Reagan turned 18 in October and was able to vote in his first election! I won’t tell you who he voted for, but it wasn’t the senile candidate. 😉 Take that to mean whichever one you want.

Random Fall Happenings

Levi built his hamster a cool house

Liberty played in the leaves. Don’t know how much longer she’ll want to do this. 😢 I would really rather my kids stop growing up.

Thanksgiving

We spent thanksgiving in Grand Junction this year. We haven’t traveled for Turkey Day in a while, but we made the trip in part so we could see both of Rock’s grandmas who are now at the same Senior facility. We don’t know how much longer they will be with us. Due to Covid we couldn’t go inside so we shivered outside their little bedroom windows to visit with them.

I love these two ladies.

They are both so different. One is little, the other very tall. One a powerhouse of positivity and the other a positive powerhouse. One, a force of nature who led out in everything she did and the other a force of unconditional love for everyone she knows. They shaped the hearts of the people who shaped Rock. And they have loved me as one of their own. So grateful I have had the chance to have four grandmas in my life. The two who loved me as a child and the two who loved me as a woman and wife.

Grateful Reflections

There have been many trials and hardships, fears and annoyances in 2020. But I am grateful for several things. Some I took for granted before Covid. Some I didn’t take for granted but am even more grateful for now, and some would not have happened but for Covid.

I am grateful for the chance to homeschool my kids again just for a little bit. Grateful for the millions of teachers who figured out how to teach online and those who were willing to teach in person. I’m grateful for full shelves at the grocery store. Toilet paper. Grateful for my big backyard during a lockdown. I am Grateful for the internet which made so many things possible during the pandemic that would have been impossible from school to shopping to new release movies. I’m thankful for the chance to be the only two people in a movie theater and for getting to see Goonies and Jurassic Park on the big screen again. I’m grateful that public bathrooms are cleaned like crazy now and menus are wiped down well. I’m grateful for crowds united in a common purpose and standing close to strangers in a line. Grateful for hugs from my friends and extended family.

I’m grateful for the Constitution and honest elections, for the freedom of association and the freedom to assemble. I’m grateful for Policeman everywhere. I’m grateful I live in Idaho.

I’m grateful for singing hymns in church without a mask. I’m grateful for the ability to hear what people say clearly without having to ask them to repeat it. Grateful for the ability to cough in public without everyone near you freaking out or apologizing profusely when they cough. I’m so grateful for the smiles of store clerks, waiters and secretaries, as well as the stranger on the street.

I am grateful to have weathered this crazy year fairly well. And I am grateful it’s almost Christmas and 2020 is almost over.

Cross Country

I asked Levi to give me some P words that describe Cross Country for my title alliteration and he quickly came up with pain and perseverance. Covid couldn’t kill Cross Country, though it did limit the number of spectators. Levi continues to be at the front of the pack, typically 3rd in his school. He’s fun to watch.

Paychecks

Both Cade and Reagan are working men now. Cade at Burger King and Reagan at the movie theater (when it’s open, that is).

Homecoming

Covid killed the school Homecoming dance and there were no spectators allowed at the football game but these girls took matters into their own hands and did their own Homecoming dance.

Pumpkins

This year was quite possibly our last Pumpkin Patch trip with all the kids. 😢 They still love it just for tradition’s sake. It’s definitely one of my favorites.

The older boys were so busy this year with work and school and friends that they never got their pumpkins carved. Here are Levi and Libby’s.

Halloween

Covid couldn’t kill Halloween here in Boise. There were definitely fewer homes giving out candy but the kids still made a haul. This was our first year not going out with the kids. They wanted to go with their friends so Rock and I just handed out candy. 😳

Usually 12 years old is the cutoff for trick or treating at our house, but after Covid killed everything else this year we felt like Levi should get to do something fun. And like I said, he made a Haul.

Funny anecdotes from Covid Trick-or- treating; lots of candy handed out with tongs and one house put the candy in a tube at the top of the driveway and rolled it down to the trick-or-treaters at the bottom. Good sports, all!

Disclaimer: This post is six months late but I wanted to get it into our blog. Covid killed my blogging but the catch up is coming. Stay tuned for more of the last 6 months at the Hymas house.

The kids decided they wanted to try doing public school this year even with all the crazy, so that’s what we decided to try. Technically the kids started school on September 7th-remotely. But we are counting the first day of school this year as the following Monday when they got to start in-person. They are going every other day right now which they hate, but I kind of like. My dream school was always to homeschool them for half the week and send them to school for half the week. But that didn’t exist-before Covid, anyway. Now I’m getting it a little bit. I do “Mom school” with them after they are done with their official school work and teach them stuff I want to teach them. They would rather be going in-person every day because the every other day thing is confusing and cumbersome. Half the days they don’t have much work and half the time they can’t get answers to their questions because teachers are busy teaching the other half of their students. The whole thing is ridiculous and we are all ready for every day, but I am cherishing this time with them every other day. So here are the first day pics.

I am totally in awe of what these teachers this year are having to do. They are working double and triple over time, need personal secretaries to handle all the paperwork and logistics of every other day school and many feel they are putting themselves at personal risk to teach. So, here is my front porch sign dedicated to all the teachers of 2020. We love you and are so grateful for you!

We visited a few of the many beautiful lakes here in Idaho this summer. First was Brundage Reservoir in July. This is one of our favorites now. So beautiful and serene.

Rock took each of the boys on a backpacking trip up to the Sawtooths this summer. First was Reagan up to Goat Lake.

Next was Cade up to Alpine lake. Cade took most of these amazing pictures.

Next was Levi, also at Alpine Lake.

When Rock summarized the differences between each boy’s trip this is what he said, keep in mind this is a very general summary ;-): Reagan slept the whole time, Cade took pictures the whole time and Levi looked for animals the whole time. 🙂 I love that Rock made the time to take each boy separately this summer and I hope they remember their special hike forever.

Before our little Aspen getaway, we visited with Rock’s parents in Grand Junction. On our way to CO we stopped for lunch at one of my very favorite places to eat-Shake Shack! We fell in love with this restaurant in NYC and they are finally coming out west. Yippee!

After lunch we headed up Spanish Fork Canyon only to find that the road was closed due to an accident, so we had to take an unexpected detour through Manti and some pretty amazing scenery along I-70.

Before heading to Aspen we spent a couple days in GJ. As always, we visited the two most important monuments in Grand Junction; Great Grandma Roper and the Colorado National Monument. We blew bubbles with Grandma and the kids while we visited and she was so cute, giggling like a school girl as the bubbles flew through the air. I wish I’d thought to get a picture of the kids with her. But here she is blowing bubbles.

That night we watched the sunset at the top of the ‘other’ monument. Never fails to impress!

The next day we drove up to Grand Mesa. We drove all the way out to “Lands End” to feed the chipmunks that come right up to eat out of your hand. The kids had a blast!

The Mesa was unforgettable. The view was amazing as well! So glad we got to go! When we got home that night we played a game of Apples to Apples. It was my turn and the word was Complicated. Guess which one of these cards I chose as the best definition? I know my family will get a good laugh out of this one-especially this year.

The following picture will help if you’re stuck.

On the way home to Idaho, we met up with Monica and Mason and Jess at the State Capital. It was boiling hot and we are grateful they made time to see us!

We have lots of special days in July. The 4th of July, Liberty’s birthday, Cade’s birthday, and our anniversary. Here’s a recap of our July celebrations.

4th of July

The 4th of July was more mellow this year thanks to Covid, but we still managed to celebrate. When the neighborhood canceled it’s traditional 4th of July breakfast Liberty was devastated, but she manged to put together a bike parade with her friends anyway and we had a pancake breakfast with our neighbors. That night our cul de sac fireworks were more mellow as well with fewer families involved (not a problem for me AT ALL) but there were far more fireworks going on around the neighborhood than most years, since the big shows were all canceled. I loved listening to them all night long. Happy Birthday America!

Liberty’s 10th Birthday

We kept Libby’s party small this year figuring many parents wouldn’t be ok with a big party invite. She was dying to have a pool party but with no pools open, she had to settle for a water party in the back yard. She managed to come up with a fun theme anyway. Water + Bunnies = A Merbunny party.

Cade’s 16th Birthday

For Cade’s birthday he got a super fancy computer that helps him make some pretty amazing videos for his youtube channel.

Here is an example of the cool things he is creating on his youtube channel:

He went on his first date on his birthday but I didn’t get to take a picture. I thought about going to the pond where he was paddle boarding so I could sneak a picture of him, but decided against it. He’s all signed up to take drivers ed and he now has a job at Burger King!

Rock and Kami 19th Anniversary

We drove to Colorado with the just Levi and Liberty so Rock’s parents could watch them for a night while we went to Aspen to celebrate our anniversary. Aspen is gorgeous!

After seeing the Tetons this summer I was afraid Maroon Bells might be a little anti-climatic, but they were stunning. Our pictures and even fancy ones online do not do them justice! They are huge!! So beautiful.

After Maroon Bells, we walked along a river that wound through downtown Aspen and couldn’t believe the homes nestled up next to it. Rock looked a few up on Zillow and we were looking at $20,000,000 homes! This really is where the rich and famous live-well, their winter homes anyway.

While eating a romantic dinner that night, we got a panicked phone call from Reagan and Cade who were at home alone. The upstairs toilet had overflowed without them knowing. A while later Cade was on the main floor and saw water coming out of the light just below the bathroom. A while after that, he realized maybe there was a problem in the bathroom above. By the time they found the problem, Noah could have floated an arc in the bathroom. We walked them through the cleanup process and braced for what we would find when we drove home the next day. The water made its way all the way to the basement, damaging ceilings, walls and carpet on all three levels. The good news is, the water destroyed our ugly, outdated vanity with forest green formica and matching linoleum, so insurance is paying for new ones! When they removed the toilet we found out that it’s a miracle it hasn’t happened before now-so we are getting a new toilet and we decided to go all in and do a new tub/shower too! So the bathroom remodel that was high on my list, but not #1, got moved to the top and I have spent every moment since we got home picking out toilets, tubs and tile.

And that completed our July Celebrations. Stay tuned for more summer travels and happenings.

Coronavirus killed the prom. Twice. First in March when everything was canceled. Then the Village tried to save it by offering to let every school in the area hold their prom there since it’s outside. But when the Covid numbers started to spike again and our county went back to stage 3 they canceled prom again. The kids were super bummed, but decided to go ahead with everything but the dance. So here are the pictures. Reagan had a wonderful time and I’m so happy he did.

Ah, the Tetons. I LOVE these mountains. The drive to them, the drive by the time, the drive into them. It’s all amazing, every view.

Parking was impossible in this park, but we found ways around it and even though we only got to spend part of our day here it was so worth it!

We went on a magnificent hike around Jenny Lake.

Levi kept a very close eye out for a moose, but the closest he ever came was this one.

I’ve decided they are just mythical creatures.

The Oregon Coast trip last summer went so well Alli and I decided to try another trip with the littles in June. Admittedly, our plan was ambitious for the summer of Covid, but we started out wanting to do Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, and Arches. Reality hit in small doses. First we cut Arches, then Bryce and settled on just Zion. Then Covid Reality hit. To limit the number of people in the park, Zion was closing its doors as soon as all the parking spots were taken. Consequently, people were lining up before dawn just to get in. No thank you. So we decided on Yellowstone because Levi has been dying to go ever since Reagan’s trip there last year. Covid cramped our style a little bit, but not too much.

We arrived in Rexburg in the late afternoon and checked into our Airbnb armed with clorox wipes and hand sanitizer. After scouring the place (Alli is SUPER thorough) we went to dinner at Millhollow. Best sandwiches and fro-yo EVER–STILL! We couldn’t eat inside-cause Covid-and the ordering process was quite the ordeal-their drive through menu is antiquated to say the least-but it was worth it. Then we drove around campus so I could show the kids where 25 years ago I slipped on ice and dropped my planner, scattering pages all over the road, where my roommates and I sledded down a hill on a hamper lid and the apartment where I decided to go to Jerusalem.

The next day we headed for Yellowstone. Though we didn’t see nearly as many Bison as we did on Reagan’s trip, we saw plenty of animals. We even saw a bear ten minutes into the park! Sometimes we wore face masks, but most of the time we could stay far enough away from people. The kids got tired of us handing them the hand sanitizer every time we got back in the car after a stop. Luckily, there was plenty of parking and no traffic thanks to Covid.

We drove all the way up to Mammoth in the hopes of seeing elk lounging around everywhere and we were rewarded for our efforts! Levi loved it! I have got to go back to Yellowstone when their antlers are big.

We stopped to see the Prismatic Pool and then tried for Old Faithful, but missed it by a few minutes. We were all exhausted so that ended day one in Yellowstone. The plan was to do one day in Yellowstone, one day in the Tetons and then drive home the third day. However, when we headed out the next morning, we couldn’t even see the Tetons and the forecast was for rain and clouds all day. Alli had only agreed to do Yellowstone if she could spend a day in the Tetons so when we had to pull the plug on the Tetons for that day she threw a little bit of a big girl tantrum. I felt terrible and was not willing to give up on the Tetons completely, so I convinced her to go home by way of the Tetons. And after much deliberation on a farm road somewhere in Nowhere, Idaho, we decided to use the day to go see more of Yellowstone. Levi was bound and determined to see a moose, since that was the one thing Reagan hadn’t seen when he went. So back to Yellowstone we went, this time to do the top half of the park. I was happy because I LOVE this part of the park. The drive from Mammoth Springs to the Lamar Valley is breathtaking and I was excited to do it again. We decided that when driving that portion of Yellowstone you need to have the Lord of the Rings soundtrack playing in the background.

All in all we saw bison, antelope and some of us saw a bear, though Alli is still bitter she missed the bear. We also saw three coyotes, two of which caused a major traffic jam until people realized they weren’t wolves. But NO Moose. Levi was holding out hope that the Tetons wouldn’t let him down. Stay tuned.

Well, it’s time to look back and remember what we did on Memorial day this year.

We decided it was time to get out of the house and take a trip. Quarantine was over and we needed to “see something other than our backyard, neighborhood and park”-as my kids put it. So we drove up to McCall for beautiful views and our favorite foods. We stopped along the river to explore.

Next stop was the McCall cemetery to see if we could find any war veterans.

McCall was the emptiest I’ve ever seen it, but there is ALWAYS a line at My Father’s Place, and this day was no different, though it was five times as long thanks to social distancing. We had to order take out and then ate at a little park. No trip to McCall is complete without a trip to Ice Cream Alley, so after getting ice cream we headed home, stopping along the way to play at the river again.

Levi tried for a solid half hour to catch one, while Liberty chased butterflies and Dad and the older boys snoozed in the car.

And that was Memorial Day 2020-remembered.