1 Year with Jackson Reynolds

It was one year ago last week that Jackson legally became a member of our family.  I sure love that little guy and look forward to being able to visit Harper's Ferry again very soon.

To celebrate one year in our family, here are some photos of Jackson Reynolds.

I think he has an adorable smile!

Helping Mom plant her flowers

What could be more fun for a little boy than playing in dirt?

All decked out with matching shirts for family pictures!

Preparing for the Portland Naked Bike Race!  Yes there is such a thing!

Ahh, the joy of drinking out of a hose!

And the fun of spraying water everywhere!

Whoops!  Maybe I don't want it in my face!

One of the last story times at. the library before COVID-19 changed the world!

Same old, same old....but a change is coming!

Life has been good over the last few weeks!  I've gotten to spend time with Isabella which is always a treat. Here she is celebrating successfully completing 4 puzzles! 

Monica, Isabella and I made a quick trip to the grocery store wearing masks of course as per the new requirement in our county.  She isn't bothered at all by the mask.  John and Monica have done a good job teaching her the importance of the mask.  Funny that I still said, "Smile!" before I took the picture.  Old habits die hard!  I love her cute pose with the cupcakes.

We were able to celebrate Anna's birthday at our house.  Here's a fun fact! She was born on 7/11 and Matt was born on 11/7!  

Unfortunately with the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in Ada County, we have decided to temporarily suspend our Sunday dinner tradition.  It makes me sad but I think it is the right call since George and I are in the high risk group because of our age.  I still have to remind myself that we are senior citizens but the fact is WE ARE!

I'm working hard on the thousands of slides from the days before I started making photo albums.  I've thrown away all the blurry ones and many of the 'scenery only ones'.  I have them in chronological order and am going through them one last time before I figure out how to digitize them.  

I did find many treasures like this one of the first time baby Mary met her aunts Tammy and Karen.

And this one when she met my much loved Aunt Mary.  Yes Mary is named after her.

I finished my little cabinet and filled the cute bottles with the sand and shells I've collected from our travels around the world.  I love it!  I will never be a minimalist.  I just love my 'stuff' too much.  This week I was talking to my friend Sandi, who was my neighbor in Spain and is still my neighbor here in Eagle.  We shopped together a lot during our Spain years and could both open European pottery shops.  We agree that our pottery and other treasures give us JOY! 

Even though our county has gone back to Stage 3 on the Reopening Idaho plan, we were still able to have church today.  It was only 45 minutes and just like last time, all 'social distancing' protocols were observed.  But this time we all wore masks and we didn't sing!

I am sure that 45 minutes is the longest I've worn a mask at one time.  I think it is necessary but it sure is HOT!  I saw an ad for a company that is selling shirts and masks that match.  Maybe I'll have to buy a set!

Now for the change....for the first time in 43 years I am going to go to work.  Monica corrected me, by saying that I have worked for all these years, I just haven't gotten paid.  I guess that is right.  

Starting tomorrow, I will begin training for an 8 week job as a census enumerator.  I'm excited and a bit nervous too.  I have been so relaxed with my schedule during this pandemic, probably the most relaxed schedule I've had since I was a child enjoying carefree summers.  My days have been almost totally my own to organize for the last 3+ months.  It may be a shock to the system but I'm up for the challenge!

4th of July

I love the 4th of July!  It seems like such a relaxed and stress free holiday.  We had a super duper good one this year, this crazy COVID 19 year!  This photo made me laugh and seemed appropriate for 2020!!

At the Lewis home we started the evening off with barbecued chicken sandwiches and grilled veggies, cole slaw and potato salad.  Matt grilled the veggies and John topped off the corndogs for the kids with a short time on the grill.

After dinner, we had fun with horseshoes and bubbles!

Including some mega bubbles.... This combination of water and LOTS of Dawn worked pretty well but now we are on a quest to fine the perfect mega bubble recipe!

A 4th of July tradition for us is a hike up to a great viewing point to see the whole valley where normally we watch the community fireworks shows..  This year there were none but the fireworks stands were close to sold out so we did get to see quite a few off in the distance.  I love this photo I found of the valley, although I am sure it is done with time lapse photography.

Marilyn-Johnny-Monica-Isabella-Elsie-Matt-Anna

photo by George

photo by professional photographer Anna

That evening light is magical.  I can see why it is called the Golden Hour by photographers.

 These two little girls - 4 year old Isabella and 7 year old Elsie- are enjoying getting to know each other.

The moon was spectacular on our way back! The photo doesn't do it justice.

Back at home we feasted on strawberry shortcake featuring Anna's homemade shortbread!  It was fabulous!

Of course, the finale of the evening was fireworks!

Even with all her flaws, I love my country and I'm proud to be an American!  And I'm happy to celebrate our country's birthday!

Grandma-Grandpa-Isabella Night

At the very beginning of the Covid-19 'Stay AT Home' orders, Isabella started calling me every night so that I could read her a story.  One of our favorites was called How to Babysit a Grandma.  Isabella LOVED it and started planning her own night to babysit her grandparents.  We finally felt like it was time to make it happen.

First rule was that no Mommys and Daddy were allowed!  Goodbye Mom and Dad!

First stop was Chick-fil-A drive through.  Then we were lucky to find a beautiful park with only a few people so that we could enjoy a 'social distancing' picnic and walk.

The theme for the night was 'Frozen' so we started out with a Princess Anna puzzle  and sparkly play dough.  Both were hits!

 

Queen Elsa even 'froze' her sister!

Grandpa and Isabella  popped some corn in preparation for watching Frozen II.

But before the movie we had the most exciting part of the evening!  I had ordered a Frozen dress for my little princess.  I was so excited about this.  When she saw it, she immediately started taking off her clothes to put on this dress.

Dress, crown, gloves, cape, wand, and even braids for Princess Anna! She loved it!

To be honest, George watched Frozen II while Isabella and I played Frozen!  A good time was had by all.  I think this will be a new tradition.  We all loved Grandma/Grandpa/Isabella night.  I think we should do it once a month!

Cancer Update

 You may wonder why Scott's photo introduces my 'cancer update'.  Well it is a long and good story!

I had my 6 month checkup with my doctor at OHSU in Portland scheduled in late April but because of COVID-19 clinics were only seeing patients with emergent conditions so my appointment was rescheduled for June 24.  The plan was for George and me to drive over, stay in a hotel and go to OHSU for an ultrasound and CT scan and then see the doctor.  I would have my blood work here in Eagle.

My doctor, Dr. Madison, is fully booked at least 6 months out.  Can you imagine what it was like for his schedulers when they add to cancel almost 2 months of appointments and then reschedule them?  He had to add an extra day of clinic to his already full schedule.

The good news for me is that when my blood work came back it was excellent.  In fact, the calcitonin that is the marker for my type of thyroid cancer, had actually come down! After consulting with his nurse, we decided to schedule a phone conference with Dr. Madison.  During that conversation he decided that there was no need for me to drive over for scans because with my super low numbers, they wouldn't show anything.  So we cancelled the appointment.  Yeah!

George and I had been looking forward to seeing Scott when we were in Portland.  We hadn't seen him since Christmas and that is a long time.  So we had him fly over for a long weekend. That way he could see everyone!

It was perfect!  Way better than an ultrasound and CT scan!

Isabella was happy to see Uncle Scott!

We enjoyed lots of family time since there isn't much to do during a pandemic!

Family time is the best time!