Christmas!

 Even with the pandemic, we found ways to connect with family over Christmas. We missed seeing our Chicago family, but look forward to seeing them when the pandemic is more under control. We even decorated a little earlier than usual this year to add some sparkly lights and cheer around the house.

We enjoyed an epic cookie baking day...and then spent the next week trying to figure out who to give them to so as not to eat them all myself! 😄 I also made 5 batches of fudge this year! 😮

We didn't meet Santa like we usually do this year, but the chocolate shop Droolin Moose near our house had a outdoor, socially distanced Santa meet that we took advantage of! He also gave us some incredibly delicious chocolate!

We also felt very fortunate to be able to see family over the holiday.

And of course we had a lovely Christmas morning at home with gift opening and red and green Christmas crepes! 🎄🎁

Miscellaneous winter fun

We have kept busy this month with Christmas decorating/celebrating, birthday celebrations, cookie baking, distance learning/teaching, and sledding! We got into watching the show Nailed It as a family and even did some Nailed It competitions at home. 

Happiest of birthdays to our number one guy!

Getting ready to Nail It!

Hard at work....

Final products, Nailed it!

Celebrating milestone birthdays in a pandemic

Fort day for Emily before winter break

 

Goodbye to one of the greats

We lost GG on Monday, December 21. The speaker at her small graveside committal said it best when she said that it's always hard to lose someone you love but it's extra hard during a pandemic at Christmas time. She is right. Velda accepted and loved me from the day we met and I will be forever grateful for her love and role in my life. She was witty, strong in her convictions, a great baker, and was a fierce opponent when playing a game of cards. She was surrounded by her loving family throughout her entire life and will be missed greatly.

NINE

 Emily turned nine years old today and it is still hard to believe that she is almost out of the single digits (as she likes to tell me). Nine years has never before passed this fast for me. This moment doesn't feel like nine years ago!

Emily, you are a beautiful, talented, funny, friendly, curious, intelligent, empathetic, hardworking kid. You make your family so happy and we couldn't ask for a more perfect oldest daughter. We wish you all the amazing things the world has and more! Love you so much 😘