2021 Predictions

Here's how I did on last year's predictions:

 A volcano erupting in Iowa? Boston sinking into the sea? What on earth will 2021 bring? I'm almost scared to consider it, but here we go:

1. By this time next year, with the distribution of a vaccine, we will reach "herd immunity" and will be able to go inside restaurants and stores, and big events will be happening. (no her immunity, and now we are worried about the Omicron virus, but pretty much everyone now ignores that there is a pandemic and big events are happening)

2. Audra will be attending the local high school and loving it (I wouldn't say "love" is the right word, but she is adjusting. I couldn't be prouder of her. She's amazing)

3. We will be planning a cruise (no, not for 2022 at least, but maybe for 2023)

4. We will be able to go to Seattle (YES!)

5. Drew Locke will still be the Broncos quarterback. Another losing season. (Technically yes right now as Terry Bridgewater is injured. I think it is a losing season, yes)

6. Trek (where the youth from church go pretend to be pioneers for a few days in Wyoming) will be postponed until 2022, but girls camp will happen. Right now trek is scheduled for the end of May. (yes, trek is now supposed to happen in 2022 as it was postponed last year, and girls camp did happen in a modified format- they stayed home but were gone all day long for camp. I actually thought it was brilliant and wished they did it that way every year. Sleep is so underrated for some reason)

7. Ben will still be working from home. He is hoping he never needs to go back to work. (yes. I think he went in exactly twice all year long, if that)

8. Claire will get braces. She is not excited about this, but I think her getting braces in on the horizon, Covid permitting. While Covid is still rampant, she is off the hook because we don't want to be going while it's still a concern. (Nope. She is is still waiting for some molars to fall out)

9. Trump will fail in his attempt to stage a coup and will lose his power. He, or someone in his family, will be indicted and will be wearing an orange jumpsuit full time. (I wish! Still no orange jumpsuits, but they may be on the horizon. Thankfully, the coup attempt did fail. But the failure for him to still be walking the streets after his tyranny is inconceivable). 

10. Camille will get to again enjoy her true love: Basketball (No, but we have her signed up starting January 10th)

Please let the world be mostly over Covid by this time next year!!!!!

Happy New Year!

We had a low key night- sliders for dinner, games, and lots of laughs.

There was a New Year's Eve dance that we told Audra she couldn't go to because of Omicron. She was bummed, but understood. But, then it snowed and the dance was postponed so it all worked out. Yay!

Ice-Skating

 Our usual favorite ice-skating rink closed down so we went to a new one down in Parker. It was a lot of fun! We only go ice-skating once a year, but it was a lot of fun. We had a great time, and we really like this rink. Our girls are becoming pretty good ice-skaters, especially since we go so seldom. It was a fun day!

Ikea Vortex of Hell

 Yesterday we entered the Ikea Vortex of Hell, because nothing screams "Let's ruin Christmas break!" like a trip to Ikea.

Here's some lessons learned:

-Ben yelling, "screw it in straight" and "read the directions!" and me screaming, "there are no words to read! It's just an asexual blob mocking me!" doesn't get funnier the second or even third time around.

-If you can survive Ikea, your relationship can survive anything. Thinking about getting married? Go to Ikea first! That will let you know if your love can stand the thrashings of the Underworld.

-This piece of furniture, aka Satan's Throne, is never leaving this room. It is here forever, the only way out is if it's burned to the ground.

Which brings me to my last point: Build a man a fire and he stays warm for a night. Put a man on fire and he stays warm the rest of his life.

Camille's Calendar

 I love Camille- and how she labeled December 25th on her calendar.

We Love Christmas!

 

This is a paint by number we got from the DeCremers- it's a painting of our family in front of Galaxy's Edge. So fun! It's the gift that keeps on giving. I can't decide if it's because she loves us or because I stole her sweater in 6th grade that she gave it to us.

This is my favorite gift- a map of the US where we put pictures in of where we have visited. Time to get traveling to the east! We have the west covered quite well.

The girls made this for me. They embroidered on the towel Mom's Rules: 1. I shopped for it 2. I paid for it 3. I made it 4. You'll eat it

They also made me a towel where they put words to describe me. It was so sweet! Some of the words: Awesome (asome), Happy, Fun, Adventurous, Faithful, Generous (jenerus), smart, helpful, selfless. It is so sweet and precious!

We had our traditional aebelskiver breakfast, but this year we learned that it's for our NORWEIGAN, not our Danish heritage, since we aren't actually Danish as I thought.

We headed over to grandma and grandpa's for dinner and had a lovely evening.

Words can't explain how wonderful the last two days have been. These girls are simply amazing, and we are so blessed to be their parents. Joy is the only word that comes close. They just bring so much joy to our souls. I really wish we could freeze time. It's just perfect. Everything about this Christmas is perfect. We are so, so blessed.

To All A Good Night!

 My heart is literally bursting. These girls are my world- I love them so much. To feel of their excitement and joy- that is Christmas magic.

Christmas Fun

 It has been so wonderful having Audra home for over a week before Christmas! I am so grateful we have had this time with her- we have been taking full advantage of our time together and loving every minute of Christmas vacation!

Here's some more of the fun!

Audra hosted a little Christmas party with some friends. They made graham cracker gingerbread houses, ate lots of candy and pizza, and played Catch Phrase. The adjustment to high school has been really rough, so I was so happy to hear lots and lots of laughing. This is a GREAT group of kids!

We went and looked at Christmas lights as a family, and then a couple of nights later while Claire, Audra, and Ben watched The Maze Runner, Camille and I went together:

We tried to go ice-skating but the rink was closed. It was a bummer!

Then, we had the Leubner kids over to decorate cookies and watch a Christmas movie. Again, there was lots of lots of laughing- as they created the "creepiest" gingerbread men they could- it was wonderful.

We also went to St. Andrew's for their candlelight Christmas Preeve (Pre-Eve) service. It was beautiful- I really enjoyed it. We are so blessed- it's been an absolutely wonderful week of family and friend time as we celebrate this Christmas season!