Covid Christmas

Christmas was different but also wonderful. We missed seeing a lot of extended family and friends. But it also made me realize how busy i let life get sometimes. We spent almost the whole Christmas Day at home (we did drive to GGs and sing carols), and it was relaxing. I was so sad Philip had to work Christmas but it ended up being ok. 

We let the kids have their joint gift early, a science lab. So they got to spend the weekend experimenting and playing scientists. 

We celebrated Baby Charlotte’s first birthday in the safety of outside. She of course was so happy the whole party and the kids loved watching her eat her cake. 

I have ventured into the world of making hot cocoa bombs. I started out making them as teacher gifts, then gifts for friends and family, and ended up taking orders for friends and friends of friends. 

I’m having fun with them! 

Best Christmas gift ever was Philip getting his vaccine for COVID-19. We have prayed and prayed for this and it was emotional to have it finally happen. 



Our first Christmas celebration was at Brian and Lindsay’s with Dana and Lorelei. We had fun eating, visiting and listening to the Christmas songs Dana learned on his guitar. 

Christmas Eve we spent the day at my parents. We ate pretty much all day and the kids had so much fun being with their cousins and Nanny & Pop. 









We got home that night and set out cookies, carrots and milk. I didn’t make reindeer food thinking they wouldn’t care and I’ll be danged if Parker didn’t go to where I had it sitting last year, asking where the reindeer food was. So i whipped some up and they sprinkled in the yard. 







Christmas morning the kids came down together so excited that Santa had come. We had gotten up before them so we could sit on couch and watch them walk down the stairs. 





I got an electric bath bomb press - i can’t wait to use it! 

Philip had to work Christmas Day and the 2 days after, so we had a belated celebration with Joy. The kids got spoiled rotten and loved every second of it. 

Like i said , it was different, but it was also so good. We slowed down, we focused on making safe decisions, and did our best to make the best of it. I’ll always remember Christmas 2020 as being a surprisingly sweet ending to a crazy year. 

Tis the Season

December is usually so full of activities, events, parties and people. This year we are trying to find safe things to still have fun. But they definitely do not involve parties or people lol. 

We had our first snow several weeks ago and the kids were so excited when they came down the stairs and saw snow out the windows. They immediately wanted to get dressed and go out in it, and I let them. 

I did not realize until after he came back in that he did not put any clothes on under his snow bibs. 




and of course with the first snow came the first batch of snow cream! 


Our school had a drive up book fair, and the weather was nice enough that we placed our order and then walked up to school to get the kids books. They were so excited they couldn't wait until we got home to read them. 



We made gingerbread houses and Parker loved his so much he wanted to put it in his room for decoration. Jackson ate it the minute he was alone in the house. 

We did the Lights at the Mega Cavern in Louisville. We did this last year and the kids loved it, so we wanted to do it again. Instead of having dinner in a restaurant beforehand like last year, we had a picnic in the car. 



We decorated Christmas cookies, which more dough and decorations were eaten than made I think. 



We made popcorn garland, which the kids didn't have nearly as much patience with it as I had hoped. Philip and I finished them up for them and they hung them on the trees in their rooms. 

And this beautiful girl got glasses! 

She only needs them to read and be on computer and see up close. But are they not the cutest?!

We got to have dinner with Baby Charlotte (oh and her parents). 

My Christmas lights got hung thanks to Philip and Daddy! and I am so happy. 

TaTeTiToTu has made his re-entry into our household and the kids love seeing where he turns up every morning. 

This Christmas will look different, but that doesnt mean it won't be full of love and joy. We may not get to see everyone we usually see, have the parties we usually have, or play the mud bowls we usually play. But we can sacrifice one year of those amazing family moments, to ensure we have many many more of them in the years to come. The vaccine started being distributed in KY yesterday, and we have our sleeves rolled up ready to get them as soon as we can. 

Merry Covid Christmas:) 

Thanksgiving 2020

We are in another "semi- shut down" due to the coronavirus spreading at a rapid rate still. Restaurants have closed again for inside dining, the governor has asked to not get together with anyone outside your household. Schools that were going in person are back to virtual, it's a mess. 

But before gymnastics got shut down, Ainsley had moved up to level 3 and was very proud of herself. 

Parker continues to beg to play basketball and we are hoping soon it will be safe enough for him to do so. Until then he is becoming quite the video gamer (he can beat the games on the Pac Man machine better than me or Philip) and continues to amuse himself in various ways outside. 

We celebrate the small things; like making it through a full day of zoom calls and quizzes. 

Philip finished a project in the basement that left him with some extra wood. He built the kids a little playhouse and then we let them pick out paint, paint it and turn it into whatever they want.

 It started out as a tattoo parlor...

We went to the Drive In in Bourbon County with hopes of getting yummy greasy food to eat in the back of the truck. Let's just say Philip missed most of the movie and no one got any food. But the kids thought it was fun watching ELF in the back of Daddy's truck. 

We have spent good cousin time in the outdoors. 

The leaves are dropping like flies and we raked and raked the front yard trying to keep our new grass growing. 

We took a day trip to the Gorge and had so much fun hiking and "rock" climbing. 

We celebrated our favorite Pop's birthday. 

And we had a special visit from Santa! Since covid kept us from visiting him where we normally do, he came to us! the kids got to tell them what they wanted and he even brought them each a treat. 

Thank you Jerome- you're the best! 

We had family movie night with homemade popcorn and the new Mulan movie. 

We like to craft to keep ourselves busy. 

We finally got our Christmas tree! We went to Hillenmeyer the day it opened and picked out our beloved tree for the season. I am fearful for the life of this tree, due to Maxwell. Every time we come home he has knocked more branches and ornaments off the tree and gotten into the water bowl. If you ever consider getting a male cat, don't do it. 

Thanksgiving was different but still special this year. Philip had to work Wednesday, Thursday & Friday nights, and I couldn't stand the thought of being here with the kids alone. The solution we came up with was for everyone to get tested (we were all negative!), and to eat in the new family barn. We set up tables in a square so everyone was distanced but could still see each other, the kids had a ball, and we didn't tear up anyone's house. 

Rachel photoshopped Philip in to our family picture:) 

The cousins had a sleepover and they had the best time. 

Ainsley and I got to have a visit with GG. It was so good to see her and hear her voice in person. 

 We are praying the vaccine comes soon, and that people will get it. Philip is exhausted mentally and physically. He works so hard to help the patients he sees and in the office coming up plans to help more covid patients.

It's weird how different his and my experience has been through this pandemic. Him out in the trenches while I stay safe at home trying to keep the kids (and myself) alive. 

We are ready for Crony to move on so we can do all the fun things again, as Parker would say.