New Life- Week 41 (Christmas 2020)

This week Christmas finely arrived!  Not surprisingly things were a little different this year.  We had been hoping to go to Arizona for Christmas this year because Jensen was coming and Garret and Breanna were expecting their baby just a couple weeks before, but unfortunately that just wasn't in the cards.  Given that we are still staying with my parents, it just wasn't safe for us to travel to Arizona and then bring any potential exposures back to my parents.

We also had to adapt our Lundberg family Christmas party this year.  We did end up all getting together (except Rach who wasn't feeling well and stayed home just to be safe), but we didn't eat together and we all wore masks.  We also adapted our Saran ball game with a designated unraveler so we weren't all touching the ball.  The cousins did their exchange and I think everyone was pretty happy with their presents.  Nana and Papa also gave all the cousins matching sweatshirts that say "Cousin Crew: Better Together".  They were all really excited to try them out.

The next day was Christmas and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.  Santa brought the whole family a trampoline.  Elsie got all the Paw Patrols her heart desired and a scooter from Grandpa and Lollie.  Carrigan got the camera she has been hoping for and also got a scooter from Grandpa and Lollie.  Merrick got lots of football cards, including two Justin Herbert Rookie cards that he had his heart set on. Once all that (and a lot I didn't mention) was opened Jeremy asked the kids if they had gotten everything they wanted.  Merrick put on a brave face and said yes, but the main thing he had asked for was a basketball hoop and he hadn't gotten that.  I mentioned that I thought there were two envelops on the tree.  One was for Merrick and one was for the girls.  The envelopes directed them to the garage.  When they got out there they discovered a basketball hoop and a playhouse waiting for them.  The girls were excited, but Merrick was ecstatic.  He also ended up getting a basketball return from Grandpa and Lollie to go with it and they gave us all a paintball gun.

As if all that wasn't enough, the kids went yesterday and spent all their Christmas money from Great Grandpa and Grandma Clifford.  Merrick bought two Nerf guns that shoot round bullets and some ammo, Carrigan bought a big SD card for her camera and a bracelet making kit, and Elsie bought a Paw Patrol lookout tower.

It really was a great Christmas!  We are so anxious to be in our house and set up our trampoline, playhouse, and basketball hoop.  I know they are just things but they represent a life that we weren't able to give our kids in the condo and we are so excited to move forward and create new memories together as a family.

New Life- Week 40 (Counting Down)

This week has been all about the countdown to Christmas.  In fact, every day my kids ask Google Home "Google, how may days until Christmas?" about a thousand times a day.  We wrapped up school this week and did our best to sneak in Christmas fun when we could.

One of my favorite parts of the week was on Friday we "Christmas Attacked" a couple of our old neighbors' houses.  We covered their doors with a stocking with a message and handmade snowflakes as quietly as we could and then made a break for it.  I didn't manage to get any pictures, but thankfully one of the recipients took some pictures and sent them to us.

Yesterday we went to Christmas Ships with the Browns and Ioapos.  We have done this most years with our family but this was the first year for Becca's crew and some of Emily's.  The weather was a little rainy but definitely could have been worse.  After Christmas Ships we drove around a few neighborhoods and looked at some light displays before heading home.

As the song says, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" and we can hardly wait.

New Life- Week 39 (Tick Tock)

 Time is so strange to me.  Sometimes it feels like it is moving so slow and then I look back and it seems like it has flown by.  One thing is for sure, the time until Christmas is definitely flying by.  The stocking and Christmas tree are up and we are slowly starting to get a few presents under the tree.

This week we had our ward Christmas party.  To say it was different this year is definitely an understatement.  They had a taco and churro truck in the church parking lot.  They allowed people to stay but many people, including us, just grabbed food and took it to go.  Strange times for sure.  The shortened party allowed us to have a little family fun of our own though.  We came home, ate our food, and decorated a gingerbread house.  I think the kids did more eating than decorating, but they had a great time doing it.

This coming week is the kids last week of school before the holiday and I am sure it will fly by.  Everyone is getting antsy but Christmas will be here before we know it.  

New Life- Week 38 (Christmas Countdown Begins)

This week we started to get a little settled in Nana and Papa's house and get back into our routine with work and school.  We got back to walking Millie again everyday, which has been so nice because it has meant we have gotten to see all our old neighbors several times.  It has made the moving transition much nicer.

One day on our walk we met up with Becca and her kids to play.  This is the first time we have gotten to see them since Halloween because of everyone having to quarantine.  The kids had so much fun creating a fort and pretending to play campsite.

Yesterday, we finally got into the Christmas spirit.  This year, given the circumstances with the pandemic and moving, we opted for an artificial tree.  Yesterday we got it and lots of other Christmas decorations and stocking put up.  It set the tone for the evening when we went out looking for lights.  Our city put on a big display this year called Candy Cane Lane.  We had heard the wait was atrocious so we took our dinner and got in line well before it opened.  Our plan worked well and we were able to get in and out.  After that we drove through the light display at a local church and then rounded out the night with a nearby house that has set their display to music.

There have been so many hurdles in the last few weeks but it finally feels like we can focus on Christmas now.  It will be here before we know it.