taffy pullling.

Here are a few pictures of a typical day in the life here.

Ha ha!  The kids have to put up with us!

These pomegranate seeds came from a bunch of fruit on Matt's work property.  He picks the fruit and shares it with all the employees.  We can't get enough of these!  He even made pomegranate lemonade.

It finally looks like autumn here.

And it's citrus season!

One fun, noteworthy event is that Sheri finally got an eye exam and was able to pick out her first pair of glasses for distance vision.

The highlight of the month was Ivan's visit for Thanksgiving.  We were able to visit Henry Cowell State Park.

Afterwards we went to Moss Landing, where we saw seals, sea otters, pelicans, fish, etc.

We went to Yosemite National Park the following day.

The next day, Thanksgiving, was nice.  Matt took the kids to play at the park and I got quality time with my bro.  We got to talk, make dinner/pie, and I was treated to his piano music.  I was inspired and have decided to try for more regular practice.  At dinner time we also had my friend, Terri join us.  The food was tasty and the company great!  We had plenty of pie!

The next day we decided to stay close to home.  We went to the park to play volleyball and Throw, Throw Burrito.  Ivan was patient and fun with the kids.  We loved being with him!

We sure love Ivan and hope he will come to visit again!  There is so much to see here in CA.

At the end of the month Matt decided to shave his beard.  Here are the various stages. 🤣🤣🤣

Hilarious!

It has been a wonderful month!  We feel truly blessed with an abundance of love, beauty, family, faith, freedom, and the comforts of life.  We are grateful!