Bachmann Christmas Celebration

 

We were so thankful to be able to find a time to celebrate with Dave's family in Simpsonville!  It was quite a challenge with so many trips planned, but we made it work!  Thankfully the weather was amazing and we enjoyed lots of time outside, but our inside time had to be masked of course.  We enjoyed opening our stockings and then some gifts too.  It didn't take Preston long to start his concert in the treehouse on his new ukelele. :)  

Then we enjoyed a wonderful meal and opened the rest of our gifts.  It was such a fun time to spend together as a family, especially since it's been almost a year since we had seen everyone.

The cousins were long overdue catching up too!

It was a fun day and we're just thankful everyone was healthy enough to celebrate together.

Our Gingerbread House Tradition Continues

 

Today we met up with our favorite family, the Marions, to continue our tradition of visiting the Ballantyne Resort's Gingerbread Lane.  After the kids were out of school, we headed over and enjoyed a socially distanced display.  We were excited to find that by going earlier in the season, the houses were not as broken too.   There were much fewer houses this year, but they were still quite impressive to see.

Thanksgiving Homestyle

 

After we found out that a cousin tested positive for Covid, we had to quickly adjust our plans for Thanksgiving this year.  It was so sad at first, but then we decided we would just stay in Charlotte and enjoy NOT traveling for the first time ever on Thanksgiving Day!  

Dave and the kids planned the menu and went to work Wednesday night making the Oreo dessert.

This morning I started with a short run in the pouring rain.  Thankfully, by the time I got home, the rain stopped and we were all able to get ready for the neighborhood Turkey Trot.  I promised Savannah I would walk with her so I had to get a quick run in earlier. :)  It turned out to be a beautiful morning and we enjoyed our time outside.  We came home, showered, and put the turkey in the oven.  

It wasn't long before the sides were all ready and we were enjoying our first ever Thanksgiving meal with just us four at home. I have to say I missed the conversations and laughter around the table, but it was nice to stay home.  We spent the afternoon decorating for Christmas and then we ready for dessert.

The boys spent some time setting up our outdoor lights too.

We are truly counting our blessings this Thanksgiving. Sure it's been a pretty yucky year with Covid and things are most definitely different, but we are so grateful for our health, family, friends, and that we have not been devastated by this awful virus.  We choose to be thankful today!!  

Saturday Shoeboxes and Soccer

 

Bright and early this morning we traveled to Morganton for Preston's soccer game.  We were thrilled that they pulled out a WIN today!  It was a long trip, but worth it for the team to get another W.  To celebrate we stopped by Chick fil A for nuggets on the way home.

After we arrived back in Charlotte we had lunch and then Savannah headed out with her Sunday school group.  Mrs. Poats has been such a blessing and continues to hold these precious girls tight under her wing (especially now that she is an empty nester).  They started at the Dollar Tree where the girls filled two huge carts of goodies to stuff their shoeboxes.  Then it was off to Panera to fill the shoeboxes and enjoy dinner.  They filled a total of 42 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child!! Savannah had such a wonderful time and talked nonstop about how much fun it was to be with her little group again.

Election Day 2020

Well, the big day is finally here . . election day 2020!  I'm not sure if I am more worried about the future of our country or thankful that the calls, texts, e-mails, and other propaganda will finally end.  The kids decided to celebrate with play dates with the absolute favorite friends.  The girls opted for baking at the Marion house and the boys opted to play here together this afternoon.  I love that they can literally spend hours playing together . . no arguing or comments about being bored, just plain old-fashioned playing outside together!

 And to finish off the day, I voted!!!  So thankful for the right and privilege to vote.

 

5th Grade In Person Begins!!!

Today was finally the day Preston was able to return to school in person since March 13!  I'm not sure if he was more excited or anxious, but never the less, he was off for his first day of fifth grade.  It was a great day, although different, he was thankful to be able to see some friends face to face.

Sunday Soccer

 

We were back at it this morning with an early soccer game.  We were SO lucky that the rain stopped after the first game and we just had misty conditions.  It was SO muddy and cold, but we survived!  Savannah decided to come with us this time and served as the family photographer. :)

Unfortunately, the boys lost this game (maybe all of the sluggishness from Halloween candy?) but they still have made such huge improvement with the new coach!

Our photographer loves to take selfies!