Christmas Day 2020

The kids were kind to us and didn’t get up too early. I love the excitement though! Probably my favorite moments are when they exchange gifts with each other. Copper described his gift to me before I opened it. Bottom shampoo! 🤣 It was hilarious! I loved gifting Chris his Wee Box! It’s a subscription to a monthly box of goodies from Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I ordered early so I was able to wrap up the first one. It had a beenie cap, a clock with a thistle to ring in the new year, a 2021 calendar with pictures giving clues to what that month’s box has as a theme, shortbread for First Footing, and a sign that says Lang may yer lum reek, which literally means, “Long may your chimney smoke.” The best way to wish someone a long and healthy life.

That afternoon we went to Michelle and Dennis’s house and had Christmas lunch and gift exchange with their family, Grandma Wilson, Nana, and Aunt Casey. It was the first time we were all together inside  since maybe last New Years. It was good for our souls! We played games and kids played hard!

Christmas Eve 2020

This year we spent most of the day lounging around. It was the most and least stressful holiday we’ve had in a long time. I actually felt prepared better this year and wasn’t scrambling last minute. We usually go to Christmas Eve service with Nana and Aunt Casey. This year it was a drive in service which added its own fun. We took the kids’ battery tea lights and parked next to Aunt Casey’s car. Afterwards we went home made a Tuscan sausage soup and sugar cookies for santa. One of my favorite things we’ve started doing is letting the kids open a present of new books. This year I also got Chris a couple and he got me one. It was bliss sitting quietly for a while before bed and everyone enjoying their new books.

Chris got The Nutcracker and Other Christmas Tales and Letters From Father Christmas by Tolkien because he and the bigs just finished The Hobbit.

I got a beautiful book about Scotland because I can’t travel there right now.

Elle got Lucky’s Guide to Wintertime Whimsy and How to Draw Cute Beasts because she loves the Spirit show and drawing cute things.

Todd got Gravity Falls and DuckTales graphic novels. Gravity Falls is new to him and he loves DuckTales the old and new shows.

Reese got an Elephant and Piggie and I Can Be a Gymnast Barbie book. She has really picked up on her reading and loves the Mo Willems books. She also loves Barbie and her gymnastics class.

Copper got a Paw Patrol nonfiction set and The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge. He loves Paw Patrol so that was a no brainer. The Lighthouse book is one Chris and I first heard about from West Wing. He actually loves it! Especially at bedtime.

virtual Park staff party

We had our annual end of year Park staff meeting/party on Tuesday virtual. Mr. Will put together treat boxes, a gift exchange, and games! He randomly assigned everyone a name and we bought $10 gifts and dropped them off at the office with the “to” on the outside and the “from” hidden inside. I got our deaf minister, Zeth. He loves his cat so I got him an Catvenger tshirt from Etsy. It was hilarious and I’m so glad he loved it! We picked up our gifts and treat boxes but couldn’t peek until Tuesday. Will had all the ladies in the office help with treats and everything was so yummy! We played some virtual Christmas games and had a blessed time as best as we could! They are a fun and hard working crew that I’m blessed to work with!

Ornaments 2020

Ornaments for this year are:

Todd- Scooby Doo , because it’s one of his favorites

Elle- 101 Dalmatians TV, because she loves dogs

Copper- Ironman, because his nickname from one of my coworkers is Iron Dude

Reese- unicorn, because she loves all things sparkly and magical

Thanksgiving 2020

This year was very low key as I’m sure most everyone else’s was. Family were busy with other plans and we chose not to travel to let others feeel comfortable to meet. We stayed home most of the day, and took it slow getting around. We watched the Macy’s parade, but had a hard time keeping the kids interested this year. While that was going on a made a smaller thanksgiving meal, but still had plenty of traditionals. We also watched the dog show because it’s one of Elle’s favorites. After lunch we went to The Gathering Place. It wasn’t too busy and there was plenty of space to be socially distanced from others. The kids said it should be a tradition going forward. We all had a good time! Once home we zoomed with family and then watched the Utica Square Lights On via Facebook live. It wasn’t the same but still good! We played games and talked with other family too. Something different we did this year was a thankful pumpkin. The kids loved writing it each night and it is my new favorite thing!

thanksgiving children's message

 Our worship minister asked me to make some videos to add to The Park livestream on Sundays. The first didn't get published because of my grandpa's passing, so I sent it to families on Thanksgiving. This kind of thing is just not my cup of tea, but I'm really trying to embrace this new way of doing ministry. If you've got any tips or tricks for doing videos I'm all ears!

Here's the link on our church youtube account:

https://youtu.be/_5Hy5aN_3j4