Group Hike at New Hope Overlook

 I was planning on just taking the day after Christmas easy...but that morning Natasha and Jess both texted me about taking a hike, and I can never pass up a hike. So Jess + Anna, Natasha + Izzy, Robyn + Oscar, Felix, Xavier, and Sera + Alice all did a 3-mile hike at Jordan Lake. With so many people (10!), it was just the disaster you'd expect.

Natasha and I were ten minutes late. Robyn was 30 minutes late. About a mile into the hike, at the first "stop", Robyn gave Oscar her keys and let him walk back to their vehicle to read a book instead. Xavier sat down on a log an broke down crying, saying he didn't want to hike anymore and I had to bribe him with gummies to keep going. Alice, Anna, and Izzy kept squabbling.  Nobody could stay together. After the second stop, Robyn's remaining two kids walked ahead, she went after them, and we never saw her again until the very end of the hike. But all in all, it was still fun. I got to visit with my friends. I got fresh air and exercise. The weather was beautiful. It's a great hike with mixed terrain, views of the lake, and lots of fun stops where the kids could play. 

I was so distracted by all the commotion that I failed to take any pictures during the 3-hour hike, until this one at the very end of Izzy, Anna and Alice on Jess's truck, back in the parking lot.

Christmas 2021

We got up Christmas morning around 7:30 so we could start the festivities at 8am. The kids did a good job staying in their rooms and playing together until we got up. Then we went downstairs together. I made a treasure hunt for their stockings, which kept them busy while we got breakfast ready. We had eggs, bacon, cinnamon rolls and fruit.

After breakfast, we opened the presents. It was so nice to have my parents here to celebrate with us. I'm so grateful for the vaccines which let us do this fairly safely despite the never-ending-pandemic. Simon's main gifts were a skateboard and nerf guns (for Alice and Zac too, so they can have battles). Alice got a 3-D pen and wireless headphones.

After an early lunch of leftovers, I drove my parents to the airport and bid them farewell. Back at home, the kids tried out some of their Christmas gifts.

Around 4:30 we went to Jess and Anna's for Christmas dinner. Jess is an excellent cook, so we had a lovely meal of roast pork, glazed carrots, sautéed kale, and mashed potatoes. We ate so much we didn't even touch the pies. The kids had fun eating together on TV-trays and watching a movie. It was such a warm night that Jess had the windows open and the kids even went outside to play ball in the street. The kids did a great job playing together and hanging out. It seems like we've finally reached a tipping point where we can truly visit with our friends and not worry about the kids. It was such a nice Christmas day, since we got to spend it with both family and friends.

Christmas Eve

 For Christmas Eve breakfast, we had pie. It is our tradition now that on feast days we have pie for breakfast. The rest of the day we just sort of hung around the house. At 11:30 am we had a family Zoom call with Tener and Taesen. It went pretty well--we all sat on the couch and talked awkwardly for an hour. Then Zac spent the afternoon cooking the turkey and sides for our Christmas Eve dinner.  Supper was delicious. After that, we went for a night walk to look at Christmas lights. The kids started out on their bikes, which just didn't work at all. So we stashed them in the woods at the corner, and continued on foot. Once the kids were in bed, Zac and I got all the presents under the tree.

Schenck Forest Hike

 Thursday was another beautiful day, so we went to Schenck Forest right after lunch for a hike. We did a big loop, and a part of the trail I'd never been on before. It was a great hike and the kids didn't whine too much.

Downtown Cary Lights

 Wednesday evening, we drove to downtown Cary to look at the Christmas trees and holiday light displays there. I didn't take many pictures because it was cold and I was wearing gloves. Also Simon was very whiny for the second half. I think he got stressed out as it got dark.

Yates Mill Pond Hike

After a cold and rainy Tuesday, we needed to head out for a hike on beautiful, sunny Wednesday. We did the short loop at Yates Mill Pond, and also went down the bridge over the wetland.

Games with the Grandparents

 We picked up Nelson and Stana from the airport early Monday afternoon. They would stay with us through Christmas morning. One thing I love about the grandparent visits is how much they'll play board games and card games with the kids. The new addition this year was Ticket to Ride, a really fun board game that we actually got the kids for Christmas last year, but never played. We also watched three of the Home Alone movies.