New Year's Eve

 I don't think I've ever posted something for New Year's Eve since it's rare for us to do anything! But ironically, this year when we actually couldn't do anything because of COVID, we were more motivated to make it celebratory! The kids played flag football with their friends, Sam, Seth and Josh, and then they had a Boboli pizza cookoff, followed by a wii Just Dance tournament! It was really fun! 

And then I think we were all in bed by 9:).  

Leo and Annie enjoying Aunt Toni Ann's coffee cake that she sent us! 

The kids were so excited to go to Fred Meyer and use Grandma and Grandpa's $10 from Christmas to buy something fun! Annie choose twin owls, Leo 10 Hotwheels, Kate, hot glue sticks for crafts, Will, a football and cookies, and Grace, lots of cookies and sweets! 

Christmas in Colusa. . .

After debate as to whether or not we should travel to CA for Christmas, we realized that if we quarantined before and after, and didn't see a lot of people while we were there, it would be great to have the change of scene and be able to spend time with family! And it really was amazing! We didn't get to see everyone because of COVID, but it was so fun to hang out with my parents and Luke and Erin and their kids! 

It was so great to see Calvin, Kyrstin and Chris! We stopped by quickly to drop off gifts and say hi, then went to In and Out on our way home.  We hadn't seen them in over a year, so it was so great to get to spend a little time with them!

Donuts with Grandpa!

Getting ready for Santa on Christmas Eve!

Christmas jammies thanks to Maureen and Kelly! It's our third year wearing them! 

Jeff's after golf with Grandpa!

Lots of hang out time. . 

Playing with new laser tag!

Christmas photo shoot. . .

I realized that we usually have quite a few occasions for the kids to get dressed up/have a photo op  each holiday season.  We usually go see Santa, Zoo Lights, Ixtapa for Kessi holiday dinner, church pageant, and Christmas mass.  This year, we were 0 for 6!  I always enjoy all of those activities, but didn't miss them too much.  I think these days it's such a different mindset, that we're more used to switching gears. We watched more holiday movies, and enjoyed the slow, coziness of the season.

 It was December 20th, though, when I realized that I did want the kids to use some of there nice dress-up clothes that we have tucked away in a bag to get dressed up for a picture, or in this case, 10 pictures:). 

 

I saw this on Etsy and thought it was a cute idea for the year with no in person Santa:), so paid $4 and bought the template! 

December. . . .

We started decorating a week earlier than usual this year! We still didn't get our tree until after Thanksgiving.  Pat took some of the kids and cut our tree down just up the road from our house. He thought it was fine to do that, but I'm pretty sure it was illegal:).  They got a great one, though! We're used to our little Charlie Brown trees, which we always grow to love:), but this was a fun big one! And it was fun to decorate in our new house!

One of the things I liked doing this Christmas is putting up a "Giving Tree".  It was a felt tree with pockets for each day of December.  Each day, the kids would read what they either got to do for someone else, or a fun thing to do as a family, or both! 

Beautiful night for a walk down the hill! 

Kate made her own hat for hat day.  Annie received a blinking lights one from her teacher! 

Enjoying the beautiful sunrise!! 

Our previous neighbor, Annette, has ovarian cancer.  There was a cancer fundraiser selling shirts with her name on the back, so we bought some to support her! 

Making ornaments!