Halloween 2020

This year Owen was a police officer and Milton was a ghost.  Then Damon was Forrest Gump and I was Ms. Frizzle. We were able to go trick or treating on base.  We wore masks and everybody had tables or bags in the driveway so the candy passing-out was without any contact.  People were pretty creative with how to do it with some candy on a table, or even bags hung on ropes strung between trees.  One lady had a remote control dump truck to deliver the candy out.  The week before we went to Hubbs Farm to get our pumpkins and see their fair.  It was fun but there were lots of differing opinions about mask wearing and social distancing with the people there. The kids enjoyed it so it was a success.  We carved the pumpkins a few days later but they didn't really last until Halloween with the hot mold.  A successful Halloween overall. 

Charlotte, North Carolina

We spent the long weekend in Charlotte.  In the city we went to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Discovery Place Science Museum.  The NASCAR Hall of Fame was much more interesting than I had thought.  There was a race going on too which was pretty cool to watch a part on their huge TV in the main room. The kids loved the children's museum kinetic section especially the bed of nails that would go up and down depending on pressing the button.  It was rainy so great to have an indoor activity.  The next day we drove to Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and Ninety Six.  Each site had a nice little hike we could go around.  None of the visitor centers were open but I was able to contact each of them and they were kind enough to mail me a stamp for my passport book. 

October 2020

Owen and Milton are loving their schools and are making so much progress.  I am beyond thrilled that we have been able to do in-person school.  Owen is a total champ with mask wearing and in general following all the precautions the kids are asked to do while in school.  We've also been able to go to church a couple times with half the ward going one week and then the other half the next week.  The meetings are just sacrament meeting and that is only with one speaker so a much shorter service than usual.  Owen has finished his first series of piano books and is to Book 2 of his series.   He is doing really well with his piano lessons.  Milton fell in love with his "blue bike" at the bike shop so we have ended up having a bike with training wheels.  He is much more cautious with his bike riding and likes to stop and inspect things which can be a bit frustrating when riding my own bike.  He is getting better though. This month we had to say goodbye to the "girls" next door who have moved to California.  Owen has taken it fairly well but it brings up questions about moving.  We see moving trucks all the time here on base, such as it is with base living.  Owen also lost his next front tooth so he has an adorable little speech impediment going on.  He will be toothless for Christmas! He is so thrilled to be a "tooth farmer" because he grows teeth and then Damon is a "tooth farmer" because he pulls them out.

Damon got selected for the Milestone DDS billet in Guam.  I am still coming around to it, but it will definitely be an adventure.  He got a call directly from the Navy Admiral saying he got selected which is pretty cool.