It was a very different Thanksgiving compared to normal due to coronavirus. But it was still wonderful!

Liv and Grandma nanny Graham during the week and we have all been quarantining from everyone else, so we could gather for Thanksgiving. We made all our favorites—turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, yams, Brussels sprouts, rolls, and ONION RICE. And everything was absolutely delicious. We spilled water and Martinelli’s all over the table so we did have to reset the table twice, but what else can you expect from 2020! We enjoyed being together, playing games with Graham, talking to Beth on her mission, and going for a nice long walk.

It wasn’t the big family gathering we are used to, but honestly it was so special and fun no matter what!

I’m honestly THRILLED to be writing this. After 3 years as a contractor for WGU and other clients, I’m moving up! COVID-19 has brought many hardships, but remote work has helped many employers, WGU included, feel more comfortable with working at home. For me, this means that I can continue to work from home mostly while now being a full-time employee, instead of a contractor. Benefits, PTO, a promotion, and raise are all part of this and I couldn’t be more thankful!

I’m mostly just so happy to work for a place that is dedicated to helping others, doing website work I love, while still being at home with Graham. I feel so lucky.

November so far has been so exciting! But also I have not documented a lot hahaha. WOOPS.

We decorated for Christmas WOOHOO! Graham has become OBSESSED with Play Doh which is so fun. He’s also wildly obsessed with Hamilton music and asks us to play it every time we get into the car. Which I’m totally OK with.

We’ve been loving home church, cooking new recipes, coloring, working working working, doing our gratitude journal, and all kinds of other fun activities.

I’m still running a lot which is awesome, and Graham and I go on walks and feed the ducks and enjoy the weather while it’s still a little warm.

I’m going to be better at taking pictures!!! And we’re geared up for a fun, small and safe Thanksgiving which will be really great.

I’ve had big opinions about the 2020 election. All I will say here is that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris embody so much of what I think is important for our country. Donald Trump has set out to divide us, and I believe that Joe and Kamala will try to bring us together.

Today, we found out they won. Of course there are still votes to count, there will be lawsuits and drama for months and weeks, but it appears that we have great things to look forward to for the next 4 years. And I couldn’t be more thrilled.

I’ve been more open with my politics this year than I ever have before, which has been scary. But it’s been really cool to see people who feel similar and have them reach out. Connections like this have been so important and I think it’s been so crucial for me to understand how people can feel very differently while still having lots in common. I really have loved it.

During all the craziness I took some time for some self-care at the Dry Bar in Utah. LOVED IT. It was such a fun and relaxing time. Can’t recommend it enough!

We had the MOST FUN Star Wars party with my family!

Grandma and Grandpa were Admiral Holdo and Chewbacca

Ben and Kim were Boba Fett and Han Solo in carbonite

Candace, Tommy, and Allison were Darth Vader, a Storm Trooper, and an Ewok.

Liv and Mel were Padme and Leia.

Mom was Rey, dad was Kylo Ren, and Graham was Luke Skywalker.

We ate a TON of delicious food that was perfectly Star Wars themed. We had a great scavenger hunt, went trick or treating at family’s houses, had a dance party, did crafts, and just had the best time all together.

The Target toy catalog came and Graham was SO beyond pumped. He can’t stop reading it and pointing out “folk” (Hulk) and Spider-Man and Captain America and Paw Patrol. He wakes up and asks for his catalog all the time. We also made adorable pom-pom halloween creatures and he’s OBSESSED. He calls them his kids, and loves the little spider the most. He’s getting so good at counting and the alphabet. He had way too much fun playing with his cousins while they were here, running around playing hide n seek and with blocks. They would run around singing “Find a way to play together” the whole time they built towers and it was so adorable.

All month long Graham has asked us to play “Spoopy Scary Skeletons,” the dub step version, and “Let’s jam!” every time we’re in the car. He loves driving by houses that have inflatables and he says “See the ghosties and bad guys?” It’s been super fun. He’s also obsessed with Toy Story of Terror and that makes me so happy.

For Halloween Graham and I went on an adventure to find pumpkins. On Halloween there aren’t a lot of pumpkins left! We finally found some and got some kettle corn too. We carved one and painted the other and it was so great. We spent the evening eating yummy treats, trick or treating at family houses, and watching movies. It was such a fun Halloween.