New Years Eve

This is what our New Years Eve looked like this year...home, alone, as a family recovering from COVID. Playing quite a fitting game we got for Christmas!

COVID +

Well...we were supposed to be heading to see Grandma Pam and Grandpa Bill and celebrate Christmas on 12/26 am...but Ed woke up and couldn't taste anything! Therefore, we cancelled that trip. So, he went and got a COVID test - which of course came back positive. 

The next day...I started with cold like symptoms, so Monday, I went and got a COVID test, and tested positive. I also took the kids to get tested...Eddie tested positive and Rowan negative. 

(Ed did self quarantine to the basement from Saturday until I test positive...at that point there was no reason for him to stay down there. The kids can't fend for themselves.)

So this is what our next several days looked like. Had to cancel Piper's grooming appointment because we all had to quarantine for 10 days. We ordered groceries on Amazon fresh, skated, leaned out to use our new Sparx machine (skate sharpener). Shoveled some snow...and repeat. I could still work, and Ed was off through New Years anyway. Kids missed some practices for hockey...but we had some quality time at home. 

In the end, Eddie started out asymptomatic - had one day of diarrhea and that was it. I had cold symptoms for 4-5 days, lost my taste and smell for almost 2 weeks. Ed really just lost his taste and smell (had some super mild cold symptoms before Christmas that we wrote off - oops). He had his back in about a week. He lost some weight because he only ate lettuce and chicken since he couldn't taste anything...I wasn't that good. 

Christmas Day

Christmas definitely looked different this season, smaller gatherings with a chance of COVID. 

In the end, we again have been overly blessed and spoiled by many. Thankful for what we have built together and the family we can spend time with. 

Got the rink zambonied and saw family from afar via zoom. 

Christmas Eve 2020

We celebrated Christmas at Grandpa and Grandma Knutson's this afternoon/evening! I had to work, so we joined the fun immediately after. Was a bit crazier with 2 pups this year. But they wore themselves out. We finally celebrated Luke's Birthday too - always ready for some cake!

7th graders

This is 7th grade girls! 

Rowan had her closest friends over tonight to do their Christmas gift exchange. 

They also did a Christmas scavenger hunt in our neighborhood - and also one at Target. 

Hot cocoa bar, kids wine, pizza, and lots of laughs.

a week in December

Well, the rink is up and frozen! So, in between being inside on the ice, the kids try to find time to skate out in the elements too. 

Piper and I keep trying to get some walks in before the cold gets unbearable. Rowan is trying a new way to get waves in her hair, pigtails with lots of hair things. Piper got some new jammies! Oh, and top right is the COVID way of shaking hands after a hockey game...tap sticks and wave.

There have been many virtual Rocket League nights, and the MI Smiths have joined in too! Sadly we have only seen Callan virtually so far thanks to COVID. Piper got to go to another game this weekend, Gabby took care of her this game and didn't complain. Rowan got together with Lola and Ella and they had some girl fun. 

Then it was Gingerbread house competition time. Eddie was A, Rowan was B. Ed and I just assisted as requested. Eddie pulled away with an easy win this year. Although there was much love for the rainbow roof. 

you have a dog at a hockey game

We really did try not to leave Piper in crate with cone, so she got to come to a couple hockey games! Carried her in in a bag, kept her warm with a blanket, and by about halfway through, she stopped shaking. The loud noises weren't her favorite at first, but she settled in. 

We got some snow this week, so she got to test that out with Rowan and Eddie. 

This week, Rowan became part of the alphabet line (QRS). 

Quinn, Rowan and Sydney, they are buds!

Christmas card pictures are ready to go!!

Piper's big day

Piper got spayed today...the first two pictures are clearly before. She was excited and ready to go...then there is the after! She did really well - was hard to keep her from jumping up on the couch, and off, but for the most part the meds for the first kept her low key. We literally only put the cone on for a photo, but our goal is to not have to have her wear it. We borrowed a 'surgical' shirt from a neighbor (bottom right pic) - that unsnaps for bathroom breaks, but covers the area so she can't get it at it. But as long as she is supervised - she doesn't need either. 

weekend in December

Game time for the Lake Country Warhawks!!

Forecast is looking good for freezing some water in the near future, so got the rink set up before it's too cold out. 

We had a situation with Piper. We put her in the 'travel' crate when we went out for dinner tonight, and when we got home, she was wandering around the house. She ripped her way out of the crate. That is how much she loves going in the crate! Guess this crate is a goner, and now she is stuck in the metal crate. She looks really sad for what she did. 

St. Nick came and the kids got a few things - Not as exciting in years past I guess. Candy and gift cards for the win. 

thanksgiving weekend recap

MJA had a fun day on Friday...split up into teams combined with 2009 age group - Eddie's team is below. 

Grandma Pam came to visit - we did some shopping/browsing and lunch at Mazatlan. 

Ed and Eddie headed to Angola for a showcase, and the girls stayed home, put up the tree, decorated the entry way, etc. 

Thanksgiving, COVID style

We headed over to Grandpa and Grandma's house today - was a small crowd because Amanda and Peter are in quarantine. 

The Stoudt's stopped over and picked up to-go Thanksgiving dinner. 

Wishbone time

Was a great day with family, even if it was a smaller group. Staying safe during COVID is important too. 

Strep...but not throat

Rowan woke up like this yesterday - we gave her some Benadryl and watched her. 

Then the next day, she woke up worse. So we headed to the MD...unsure of the cause of this swelling. They ruled out many things, foods, soaps, COVID, etc. Her throat wasn't hurting but they decided to test her for Strep just in case...and sure enough it was positive. The MD is saying it's just an abnormal side effect of strep - so antibiotics it is.  

Had a zoom call with the Smith's since we won't be getting together for Thanksgiving!

Row is almost on the mend just 24 hours later. But she always looks better at the end of a day, and then worse in the morning, I am guessing after laying flat. 

Girls traveling!

Puppy problems...when you find teeth laying around, there is probably blood. Funny that it looks like the sloth has lipstick on.

Visited Frankie today, I was off work to leave for River Falls, but we didn't have to leave as early as planned. So took advantage of a day off with Piper.

On our way to River Falls we decided to stop and visit Grandma and Grandpa for 30 minutes. Haven't seen them in a LONG time because of covid and work schedules. 

We finally made it to River Falls by 8pm - got some drive through dinner and ate in the room. 

After a fast sleep, we were up and at it for game 1. This is what hockey looks like these days d/t COVID. Lack of locker room use means dressing in hotel rooms, cars, or outside. 

These girls are captains this weekend! 

After a day of hockey, the Smith and Parson ladies headed out for some Mexican!!

Us Mom's took advantage of the Nintendo and played some throw back Tetris. Tried to teach the girls but they weren't interested. 

Woke up to snow the next day.

Sadly the girls fell short of 1st place, but they had fun and made memories.