This is a recap of the last 6 months in Covid and our adventures getting through 2020, trying to stay sane, find silver linings and being thankful.
Looking through my camera roll on my phone there is a ton of Kirby, Allie on snapchat playing with the different filters, Jake sleeping and that about sums it up! We hung out with the same small group of friends and just didn't take a lot of pictures.
- June -
We made it through the year!
Jake passed 6th grade and Allie 2nd!
It's summer. Now what? Not much.
We escaped to the Oasis one afternoon to get a change of scenery. The Oasis is a restaurant overlooking the lake that is known for the amazing views and not much more. It was a fun escape!
We took another excursion with a few of our Covid-bubble friends to check out a new brewery just outside of Austin. I could get used to reservations for things like this. It's makes it so easy!
I think that's a "no more pictures" pose!
Thankful for friends remodeling their house and staying in a vacation home that we're enjoying too!
Desperately needing a haircut!
Our first real family road trip! We were ready for a trip and since just about all of Texas heads to Colorado in the summer, we thought we join in the fun! We were off to Steamboat Springs!
Sunflowers, wind farms and open roads in
West Texas!
We made it to Colorado!
We stopped that night in Colorado Springs. We stayed at a Marriot that seemed to have a good handle on covid-precautions. We had a nice dinner and an even better breakfast before we headed out!
They both look like teenagers here!
So enjoyable to just watch the scenery!
On the way to Steamboat, we stopped at Alex's former co-worker, Brad's cabin to visit with him, his sweet pup, Lucy and the chickens!
Pulling into Steamboat with the hot air balloon!
Our first full day in Steamboat was Father's Day! We ventured out for breakfast and then an amazing hike to Fish Creek Falls!
Yampa River views
Yampa River Botanical Garden
They had an adorable little exhibit of fairy houses that Allie loved! These were her favorites.
Mad Creek Trail
We were trying to make it to the old barn but not everyone was as into this hike as some of us. It was still so beautiful!
Horseback Riding Adventure
I set this up for Allie but we all enjoyed it (probably more than Allie did).
This was a real ride and not a walk around a corral. I think that surprised Allie and there were parts, some of the inclines and declines especially, I have to admit made me nervous. That said, it was beautiful to be there!
Me and my horse!
The only bad part was when Allie's horse jumped over a creek and she started to fall off the horse. Our guide was great and helped her through it but she "saw her life flash before her eyes." Guess that means that we're safe from the very expensive hobby of horses. It all ended well as she and her horse made up after the ride!
Nightly games & happy hour!
Our last adventure of the trip was rafting on the Yampa River. I was a little nervous about how some of us would do but everyone loved it!
This was everyone's favorite activity. We may have to venture up a class of rapids next year but we'll see about that.
Our last dinner views
Leaving Steamboat
Pikes Peak...
aka the first time I had a panic attack!
After Pikes Peak we drove straight to Amarillo and then drove the rest of the way home on my birthday. It was a great trip!
We were happy to come home to our fluffy boy!
- July -
July started with a visit to Dory, Zayde and Uncle Phillip. They have a lovely patio so we were able to send birthday wishes to Zayde and visit for the first time in person in a while. Kirby came too which was which was a close second for Zayde to seeing Jake & Allie. Forgot to take pictures.
Other than dressing up in patriotic pajamas, there wasn't much to do for the 4th of July. So instead we waited until 7/11 and Allie went all out and threw Kirby a sweet birthday party with a few of the neighborhood pups. She made and hand delivered the invitations!
Bandana, bow tie or party hat? All of them just to say happy birthday to Kirby!
Sweet little Winnie
Kirby's human twin, Beau!
Sweet neighbors & Kirby's BFF pup, Willow.
Kirby and Minnie enjoying a Pupachino
It might have been a little much for Willow!
There were even goodie bags!
And of course (dog-friendly) cake & ice cream!
On Sunday, July 12th we lost Alex's dad, Stan. While he had many health issues and had just been released from a short hospital stay, it was shocking that he was gone. This was doubled with the fact that in just under a year the kids had lost both grandfathers.
While he didn't have covid-19, Covid is a horrible time to lose a loved one. While I was so glad that Dorothy and Phillip were in Austin, it was heartbreaking that other family couldn't be here. We held a small service and our Rabbi led it beautifully. It was nice that the service was able to be live streamed and Alex spoke so well about his dad and particularly about what being a Zayde had meant to him.
We will miss him!
While the rest of July was fairly quiet, Jake took full advantage of sleeping in.
One blessing of Covid is that Allie and our sweet neighbor Kaya connected. It's wonderful to let her have a little freedom to walk to her house (around the corner from us) and not worry about her.
The things I find in my phone!
These two went to preschool together but never really hung out. They both love Barbie's and their mom's (and dads) are happy to hang out too
I had a super fun Zoom with almost everyone from my Year Course group! 1992-1993 was a long time ago but it was so fun to be back together with all these friends!
- August -
Jake got braces!
We had a very quick but wonderful visit with our cousin, Michael and his sweet girlfriend Michal before they went back to Israel.
Michael and Allie had all sorts of ideas and projects to discuss and Jake and Michael had an epic battle. We were so glad they came to Austin!
Alex and I elebrated our 16th anniversary with a nice dinner outside at Olive & June. It was nice to be out even if it was a zillion degrees out (probably why we didn't take any pictures.
The kids still take turns having Henry Henry in their rooms. My dad bought Henry somewhere along the way and we took him home with us.
- September -
We started the month celebrating BFF birthdays! Hailey had a drive-by birthday celebration and pet food donation drive. I didn't take pictures so I'm borrowing one of her mom's pictures.
Next up, BFF Penelope's birthday. I'm all in on these small birthday parties and vow to never go to a Chuck E. Cheese or Pump It Up again!
First day of virtual school!
This is a better representation of how some of us felt about the day!
Kirby wanted a first day of school picture too!
We were happy to celebrate Rosh Hashana with dinner at Dory's house!
Even if it wasn't in person, we were happy to celebrate Great's 98th birthday. Allie had fun with filters to give her an online birthday cake!
I posted this on Facebook but am happy to have it here as well.
This is 98!
The amazing Baby Ruthe spent her early years as the Midwest’s Shirley Temple, met my grandpa in an early version of Young Judaea, became a wife, mother, synagogue president, grandmother, condo board president, mystery writer, great-grandma, matriarch and SO much more!
I've learned so much from her -- a love of entertaining, family traditions, shopping (especially for shoes), how to make a killer grilled cheese, positivity and realism (at the same time), the importance of a good manicure and so so much more. I feel so lucky that Jake and Allie know and love her like I do.
Love that she and Allie are doing yoga together!
More Kirby cuddles
Even the Barbie's need to exercise.
We love running into Zelda on our walks, Kirby's baby 1/2 sister.
Facetiming with Great!
Saying hello to Laura and Willow!
- October -
This girl is 9!
I love that her birthday is the 1st because it's absolutely the best way to start the month.
Showing off one of her birthday presents!
On her actual birthday she got to celebrate online with her class, had a drop by delivery from her amazing teacher and we had dinner at Chez Zee with Dory and Uncle Phillip.
For her birthday, Allie invited a few of her favorite friends over for a "favorite things" dinner. We spruced up the front porch and got things all ready for the party!
Plus, everything is better with Champaign
(or sparkling cider)
It occasionally felt like Fall but this sweet display set up by neighbors made it feel more Fall-like.
Speaking of our neighbors, we have some fun ones who sure make walks around the neighborhood more fun. The scene changed every day!
Allie gave horses another chance at her friend Annie's birthday party.
After the riding, they strangely painted a horse. I thought it was odd but they loved it.
Football is back...well Georgia football is back.
BFF Spa Time
Another meet-up with Zelda!
Back to School...in person for Allie!
When we bought the house I wanted to paint right away but somehow it took almost 11 years to get it done! I love it all so much!
Thanks to my friend and plant bully, Laura for the help and encouragement with the plants.
Are you trying to tell me something?
A beautiful day in Austin!
Jake was asked to be in a photo shoot for a new basketball league that one of his coaches is starting. It hasn't happened yet because of Covid but it was fun to see him be a model.
We celebrated Mila's birthday instead of trick-or-treating. Allie was a skeleton and I was a 60s Housewife with Martini. Alex and Jake were scary movie fans and stayed home to watch movies and keep the socially distant candy bowl filled.
Filters have definitely provided us with some fun distractions!
- November -
Still masking it up!
We celebrated the 50th anniversary of Hill Elementary with an adorable drive-by parade.
My friend Jessica sent me this great pic of Allie waiving to all her teachers.
The best thing about November is this guys birthday! 13...we have a teenager!
Allie couldn't resist a football onesie for Jake!
Allie and I started working out with the fantastic Ashley! She's so fun and we both love her.
When you're zooming with friends and someone wants to join the fun!
- December -
Kirby seriously wanted to join her in the bath!
Happy Hanukah!
Dorry and Phillip joined us for the first night!
Must document when they're being sweet to each other!
Kirby was happy to take Jake on a walk!
I came home from a walk and Alex surprised me with a firepit. We added some new chairs and voila!
Our inaugural fire with smores!
A fun but quiet New Year's Eve for the 4 of us with steaks, champagne (or apple cider) and games.
The sun setting on 2020! What a long strange year it has been! Happy to have made it through the year healthy and with my favorite people. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and fun 2021 that includes seeing all of you!
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