Carolyn has chosen to learn how to play the cello. Her recital was online via Zoom.
Lizzie has chosen to play piano. She had an in-person recital, but no cameras were allowed. It was live-streamed, so family in Ohio could see her. I guess that is a silver-lining from COVID. (video coming soon)
The three-week "theater school" is often a highlight of the summer for Carolyn. This was going to be the first year that Lizzie was in theater school, too. Of course, it was cancelled and reimagined.
Instead of having them work together with their company for three weeks and perform on the big stage, each did a mini one-week session where they did an online performance.
Here is Lizzie's performance of "Where the Sidewalk Ends"
I just realized that I have not posted on the blog since June. On the one hand, I feel like we do nothing. And, on the other hand, I feel like the sun rises and sets every day and that I am running every moment in between, yet still not getting done what was supposed to be done at work, home. The past 6 months (June to December 2020) has been nothing I would have planned or could have imagined. All camps in the summer were cancelled. School has been completely remote/online for the girls. Steve has been unemployed. And, I feel as if I have done about 3 persons' jobs as I have had to rethink how to teach and do my research in the age of COVID, where nothing is as expected.
Let me review our camera roll to see what has happened.
We camped - a lot. We never went much more than an hour from home, but camping always feels like you are hundreds of miles away. It is a time to sit in a hammock and read a book, explore the forests for hours, hike to interesting vistas, and feel the cool mountain air in the middle of a hot, dry summer.
We swam -- Of course, no swimming pools were open. So, in early summer, we rented a condo in St George for a few nights, just so we could get away and swim. We shared this experience with our friends, the Thompsons. While down south, we hiked and the kids experienced their very first ice cream truck - thankfully, I had a $20 bill in my pocket as it drove by. We also rented a pool in someone's backyard for a few hours, just for another get-together with some friends. And, we spent plenty of time in our backyard blow-up pool. One time we even filled it with orbeez (water beads)
Carolyn turned 12 - she celebrated by getting her ears pierced.
I think we forgot to do Lizzie's birthday video in May (when she turned 8), so here are both girls' birthday videos from 2020 - Carolyn age 12 and Lizzie age 8.
The girls formed a bubble -- Carolyn and Lizzie latched on tight to the two girls across the street, Ella and Kaydence, and became the best of friends. The foursome made the COVID days feel a little less isolating for all of them. The four girls could come and go freely between the houses. They made grand adventures to entertain themselves on ordinary days. They made countless movies about a character named Dr Sprinkles. They created art in many forms. They planned and prepared elaborate meals for both households. They hosted the most epic 2-day 80s themed Halloween party, where they watched their first horror movie. During online school, they met every day to share lunch together. We are so thankful they have one another.
We drove across the country -- because why not? When summer vacations and all other plans were cancelled, we decided to rent a Sprinter van for two weeks. We pointed east and drove until we reached Ohio. Then, we pointed west and came back to Utah. We got to hug family, saw lots of random roadside attractions, logged almost 4000 miles, and rode a ferry across Lake Michigan . It was a vacation to remember!
We finally visited the fifth National Park in Utah. Our long-planned trip to Yosemite National Park (California) in August was cancelled. We were sad. In October, we decided to spend a long weekend with a few friends exploring another national park that we have not yet visited, Capital Reef National Park. We certainly do not take for granted all of the spectacular natural beauty around us in Utah. On this trip, we hiked, went on a horseback trail ride, ate pies from the historic town of Fruitta, enjoyed the company of some friends. ate curry pizza in the middle of nowhere Utah, and fished.
I took a trip to South Dakota - I met my friend Kristin for a long weekend in South Dakota. It was her 49 state to visit. We hiked the Black Hills, the Needles, and enjoyed a weekend of beauty and activity. I must not have taken out my camera much, but I certainly enjoyed my time with Kristin.
We started a bathroom remodel -- the upstairs bathroom is getting an update. More pictures later when it is put back together. Steve is learning plumbing, tiling, and many more skills to add to his tool chest.
We dyed hair -- Lizzie decided on RED. Carolyn chose a silvery purple.
Carolyn had an outdoor cello recital (Lizzie had a piano recital, but no photos!)
We climbed - the girls continue to climb at the indoor gym. They often have the entire area to themselves. In early fall, we took the girl scout troop on an outdoor climb. It was called Via Ferratta - it had steel anchors and rungs along the route, which took us up and over a couple of ridges. According to the girls, it was super easy and they did not even have to use the rungs, but oh my, it was a challenge for me. I am impressed with myself that I did it.
Empty climbing Gym
The girl scout troop on top of the peak we climbed.
These last two are not our kids, but the photos show you that the climb wasn't "so easy" as Lizzie and Carolyn claimed it was. We were on some very high faces.
We had a Hurricane in Utah - Yes, we had hurricane-force winds. It was the oddest experience. Wind gusts over 100 mph, lasting over 12 hours. There was significant damage around town, including this causality - our neighbors mini-van was pancaked by a falling tree.
I taught in-person on campus -- This has to be the saddest and best part of my fall. Campus was open, but there were so few people milling about. There were no sports and no events. I so missed the energy and excitement that comes from working on a college campus. I long for the energy to return. Teaching during COVID was not easy -- there were masks, microphones, video capture cameras, several laptops to manage the in-person and Zoom students, microphones, eye goggles for small-group work, and lots of sanitizer. And, then there are only about 35 students in a classroom designed for 300. I am proud I stuck it out all semester, as the students produced some of the best work I have ever seen and were so grateful. One said, "Your class is the only time I get to leave my apartment." and another said, "I would have quit college this year, if I weren't able to come into the classroom and see at least some people in person"
We rented movie theaters -- for $100, you get an entire movie theater to yourself. We did this a few times with our friends. We watched ELF, to get us in the christmas spirit. We also saw White Christmas, a classic for all. And, then we had a super-charged girl-power event to see the new Wonder Woman movie. Concessions are still open, so popcorn is a must.
I got an electric bike - So awesome. It makes riding the hills around town a breeze.
Steve had a birthday, too -- 50 something. The girls made it special, by composing and performing a song for him.
We gave thanks and celebrated Thanksgiving at home - this is usually the holiday that we travel back to Ohio. Not this year. We cooked a full and traditional meal, complete with homemade noodles and pies. Our friend Marc joined us for the fun, which included an escape room that we managed to beat! We had Zoom calls with both families, where we played an online quiz gameshow
Ah, and then there was online school for the girls. This was not fun, nor easy. Both girls are managing and their teachers continue to impress us with their creativity and dedication. Our school district decided to only offer online/remote schooling for the fall. This was disappointing for them and for me as a working parent, but it was the best choice. The entire district set up an impressive infrastructure and were all working toward the same goal. There was no starting and stopping, going in and then being sent back home. The kids are on live video calls with their teachers and peers throughout the day (from 8-2). This taught them quickly how to be much more proficient on the computer. On week 1, Lizzie came out crying asking me how to use the equation editor in a discussion board. Ha! Carolyn learned how to create folders and subfolders to keep all of her files organized and how to make videos and other things on a computer that I am not even sure I knew how to do. They do art and science experiments, thanks to impressively prepared kits that were sent home with each kid. Carolyn is in orchestra. And, Lizzie even does PE with her gym coach. It all works, but it is not the same. We are hoping that both kids will be in person, starting in early February, after all teachers in their district have received the two-rounds of immunizations. Fingers crossed.
A school-wide art project in the time of COVID. Each kid made an eagle wing, and then for recess the kids walked to the school for a photo.
The best part of online school is that Wednesdays are not as scheduled as the other days -- so sometimes we play hookie and go skiing instead.
The first day of school was a bit different this year. We woke up and did a special breakfast with pancakes. Each girl did their annual video. Then, Carolyn rang the school bell for Carolyn, but no one appeared on her screen for online school. Our power then flickered. Turns out - most of the valley had lost power. School was cancelled. The first day of school was scheduled for the same moment that the windstorm came to town. Power was out for most of the valley for 5-6 days, so they actually had to cancel the entire first week of school. That seems about right for 2020. The first day of online school in March, we had an earthquake. Then, the first day of online school in September, we had an unprecedented windstorm!
