{Virtual Greetings} from the Carlsons

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Happy Holidays from the Carlson Family!

Around this time last year, Kevin and I were making big plans. We had booked a few international trips – our first as a family, and we gathered everything to announce it on Christmas day – presents included travel backpacks and luggage tags (which in hindsight was probably not the most thrilling gift for a kid to open, but it was from Santa, so we didn’t feel too badly). And as the boys opened their presents we excitedly announced 2020 would be the “Carlson Year of Travel!!”

Pre pandemic, we visited one of our new favorite places in the US: Fire Valley State Park. Gorgeous. What’s that? You want to see photos? OK!


And you can guess how our international travel plans turned out.

After getting over that heartbreak and a sizable “donation” to the country of Peru, we dusted ourselves off and looked for new adventures. We were able to squeeze in a few quick getaways to change up the scenery from the same four walls of our home: Branson, Missouri to celebrate my mom’s 80th birthday; Door County where we fell in love with The Farm; and New Orleans to visit the Bayou, Mardi Gras World, and the amazing WWII museum (so amazing).

While 2020 has generally been a bust with the pandemic, social unrest, and much much more (without getting political…this is a holiday letter after all), we found some great silver linings along the way. Tracy (finally!) kicked her caffeine addiction and no longer has a coffee in the morning, followed by one (or two, or three) Mountain Dews in the afternoon. She started jogging and can even classify it as running...depending on the day! 

Kevin has figured out how to work out at home and is often spotted lifting furniture pieces or other random household objects, as gym weights have been hard to find/purchase. When sports have been allowed, he’s enjoyed coaching, and was able to squeeze in baseball and football before seasons came to an end.

The kids (and parents) have been navigating a fully remote learning schedule for school, which has been a bit of a challenge for all of us. We'll probably have the hang of it when school transitions back to in person. Our boys had to say goodbye to two of their closest friends over the summer, as they moved to new cities and states. However, these resilient kids have overall adjusted quickly to the zigs and zags this year has brought and we have all found strong community in in our neighbors and friends. 

We hope this letter finds you healthy and safe. 

And here's to a better year in 2021!

Best, 

Kevin, Tracy, Chase (10 years old), and Kiefer (8 years old)

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