Christmas 2020

 This Christmas was the first time I remember in a long time where we didn't get sick over Christmas break. I was concerned about us or my parents getting COVID and them not being able to come up for the holiday, but I was very grateful that they were able to come.

December was a pretty quiet month. 

At the beginning of the month, we were grateful Clara could participate in her dance recital, although we couldn't watch it live. 

Robbie also participated in his first piano recital and did a great job. I took video but no photos, sadly.

We even got a rare December snowfall, which was a treat.

Michael was thrilled to be able to use the hot tub in the snow. The boys would get out of the hot tub, lie down on the cold snow, and then get back into the hot tub. Brrrr!

Not sure which of the kids snagged this picture during Sacrament meeting, but I am glad I have it to document masks during church and how, amazingly, both Robbie and Henry are sitting nicely.

When Nana and Bapa arrived, we decorated pop tart gingerbread houses. I made them the day before and wasn't quite prepared for how much work they'd bed.

Clara opted not to make one, but she did help me make dinner, which was great.

Here are the creations.

I loved all the ideas.

We did our Joseph and Mary dinner, this year thanks to my mom who prepared it all while Michael and I took the younger kids to the church to run around on Christmas Eve while it was rainy outside. We had fun playing "spud" and kickball, and it felt great being in the church building without a mask.

Christmas Eve we finally took out all the gifts and put them under the tree. And yes, the tree is still only decorated on the upper third. Maybe some day we'll be able to decorate the whole thing. The elves came and brought the kids pajamas, which they were thrilled about.

On Christmas morning, Daddy and the kids read the thoughtful note that Santa left.

Opening stockings!! Benjy got a Henry train engine and a little tractor that makes noises. He was a satisfied boy. Michael got exciting things like refill razor blades. Robbie got a book light, which he had wanted for a while. 

Henry got a Spider-Man watch from Santa!

I got a pizza cutter to replace the one that I've had for a long time which literally just hit the dust that day. Note that I'm wearing my mom's sweater that she wore for many years.

Nana got some yummy chocolate in her stocking (I did too!).

Santa brought Clara some beautiful butterfly wings.

Here Bapa is admiring the cheese he got in his stocking.

Before presents, we enjoyed egg nog, cinnamon rolls, and egg casserole. 

Having Nana and Bapa there made it all the more fun.

Robbie was very appreciative of his presents--he got a big Lego rocket ship set, a tool bag with all sorts of tools in it, and a book called The Dangerous Book for Boys, which was probably a little old for him.

Clara got some makeup, a Lego Harry Potter set that she put together with Nana and Robbie's help, and a BYU sweatshirt.

Giving good hugs for the sweet aprons Nana made for the boys.

I am so thankful for this stud.

A surprise kid gift was this dune racer, which we parked in the garage. Robbie is a little big for it, but that doesn't keep him from riding it. It is a lot of fun. I initially balked (for a few years) at getting one, but Michael said he'd always wanted one, and we figured this was the last year Robbie could even remotely fit into one, so we did. I don't regret it.

Our stair photo attempt.

A fun surprise this year was getting some flurries on Christmas morning! My dad even got into the hot tub with the boys, and they had a great time.

Mr. Fox and his mouse hunts never fail to disappoint.

Lots of stories were read.

And a few games.

I really appreciate these sweet moments when the boys are all getting along and enjoying each other's company.

 

It was a good Christmas!!

2020: A Year in Review

 In case anyone receives our Christmas card and wants to get a more informative update than just a photo, I thought I'd write a quick review. I wish I were more gifted at seeing things in perspective--I think more time removed will help me see this year better. I've included links to earlier posts that describe some of the events more in detail.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Benjy gets glasses and likes to pop out the lenses and lose them
• Clara turns fifteen
• Robbie and Henry earning new bikes
• A visit to Michael's sister, Bethany, and her family in Dayton, Ohio, where I got to see the house where I lived when I was born
• Henry's fifth birthday
• Michael's sister Melody coming to stay with us for the summer and then getting married--by Michael--in our home in August; seeing Michael's parents there, then Michael being able to witness Melody and Matt's sealing in October
• Benjy's second birthday
• A family weekend at the Highland Retreat where we were supposed to hold the Weiler family reunion which got cancelled (along with the Dunford one)
• Several hikes and time outdoors
• Robbie beginning to take piano and participating in his first recital
• A bizarre burst of poetry from my head during the early months of COVID: Chasing Squirrels, Seven, and My Prayer Tonight
• A short trip to the Outer Banks
• Clara beginning ABA therapy with Erin Chilcott, a sweetheart who visits our home two-three times a week to work/play with Clara
• Going to Smith Mountain Lake for the first time with friends
• Robbie's eighth birthday and baptism 
• Clara being able to continue dancing with her special needs ballet class
• A fun visit from my parents over Halloween
• Our New England adventure to Boston and a Vermont dairy farm
• Our patio being redone and maybe completed before the end of the year
• Michael gets the hot tub he's wanted for many years
• Michael continues with 3-D models, scanning, and really gets into Invisalign and continues to improve the practice's customer service and efficiency
• Michael's and my dedication over nearly eight months to the completion of a powerful parenting course that has really helped me (not that we're ever done learning, and plus I've forgotten half of it)

WHAT I'VE LEARNED:

• I deeply value quality conversation with other girl friends--It helps keep me sane.
• It's okay to see things differently (re: the coronavirus) from each other. 
• I miss seeing in-person and hearing quality updates from our families.
• Sometimes taking risks is absolutely worth it. Being pretty risk-averse, I am so glad that Michael helped convince me to go visit family and have adventures despite COVID. Even if we'd gotten sick, I think it would have been worth the experiences we would have missed out on otherwise.
• Being outside is incredibly therapeutic.
• The gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and the small and simple things really do make a difference by adding an anchor and creating a rhythm to our lives during this season.
• I am grateful for inspiration and advanced preparation from Church leaders for this unprecedented time.
• I confirmed the fact that I value routine and predictability.
• I actually like a lot of things about COVID--other people not touching my cards and keys at check-out, other people standing a little further away from me while talking, less jockeying for position at Costco while shopping, curbside pickup, less obligation to chat or make conversation because it's hard while wearing a mask.
• I really need people's mouths to gauge emotion and understand what they're saying. I'm more of a lip-reader than I knew.
• My kids are resilient and terrific (which I already knew). They've tolerated mask-wearing very well.
• I'm sad our movie theater closed and feel for those in industries affected negatively by the pandemic.
• I feel concern for those families with parents who are both either working from home or away from home during this difficult time.
• I don't want to be a homeschooling mom if I can help it. I like the idea of it but feel like it is a difficult power struggle.
• My hopes that face shields would become more vogue than face masks were never realized, and now I have several face shields for me and the kids I need to sell/get rid of.
• I super dislike kids having their own devices issued from the school.
• I struggle with knowing what are appropriate screen time limits for Clara.
• I am thankful for hardworking teachers and staff and administration.
• Michael is a driven and dedicated orthodontist and dad and husband and bishop--so grateful for his steadiness during this time.
• Dear neighbors who chat on the driveway, share games and books when the library is closed, and whose kids can play with mine have been a precious, precious gift that made this time bearable.

Seeing this list and these highlights makes me realize even more what a full and wonderful year this has been despite its challenges. And I don't presume to imagine that our "challenges" are anything like those who have lost jobs, lost family members, endured wildfires, other natural disasters, racism, and riots during this turbulent year, but I have felt stretched and feel thankful for the Lord's strengthening hand. 

I hope 2021 is wonderful for each of you. Dare I say, better than 2020?!

Thanksgiving 2020

 This was a quiet Thanksgiving, which felt a little sad, but it wasn't too bad. I enjoyed making all the food and creating something, even if it was edible, since I feel like most days I am doing lots of consuming/purchasing and not doing much creating. 

Benjy helped me make rolls a few days before. He loved using the dough knife to cut up the extra dough.

The boys helped decorate the menus we delivered along with a meal to a few people from the ward. 

There is just something very satisfying about baking and cooking things from scratch. I enjoyed the experience more than otherwise because Michael took the kids from underfoot, which was super helpful. Frankly I think you can celebrate with any food (we had Thanksgiving at a Japanese steakhouse one year, for example) but it is also fun to make the traditional foods.

Apple pie, chocolate pie, and mini crustless pumpkin pies.

The kids accommodated my desires and got dressed in collared shirts--Robbie even helped Benjy put on a button-up shirt and Clara wore a skirt. Each of the kids helped prepare parts of the meal, which I loved as well.

Carving the turkey.

The day after, we went on a hike up in Shenandoah. We were sad Clara chose not to join us, but the boys had a fun time.

It was only a mile but had great views and lots of rocks for the boys.

We spent a little too much time climbing and messing around and ended up finishing in the dark, which was a little exciting.

Benjy was grateful for any time he had out of the backpack.

We even saw a black bear crossing the road as we drove up. So cool.

Michael's 42nd Birthday

 Michael celebrated the big 42 last week. His main gift was a hot tub that he's been hoping for for many years. It has not failed to deliver. We've all enjoyed it, as a matter of fact, despite the annoyance of towels and paraphernalia during the wintertime. :-) For breakfast we ate sausage and eggs and homemade toast. Michael spent the day (Sunday) in various meetings and several tithing settlement interviews, and he said it was his best birthday yet.

Heavy heavy hang over with a couple of shirts.

We sure love this guy.

I made brownies for his birthday. Black bean brownies, to be exact, which no one suspected (I could taste them, but it wasn't too bad), although the whole time I was just grinning foolishly. Michael has been trying to eat less refined sugar/flour, etc., so this recipe fit the bill. Not sure I'll make it again, though. Sometimes a real brownie just can't be beat.

A visit from Nana and Bapa

 Despite our recent travels during COVID, Nana and Bapa were still willing to visit us the end of October. It was a very sweet visit. I appreciated their time while Michael was gone to Melody and Matt's sealing (he had a terrific visit and we are so happy for them), especially since it was Halloween. They took each of the kids on an individual date, which the kids really valued, and we enjoyed just doing the usual projects and activities around the house. (I was particularly grateful for Mom's help organizing the food storage room since it was a real mess before she helped me kick my rear in gear.) Michael and I even got to get away for two nights to the Salamander, a lovely place up in Middleburg in northern Virginia. That was a real treat. 

We all took a lot of photos, so here is a bit of a photo dump.

Bapa took this cute pic of Robbie making eggs with Henry looking on. Henry is also learning to make scrambled eggs.

Bapa also kept me company at Robbie's last soccer game when, in Michael's absence, I gave out awards to each of the soccer players.

Our Halloween meal.

My mom and dad held down the fort while I took the kids out trick or treating.

Henry in the couch fort. 

Dad and I went out to breakfast, and Mom and I (wish I'd gotten a pic, Mom!) got lunch together. 

On Henry's date, they went to the park and had a treat at McDonald's.

A kid at heart.

On Robbie's date, they went to the park as well and also got McDonald's.

Climbing at the park.

They took Clara to get a treat and went to Target on their date. Here they are at Oakdale Park with all the kids while we were gone on our getaway.

The long-awaited (for Michael) hot tub was delivered while my parents were here, so we got to try it out. Fun fun!

Selfie with Nana.

Bapa and Benjy spent lots of time together.

The family enjoyed root beer floats while we were gone on our getaway.

Lots of book reading.

And they loved looking at pictures on Nana and Bapa's phones. Also taking pictures on their phone without their permission (ahem, Benjy).

Cozy by the fire.

Time with Robbie.

On Sunday, Nana used clay with the big kids while Bapa played with play dough with Benjy.

Bird memory game while I went to visit two of my ministering sisters.

Never too old for a lap . . .

. . . right?!

Thanks again for coming!