Sundays during pandemic

Sundays during COVID have been unique and unforgettable. The first week or two, we didn't have much going on - we would have a talk and do our Come Follow Me study. After a few weeks, the bishop authorized us to have sacrament as part of our Sunday service, so it became an at-home sacrament meeting. 

At-home sacrament meetings lasted for quite a few months. They were in a familiar format, with opening and closing prayers, 3 hymns (Jacob and Claire would accompany), administration of the sacrament, and 2 talks, rotating through each member of the family, who would write their own talks (Torin would have a little help). It was a special time to hear frequently from our kids.

 

We still got dressed for our sacrament meeting (Torin was especially creative!) to set the mood we wanted and to keep the spirit.

Eventually, the ward began to host a part of sacrament meeting - with talks and prayers. Claire was one of the first youth speakers to talk. She wrote her own talk (there was a little drama the night before that ended up in a ripped up talk - but it was re-written very well) and delivered it confidently and with a wonderful spirit.

After our family sacrament meeting, we would do our Come Follow Me study. Since it was the Book of Mormon year, of course when Samuel the Lamanite came around, we took turns throwing arrows (snowballs) and hopefully missing (though not all missed!)

Sundays were pretty relaxed. We would play games, go for a walk, make something fun for dinner, etc. It was a special time that we grew even closer as a family.

 

Hanging out with Papa

We have gotten to take care of Papa a few times this summer and fall to help Nana. In late August, Papa spent 10 days with us while Nan went out to Idaho to be with her siblings, first at the cabin and then at Grandpa Walters' home settling his estate. Our kids are very good with Papa, spending time with him with his technology, reading to him, and entertaining him with their schenanagans.

He also spent 8 days with us while Nan went out to be with Amber and her new baby Cora. We love watching our kids be tender with Papa. Dani is especially gracious taking care of him and helping with his meds.

It is another testament to why we ended up moving here to Cincinnati years ago.

Men trip to Hocking Hills

Taylor and Hayley came back to Cincinnati at the end of August, so Taylor and Jared decided to take Papa on a trip to Hocking Hills for some hiking and "man time."

Our first hike was to Old Man's Cave - we thought that was a fitting hike!

It is a pretty hike down stairs and back up stairs down a creek bed. It was a bit of a workout for Papa, for sure, but well worth it. We supported him through the hike.

After the rain died down, we went on a short walk to Ash Cave.

 

In Chillicothe, we stopped at a barbecue place and got a big meal of barbecue ribs and brisket. It was seriously delicious.

We ended the day in fitting fashion - with big Dairy Queen blizzards.

It was a great trip to be able to spend with Papa.

Taylor and Hayley come for an encore visit

Taylor and Hayley found a super cheap flight back to Cincinnati, so they came back for a bonus week! Connor found a buddy - Claire loved her little cousin time.

We went to the air and space museum at Wright Patterson Air Force base with Papa and with Taylor and Hayley and family.

There was a lot of walking - enough that we helped Papa by getting a wheelchair for him.

One of the docents at the air force base was a former staff on Air Force One, and it was fun to hear a little about his experience on board.

One day, we went up to the bike park in Lebanon. They have a large obstacle course where lots of people were lining up for big jumps, and they have a mini pump course for the kids. There are a few miles of mountain bike trails, and Jared and Jacob and Dani and T all took turns on the 2 mountain bikes we brought. Along the way, Jared and/or Jacob snapped the fork on his 20 year-old mountain bike!

We took a trip to Loveland Castle, or Chateau Laroche, with all the younger kids. Jared has lived in Cincinnati on and off for 30 years, and this was the first time he's ever gone!

The builder, Harry Andrews, built the entire castle with rocks from the nearby Little Miami River! It was fun to see all the little details.

We got another family lake day, of course, including skiing and tubing.

Papa got a fun ride with T.

As expected, there was lots of fun pool time as well. 

Another reason living in Cincinnati is great - we get to see everyone who comes to visit Nana and Papa!

More summer pics

Dani has been very diligent with her scripture study as we study the Book of Mormon in Come Follow Me.

Another round of ribs - just as good as the first round!

In summer, Walker Bros is just a short bike ride away. It's a great FHE activity.

Summit Park has an area that is for practicing driving in the round-a-bout. We practiced on our bikes.

Torin's summer church style is amazing.

We also like the Whipty-do in Landen!

Liam keeps losing teeth.

Liam gets random rashes!

A September 11 tribute at Summit Park

Liam LOVES cooking

Liam really loves to cook, especially breakfast, and he especially loves cooking for multiple people. He likes to make pancakes and fried eggs and recently learned how to make birds in the nest.

He's also helped to make taco salad and loves helping make breakfast for dinner, a large egg scramble.

His cooking ends up being pretty messy, but he does a good job and feels great about it!