Nick: Week Four

 Nick's final week with us:

Christmas on Clover

Christmas was different this year, as we were not able to celebrate with our extended families, but we made the most of it. On Christmas Eve, we made our favorite appetizers from the Roy Christmas to enjoy together and on Christmas Day, we enjoyed opening more presents than ever (as presents are usually spread out over several celebrations and gatherings).

Elizabeth's first time making deviled eggs - Lee says they were delicious (and he would know, he ate them ALL).

We made the trip to NH on Christmas to drop off gifts and goodies at various family homes.  It was good to see everyone, even if it was with masks, outside and from a distance.  And, we of course stopped at the Common Man deli on the way home - it's become our favorite take out spot in the state.

So.  Many.  Presents.

Traditional Christmas morning photo.

Happy girls.

Nick: Week Three

 Week Three of Nick:

Nick: Week Two

 Nick's antics during week two:

Nick brought the girls some festive masks for their return to in person school

Chilling out with Dobby.

November Odds and Ends

 We actually have enough going on for the return of the odds and ends:

A rare dress down day.

Emily's club team posted this on social media prior to the championship game.  We are so proud of her for working so hard to accomplish her dreams.

Emily and Abby watched Meg and Jules, who play for Mercy, win the SCC Division Championship.

A little treat during remote school.

Thanksgiving looked a little different this year.

Although Emily had to quarantine for 14 days due to a COVID exposure at school, she still got in her daily workouts, including two speed workouts at the track alone (which is the worst).

The Return of Nick

For some reason, our Elf on the Shelf did not show up last year, but much to the girls' delight, he made a triumphant return the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Nick arrived with some decorations for the girls' desks.

The Best Laid Plans.....

We decided to get a smaller Christmas tree this year because we knew that the girls were going to be in remote school, for at least a week, in the same room as the tree. In the past, it's been difficult to even get into and out of that room, so we didn't think that it was a good idea to have a massive tree.  The Sunday after Thanksgiving, we headed out bright and early in search of a smallish tree - and failed miserably.  In my defense, I pointed out at least three trees that were smaller and got shot down each time.  This tree seems to be the perfect size, because it's enormous but we can still get in an out of the room relatively easily.  The girls loved having the lit tree in the room with them last week while in class.

It takes all of the farm employees to get the tree through the baler.....

Last year's tree fell over after a couple of days, so this year, Lee secured it to the ceiling.