Thanksgiving 2020

We had a weekend trip to the Ark & Creation Museum planned with some friends, but with the recent closures in Kentucky, we ended up not going. It was the 6th trip of the year we had derailed, but we realize how fortunate we have been through this pandemic.  We can't really complain about a cancelled trip when others have lost so much more. 

Instead, we stayed home and had a delicious meal together. Just the 8 of us.

Brielle is always my kitchen helper. ❤️

So very thankful! 

We had ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, noodles, corn casserole, rolls with cinnamon butter, and Dutch apple pie with ice cream for dessert.

We spent the afternoon watching old family videos and a Christmas movie.

Tonight, we realized the girls hadn't been out of the house all week. So with Christmas jammies on, ice cream from McDonalds and a trip through the park to see the Christmas lights was in order! (Don't worry! They were only out of their seats while we were in the park!)

The house is officially decorated for Christmas!
Thanks to Brynna, there are even gifts under the tree!

Basketball Season is here! {Sort-of}

Alex has been busy running practices for the younger elementary boys and is coaching Brielle's 4th grade team. Braylee and Brynna are excited to be cheering again!  Sadly, as quickly as the season started, it was put on hold. Some county officials feared we were having a spike in Covid cases and abruptly cancelled all school and extracurricular activities for 2 weeks (which really is only 7 days of school because of Thanksgiving break) without any warning or discussion with the schools. 🙁  Two days later when the number of cases were actually reported to the state, it didn't even warrant a change in status (to red), but they left the schools closed. 🤦🏼‍♀️  2020 seems to be two steps forward and one step back. 

Something about seeing her in her letter jacket hit me more than her turning 16! ❤️😢

November 16th - Three years ago, she was in the hospital recovering from spinal cord surgery. Now, she's practicing her cheerleading skills with big sister Brynna. 

November 20th - Viking Hysteria Preview Night

Sophomores

November 22 - I love watching our little lefty out there.  

I literally was thinking how lucky we are to be able to be in the gym, because my friend had texted me during the game saying things were closing down again in Kentucky. By the end of the game, Alex had gotten word about the schools and sports being cancelled for 2 weeks.

We were upset by the unexpected news but tried to brighten the mood by decorating for Christmas while the girls were home from school this week.  We will have virtual school next week and can't wait to get back to school and sports soon.

{Early} Thanksgiving

We hadn't seen my Grammy in 9 months (except for waving to her through her window) due to the Covid restrictions at her assisted living home.  She is going to spend the holidays with my uncle in Virginia so we had an early Thanksgiving at my parents' house before she left. It was so good to hug her neck and hear her voice in person!  It was the first time we had seen some of my mom's family in ages. So thankful we could all spend an evening together. ❤️

We did a little belated Trick-or-Treating too. 😉

🥰🥰🥰

Grammy, Aunt Beth, and my mom

Last weekend, we went to the Volleyball State Finals at Ball State University.

Alex's cousin's daughter was the Mental Attitude Award winner. 👏🏻

Lady Vikings on the platform, showing their State title trophy to the cheer block behind them.  It was a big honor to win the 2A State Championship considering we are technically a 1A school! (In Indiana, a school can be bumped up a level based on "Success Factor.")