Christmas in the time of COVID

I think that anybody saying this Christmas is just like any other is lying! COVID has wrecked many things in 2020, and we really have little to complain about given our jobs, kids in school, health, and supportive family and friends. But that doesn't mean we haven't had our ups and downs dealing with these stressful times. The advent season and birth of Christ are just the reminders that we need to recall darkness will always try to win but when we look to and for the light, hope prevails. We wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Nola had a fun basketball team party on Monday. One of the coaches shared this picture - and Nola couldn't quit gushing about the fun. However, she woke up in the night with a fever so that meant a watchful eye and no last day of school (she missed the class Christmas party!)

Brenner has grown over an inch in the past month....he has almost caught up to me!

The boys headed to Hermitage to grab the fire pit for Christmas at Grandma's house. They took a break on Grandpa Bob's bench.

Nola's fever was short lived for Christmas Eve meant cookie decorating!

We did a quick visit to our friend Phillis' house. She got Nola this cute necklace and jewelry box.

Christmas Eve was kind of rough. I had sinus stuff for a week, Brenner wasn't feeling well, and I had been stuck at home for days - so we decided open our presents early (except the one from Santa of course).

The kids all ready for presents!

Brenner actually liked his gifts this year! It is hard to please a teenager!!!!

Matt and Nola giving some smiles!

Family selfie that is a bit blurry! Our evenings over break included watching the Hunger Games series. Brenner had read the books and Matt and I had seen them years ago when they were in the theater. Nola was a little scared at times but we all enjoyed the group viewing!

Matt surprised me with a heated vest - it is AWESOME!

Twinkle lights for Nola!

Wind chills of 9 F proved a great testing ground for my new vest. Christmas Eve service outside at our church - complete with fire pits!

Our view from the back. It was fun to have the live animals!

Once warmed up at home, we put out the cookies for Santa!

The kids got up at 5 am Christmas morning, but we told them not to wake us up until 5:45 am. It was perfect in that they each opened their gift from Santa (OMG dolls for Nola and Air Pods for Brenner - something each wanted) and then we did stocking. The boys then went back to bed and the girls played (Nola with her dolls, me on a puzzle)!

Off to Grandma Val's house on Christmas day. We were outside/in garage with masks (except when we were eating). The high was 29 degrees - again that heated vest was amazing!

The traditional sorting of the presents!

Nola got so many books - fun, fun! So even though Christmas was different - we embraced it and had a great (and chilly!) time!

Nola loves going to the Nutcracker ballet so we got her this 1000 piece puzzle...which she didn't help with very much lol!

I got it done in two days - a nice distraction for me! Brenner helped for about the last 2 minutes!

Sunday after church, we hit the cemeteries to pay respect to those that aren't with us anymore. Grandma and Grandpa Hilbrenner. Love that the veterans cemetery does the Wreaths across America.

Our bench from Grandma and Grandpa.

Roger H. Hinck - we miss you! Brenner was sweet and wiped off the top of the headstone!

Grandpa Hunt's grave which the kids hadn't been to before.

Then it was off to Grammy and PawPaw house to visit, open presents, and watch the Chiefs stinking it up before pulling off the win!

The beautiful sunset once we got home!

Matt shot a nice doe Saturday during alternative methods season. Brenner is itching to go out....he got a hunting game for the PS4....Matt is hoping it teaches him some patience!
 

Fleeting moments

We have all had a bit of extra time at home over the past 12 months. I usually don't like the darkness as we head towards the winter solstice - the sun sets too early! What I have noticed is the beauty around me in this time - especially around the house. Some beauty is fleeting - I hope that you are taking the time to notice the beauty around you no matter where you find it!

Dense fog lasted an entire day recently.

This gorgeous sunrise called to all of us one morning.....

...7 minutes later it looked liked this. It caused me to pause and think about how fleeting God's beauty can be. I mean this is a pretty sunrise but it isn't as spectacular as the one from 7 minutes earlier.  This really hit home as it relates to parenting. There are real beauty in the moments with Brenner and Nola - they may be fleeting - but they are real. May I never forget to look for those moments in my children!

Local food pantry - there are so many in need this year - please look for ways to help! I spent Monday afternoon bagging frozen fish sticks!

On Saturday, we all headed back to help with the distribution.

We have also told the kids that in 2021, they (well all of us!) need to pick one service project a month to devote some of our time to. It can be the food pantry or something of their choosing.

Baylee was a little peeved at me painting the bedroom and moving her bed to the living room!

Brenner didn't sleep in his room either....not sure who he slept on this makeshift bed....

Shooting baskets on a cold Saturday afternoon!

The kids have to trade off washing dinner dishes. We have a rule that if you get the bay leaf, you get a pass on dish duty. There was quite the hunt on Saturday night - but no one noticed that it was stuck to the side of the pot lol!

Nola dressed up for our Advent reading Sunday at church.

Later, Nola helped me chop walnuts for the Italian wedding cakes.

Ready for her last basketball game!

Still only one spectator per player. But one of the other moms posts via Facebook live so Brenner and I watched from home. Nola had some good defensive moves!

The end of league play. They didn't win a game but still had some smiles!

Brenner....this kid. Or wait - is it an elf?! Next time you see him, you might ask about the unicorn jammies :)
 

Basketball Tournament

Matt and the kids continue to chug towards the end of the semester and Christmas break.We are staying healthy and praying you can say the same! Nola had her first basketball tournament this Saturday - which made for a long but fun day.

Brenner has loved to read for years. This is how I catch him reading.....not sure how comfortable that is!

Nola's first game at the tournament. They went into TRIPLE overtime and ended up losing. But they looked very good and played much better than they had been in the YMCA league.

Brenner consoling Nola after the loss. She didn't seem upset but it was a sweet moment to catch.

In between games we grabbed some food and drove around Jeff City a bit. It was neat to see the capital dome at night.

The excitement when the buzzer sounded and the girls won their second game! Nola played well defensively and even dribble down the court left handed more than right handed (yes Grandma Val - you would have been so proud!). Still a lot to learn but making great strides!

I am pretty sure that Brenner cheered louder than anyone. He also has constant commentary which can be tiresome :)

The girls last game was at 8:40 pm against the best team in their division. The girls hung tough in the first half. The refs told our coach that they wouldn't be calling fouls because they wanted to go home. It got pretty rough and led to slop ball in my opinion.

Nola - where are your teammates to throw in to?! This team clobbered them when they played in the YMCA league. We lost 23-8 which was an improvement and not bad after playing two other games and wrapping up at 9:30 pm!

Despite losing the last game, the girls were very happy. We were proud of them!

Sunday chilling before heading to Nola's Sunday afternoon regular league play. Is anyone else tired?!