Christmas Week 2020

     Merry Christmas! It's been a fine week and our Christmas was great. Nothing too crazy but everyone got what they asked for and seem satisfied.

Charlie made this cute snowman in our neighbors backyard while we enjoyed a visit around their burn barrel.

We had a fun visit with our fun friend, Linda. She's the queen of Christmas decor!

She's got all the fun things.

A gingerbread house already constructed was genius but there were still tears and discouragement.

Not too bad for what they had to work with.

McClane and Charlie each had their own half to work on.

Our ward still managed to put on the traditional Christmas eve program, Covid style, and McClane and Charlie were shepherds.

Christmas Eve pajamas. There were some initial sizing issues but we worked it out. (McClane's might have been a little too snug.)

I love this time of night. The lighting is the perfect amount of highlighting and the prettiest shades of blue.

Christmas morning lineup.

The sibling gift exchange is always a highlight.

Isaac and Brock were our only circle.

Doesn't Carter have such pretty hair!?

Brock got all the things he was hoping for and more.

McClane also was thrilled with all his stuff.

And Charlie is obsessed with giving gifts and especially enjoys making little things for Mark.

The Wendel's joined us and baby Beau kept us all busy unwrapping any and all chocolate candy she could find.

And Greg got me a nice little space heater and candy so I'm all set for the winter. 

     I would be wearing matching pjs with the kids but I had to donate my pair to McClane, ha ha. I think Brock will donate his pair to me after Christmas is over since he doesn't normally wear pajamas so it's all good. 

      It's been a fun day/week. We're still looking forward to another week off of school and I'm sure these kids will find plenty of time to enjoy their new Christmas gifts. Don't forget to say "Jumanji" New Years Eve so we can hopefully get out of this messy year 2020 has been.

A couple things

     It's been a very quiet week, there's been some snow and last minute efforts to get bad grades to passing grades and simple school festivities covid style.

Charlie with her sugar cookie and wooden Christmas tree decor.

     

      And we've been noticing a resemblance between McClane and his Grandpa K. No question they're related. 

 

      We can't believe we're only 7 sleeps from Christmas Day! It feels so weird this year! No regular school programs or other holiday traditions. I guess we need to make more of an effort this coming week to try to create that fun anticipation that makes Christmas so magical. 

Major Awards!

      We had a couple highlights this week. Our leg lamp was delivered and we're hoping a trend will start and we'll see a few more join the Christmas decor in our neighborhood. This has been a long time coming and what better year then 2020 to finally pull the trigger?!

Our "major award" arrived this week. 

"Electric sex" on display in our front window.

     Charlie has been trying so hard to follow the prompts from "Light The World" this year and has been doing little kindnesses all week. She even spent some time tidying up her bedroom. 

The cat approves of Charlie's efforts.

     That's the biggest events for our week. We're looking forward to Christmas even if it's going to be much simpler this year.

New fence and Christmas decor

     Greg's been a busy guy, this week/always, rebuilding our back fence and installing a much needed gate. He started to build the gate to look like the rest of the fence but I just couldn't resist reminding him of my idea to make it a little more decorative and he reluctantly agreed to my chevron pattern. I think it turned out great and once he frames it, it'll be even better.

I love a chevron pattern and I love reclaimed wood!

     And while Greg worked on the fence I put up the Christmas decorations with some help from Charlie. 

Some much needed help untangling my stars.

Inside and outside looking very festive.

Charlie was thrilled to help with the tree and Smalls immediately staked his claim on our Christmas blanket.

 

Fence project about half way complete.

Looking so good!

And now it's 90% done. There's still a tiny section to complete with either a small gate or just more fencing. He'll also probably add corrugated metal to the top, per my request.

      Thankfully the weathers been sunny even if it's been bitterly cold. Greg would just stoke up the burn barrel to keep his work area toasty and of course dressed really warm. Thankfully he got it all done before the real winter weather hits. 

Happy Thanksgiving 2020

     We had a great Thanksgiving. We kept it simple, stayed home and cooked our own meal and everything turned out pretty great. We had a minor tragedy with the rolls and my favorite baking stone at the end of the night but these things happen, especially when you leave the stone on a burner that never got turned off. OOPS!

Charlie had a little 'sweet' fun at school.

Carter and his friends had a hankering for scones so they looked up a recipe and had some decent success. The honey butter in a jar was crucial but for a first attempt he didn't do too bad. 

     And then we had Thanksgiving dinner! Greg and I did our best to bring in all the favorites.

Greg's relish tray and cranberry sauce over cream cheese was great.

It's hard to get a photo of such a big group.

Bye, bye best ever baking dish.

My blueberry/lemon cobbler and a yummy coconut cream pie courtesy of our great neighbors.

A little better view of us all thanks to our security camera on top of the fridge.

      It's been a nice week and our weekend should be productive. Greg's working on a gate for the back fence project and you know me, I made it even harder for him by requesting it have a chevron pattern so I'll post photos when that's done. Charlie and McClane helped me put up the Christmas decor today and when I get a tree up I'll share photos of it all put together. It's going to be interesting when baby Beau comes to visit but we tried to keep it simple and baby friendly. 

    We sure are lucky and blessed and we're so grateful for our healthy family and that we could all be together for Thanksgiving. 

P.S. If you're wondering about Mark's hair, it may or may not have been cut and it may or may not have cost me $400 but rest assured memories were made and it's a long story! 

Baby Beau

      Cute baby Beau came for a visit last night and we had fun spoiling her and watching her clutter the house. She's a pro at opening cabinets & drawers and emptying their contents and she's also a champ at unrolling toilet paper and paper towels. She's so fun!

Sitting in the dog bed having a treat.

Definitely loves some root beer.

Keeping Grandpa pinned down for a minute.

     And Charlie is always asking for her hair to be photographed so she can see what I've done. Here's one of her favorites from this week.

     It's been a fairly quiet week. I'm slowly bouncing back from my crazy pinched nerve/sciatic nerve issue. My right foot is still numb and now my calf muscle is tight and sore but I've been able to function fairly normally and after seeing the chiropractor I feel confident I'll eventually be back 100% normal soon. And thankfully Greg is a rockstar and helped with a lot of things this week giving me a break from some of my least favorite chores.
     And with our great Prophet encouraging gratitude I have to say I'm beyond grateful for my amazing husband and his willingness to help me with whatever and whenever. I'm also grateful for good muscle relaxers and other healing agents that are fairly easy to access.

Greg's birthday

     We've had a nice week. While walking I couldn't help but take a photo of this pretty view. I'm not a fan of the changing seasons and things cooling down but I can't help but see the beauty of the snow mixed with the water and fall colors.

I'm not a fan of the cold but there is some beauty to the snow.

    This week we got to celebrate Greg's 48th birthday. We had fun celebrating him and he seemed pleased with the gifts and getaway we went on.

Special birthday rocks from Charlie.

Corn hole game.

     I just casually mentioned to Isaac that he could collaborate with his siblings and dad and maybe buy me a robot vacuum for my birthday in a few weeks and before I was done telling him about it he'd gotten online and ordered it! He's speaking my love language for sure!

Early birthday gift from my favorite son!

Meals from Hello Fresh for Greg's birthday.

A fun overnight getaway for Greg's birthday at the Zermatt in Midway. Seriously the best food!

And a cool/fun soak in the crater in Midway.

The first of the three hello fresh meals, looked and tasted great.

    It's been a fun week and despite doing something to my sciatic nerve it was a fun getaway for Greg's birthday. Now we can start planning our own little Thanksgiving celebration while we do our best to lay low and avoid others to help slow the spread of Covid! Stupid!