Family Together Before the "Self-Isolation"

I appreciated being with family members who came to celebrate my birthday two days early on March 8 and for phone visits from those who could not be with us. 

 With the birthday cake 

after enjoying the yummy options for burritos.

Tani knows I like Willow Tree figurines.

And Beth knows I like special dishes.

This stoneware strainer by The Pioneer Woman 

is pretty as well as useful. 

The earrings Amanda made have special significance.

She enjoys learning new crafts and handiwork.

Beth has the tatting shuttle that belonged to my mother,
and Amanda went online and taught herself how to do tatting
and made my pretty tatting lace earrings.

 Visiting and eating cake and other desserts.
 (Paul, Sarah, Jessica, Trent, Koryn, Tani, Todd, Derek, Doug, 
Jared, Ethan, Alex, Joshua, Gabe, and Megan)

Everything was very tasty.
 (Anna, Ryan, Jacob, Brynlee, and Paul)

 Visiting upstairs and kids playing downstairs.
(Derek, Sarah, Jessica, Trent, Ryan, Koryn, Tani, and Doug) 

Most of our Utah family were here celebrating with us.
Koryn came without Kyle who had to work.


Jenna and her roommate were also with us,
but apparently missed getting in a photo. 

Anna and Paul like the shaking.

 Amanda, Shannon, Megan, and Todd

 Before goodbyes
with Gabe, Megan, Alex, and Amanda 


I enjoyed celebrating my birthday  . . .
except for becoming another year older!

 
It doesn't seem that long ago . . . .
Well, yes, it does!

 

What a Difference a Week Makes

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has created a new lifestyle for so many, and we continue to remember those in need of our prayers.  Yes, we are following the admonition for seniors to "self-isolate."  

Prior to the current "social distancing," we had gone to Costco on March 12th to pick up the prescribed malaria pills for the Africa trip scheduled for departure on March 23. We were amazed at the huge crowd shopping there compared to the previous day's more normal number of customers.

We had never seen so many shoppers in Costco before.

After seeing on the internet that South Africa was not allowing citizens from the U.S. into their country after March 18, we called "Fun For Less Tours" about this Africa Safari trip. We were told the tour was being postponed until next year.  The same day we received an email from "Fun For Less" with more information.  Much of our prepayment will be transferred to a March 2021 departure.  We are grateful for this development.  We did not want to be in Africa or on our way there when South Africa closed their border to those coming from the U.S.  

 

Our last social outing was for my birthday 
when Hal and Christy Smith took us to see the movie "Emma"
after having lunch in their home.

I also enjoyed and appreciated family members in Utah who came to celebrate with me on the Sunday two days before my birthday.  
(Beth took the pictures that I will add when she has time to get them to me.)  

We now are staying home like we have been advised to do, 

and we appreciate our comfortable home and large backyard. 

It was nice to have Todd and part of the family come to prune our fruit trees.

Ethan trimming the berry bushes.

Todd pruning another fruit tree 
with Sam, Joshua and Rebecca picking up the trimmed branches.


With all the serious news we are getting,
here is a little bit of humor:

* * * * * * * * * * * 

Stay safe and enjoy your family time.
Hopefully, I will be motivated to catch up
on projects I have been wanting to do.

Two Engagements Announced

Congratulations to Megan and Gabe who got engaged on February 21, 2020 

and to Amanda and Alex who became engaged on February 29, 2020.

Here are photos I have gotten from their Facebook pages to share here on my blog.

Megan and Gabe 

Wedding & Reception planned for June 6, 2020

Provo City Center Temple

Amanda and Alex

 Wedding & Reception planned for August 7, 2020

Sealing in the Manti Temple planned for August 8, 2020

We love these two couples and wish them the very best.

A Family of Wrestlers

We were glad we could watch online Weston's matches as he wrestled in the South Dakota State Wrestling Tournament in Sioux Falls.  He wrestled well and placed 5th in the 160 weight class.  Bennett Country had six wrestlers competing at state and two other wrestlers from BCHS ended in 7th place to stand on the winner's stand to receive their medals.

Here are some photos I borrowed from Facebook from the state tournament.

 Weston is in the middle in the yellow shirt;

and his dad, the BCHS wrestling coach is on the right.

Bennett County High School had six wrestlers qualify and compete at State.

Weston, 4th from the right, wrestled in the 160 weight class.

Weston's siblings came to support him.

Seth flew there from Colorado, where he is working on an advanced degree.

Sam came from Brookings, where he has an internship.

Rachel came from Vermillion, where she is attending the U of SD.

(These photos are from Michelle Heath's facebook;

her son is Rachel's special friend sitting by her in the photo.)

Sam, Seth, and Brent 

 

 

Tauna at the motel in Sioux Falls

with the door to their room decorated in purple and gold. 

Wrestling has been a family sport for many years now.

Sam was the first wrestling coach in St. Johns High School

in Arizona those many years ago.

 

Coach Sam at the right - 1967

We have lots of memories associated with wrestling tournaments

and the friendships made while supporting the wrestlers.

 

1968 - Sam's wrestling team had two place at State:

Kim Sherwood at 145 placed 1st,

and Rick Smith, heavyweight placed 2nd.