How We Isolate

 We are not fully quarantined, and don't have strict stay-at-home policies. We do have strict stay-away-from-people polices that we adhere to to varying degrees.

Since we are not allowed to minister to people in person, we made a bunch of ridiculous poster-boards for families in the Branch.  They were a lot of fun to make, but the kids were skeptical when I said we were going to drive to their houses, run up to their windows, tape them on, and run away.  I said it wasn't suppose to be covert, since we HAD signed our name on it; it was just suppose to be fun.  And it was!

Sometimes, having 6 people in the house got to be a bit much (Dan is working from home most days now).  Callie took a break and went outside in the rain to read her book on the swing for a bit. Yes, that homemade swing they created!

I had a dental check up and they let me come in for it (they won't do any work or cleaning, but they will do a look-see).  I giggled at the socially distanced chairs in the waiting room.  And I was grateful they let me keep the appointment.  (No cavities!)  

The girls steal my phone and I find all kinds of odd things on it.

Rylee had an assignment to make an instrument for her music class, and she crated this drum set.  And then it got played.... and played....

We made masks.  Lots of face masks.  All Marines are required to wear them and families as well.  So we sewed about 50 for other people, and we are still sewing.

The girls wanted to have a cupcake decorating contest.

So they made some sweet concoctions.

I was impressed by their ingenuity!

They were very clever and creative.

Last Dog pix, I promise!

The girls have very much enjoyed Oreo. 

He has been a great little buddy. 

 

And he doesn't complain when Rylee messes with him.

 Maybe because he loves snuggles so much.

Have I mentioned how good-natured he is?! 

Callie does love him so much!

And he is just the cutest. 

We introduced him to the dog park and he learned to fetch. 

And he learned to play with the big dogs.

And then.... he went into Trial.  A family is trying him out to see if he is the right fit for their family.  In 2 weeks they will decide if they will keep him or not.  I think they will, because he is an awesome little dog!  But I am sad because he IS an awesome little dog and our home feels so empty without a dog in it. 

Just a little fire

 The girls wanted to burn some stuff.  Dan also had some papers to burn. So they busted out the fire pit and lit it up.  They burned the stuff they wanted to burn and then roasted marshmallows and made some s'mores and had a lovely time.  I do not like fire and flames and smoke-stink, so I huddled safely inside. And I found 500 photos of the event on my phone later.

Ps... the funny thing is that the only kid in the photos is not even my kid!  The neighbor gang ran over to get in on the fun.

An odd place to play!

The girls had a lot of time to hang around the house.  With the virus going on, school was moved to in-home online school.  Suddenly the girls rediscovered the outdoors.  Which I endorse.

Except they also rediscovered they could climb on the roof.

And they brought their friends.

And their Barbies!  Such weirdos! But they had so much fun.

Except the next day I went out and saw this. And I nearly had a heart attack.

I know, they were so responsible, and set it up nice and secure.  Thank goodness no one had tried it out yet!  I took it down and told them no. They are so resourceful, so I was kind of proud.  But ... YIKES!

Touristing

One of my very favorite former Sister Missionaries came to visit me.  I know, you are thinking WHAT? with this Covid 19 virus?   Relax, she and her sweet husband flew over from mainland Japan for a weekend.  WE hung out a little and went to see some of the touristy stuff.  I enjoyed it. Cuz it was cool, and she and her husband are even more cool.

We went to Nakagusku castle and saw the ruins.

Which don't look much like a castle, but are still impressive.

We went to Hacksaw Ridge.

Which looks like this.  Nothing like the movie at all.  But still not something you would want to try to scale and overcome.

We went to the Peace Prayer Park.

This building houses the big Buddha.  We did go see him.

I finally made it to Kokusai Street and wish I had gone earlier!  So awesome!  We had lunch there. Lauren really wanted Okinawa Pork, so we found some for her.  I had this Udon.  It was the best Udon I have ever enjoyed!