Christmas Time is Here...

What would normally be a month full of posts and events is condensed down to one post because, well, 2020.  This is not to say that we didn't have a lot of fun this Christmas season, but the fun we had stayed closer to home, within our small family unit, and under a certain degree of caution.  Here are a few memorable moments and activities from December!

The children's preschool moved forward with their annual Christmas program, though opting for a virtual show that they live-streamed on Facebook.  Maryn had a line, and then Wesley was an angel. They both did WONDERFULLY, and sang their little hearts out. Honestly, having seen this same show every year, I can say the kids do better without an audience.  JB and I watched it from the home computer, and then we were able to share with visitors and grandparents through a recording.

Aunt Shawntel and Uncle Kelly sent us a Nutcracker book in the mail.  One night the kiddos got into Christmas PJs and FaceTimed with them (in their Christmas PJs) as they read the book to them.  Such a special thing that will become a new tradition, for sure!

While I think they've been around now a couple of year, we were gifted some hot cocoa bombs and they were a MAJOR HIT with the kiddos. 

So many in our community rallied behind those who went without this season, collecting toys and food. We were excited to partner with local businesses (like our favorite, Smith's!) and other charities.

Although the normal German Christmas market did not take place this year, another small business held a market one Saturday.  They had some wonderful locally made crafts and goodies, plus a visit from Santa.  The kids made reindeer food, too.

Mrs. Keerthi brought us some Christmas crafts one Saturday, keeping everyone (including Mama!) occupied for a long time.

One of the State Farm brokers has an old pickup truck with Santa inside, and the kids beg to drive by it nearly every day.  Wesley will point and say "he's a ceepy Santa!" (And, he really is creepy!)

This is our newest furbaby's first Christmas, and she's loving all the blankets, cuddles, outdoor heaters on the patio, fireplace, etc.  Ginger is really the best cat.  I don't think I've talked about her yet on the blog, but a formal introduction to follow soon...

Our friends got some pigs and goats, so obviously we've visited and then the kids now want pigs and goats. The goats eat Doritos (only the Cool Ranch kind), and the pigs know how to sit!

Since it's not like we have visitors right now, we decided to set up the train right in our foyer in front of the front door. Endless entertainment for all!  The Holy Family has not lived in their manger the entire Christmas season, as Wesley prefers to tote them around in his garbage truck or on the train...

This is not really an event, but James allowed me a new flocked tree for the piano/current-homeschool room (and I love it!) I'm a sucker for white trees. (Maryn wrote a thank you note to a 101-year-old church member from my home church in Waco, who sent her an antique doll.)

Lastly, the Christmas Star. This is one event you'll never see again on our family blog, as it only comes around once every 800 years or so!  On December 21st the planets of Saturn and Jupiter were "so close" that it appeared as one great star. We loaded up the fam and drove to a nearby field to see it. 

And lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.   Matt. 2:9-11

A quiet and humble season this year for sure, but is that such a bad thing?  Especially when this season is a celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, who came to this word in a quiet and humble way? No doubt that this year will teach us many things, including the beauty that is found in a calmer and more centered Christmas season.

Thanksgiving - Pandemic Style

I realize as we inch closer and closer to Christmas that I never posted about our Thanksgiving.  Like most events this year, the holiday was quite different: we did not travel to Texas, we did not eat together with 30 of our close family, we did not cram a lot of fun activities into the week.  We did what we were supposed to do by staying home and staying super small.  It was a very simple holiday, and while I do admit that part of me felt a bit sad throughout, all in all we had a great day.  

To be honest, I got so very few pictures of Thanksgiving - and absolutely zero of our family!  Gia spent the week with us, which was for sure the highlight of the entire holiday. The kids had so much fun with her, and their week out of school flew by.

The actual day of Thanksgiving we kept it to just us plus one additional guest (my friend Lindsay who opted out of her family's larger gathering).  I prepared the food in a mask, and then we all ate outside. Fortunately the weather cooperated, and the Middle Georgia Novembers are still quite warm.  We actually had to shoo away flies and mosquitos (and poor Maryn was stung by a yellow jacket mid meal!!)  

Our menu - infrared fried turkey, Brussel sprouts and butternut squash with a bacon maple glaze, sausage and bread dressing, green beans, and homemade cranberry sauce.  I made some healthy little pumpkin pies and Lindsay made a not-so-healthy but DELICIOUS caramel cake.  Gia - who is a cake connoisseur - definitely approved.

On Friday we went back to work to close out some administrative stuff and the day seemed to go by so quickly.  While we are staying relatively positive through this whole thing, it's hard not to remember some of the things we're missing as we enter the festive holiday season in a pandemic.  That's why we always try to look for the blessings and the positives, because they are certainly there!  There is still so much to be  thankful for.

(This was not actually from Thanksgiving, but the weekend after at a friend's birthday party.  Love this crew!)

Face-to-Face time in Atlanta!

It's been forever since we visited Atlanta! Normally we'd be there at least every 8 weeks or so, but due to the Pandemic we have not been there since last Christmas. Fortunately we've still seen our Atlanta-based family a couple of times, and thank GOODNESS for the phone and FaceTime.  However, I was anxious for a little real life face-to-face time (and also different types of ethnic takeout, something we cannot get around these parts).

First stop early on Saturday morning: Santa's workshop. But I'll save that for another post.

Second stop: Addison's birthday party!  Our sweet niece/cousin turned four years old, and they had a very socially responsible, small, outdoor gathering to celebrate her. The kids had a blast running around and playing, and then we met up with them again that night for at patio dinner at PDK airport.  Such a great, beautiful day and evening.

The next day we visited the zoo, enjoying the beautiful sunny weather and some sense of "adventure" (after so many weekends cooped up in our own house and yard this year).   Atlanta - unlike our little town - takes this stuff pretty seriously, so even outside everyone wore masks and abided by the rules.  Crowds were limited and indoor exhibits closed off. Still, we got to see so many of the creatures we loved! PLUS, the kids discovered Icees.  A big deal. 

JB took my camera and captured many of the animals shots from the zoo. He's got a pretty good eye! And then he wanted to capture me in all my mom-glory (stroller, leggings, toddler holding onto my leg, etc).  

Happy to make the blog, which I normally don't when I'm behind the camera, haha.

Everyone but Wesley wanted to ride the train, so Gia stayed back with him and waved to us when we left and got back. For someone who loves Thomas and his toy train set, he wants nothing to do with the real thing. The other kids enjoyed the little trip around the zoo.  Addison made sure she sat down by JB - her big buddy. 

Within in a second of getting in the car and cranking it up, I turned back and saw this: 

I'd say they had a great time! 

We treasure these special Atlanta trips with our family.  Can't wait to head back and - I think it goes without saying but will say it anyway - a sense of normalcy where we can get out and do things without restrictions or fear.  However, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to protect our crew and also protect our community. Just praying it won't be for too much longer!!