Thanksgiving 2020

 This year for Thanksgiving we were able to get together (in person!!) with my parents and my sister Corinne's family.  Everyone came over to our house and we had a relaxing day with lots of yummy food.  Leading up to Thanksgiving there were lots of discussions about what we should do on Thanksgiving.  Covid19 was a big concern here in Utah at that time, and becoming bigger. A week and a half before Thanksgiving, the Governor had issued a new health order/emergency for businesses. Some of the rules included wearing a face mask while within six feet of someone from a separate household; not eating within six feet of someone from a separate household in a restaurant; and not attend a social gathering. Utah was hitting new highs as the Covid19 pandemic spread across the state.  We were highly encouraged to keep our holiday gatherings small or virtual.  After much debating I think we found a good balance for our situation of keeping the gathering small yet still having a good time.  

Thanksgiving morning, before the big meal, we all headed over to the local High School track for a little friendly competition. Historically we have been known to participate in a 5K turkey run, but times have changed. This year we opted for a little less ambitious 100-meter dash. I’m happy to report that I still have my moxie. In a race against my ever-speeding children (Jensen specifically) I pulled ahead victorious. We had a great time. I think McKay enjoyed himself a little too much as he easily raced down the track. Just wait till he turns 40 in a few years and we will see if he still has it in him.

After the mini races we headed back to our house for Thanksgiving dinner.  I wish the kids loved this meal as much as I do. haha!  They love the rolls, jello, and mashed potatoes.  The rest they just leave on their plate.  Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday especially when I get to have Thanksgiving with my parents.  Their food just brings back so many childhood memories.  

I tried to have us wear coordinating fall clothes for a Thanksgiving family photo.  The kids weren't really feeling a family photo that day so we just did our best with what smiles they would give us.  I sure love this big beautiful/messy family of mine.  Also need to note here that this was baby girls first Thanksgiving (obviously)  I love having cute babies to snuggle on Thanksgiving.  It makes the holiday feel extra cozy.  Happy Thanksgiving 2020 we still had a wonderful holiday despite a global pandemic.   

The day after Thanksgiving, instead of going black Friday shopping, McKay headed out with the 5 older kids for a camping trip to Arches National Park in Southern Utah.  They camped next to the Colorado river.  I stayed home with the 4 younger kids and we had a nice time doing little kid fun.  McKay loves camping and is determined to go on a monthly camping trip.  They all had a good time and thankfully the weather was warm enough that they could still go exploring.  Their longest hike while they were there was hiking to the Grandstaff arch.  I don't think I have ever gone camping over Thanksgiving weekend, but McKay might try to make it a tradition.  We will see...  I stayed home with the youngest 4 kids.  We went to McDonalds for dinner and the kids went to bed early so that I could have a chick flick movie marathon (by myself).  It was heavenly! 

 

   

Addie's First Cheer Performance

 Even with Covid canceling a lot of recitals and extra events we were still very busy throughout the month of December with kids recitals and activities.  Jensen had Jr. Jazz, Big Sis and Addie had virtual music performances, and Addie had a Cheer/tumbling Christmas recital.

In the fall we were hesitant to let the kids go back to their extra curricular activities and struggled to know what the right choice should be.  But in the end we decided to just let them continue their lives the best that they could and I am grateful that we made this choice.  It has been a good one for our family.  With all of the craziness of having 9 kids 9 years old and under the kids need their "special" activity that gets them out of the house and often earns them a little one on one time with mom or dad.  It has been great for all of them.    

Addie has been having lots of fun in her Cheer and tumbling classes this year.  This is her first time trying these sports, but she is picking them up and doing great.  She is a great listener to her teachers and knew her routines so well.  I love dance and all things like it so I was in heaven being able to watch her perform.  Love you Addie girl we can't wait to watch your big performance in the spring. 

 

  

Jr. Jazz with Grandpa Cannon

 This year Jensen decided to play Jr. Jazz on a Syracuse City rec team.  We felt lucky that Grandpa Cannon was able to live close enough and have enough free time to be able to coach his team.  Covid messed with the season a little bit (they had a few delays), but thankfully everyone on his team was able to stay healthy enough to play.  This was Jensen's first experience playing basketball and he did great.  He is a great defender and made a few baskets as well.  McKay and I had a great time being able to attend his games, but the rest of the kids were disappointed that they weren't able to come as well (Covid didn't let any siblings attend).  

Jensen you are growing up and coming up with all sorts of fun interests.  He loves star gazing, building new inventions, and playing sports.  These kids sure are so fun!  

Baby Girl's First month

 I probably wont be able to keep up on monthly posts for baby girl's first year like I did with a few of the other kids.  But there is something special about the first month and I wanted to document it a bit more.  Baby girl came home when she was a week old.  We brought her home on oxygen, but she was on the lowest setting for the flow level.  Those cords were so annoying to work with and definitely made the first 2 weeks a home a bit more difficult then normal.  Thankfully grandma was here for some of that time and McKay took a few days off as well.  Baby girl hung out in our bedroom a lot since that is where her cords were.  Plus we were in the middle of Covid 19 and Flu season so we wanted to protect her a little bit from all the germs of the other kids.  Baby girl is such a sweetie and we all adore her dearly.  She slept fairly well at night and would only wake up to eat 2 times a night those first few weeks.  She was still pretty sleepy during the day so we enjoyed the newborn snuggles.  

By the end of her first two weeks at home we were able to take her off oxygen and she has done well since.  Then by the end of her first month at home she started getting a bit more fussy and wanted to be held most of the day (but then would sleep great at night).  We switched her to the sensitive formula which helped a little, but I think overall she just needed to cry a little bit extra and in turn be held a little bit extra.  McKay was SO awesome at holding her all day while he worked and attended virtual meetings.  He did so good at staying focused at work and giving me some help when the baby needed snuggling.

Baby girl grew a little bit that first month but was still just a tiny thing.  We love her so much!  

  

Rocky is a Big Brother

Rocky has done so AMAZING through the transition of becoming a big brother that I feel like he deserves his own post.  He has done so well and loving new baby girl and being the cutest thing ever still.  Most of my other toddlers struggled SO much each time a new baby came home that I was expecting the same from Rockwell.  But it hasn't really even phased him.  This boy has been through so much change in his first few years of life and has already added 4 new siblings in his first 2 years.  He does it all with a smile on his face and a bounce in his step.  He adores baby girl and will do just about anything to help make her happy.  He is the calmest and sweetest boy who loves his family so much.  Rocky thanks for being a fun toddler and a very cute big brother.