Thanksgiving...

A quiet Thanksgiving this year, but one that allowed the four of us to spend some good quality time together.  

These two mastered the art of apple pie making this year.  I can officially retire my apron because their pie rivaled all others of years' past.

This sweet girl helped me cook...

This one carved the turkey...

We had WAY too much food, but all SO good.  The girls would disagree with that sentiment.  The turkey was NOT their favorite this year.  

It was a Thanksgiving miracle too - the girls somehow convinced their dad to play a game! 

Apparently all the action in the house, or us eating ALL that food, made this dog exhausted.  She was sacked out.

All in all, a different Thanksgiving.  More than anything, it was a year of reflecting on ALL we have to be thankful for.  In a year when we could do definitely do the opposite and find all the bad that has happened, we choose to focus on all the blessings in our life.

School Pics...

 A year like nothing else, this year's school pictures are no exception.  Because of all the yo-yoing back and forth between in-person and virtual learning, the school picture schedules have been wonky.

Quinn was able to eek her pictures in before they went to virtual, but Sullivan was not quite so lucky.  She was scheduled to have her pictures taken on a Friday, and the day before they moved the kids back to virtual.  Perhaps spring pictures are in the cards for her this year?!?  Or maybe not at all.

Here is my freshman in high school...

Isn't she stunning?  

Stay tuned later this year for Sullivan's... or not.  Time will tell if they even come to fruition!

Loved?!

I might be mistaken, but I think that Tessa MIGHT be loved?!?

The dog could easily lose a leg or two and her lifestyle wouldn't change much.  Sullivan (especially) is happy to cart her around.  

Weekend Happenings...

 This weekend was a low-key weekend.  Aside from finishing up our Christmas decorations, we just chilled out.

The girls rediscovered some Lego sets and spent some time together...

The first (and second) game of "I Spy..." on the Christmas tree were played...

Every year Sullivan attends her friend Maddy's dance recital.  Because of the pandemic, the recital took place virtually this weekend. Sullivan showed her support by tuning in and watching her friend dance.

Tessa was the recipient of Sulla's love this weekend...

Lucky dog!

All in all, a quiet but most appreciated weekend.

It's Beginning...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.  It may be a bit early, but when you are quarantined, you tend to have a little extra time on your hands!  Plus, who can't use a little extra Christmas cheer this year?!

The majority of the decorations were put out by yours truly, but I did convince the girls to help me decorate one of the trees today.

Tessa even got in the spirit and kept us company too...

Christopher has also arrived and has already visited several different locations in the house, thanks to Sullivan and her insistence on keeping traditions alive!

And if decorating for the holidays isn't enough, we have officially watched our first Christmas movie (Elf) as a family.

'Tis the season... hoping it's merry and bright and magical for everyone!

A New Office...

 This is my new office for the next 14 days...

It was only a matter of when, not if.... I was identified as a close contact on Monday to a student who tested positive for Covid. So I am required to spend 14 days at home quarantined.  

Sadly that means the Boyles can't come visit this weekend, which breaks my heart.  Friends like them are good for the soul, and it goes without saying that we could use a refill for our souls right now! 

BUT... it's 2020.  And if we have learned nothing else, we have learned that 2020 requires GRACE and FLEXIBILITY.  So here we are.  We are embracing it the best we can.

I've been Zooming with students for the past couple days, and while it's not like being in class with them, we are making it work and finding small joys along the way!

Election...

 In a year when life has been anything but typical, it is not shocking that the results of the presidential election were atypical too.  

We have been tuned in night after night to the results as votes came trickling in.  It has opened up great conversation about the election process with the girls.  They have been active in watching the results and asking great questions.

But you can only take so much of the same conversations night after night.  Apparently last night, night #4, was the tipping point for the girls.  Both conked out early watching the results. 

With a presumptive winner announced today (yay!) we have returned to our regularly schedule programming.

  

Pumpkins...

We tried something different this year, because why not?!  Instead of our typical pumpkin carvings we opted to paint pumpkins instead.  

We all know that if it involves paint, Sullivan is game and always willing to participate.  Her mom is the same way, for the most part.

Quinn was a willing participant, although her level of enthusiasm didn't quite mirror that of Sullivan's.

The happy painters...

Sullivan chose an intricate design to paint....

Our finished pumpkins... Quinn painted the plaid pumpkin that turned out so, so cute!  

Sullivan's other designs were awesome too..

Painting pumpkins with the girls brought back so many memories of my dad at Halloween time.  He LOVED painting pumpkins, and he was quite good at it too.  Fond memories of him sitting at the kitchen table and making dozens of pumpkins each year for friends and family and co-workers.  

Thanks to Grandma Jane for digging out these pictures and sending them my way.  It meant so much to be able to share these memories with Quinn and Sullivan.

Halloween 2020...

In the midst of a pandemic, typical is no longer typical, normal is no longer normal, and disappointment is sometimes inevitable.  The kids found Halloween 2020 to be a nod to familiarity - which was both exciting and refreshing.  

Sullivan decided to go as Piglet this year.... which makes her the cutest pig I have ever seen.

She dressed as a duo, with her best friend dressing up as Pooh.

Quinn dressed up as a Dalmatian puppy... the prettiest Dalmatian I have ever come across. I have to give Quinn some kudos.  She cut out, designed and hand stitched all of the spots on her sweatshirt.  A true labor of love there!

Quinn was also a part of a duo - Sam dressed up as a firefighter and she was the puppy.

Super cute!

While this pair decided to forgo the trick-or-treating this year, they were sweet enough to be willing to pass out our candy.  They sat out in the driveway and enjoyed the views of all the littles coming by.

I took Sullivan and Maddy out and about in the neighborhood.  It was a GORGEOUS night - so it is hard to complain about having to spend it outside.

They had a blast going around from driveway to driveway - and it was great to see SO many people out and enjoying the festivities.  

All the neighbors set up tables or sat in their driveway and passed out goodies, which made it so much easier to trick or treat.  

In the midst of the pandemic, Sullivan made a pretty good haul.  Look at ALL that candy.

All in all, such an enjoyable Halloween and nice (despite wearing masks and social distancing) to feel "normal" again.