Fall 2020

Yes, that's exactly what I wrote for Summer 2020. It's still true. COVID-19 is still not under control in this country, and we're now heading into another wave, plus the holiday season.

On the major plus side for this season: we welcomed Rose Amelia Cattan!

Hikes Apple acquisition Fall Color Snow

CA Grandkids -- aka Nayla and Olivia NJ Grandkids -- aka Lily and Rose

This foxglove just keeps on going.

Some backyard fall color

The driveway was littered with oak leaves after a rainstorm.

Pizza crust success! the secret is a second knead and rise.

Lily entertains us during a 'floortime' zoom call.

Birthday zoom meeting. Nayla is opening her presents and Lily is dancing to her musical elephant.

Lily does a song with Grandma Shelly while Chris reads the directions to assemble Nayla's Paw Patrol tower.

Grandma Shelly and Jenny encouraged Lily to go down her slide, but she preferred climbing up.

Glen split a huge 6' oak log in half lengthwise to make benches. The screen tent is keeping the bugs to a minimum so they don't become a permanent part of the bench when applying the resin finish.

Finished benches in place by the campfire ring.

Public service announcement seen on I-77.

A special girls (and cats) zoom with Grandmother, Aunt Wendy, Anne(Mom), and Lisa

Lisa and Robyn out doing a bit of Christmas shopping at an outdoor mall.

We're ready to shelter-in-place.

Halloween this year was a socially-distant event, with candy in ziplock bags on the decorated step-stool. Anne watched the costume show from the doorway, and replenished the candy in between trick-or-treaters.

Glen had been thinking of taking this tree down since it was dead already, but a windstorm took care of that for him.

It fell towards Ralph's yard. Glen measured later and concluded it was approximately 100' tall: 76' on the ground, plus something for the part still standing and also the crown. He'd been worried it could reach the deck or house.

That windstorm took down a fair number of trees, including these by the side of the road. When Glen first saw them on his way back from Costco, they were blocking the road. He stopped and dragged them over to the ditch. Other cars then approached, so he didn't take time to take a picture. Anne went back the next day.

Thanksgiving in Ohio, just four of us.

And only two desserts: pumpkin pie and brownies.

Thanksgiving Zoom with Grandmother, Uncle Shelton, and Aunt Dottie.

Thanksgiving Zoom with extended Cooper family. We don't remember why we were all looking so serious, but perhaps we were listening intently as Laurie shared what she'd learned about Cooper forebears present at the first Thanksgiving. We also agreed that it would be fun to gather again on Zoom for Christmas and do a Secret Santa exchange.
In the boxes (left to right):
Glen/Anne/Roger, Lisa, Sarah/Olivia, Beth/John/Libbie
Steph, Jessica/Tom, Jen, Parker/Sam
David/Jenny, Jerry/Julia, Laurie, Carol