2020 Christmas Holidays

 Christmas 2020 came and went. It felt a little bit like any other day, only with presents. We did all we could to make it memorable and special. Throughout the month of December, we did all sorts of Christmas-y things like decorate the house, look at Christmas lights, build gingerbread houses, bake cookies, family games, and watch all of the Hallmark movies! 

I even had TWO Christmas trees this year :) That fun new tradition actually started pre-pandemic, when I purchased our first artificial tree to place in the living room. The real/original tree will always live in our family room. We all loved the extra twinkling lights felt throughout the house, each and everyday. And since we worked from home, those two trees stayed lit all day/evening, everyday. We all poked fun of our new artificial tree, because it turned out to be a pencil tree, and a little skinny for an oversized space this year. But I still love that extra tree!

We ended up starting holiday break with an extra 4 legged guest for a few days, this due to my friend's urgent surgery. Her new service dog was just what the kids needed to fill their holiday spirits. She is sweet and loving (and oh so full of fur!). 

She sure puts up with a lot of Lincoln's requests too! 

Christmas eve, we did a little Google Meeting with Ryan's parents while we opened gifts. The strangest Christmas eve to date! And for whatever reason, they couldn't hear Ryan's voice on their end, which made all of us giggle. Our very own Christmas ghost. 

The kids made up some reindeer food, plated some cookies for Santa and bid farewell to the mischievous elf and her reindeer. It was certainly the easiest bedtime of the year. And then....magic :) 

We greeted Christmas morning bright and early (Regan even set an alarm at 7:45am, knowing Lincoln and Sidney would be awake much before then and unable to contain their excitement). The kids were in present heaven, spoiled with love from us and Santa. I loved watching their faces as they opened up presents, we sure had some good surprises! 

After lunch, we did a Zoom meeting with my brother/Jon and my mom to open gifts again. There were more gracious gifts and spoiled kiddos, unwrapping creative and unique gifts. Lucky for us, Lincoln scored a high-pitched whistle that lights up (in case he loses it). And Regan received the most annoying squeeky toys, gifted by Ben just to annoy me :) I sure felt the love! #eyeroll

We hope to spend the remainder of the kiddos winter break from school taking advantage of the recent snowfall. We've already ice skated and gone sledding multiple times; despite the snow, I still take daily long walks and occasionally can convince Regan to join me. The kids are getting great use of our newly heated garage for hitting practice and stickhandling work.  The fresh air feels good, and helps the days feel less like the longest Groundhog Day ever. Running into/meeting up with friends at the sledding hills and ice rinks sure help their moods. We'll keep hanging in there and staying safe.  

Skating on Bush Lake might go down as the most memorable moment of winter 2020. Without any snow, the lake froze, allowing crystal clear ice (I could see through the ice!) and the largest skating rink we've ever seen. It was so cool! 

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season!