Thanksgiving 2020

Thanksgiving this year, like pretty much everything else in 2020, looked a lot different than it has in years past. But still JB and I made the best of things and had a most enjoyable meal between the two us. The menu included turkey breast cooked on our new pellet grill (easily the best turkey I've ever eaten on Thanksgiving), candied yams, mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberries, and JB's award-winning stuffing.

I have many blessings to be grateful for, and it was good to take time out to remember them over the holiday.

Mayflower

Did you know that the Mayflower Compact was signed 400 years ago last week? Well, I didn't. I learned recently from FamilySearch that six ancestors of mine sailed aboard the Mayflower in 1620. I am grateful for these ancestors who, along with others, immigrated to this country in search of religious freedom. Among them was my Danish great-grandfather Christian Jorgensen Plowman who, at age six, crossed the plains with a handcart company in the 1860s to a new home in Utah.

At the same time I learned this, I came across an article that explained just how pivotal and important the Mayflower Compact was in American and world history: “Before this mixed group stepped ashore, they signed an agreement, which we now call the Mayflower Compact. In that document, they set aside their deep divisions and voluntarily joined together to govern themselves with ‘just and equal laws.’ This was the very beginning of principled self-government among European settlers in the New World. The Mayflower Compact is not quite 200 words long, but those words pack almost as much meaning as Thomas Jefferson distilled into the Declaration of Independence 156 years later, or Abraham Lincoln in 1863 condensed into the Gettysburg Address.”

Our Day Out with Graham

Our nephew Graham turned four years old on April 1, but due to covid and social distancing restrictions, we had to reschedule our birthday outing with the April Fool's Kid for this past weekend.

Graham chose Blacksmith ice cream, a new favorite of ours, for a treat.

Afterward, we took him back to our house for video games and snacks. He's a great kid, and we are lucky to be his favorite (you guessed it) Fun Aunt and Uncle.

Dallin's Homecoming

And just like that ... two years have come and gone.

Our missionary, Elder Plowman, returned home Friday. Due to social distancing measures during this time of coronavirus spikes, we had to make an appointment to go up to Layton and see him yesterday (which was a very good idea). Since Dallin had encountered a number of strangers on his flights home, we all wore masks the entire visit.

My oldest nephew is so grown up! He also seems very happy, and he should be; he's done very good work in the New Hampshire Manchester Mission. JB and he had a lot to talk about, as they now know many of the same people and places in that area.

He delivered his homecoming talk earlier today. Under the circumstances, we were not able to attend in person but watched via YouTube.

Halloween 2020

We didn't have an improv show nor any other Halloween parties to attend this year (thanks, coronavirus), but I wouldn't let that stop me from dressing up for one of my favorite holidays. On Friday, I went to work dressed up as Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid:

Naturally, I had to dress up Leia in a costume, since she (cough cough) is a member of the family who will actually take part in Halloween along with me. I found this Chewbacca harness for her (which turned out to be a little bit big):

No regerts!