On June 1st, Saint Peter Chanel re-opened its doors for Mass for the first time in almost 3 months. Even amid the restrictions of needing to have a reservation for mass, having to wear a mask, and stay 6 feet apart from others, it was a joyful day to be back at mass in person! Even though we "attended" mass virtually every Sunday since quarantine started in March, we have missed the Eucharist! Our first mass back I was fighting back the tears the entire time - it was a mixture of tears of joy to have the Eucharist back and tears of sadness to look around the mostly empty church and not be able to see a single smile (due to the masks) or visit with anyone afterwards. But even despite the changes, we couldn't think of a better way to start off the summer!
Here's an assortment of random fun times this summer - I will make separate posts for the bigger events of the summer next. But overall, it was a very different but wonderful summer. Swim team was cancelled and we hardly did any camps. It was a lot less of organized events and places to go and and a lot more old fashioned fun at home with family, outdoors, and tons of pool time. Gradually, between June to August we started seeing friends and family a bit more, in smaller group settings and mostly just outside, and often with masks. Our neighborhood pool was open and we did go there probably at least 5 times per week. Yes, there were disappointments and things we wish we would have done this summer, but with the restrictions and changes still came many blessings and joy and for that we are very thankful!!
Lots of grill outs
Daddy made key lime pie for us one night!
Grace saw two of her friends for the first time in months - they met at the school parking lot for a bike play date.
Everyone's been cooking a lot more these past few months - and Samuel was not to be left out!! He chose to make pizzas for us one night!
Daddy cooked then on the Green Egg for us
The finished product - yum!
Gotta love Friday pizza nights!
Henry saw his friend Colin for the first time in months at an outdoor playdate
We had a family outing to play putt putt golf
Rootbeer float night :-)
Lots of wonderful quality time with their cousin Genvieve
Samuel got into making up his own recipes...this one he was super excited to serve to me...it's a Hawaiian roll with blackberries and chocolate sprinkles on top.....ummm..yum?! Thanks sweetie! :-)
Genevieve served up some egg roll bowl and pot stickers for us one night for dinner!
Grace attended the art camp at the farm again this year - they stayed outside as much as possible, and when inside due to weather, then had to wear a mask.
Fun times at the pool with bubbles
Henry was excited to help Mr Boyle fill in the holes of his yard
Genevieve, Grace and Sam and I went to the Farmer's Market at City hall one Saturday and then strolled through Smith plantation afterward.
We picked blueberries at my boss's house
Another custom dessert creation by Samuel - frozen yogurt cups with strawberries, chocolate sauce, Oreos and lots of sprinkles (always lots of sprinkles with everything he makes :-)
Nicholas and Henry helped the boy scouts place flags outside the church for 4th of July
Nicholas went boating with some friends for William's birthday
Henry helped Shawn with some great grill outs
Genevieve themed one week...around the world..and the kids learned about different countries each day and made some sort of food related to that culture - this was Mexico Day
Homemade pinatas for Mexican Day
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