Zoom Birthday Party for Dad

 We celebrated Dad's birthday over zoom yesterday!  His birthday was two weeks ago but we had to celebrate him.  We each gathered in a quiet spot and had a meal and cake over zoom.  Gifts and words of honor followed!  

Positive for Ashton

Ashton tested positive for COVID this last week.  It appears 2020 wants to go out with a BANG!  Derrik and I have yet to get back our results, but Ashton tested positive.  Cameron is out of quarantine and feeling good and Ethan has consistently tested negative.  Ashton's symptoms are very mild with only a stuffy nose so far.

We're hanging in there and enjoying lots of quality time without getting too close to each other.  :)

Ashton's Virtual Band Concert

 Ashton performed with the marching band last night in a virtual format.  The seniors wrote their own show music titled, "Arcade."  Students then spent the semester learning their part.  The final step was recording their individual performance to put together in show.  It was amazing!  I'll attach the video.  Hint: He will almost always be found in the lower left corner with the bass drum.

I'm also including a video of his audition for which band he is enrolled in second semester.  He's had a great semester and we're so proud!

Early Christmas gifts

 We donated some of our Christmas money to Food for the Hungry this year.  We each gave the organization funds to do different things.  Derrik bought a water filtration system, I bought four story books for children, Ethan bought 2 chickens, Cameron bought 2 textbooks and Ashton bought 20 facemasks!  It was a fun way to give to those in need.

COVID outbreak

Enjoying outside time

 Cameron tested positive this week for COVID.  That information threw our household into full lockdown for 10 days.  LA country was already in lockdown mode, so it wasn't a big shift.  Ethan and Cameron had to miss work.  Cameron stayed in his room all the time and was only allowed to leave to use the bathroom.  He had his own case of water and his meals delivered.  His symptoms were mild and he recovered from them pretty quickly.  Derrik, Ethan and I all got tested but were negative.  We're hoping for negative tests when we retest next week.

Private bathroom

Tray outside his room with things
he might need

Smiling, but sick

Joining us for dinner via facetime

Derrik and I preparing to drop off our
tests.

 

Holiday Decorating

We pulled out the Christmas decorations this weekend.  We always decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving and this year it was our fastest year yet!  The tree is up, decorations on and now we get to enjoy it for several weeks.  

  

New Refrigerator

 

Step 1 - once you know it's coming,
find space in garage

For several years, I have wanted to get an extra refrigerator for the garage.  We've already started buying some extra food but needed more space to store cold items.  Derrik kindly found me a used one that was picked up on Friday!  It's a real treat to have!

Step 2 - borrow a truck and dolly for transport

Enlist big sons and father-in-law to
help move it

 

Step 4 -stay out of the way but still
take lots of pictures of all the
hard work

Step 5 - watch as your son gets wedged behind
the new fridge and wonder if there's a plan
to get him out

Step 6 - smile and start
loading new fridge with
extra things!  Yay!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Thanksgiving didn't look very different in 2020.  We were able to be with the grandparents and eat some of our favorites, which was lovely.   After the meal, we played the M&M game and some napped while I hopped on zoom with some of YOU!  Pie and more thankfulness followed.  It was a great day!

 

Happy #47, Derrik!

Happy Birthday, Derrik!  We celebrated with donuts and Olive Garden and Chinese food and chocolate cake!  He and I went out for lunch and then shopping.  He had a great day!

A new office chair!

Lunch outside

Loved even by Sadie!

Our Happy Birthday song that almost crashed and burned!

Meet our painter, Bob Ross!

 Ethan attended a party on Halloween dressed as Bob Ross!  He looked so good - that beard and fro - wow!  The rest of stayed home and watched for trick-or-treaters.

Music Teaching Video Clips

I am plugging away at my new post at the district office, creating short videos within an online lesson.  My goal is to connect a face to creating Music and be a friendly face - I hope it works!  The rest of the semester my content will be used for brain breaks, which gives me more time to develop good content!  Here's a few videos to share:

Music Tracks

 We've all be asked to be a part of Grandpa Hubbard's music album.  Each of us is working on something different - Cameron playing clarinet and recording video, Ethan managing all of the recording and editing, as well as playing bass and guitar, Ashton playing drums, I'm singing on three songs, and Derrik adding in piano.  It's been a family project, for sure!  I caught a quick video of Derrik recording his part.  There'll be more info to come!

 

Bathroom update and remodel completed!

 The master bathroom project started with painting, then finishing tiling around the shower, striping the cabinets and refinishing them and now, (whew) we're done!  We love the new look!  A big thank you to Derrik's dad who helped.

"Pop the Bottle" Drum Warm-up Composition

 

Ashton had to write a drum warm-up for percussion class and turned it in this week.  It turned out pretty good!

Ashton gets his braces off!

 

We crossed a huge dental finish line last week when Ashton got his braces off!  Whoo hoo!  He will be in retainers full time for the next month and then will graduate to only wearing them at night.  He looks so handsome and has worked so hard to only eat certain foods and take care of his teeth.  His smile has sure come a long way!  We brought lunch in to celebrate!

His teeth in the summer of 2018, 
before four teeth were removed.

First smile without!

Sharing his new smile back at home