Christmas Traditions 2020

 This is usually my most favorite time of the year.  I love all of the traditions that we have built as a family and I look forward to them all year 'round.  Well unfortunately, this year is going to look a lot different.  So as much as I want to completely lose my mind about all of this, I have decided to just make the best of it!

So this year we introduced a new tradition!

We went to see Elf at the drive in!  It was so much fun! We grabbed some chicken sandwiches and we brought all of our sleeping bags and got cozy in the trunk.  

We weren't the only people who loved this idea. It was pretty busy but super safe!  We will definitely do this again!

Claire has quite the set up going on for distance learning. She turned her new vanity into a desk and has been loving her set up (but is super excited to go back to school).

Oliver is all set up at the dining room table.  He loves his space because is next to the Christmas tree but he is not nearly as organized as Claire lol.  But it is working for him!  He has done great with distance learning but is also looking forward to going back to school!

One of my most favorite traditions is the Festival Of Lights.  This year we could still drive through but we couldn't get out.  We were all just happy to drive through!  

The lines were pretty bonkers but we kind of expected that.  We wore our comfy clothes, got peppermint hot chocolates, brought our favorite blankets, and settled in for the wait.

We only had to wait about an hour (which was better than most people) and we had some great conversations while waiting.  We usually have to wait about that long to see Santa every year so no one was really upset about.

I finally let the kids stick their heads out of the sunroof while we went through the light tunnel!

I kept saying that the only thing I was really going to miss about walking through the festival was the Christmas Tree village (to the point that everyone was getting annoyed with me).  That is my absolute favorite!  So I was beyond thrilled when they put all of the trees in the drive through display!!!!  

And we still finished up our night with our traditional Mighty Taco feast.  Even though we had to take it out and eat at home, it was still great.  So even though some things have changed we all still had a blast and made some great memories. The kids have been so positive and amazing throughout all of this, I am really so proud of them!  COVID can't ruin our Christmas traditions!

Earrings And A New Phone

 I surprised Claire the other day but FINALLY taking her to get her second earring hole!  I have been promising her for a long time and she has been so amazing helping out around here and working so hard with school that I wanted to take her now (in case they shut the stores down again).

Then we celebrated with some mall pretzels, because they are just the absolute best.  We had to eat them in the car due to the COVID but we still made it happen.

Papa also got a new phone and he came over with a list of questions for Claire.  It was super cute and I love seeing her help her Papa.  This girl is really great!

Shopping Day

 The numbers of COVID are rapidly going up around here and we are starting to be more careful.  That being said, I couldn't skip my annual Christmas shopping outlet trip with my girls.

The shopping looked a lot different this year but I am just thrilled I was still able to carry on our yearly tradition!

Sports

 With all of this craziness that is going on I have been so thrilled that the kids are able to play sports.  

Oliver hasn't able to play any games but he can still practice.  I hate that there are no games but I love that he can still get together with his team and practice.

Claire had a great filed hockey season!  Their team was undefeated and Claire was a Captain.  I was so proud of her and so glad that she was able to play a full season.  Her beasties even made it out to watch the last game.

Claire loved her coach.  Coach Haus was an amazing coach and a great mentor for the girls.  I am sad that the season is over but I am so grateful that she got to play her final field hockey season of middle school.

Halloween 2020

 Even the COVID couldn't stop us from celebrating Halloween!

We had our usual feast of pizza and wings before we suited up!

We had some delicious pumpkin - tinis!

Then we were ready to Trick or Treat!  The girls made their own costumes this year.  They picked out all of the supplies and painted their own hats.  I think they are cowgirls lol.

I am proud to say that I made Oliver's costume this year! He wanted to be a Rubix Cube so I got to work!  Even his mask matched!

The kids looked great!  And somehow we managed to make sure that everyone still wore a mask.

It was a little chilly but the weather was gorgeous compared past Halloweens!

Our Halloween crew!

Even though this year looked a little different, it was really a great Halloween!  People got really creative and I really think it was very safe.  There were lots of campfires in the driveways, tables set up with treats, and we even got to use a CANDY CHUTE!

Then of course there the candy sorting!

Then the candy trading!

And even the grown up boys had a little fun!  

Overall, even with the restrictions we still had an amazing Halloween!

Halloween Bash 2020

This year Grandma set up a super fun pumpkin carving night, otherwise known as a Halloween Bash!

It was so fun to carve all of our pumpkins together!

Mark and his award winning tiger prize!

The kids had a blast bobbing for apples.

Things did get a bit competitive though!

Erin and I stayed out of it!

These two had a blast!

Uncle Brian/Uncle Mark

Monster Mash dance party!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for a great Halloween Bash!