Our Covid Christmas 2020

As most already know, our Christmas 2020 was hijacked by Covid.

Once we got past the initial disappointment of being unable to celebrate with the extended Wheeler family, we did our best to make the most of a hard situation.  Thank heavens for puzzles!  A neighbor nailed it when she dropped of this Eric Dowdle.

After a good suggestion from NomiAnn, we made birdseed ornaments for our feathery friends.  

Never a better time for a pedicure.

We also made some homemade gingerbread playdough.  As the positive one in the family, Eli got his own table with his own dough.  And still he thought of others.

A neighbor gave us a kit for decorating sugar cookies.

On Christmas Eve, Talia joined me for a "jingle jog" through the Avenues.

There's still plenty of damage from the windstorm this fall.

Check out the festive map of our run from Strava!  Thanks to Coach Tara for the great idea.  I liked how the run took us by both our old home on "O" Street as well as Justin and Brianna's old place on "C."

For our Christmas Eve lunch, we roasted hot dogs outside.  Even though it was a bit chilly, we were excited to get out and take off our masks.

We opted to have our fancy dinner on Christmas Eve.  While it certainly didn't compare with a Grandma Susie holiday meal, we still dined well.  Plus, it was a great excuse to use our Christmas service.

The kids loved the homemade rolls most of all.  

While Eli ate alone at the kitchen counter during his isolation, we made an exception and let him join us for Christmas dinner.

After all, seeing Eli alone on Christmas Eve left the rest of us feeling blue.

On Christmas eve, we also joined the rest of the Wheelers via Zoom for a Christmas program.  In full disclosure, Annika had a bit of a meltdown.  Wishing that she could be at the cabin with her cousin Ruby, she ran upstairs when it was time for us to gather.  When Jason went to bring her down, she hollered "Zoom SUCKS!"  Now that kind of language is not permitted in our home.  Screaming is also not allowed.  But at some level, I kind of agreed.  

Annika settled down once we let her be in charge of our impromptu nativity.  Atypical in casting, Daddy Jason was the baby Jesus.

Annika was Mary, Eli was Joseph, Brooklyn was a shepherd, and Talia played a sheep.

After Annika and Eli went to bed, the big girls helped me lay the presents under the tree.  Santa sure appreciates her elves!

Meanwhile, Annika sawed logs in our bedroom.  She slept with Jason and I during quarantine so that Eli could have his own room.

Annika's Christmas dreams must have been sweet because she slept late on Christmas morning.  I think it was nearly nine when she finally awoke with quite the behead.

The Wheeler munchkins crash Mom and Dad's bed.

Getting ready to come down the stairs.

So can you tell which kid has Covid?  

A Christmas morning photo unlike any others.

We each opened one special package from NomiAnn before breakfast.

What was inside?  New masks!  So very appropriate (and needed.)  I easily go through four or five masks a day.  Plus, Baby Yoda!  Obviously our day was off to a great start.

The Andrus tradition of Trix for breakfast lives on.

Okay, I'll be completely honest.  Christmas consumerism sometimes overwhelms me.  I don't always get excited about "doing presents" when we have so much already.  This year, however, the beauty of gift-giving was renewed.  Even though we celebrated Christmas by ourselves, we felt the love of so many people as we opened their thoughtful gifts.  While we were physically distant, these colorful packages were tangible reminders of how we are still connected.  Each gift was a much needed hug.  My mother's heart was especially grateful for the joy these gifts brought our quasi-depressed Eli.  While it's true that at the end of the day it's all just stuff, this "stuff" brought real happiness at the time we needed it most.

Lego Space shuttle from Grandma Susie and Grandpa Charles

Remote control car and stylish vest from Uncle Lance.

An amazing experiment kit from NomiAnn and Papa Kay, and Baby Yoda Brickheadz from Justin and Brianna.

For Jason, this love came as lotion for his painfully dry hands... (Thanks, Grandma Susie!)

...and preemptive care for his next race.  (We're blushing, Papa Kay.)

  

Brooklyn loves her new watch from Justin and Brianna...

...while Annie got a new journal to watch over from Christy and Ben.

Cousin gifts from Ruby...

...and a unicorn hat from Grandma Susie and Grandpa Charles.

Nothing makes Mommy Kara happier than chocolate!  (Thanks Christy and Ben.)

Except perhaps a new ski helmet from Peanut Butter.

The Wells family sent this super-fun game: Trekking the National Parks.

Intriguing package from the Wilhoit clan.  

An archery set!.  I tell you, Annika's coronavirus moodiness disappeared right here.

Gorgeous necklace, Talia!  Your Uncle Lance has the best taste.

I think you get the idea.  We were spoiled rotten.  We surely don't deserve it, but we truly appreciated it.

From Jason and I, the Wheeler kids all got a Get Out Utah Pass.  It includes all sorts of fun experiences, ranging from chocolate making classes and escape rooms to the aquarium and a day at Lagoon.  We are super excited to try it out once Covid settles down.  

To explain the gift to the kids, we printed each of the activities onto a card and then wrapped them up into this yarn gift ball so that they could discover them one by one.

Lest you fear I forgot Jason, I did get him this majorly sexy Santa suit.

Wrapping paper carnage.  Such a beautiful mess! 

Only one thing to be done: enjoy a second breakfast of meat pie.  Yum!

The rest of the day was spent playing with toys...

 

playing games... 

...and eating yummy appetizers.

Whew!  There you have it.  Our Covid Christmas 2020.  Not what we originally hoped for, but lovely just the same.