Back to School Virtually

 Our district is returning to school remotely this fall. We began the year with exhausting orientations with each family. Then classes began on-line.

Mitch is starting 5th grade and Shannon is a 3rd grader this year.

Shannon has Mrs. Monda and Mitch has Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Mickelsen, Mrs. Hartman, and me.

We are very fortunate that our parents are stepping in and stepping up BIG TIME to proctor school. The kids have classes in the morning and the Allstot house (Grantway School?). Then they come home to play in the afternoons.

The first day and week was a lot of new; figuring out the digital platform and the online procedures and expectations.

While the kids would rather be in building, they are gaining 21st century skills, practicing perseverance, and getting the gift of time with grandparents. May this year be a good one - and one we don't have to duplicate!

August Tidbits

August has been full of daily fun.

Grampa A helped the kids build a box hockey game.

Then taught them how to play. Now it's a neighborhood favorite and no knuckles have been broken yet!

Bryan and I went to a wedding in TriCities and enjoyed seeing Stanfield friends.

We are so happy for Brad!

Ranger sleeps with Mitch each night, snuggling up as close and he can.

Shannon enjoyed having Cora spend the night. Their American Girl dolls were snug sleepers, too!

Cale and Cooper came for an afternoon of fun.

Of course baseball games happen on the regular!

Mitch chose to spend birthday money on a Millennium Falcon and is in the throes of another Lego craze!

And politics continues to stress us out and make us sad (and incredulous). I subtly resist...

Spokane Trip

 We made a quick trip to Spokane to see family once more before school resumes.

Gram is in good form!

She is quite the trooper and we are so glad she's on the ground level so we can visit!

We gathered at LaVines' house to admire their new house color and hang out.

We celebrated Dave and Vicki's anniversary and Rachel's birthday.

Finley managed to get in on the fun, too.

Happy sister-cousins!

A very happy day!

Birthday Celebrations

Birthday celebrations continued throughout the week!

On Thursday the LaVine cousins came over and we did a Johnson guys' birthday: 11 and 72!

Pretty accurate

Since Mitch isn't a cake fan and fruit is in season, we did birthday shortcakes. We used berries picked the day before, along with fresh peaches or strawberries.

The wind picked up, of course, so our outdoor meal moved inside. Still, a happy birthday!

The girls put on a skit for the evening's entertainment!

Friday involved swimming with cousins and then lots of Lego time for a boy and his cat.

Russ and Jules arrived and we spent Saturday together!

Of course there were side-by-side rides to be had...

Mitch is a member of the Seat Fleet courtesy of his aunt Phyllis & uncle Sam!

A birthday pie just for the 11-year-old!

It was great to be together again after such a long time!

At 11, Mitch continues to love reading, Legos, his friends, playing outdoors, animals, baseball, some limited screen time, Star Wars, halibut tacos and pestering his sister. He shares his room with her regularly, falls asleep with Kitty still, and is slowly beginning to sleep in a little. He's going to be a 5th grader this year and it's hard to believe how old he is getting. We love him - his character and his heart. Happy birthday, Moose!

Early Birthday Shenanigans

Mitchell's birthday week was full of friends and fun!

We began on Monday with a neighborhood night of fun. It was a lot of bodies in the pool!

Chicken wars resulted in no injuries - a major win!

This crew has spent a lot of time together this summer, which is wonderful and sometimes leads to sibling-esque squabbles.

Not tonight, though. They were great and had a fun late over!

Wednesday morning we drove to Manson for breakfast at Blueberry Hill.

The kids picked berries with their Johnson grands as we waited for the food.

It was a lovely morning!

Then home again for Avery and Mayson to come over!

These three were in class together for 4th grade and formed quite a bond. They were fun to watch!

Lots of candy and nerf guns - happiness!

The Potterheads finished the night by eating junk food and staying up late watching Harry. It was a fun overnight for our birthday boy!