1/6/21 Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol

 The insurrection of the U.S. Capitol became a big discussion point for our family.  We watched the news and talked about the election, the protests and what should be done.  I'm grateful for open minded children who get it.  America doesn't have to be divided.  If people can just admit when they've been wrong and stop pointing fingers and yelling hypocrisy.  Both political parties have been hypocritical at times but two wrongs never make a right.  We believe in humanity.  We believe that these protestors are terrorists and we need strong leadership that cares for all people in our country.

Spending Time Outdoors and Throwing Burritos at Each Other

 On my way home from the library, I saw this beautiful deer on the side of the road.  It was so calm and peaceful.  I watched it for about 5 minutes.

For FHE, we spent time at the park and then played a new game, "Throw, Throw, Burrito".  It was so fun.  It's a cross between Spoons and Dodgeball.

Saturday Shenanigans

 Ev and Jase had fun playing with Jarom while Tony, Nathan, Max, Jimmy and Ryan went had target practice.  

Ev and Jarom asked Alexa to put on the "Knight Song" and a Tabernacle Choir song came on.  

We had fun outside and then we warmed up with hot chocolate.

1,000 hours OUTSIDE

 Yes, I like checklists.  I love this idea of spending as much time outside as possible.  1000 Hours Outside  There are trackers for spending time outside.  The best part is that if you don't make your goal, you've been successful just by making the outdoors your home.  The quote I love is:

"Nature is not a place to visit, it is home."--Gary Snyder

Beginning the New Year

 We took Avi to the dog park and Jase and Ev walked through their Enchanted Forest.  They are the king and queen of their forest complete with tree thrones.

That evening we had dinner with the Kranzs.  Max was at a sleepover but the rest of us chatted, snuggled bunnies, played Barbies, watched funny videos and had a white elephant exchange.

Epperson List of 100 Things--2021

1. Play Hide and Seek in the dark (11/21)
2. Ryan goes on 12 year old vacation with dad (7/21)
3.  Decorate the hallway with maps (1/21)
4.  Take swimming lessons (6/21)
5.  Play Superbowl commercial bingo (2/21)

6. Visit Owen’s beach (2/21)

7.  Tony and Deb celebrate 16th anniversary at a cabin (2/21)
7.  Make a skim board (8/21)

8.  Go sledding (1/21 and 12/21)

9.  Make a family book list (1/21)

10.  Make colored ice balls with balloons (1/21)

11. Paint rocks 5/21)

12. Stay at Fort Flagler (5/21)

13.  Play Laser Tag at Fort Worden (5/21)

14. Play March Madness (3/21)

15. Do a picture scavenger hunt (11/21)

16. Go camping at the ocean (8/21)

17. Memorial Day weekend with cousins (5/21)

18. Ryan goes to a Rock and Mineral Show (6/21)

19.  Participate in the Lake Jane fishing derby (6/21)

20.  Participate in Beautify Bonney Lake (9/21)

21.  Host 4th of July (7/21)

22.  Visit Mt. St. Helens on (5/21) 

23.  Hike the Gnome Trail (1/21)

24.  Visit Yellowstone (7/21)
25.  Ryan goes ziplining (7/21)

26.  Skim board at Dash Point (7/21)

27.  Go to a Renaissance Faire (8/21)

28.  Have a treasure hunt (8/21)

29.  Go tidepooling (8/21)

30.  Go boogie boarding (8/21)

31.  Go floating on river (8/21)
32.  Carve pumpkins (10/21)

33.  Have a shepherd’s dinner (12/21)
34.  Have a drawing night (10/21)
35. Have a riddle night (10/21)
36.  Do a 500 piece puzzle together (12/21)
37.  Have a card game night (11/21)
38.  Cook with a solar oven (8/21)
39.  Visit Ocean Shores (4/21)
40.  Visit a Lavender Farm (7/21)
41.  Visit the Fjelstroms in Idaho (7/21)
42.  Put out hummingbird feeder (5/21)
43. Visit the Olympic Game Farm (7/21)
44.  Visit Redondo Beach (11/21)
45.  Decorate Easter eggs
46.  Have a “no power/candle only” night. (11/21)
47.  Go boating with the Kranzs (8/21)
48. Have a Christmas book advent (12/21)
49.  Have a friend sleepover in a hotel (4/21)
50.  Have a board game night (1/21)
51. Tony teaches the kids to sail (6/21)
52.  Finish putting gravel on the beach (5/21)

53. Hike  to beach 4 (8/21)
54. Make a sand castle (8/21)
55. Have an airplane flying contest (11/21)
56. Visit a trampoline park (9/21)
57. Visit Sharkey’s (4/21)

58.  Make snowflakes while watching Frosty (12/21)
59.  Have a Grinch Night (12/21)
60.  Have a Home Alone Night (12/21)
61.  Have an Elf Night (12/21)
62.  Have a Polar Express Night (2/21)
63.  Go on a Christmas light scavenger hunt (12/21)
64.  Celebrate Santa Lucia day (12/21)
65. .Celebrate Three Kings Day (1/21)

66.  Max gets his braces off (6/21)

67. Ryan gets his braces on (7/21)
68.  Ryan tries 4 wheeling (7/21)

69.  Get the kids new glasses (2/21)

70.  Visit Mud Mountain Dam (7/21)

71  Visit the Point Defiance Zoo (8/21)

72.  Go Christmas caroling (12/21)

73.  See a live nativity (12/21)
74. Play 3 new games:  Spoons, Throw Throw Burrito, Dix-it

75.  Have a sibling sleepover on Christmas Eve (12/21)

76.  Act out the nativity on Christmas Eve (12/21)

77.  Make gingerbread houses (12/21)

78.  Have an Easter Egg Hunt on our island (4/21)

79.  Send letters to Santa (12/21)

80.  Decorate the truck for Trunk or Treat (10/21)

81. Have a video game night (12/21)

82. Ride in the Christmas Flotilla
83. Go to a white elephant party (12/21)
84.  Visit Salt Water State Park (11/21)

85.  Have a family NYE party (12/21)

86.  Deb and Tony find massage therapists (3/21)

87.  Learn a new cookie recipe (12/21)

88.  Make a snow fort (12/21)

89.  Tony make a costume with 3D printer (10/21)

91.  Max reads 20 books (12/21)

92. Add a new Christmas decoration to the collection (12/21)
93. Deb and Tony try a new restaurant (12/21)
94. Deb and Tony celebrate 17th anniversary (12/21)
95.  Deb and Tony have a roadside America trip (2/21)

96.  Tony reads 12 books (12/21)
97.  Deb reads 20 out of 56 books (12/21)

98. Tony goes bike packing (5/21)
99.  Deb has BDB weekend (10/21)

100. Deb goes to Disneyland with Aunt Lauren (8/21)

 

 

New Years Eve 2020

 We had a great time playing, planning and even doing some cleaning, muahaha!  In the evening we went and hung out with the Hanes.  This mask is everything.

Then we brought Jimmy and Alanna home with us to ring in the New Year.  Our neighbors did some fireworks and we banged pots and toasted in the new year together.  

After enjoying being outside and sending the kids to bed, Tony and I stayed up until almost 6 in the morning binge watching Cobra Kai Season 3 with no regrets.  

Happy New Year!