Joseph spent last week at an overnight camp!  Here are pictures I downloaded from their FB page.

My boys have never ridden the bus TO camp, but one of the fun things they do is the wranglers "hold" up the busses.

Cabin photo...he did not know anyone in his cabin.

Ok, so they never pack well for camp, despite my encouraging it.  So they never have enough warm stuff.  It was pretty rainy and looks like Joseph wore the same sweatshirt all week...at least he is easy to spot!

I had to laugh at this one, because I spotted him for his brightly colored socks first!

Almost missed this picture of him, because he is in a red shirt...haha

My favorite!!

Beautiful view!!

Jacob went with me to drop him off, he loves the low adjustable hoops.

For some reason, Jacob insisted on closing his eyes!!

A few random skate park pictures.  We have had a lot of rain lately, so boys have not been able to get out as much.

The look of concentration on his face!!

School officially finished up this year!  The district has not announce any definite plans for the fall.  I am guessing they are keeping things flexible and will decide on a plan late July or early Aug.  hey would be smart to have a worse case scenario, best case and one some where in the middle.  I think most of the sports camps have been cancelled through July.  I guess fall school sports could still be cut.  The state recently moved to Phase 2 and as expected, our Covid numbers went up.  

Benjamin and Jacob have both had the opportunity to work for some friends of ours, helping out with yard work!!  I love to see the two of them working together and doing a great job so that they are asked back.  And it is super nice that Benjamin can drive them there!!!  Benjamin has been working a lot at the restaurant.  It seems that they want to move him to the hot (food) line, but are waiting until the fall.  If football happens, he will only be able to work 1 or 2 days a week during football season so waiting to train him.  He has been working over 30 hours a week!  And saving lots of money.

I have always wanted one of these and finally bought one.  The boys thought it was the coolest thing!  Now to get them out on the tennis court more frequently and not have to chase balls every 30 seconds.

Jacob, Jose and dog Bree went back packing last weekend.  Spent a night at a mountain lake and caught three fish.  Had a great time.  It was their first true backpacking overnighter.  I see many more in their future.  They are trying to talk Joseph into the next one!

Probably my favorite picture from the trip!!!!  (This is for you Lenny :-) )

Just saw this amazing photo JR took of a rattle snake...not to worry, he had zoomed in on the camera!

And I found out tonight, my days are numbered!  Jacob is so close to passing me up and I will become the 4th shortest person in our family.  A title I will happily wear.  I still predict Joseph will be the tallest of us all!!!

Totally forgot to upload pictures from Memorial Day.  It was a gorgeous day and I was feeling a little sad that we didn't have room at our place to pull out some of our lawn toys.  So, we loaded them up and went to the park.  All 5 of us.  I think the boys really enjoyed it.

I turned the balance beams into a great little competition...see who could run across all three of them the fastest.  The winner, Jacob.  We spent probably 10 minutes doing this and they all were fighting for a turn.  I of course decided not to participate.  It is kind of fun seeing the boys big enough now that they can out perform their dad.

They had some great climbing trees!! 

This slide use to terrify me when the boys were toddlers.  They sure had fun playing on it that day.

The good 'ol monkey bars.

This kid has always made them look effortlessly.  I can still see pictures I took when he was around 3, just cruising across them.

Here he did a ninja move and jumped/skipped one rung...he managed to grab the bar!

We took our corn hole game, which was a big hit.  Also got some ladder ball in, but no pictures.

After the fun and games, we headed to nearby Subway, grabbed sandwiches and went back to the park to eat.  I really nice Memorial Day.  I think this whole Covid thing has forced the boys to learn to get along and maybe, just maybe, start to enjoy each other's company :-)

So, this began on 5/5. Sad that they are finally building right behind us.

Have been so impressed with the stuff Benjamin has done in wood shop this year. I sure wish we had a bigger garage so they could all get easier more hands on experience with all of the saws. I imagine all the stuff they could create and possibly sell.  I love the laser cuts.  I hope he will get the hands/battery pack on the clock!!

You can see the antlers on each side of the handle below.  This is a nice sturdy stool!

Jacob has been hitting the skate park recently, and getting pretty good!

(For those that can't see it, go to www.welcomeatmyfire.blogspot.com.)  It is very impressive.

The top video is a triple tail whip, where he uses his foot to kick the scooter 3 full rotations.

The second video is called a finger whip, its a full circle and he uses his middle finger to swing the deck around.

Mid May!!!!  Our state has begun to return back to normal and no spikes in our Covid numbers!  I have a mask, but yet to wear it!  Not that I am opposed to it....  I don't know where I fall in all the different camps.  I guess a little bit of everything.  Yes, we need to be cautious, yes there is probably too much government overreach....  Actually, we are pretty laxed compared to other states! 

The first month or so we managed to take daily walks and just get out.  Here we are doing a multiplication worksheet, to see who finished first.  The winner was Jacob (I intentionally did not play because I knew I was the quickest)

The boys had been without haircuts!!!

We painted rocks one day.  The boys grumbled about it, but sure seemed to enjoy it!

He was thrilled with this picture, but it was taken as he was walking out the door to get a haircut. He has hair very similar to Jose's, thick, course and wavy.

We also did some challenges.  The younger two and I did a cheese ball challenge to see who would be the first to put 15 in their mouth.  Of course, being the oldest with the biggest mouth, I won.  Benjamin and Joseph put lemons in their mouth to see who would last the longest and Joseph blew older brother out of the water.  We also got a cup and straw and drank through the straw as the water dispenser from the fridge filled cup with water.  The object was to see who could drink the longest before water started spilling over the top!  Again, because I drink about 100 ounces of water a day, I won!!!

Most days we found ourselves in our corner of the house doing our thing, but always seemed to find common ground each day.  We persevered way better than I ever would have thought possible.  I sure got use to having them around and now it is weird as everyone is getting out more.

Benjamin is in his second week of work and so thankful to be back.  One of the pluses of Benjamin doing school stuff at home was his baking labs for Culinary.  He made garlic knots and they were pretty good!

Kids are wrapping up school work within the next 2 weeks.  I will be very glad to be done with online schooling.  They all pick up school supplies, etc this week.  None of them are allowed in the building, so teachers have cleaned out lockers and then we will 'drive thru' to pick up stuff.  Lots of questions about what things will look like in the fall.  Seems like there are several options that could play out, depending on how things look early August.  The current plan is to have regular school calendar.  I know the local university just decided to start the fall semester 2 weeks early so they can end the day before Thanksgiving.  Makes a lot of sense, other wise every one goes home for Thanksgiving and then comes back for 2 weeks.  With cold weather, everyone is indoors and I guess more likelihood something will be passed around.   Our district tends to start around the same time, so who knows. 

It does appear that most sports camps are cancelled this summer.  Joseph is lined up for a week long overnight camp this summer.  They are hoping to still have that, but again, things are staying pretty fluid.

I have continued to work about 30 hours each week.  Our gym opens tomorrow, but we won't be having classes, just work at your own pace workouts.  The whole quarantine they have had at home workouts and I have probably moved more during the last 2 months than I ever moved while gym was open.

Things have been quiet with JR, but should start picking back up fairly soon.  All of his clients have been holed up so none of them are around.  He has connected with a ranch manager and will begin hunting snakes at a nearby property.  In the past he has hunted snakes in exchange for hunting privileges but there are already too many hunters on the property, so he is actually getting paid for it.  I think it is mostly bull snakes and rattle snakes.  Jacob is looking forward to the experience too.  (And yes, they have chaps and other snake equipment)

Well, here we sit, finishing up 2 weeks of being home, minus the few grocery trips.  If you had told me a month ago that I would be confined to the house with the boys and live to tell about it, I would have laughed!   We have played a few games and done a few challenges, lots of cleaning and just hanging out.  There have been some pretty chaotic, loud moments too!

Things in our world are not that different.  Both of us are still working and lots going on around us.  The restaurants are only open for take out, gyms, etc are closed and they have just shut down the rest of the non-essentials, like salons, etc.  Tons of construction going on behind us.  It just does not feel like a pandemic to me.  Just feels like summer break and kids don't want to go outside. 

Heartbreaking though, to see what is going on around the world and the country.  We have finally hit triple digits in our cases and had the first state wide death yesterday.  So surreal to think that something so invisible can cripple an entire world.  On the flip side, lots of families getting to spend time together!

Of course nothing going on here.  Last week we celebrated Jacob's 13th birthday!  Hard to believe there are two teenagers in the house.  He spend all day at the trampoline park with a set of twins and had a sleep over.  We went out to eat at the Olive Garden, which was our last outing, so to speak.

The boys have moved to online schooling.  The teachers are getting it figured out and hopefully each week will get easier and easier logistically.  I know the boys are really missing the social aspect!

My gym let me check out some equipment, so enjoying having some extra stuff around the house to work out with, namely a rower. 

All the elementary teachers just held a parade and drove around all the neighborhoods honking at all the kids.  Amazing how the whole community has come together and people helping people!

Few random things!!

Jacob has finished up basketball.  His Sunday school teacher came to one game, with his really nice camera and got some great shots!!  He made a picture compilation video.

(for those getting this blog in an email, you can click the link here to see the video..welcomeatmyfire.blogspot.com)

I love the intent look on his face here

More pictures I have gotten recently of the boys sleeping.

A picture I found on my phone of Jacob's teeth, don't think I ever posted it.  This was before having 8 of them pulled.  Looks like teeth on top of teeth in some places.

Spring sports will be starting up soon and none of the boys have expressed an interest in any of them.  Could be a quiet spring!!

I am still on hold with my work.  Really enjoying the leisurely yet busy days.  I continue to knock out projects!  I am hoping this week to start a graduation quilt for my nephew and finish up going through 15 years of photos.

I have been helping a local guy with a rental car that he rents out through Turo.  Have not met him because he is spending the winter in Germany.  We have worked well together and I think he is looking to expand things this summer.  So, maybe more work for me??  I am also doing some transcribing of family letters and am really enjoying learning family history.

We have had more snow the last 2 weeks than we have had the last 3 months.  JR has been busy shoveling decks and roofs.  Jacob spends just about every Saturday up on the ski hill.

Benjamin continues to work 15-20 hours a week.   I think he is out of the woods, as far as me worrying about him and money.  He is using a cash system and saving up for the things he wants.  All my years of cash envelopes system is paying off, at least for him!!!  He is also doing a speed training class two mornings a week before school.

Off to write up my to do list for the week!