2021, January 11-17

Plenty of activity went on this week relating to school, gym, and time around the house. 

How does one resist the urge to rub this belly? 

Hallie and Eliza continued their iMessage correspondence. Eliza seems to enjoy this distraction from her studies. Her remote learning support teacher is not quite as amused. 

Another perk of remote learning is the desserts Eliza gets to make after lunch. 

On our date this week, we went to the Chimi & Salsa food truck in Provo, from whom we ordered delicious milanesa and lomito sandwiches and pasta frola. We also were treated to glowing mountains along with a luminous sunset.  

On Wednesday, Mike and Eliza took a science walk through the neighborhood, where they used their devices as magnifying lenses through which to look at the tiny world around us. 

(Zoom in on the dried flower in the middle of this photo.)

More greetings to Mama.

Eliza had broken her glasses a little while ago, and today was the day she got her replacement. 

On the way back from the eye doctor, the girls saw chickens and more glowing mountains. 

On Thursday, Mike did a little fiddling with his Japanese kamon. This version is 六角に六つ鱗 (Rokkaku ni muttsu uroko or Six scales on a hexagon).

We had parent teacher conferences with Eliza's classroom and resource teachers. She's making excellent progress! After the conferences, Hallie and Mike attended a wedding reception at a local hall. 

Eliza, Landon, and Hallie had the day off Friday, but Eliza and Mom had no rest, as Eliza had a meet in the morning. Before the meet, she got her hair done by our friend Jessie. So ornate! 

Eliza had a good meet. It was a small one, but that didn't hold Eliza back. She placed first all-around! 

At home, the boys hung out. Mike had a series of meetings, and Landon and Fergus slept in. 

Saturday meant chores, art, and time around the fire pit for Eliza and Dad (and Fergus). 

And it meant a meet for Landon with Mom watching this time. 

We continued our art into Sunday. 

And we took a walk along the stream in the morning and played games in the afternoon.

2021, January 4-10

We had a fairly eventful start to the week getting everyone back to school. We found elements of beauty along the way. 

Eliza encouraged Mom to go wild with her hair as we got under way. It garners compliments, which is quite nice, and it is fun having a relationship that is ever evolving with Eliza.

Dad and Eliza's remote learning included a walk outdoors when things got tedious. We were met by a show of frost on all the solid surfaces after the morning fog lifted and the sun came out to play. Hallie and Landon noticed it too as they drove to school. It has been a long time since we have seen some of this beauty.

As a Christmas/anniversary gift, Mike received an arms commission from an up-and-coming German artist. Mike can doodle in Photoshop and Illustrator, but it takes real artists to do freehand work in ink and watercolor like this.

Wednesday was a weird and troubling day in Washington, DC. As we tried to make sense of things and explain to our children the actions of the president and the rioters who broke into the Capitol, we took solace in rocky road G&G had brought earlier in the week. 

Eliza has thoroughly enjoyed having technology like the rest of the family. She enjoys taking selfies and chatting and visiting with Mom on Facetime or Facebook Messenger. She's getting really proficient at doing her own hair for gym. Eliza is growing up way too fast, and Hallie misses her terribly while she is at work.

In school she has been learning about making goals as part of her writing. This year she is getting ambitious about her schoolwork, her gym skills, and developing the skills she will need to care for her own cat one day. 

"Hi, Mom!"

Hallie made a new friend at Eliza's horseback riding lesson on Friday. Look at this cute seven-week-old puppy named Cinch! Thanks, Bailey, for letting Hallie hold him. 

Landon was super excited with gifts he received from the Hall family: A Zuko from Avatar, the Last Airbender.

Happiness is a warm mug of mate. 

Landon was ordained to the office of a teacher at church today. We're proud of him and look forward to seeing him grow through service opportunities.