So long, 2020

OK, this wasn't the best year. But we still heard from plenty of friends (look at all those holiday cards!) and we still had lots of time for fun. So we're happy for the good times we had and hopeful we'll get a chance at even better ones next year. 

And, when life gets too tough, just take some time to relax with a partner in crime and remember what is really important. 
 

Even more Christmas

Holidays are never a sprint in our family -- they're more of a marathon. On Christmas Eve, we got a chance to hang out with Grandmom Linda and give her our photobook to remember all the wacky things we did this year. 

And then she backed up a sleigh and dumped a ton of gifts on us. Grandmoms are experts at spoiling kids. 

And just after Christmas, we got to hang out up at Aunt Jeanne's house for a bit with Tommy and Shane. Acting crazy with them was the best present of all. Well, that and all the extra Christmas candy. 

 

Christmas morning, 2020

This year has kept a lot of people away from our house ... but not Santa! We woke up to a whole mess of surprise presents from Mom and Dad and the North Pole. 

And don't worry, we took care of that wrapping paper lickety split! 

A Christmas dare

 

Do you think my face will get stuck to the lake if I lick the ice? 

Only one way to find out...

Cookies, cookies and more cookies

 

This isn't amateur hour, folks. Cookies are serious business around here, and you better be ready to work when the dough comes out. 

Snow!!!!

 

OK, it wasn't a major blizzard, but it was enough to make some slushy snowballs. That's good enough for some winter time outside!

Emma kinda made some snow/grass angels. It's the effort that counts. 

And Dad made a snowman as big as Emma! Who knew his engineering skills were so skilled that he could build a three-foot snowman out of less than a quarter inch of snow?

Wack-a-ball

Aunt Lari sent us a new tetherball set, which is awesome. We don't really understand the rules of the game, but we think it's all about screaming and getting dizzy. That's just good clean fun right there. 

Getting the decorations up

Dad usually finds a way to get the lights up while we're at school, but this year we helped him out since we've been home all the time. Next year he promised to let us both on the roof. 

Decorating inside is a lot easier -- the village lights don't require any ladders!
 

Me Tarzan

Tommy and Shane took us to visit their favorite rope swing, and it's harder than it looks. 

Emma had a little more luck:

Don't worry, Dad caught her before she swung out again. 

Children don't grow on trees

Well, not usually. But I guess Grandmom used special fertilizer or something on this one. 

 

Cooking class

Grandmom always says her cooking isn't as good as her mom's was, but it's a lot better than mine. It's about time she started giving me some Christmas cookie pointers. 

 

Christmas card outtakes

Jonathan smiled too hard on this one and I did smile enough. Don't worry, we'll get it together in time for our Christmas cards. 

 

Extra holiday spirit

The only thing better than Thanksgiving goodies is extra Thanksgiving goodies once you get home. 
 

Prepping for the holidays

Dad says we need a new Christmas tree stand, so we've got to these boards all painted if we want the next holiday to arrive!
 

I spy

... with my little eye, something that is ... tall. Too tall for fifth grade. 
 

Lumpy couch

We're gonna have to replace those cushions, or at least pack them down a little better. 
 

Dinocars

Mom and Dad took us on a car ride to something called Jurassic Quest on Friday and ... um ...

Look, I'm not sure what to tell you here. There were dinosaurs. Like, by the car. It didn't feel terribly safe. 

Emma wanted to get out and pet them, but luckily we have child locks on the back doors. Otherwise we'd still be picking teeth out of her hair. 

Teaching Aunt Jul

Jonathan had a report on St. Francis of Assisi this week, so he decided to call up Aunt Jul and Maggie after he was finished to given them a sneak preview. They loved it, although I think they were easier graders than his religion teacher. 
 

More leaf fun

Honestly, if there were enough leaves, we'd be out here every day. 

 

I see you there

Pop let me borrow his glasses, so I'm working on my best principal stare. I think I'm ready to shush the class into silence.  

 

Helping get leaves off the lawn

This seemed like a better idea before the leaves went up in the air...
 

Backyard campout

No fall Cub Scout campout this year, so our pack made the best of it with backyard campsites instead. Emma and I helped Dad set up our beds for the night and just enough space to fit the three of us. 

Our makeshift fire pit did the job for smores, and the weather was just nice enough that nobody froze their butts off. 

Like I said, just enough room in there for the three of us. Mom was the unlucky one who had to sleep in her big, warm comfy bed instead. Maybe next time. 
 

Hello there

I thought those leaves felt tougher to rake than usual. 

Scenic overlook

Another new trail, and another cool view of one of the nearby rivers. For people who can't go anywhere because of the pandemic, we seem to get out a lot more. 

 

Halloween 2020

Presenting Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, ready to use their powers to defend ... well, the front lawn at least.  

We even got to wear our costumes to class today. Sadly, we did not learn any good spells in math. Maybe later in the year. 

The only bad thing about the day was an unfortunate run-in with Draco Malfoy from up the street. Luckily, Harry knew how to deal with him. 

He'll think twice before bringing his snakes down here again. 

 

Halloween decorations

The driveway is ready for the big day! I know our picture was good because Mom ran screaming away from the spider. 

 

Falling

Wait, was I falling through space or falling asleep? I can't remember. 

Snakes on a pavement

Jonathan was moving so fast on his bike he almost squished him. If you ask me, he should be a little smarter about what part of the path he crosses. 

 

STEM for first graders

What I've learned so far in this science class is that building things is awesome and Dad needs to buy me more popsicle sticks. 

Pasta making

In an effort to up our Italian credentials, Mom pulled out the pasta maker this weekend so we could try to make our own noodles. It turned out great! But I still think it's easier to use one of those boxes in the cabinet instead of pressing that dough 100 times. 

Looking fierce

 

Oh, I know you are not trying to start something with us. 

Baking contest

 

We've been watching a lot of cooking shows of late, so we decided to try our own creations. This is a giant cookie with spider and bug decorations. I think we're ready for Nailed It. We remembered to grease the pan, at least!

Children of the corn

And this is why you never let the children lead on a hike. 

Pumpkin patch 2020

Like everything else, the pumpkin patch was a little different this year. But the big pumpkin house was still there. 

And the big hills with lots of pumpkins. 

And Dad still made Emma try and pick up the biggest pumpkins she could. 

And a bunch she clearly couldn't. 

And it was still a beautiful walk around the grounds. So I guess it wasn't too different after all. 

 

New bell, coming through

Watch out, on your right!

Beach dreams

 

No sand castles or swimming right now, but it's nice to find a beach on the bay and think about what next summer might bring. 

Picking flowers from the Lego box

Usually Jonathan is the one who gets to put together Lego sets, but I got this nice mini bouquet of flowers from Aunt Jul and got to show him a thing or two about plastic gardening.