{Virtual Greetings} from the Carlsons

-

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)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Baby Two is on the Way!

-
Image
Does Chase's shirt make me look pregnant? With the announcement of Baby Two being due, I can guess the two main responses: (1)  Uh, come again? Yep.  I strongly touted "No Kids. Ever." early in marriage.  Then begrudgingly changed my tune to One and Done when pregnant with the birth of Chase.  So I understand the head scratching.  The new (and final) mantra is Two and We're Through. (2) Who cares. Beyond grandparents, not many get excited when hearing another baby is on the way.  You aren't excited to learn -- let alone remember -- another name. So while you may not care (and probably stopped reading long ago), it is surprising how much thought goes into deciding to have a second.  On one hand , there is the advantage of knowing what to expect.  On the other hand, there is the  dis advantage of knowing what to expect.  So we are preparing for our new roles as "referee"  ( Chase! Stop poking the Baby.  CHASE. No hitting ...)  as it was dete
Read more

What Not to Say

-
Image
As I amble into Target   --  newborn  in tow -- with  my hair askew and an un-showered appearance, a person (or 10) undoubtedly stops me to say sweetly "Look at the new baby!  Don't you wish they could stay like this forever?" Though I smile politely at this stranger's notion of perma-infants, in my mind I have landed an upper-cut-jab-combo squarely on   the unsuspecting shopper.    To be clear: this stranger wants to freeze my son at an age where sleeping one to two hours is considered an amazingly long time?  Where his all too frequent diaper changes are  filled with piercing screams as if an appendage is being removed?  Where he sleeps like an angel in my arms, only to wake with a jolt the moment his head hits the crib mattress?  No thank you. I understand their heart is in the right place.  A sleeping infant with its cute button nose and little baby coos is undeniably wonderful.  Seeing such a teeny human is a bit surreal.  They are so new, so innocent.  
Read more

My Apology

-
Image
A smile when laid down to sleep isn't a good sign.  A yawn when you are trying to leave is even worse. I'm sorry. Friends with children, friends without. No matter. You are due. Let's consider this my official Apology Tour. To friends with children : If you had children before me, there is a 100% chance I judged you.  How hard was it to shower each day? Could you really be that tired?  Weren't you home sleeping all day?  And what is the deal with your inability to be anywhere on time (or to get there at all)? We swore our family would be different. We are not. Luckily, finding time to shower was not too hard for me (by sacrificing sleep, a 5am shower would suffice).  The problem was more in how pointless it was to shower.  I enjoyed being clean no longer than 10 minutes each day before being drenched in spit up.  At a certain point I even gave up changing clothes.  The extra laundry wasn't worth it. Now onto sleep.  Sleep - Oh how I miss you.  
Read more