The Christmas of 2020

Normally at Christmastime, we have soooo many photos from relatives visiting us.  This year was definitely different. We still made the time special, and we were able to celebrate minimally with some church family.  We are thankful for skype and zoom calls, as much as we hate virtual calls, and the kids had fun opening gifts, as usual.  I even somehow managed a couple special meals in the midst of the chaos, which was totally more for Gregory and me than for the kids.  All those vegetables!

December Necessities

In between lockdowns, we managed to get out and get these two growing kids some more jeans!  We went the first day stores opened, and it was CROWDED!!!  Lines outside the stores...

We also managed to get our little Tiger Lily in to the vet so that we don't accidentally end of with kittens in the Spring!  She was not too thrilled about the cone she had to wear for ten days (and neither were we), but it didn't stop the kids from cuddling her!

''Bald ist Nikolausabend da.''

Saint Nick came on the Eve of Saint Nikolaus Day.

The kids enjoyed the gifts of fruit, nuts, Lebkuchen, a couple family games and Christmas films.

Both noticed that St. Nikolaus must also shop at Hofer. ;)

Snow!

It was our first day with snow this year!  The pictures say it all.  The kids were outside playing as much as possible, save from a few hours of classes, basically from 7am until 5pm!  Love this!

Celebrating Advent

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we did our traditional Christmas decorating.  Nathanael made the cookie dough with me, and Gregory and Eva formed the cookies for baking.

After eating way too many cookies with our hot apple cider, the decorating began.

It is fun to have festive lights and meaningful decorations, but oh my, this really makes us miss family scattered around the world even more!