Chatterley Old sibliings at Green Lake, Mn

Every 4years Jim's siblings get together. Not even the virus stopped 

 to figure out a way to visit together , this year we met at JoLea and Lennys Lake house on the Green Lake, in Spicer Mn.

We really missed being with Jims oldest sister, Tanya, but we had a great face to face with her for over an hour, We all got a chance to share memories and stories from our times together.

Jim and his brothers working on family history.

Lenny and Jo opened up their place ,well stocked with food and toys, We had games, and sports, and lots of water activities. We each felt loved and had plenty of space to keep our social distancing as needed, I tried to keep hands clean all time time and ended up with my negative reaction to soap so by the time I left my eyes were dripping all the time, 

Family togetherness is so important. We need to help each other with feelings of love and caring, The world needs more love at this time, We need to heal. Being outside by the water is very healing for me. I am glad that we could share time together.

 

and they will teach US

Today I am making sour doe bread. just like I used to make, sometimes twice a week for 25 years, My specialty is cinnanmon raisin whole wheat. Only today is with sour doe,AND I have been RE taught by my son. YES, all my children are great cooks. Not because I taught them, at least not on purpose! Derek had to learn to fix some things that I never made, like Mac n cheese from the box. in fact, anything from a box. I never followed the directions. I would put frozen veggies in Mac n cheese or extra powdered milk and less oil in the cake, or extra raisins in the cookies and best of all  Karina thought that carob chips were chocolate chips  until she went to a birthday party. OH well!

Today is Niks birthday, here he is looking down in the middle middle of this photo. He has a hat on and it is hard to see his cute face, He is the youngest of the group of 20 that hiked Excalibur above Silver Lake. He is a great hiking, I am so glad that he is my friend and I am his grandma.

this week  I went biking with Jan  to celebrate her birthday, We went to Park City and found a barn trail. So beautiful and calm. jusr what we need at these times

Speaking of these times, I love my new idea of masking and matching. I am prepared for this next wave, at least in costume. I am still trying to prepare emotionally for social distancy and not having more adventures outside. We have many more  birthdays to celebrate, I am grateful for Jan and Nik and the love that I feel with them  They both have so many wonderful talents and stills and I love sharing time with them

the second week

Silver lake hike group, most of which reached the Excalibur sword which included a 7 mile hike with the last part  a narrow rock climbing on one side and cliff on the other. Lucky for us,we had Heber Anderson,  fire fighter leading the kids and Karina as a nurse. Jim and I only did 5 miles an used Izaak as an excuse to go down first.

We are so glad that Jaron told us about this hike. Emily, Megan and Cade also hiked with us. If you look closely you can see Kallie photo bombing in this shot!We were the first group to hike down after doing the first 5 miles.

Izaak was the youngest in our group and lucky for me, he kept me going, ( even though he did drink all my water!) After the hike I got cramps in my left inner thigh, Erik asked me how much it hurt 1 our of 10, I said 8 the first time and 9 the second. I have been eating bananas every day since!

we also hiked Battle Creek which was only 1 1/2 miles but ended with a wonderful waterfall. Our first hike was Rock canyon, the one near the Provo temple

the first activity of the week was Lagoon

the younger group went swimming with grandma

we picked berries and veggies everydaywe had a car wash and water balloon fight

we played with my kitties

we did yoga

we ate french toast on Sunday morning and pulled pork on July 4th

we had a barbeque at Jaron and Jans

Derek caring for Izaak on the hike

grandmas toys

grandpas inventions

park activities

hot tubs and picnics

we got to go to Kallies dance performance at the Covey

Layla and Karissa got their hair color tipped

hammock times

Missy and layla

goodbye Mercado famil.y. We loved having you come. We miss being with you. Victoria, with her dancing feet and successful selfies, Austin, as the skating wizard, Erik as the puzzle perfectionist, Karissa is a moving artist, Jason is the spicey master chief and  my pal Val, keeping the peace and love. We love you ALL.