'Tis the Season- 2020 style!

After having a wonderful Thanksgiving with our friends the Lamberts, it was finally time to deck the halls for a 2020 holiday season that will be unlike any other. Living in the time of Covid is still wreaking havoc on our lives. I can't ever remember having a calendar so blank in December. Even if you're a non-musician your holidays are filled with school parties, work parties, holiday gatherings, and I'm sure you even attend a concert here or there. As a musician I generally have a lot of accompanist work for the schools I play for, and have my own concerts to perform in as a percussionist. Then we usually have concerts for the boys and a military band holiday concert to go see Dan in. The ONLY concert we'll have this year is a virtual concert displaying the recordings various high school groups have put together. So strange.

We're also learning that living through this pandemic means things can change at any moment. Last week during the last week of marching band, several of the trombone players had to quarantine due to exposure to someone who had tested positive. Because of that Cade was suddenly section leader and had to (got to!) perform the solo in Malaguena for the half-time show. What a way to end the season!

There was a time this year that Christmas didn't seem to have the joyful anticipation it usually does. But as I put up the Christmas decorations a wonderful peace came through the house. We've really enjoyed just sitting by the light of the Christmas tree.

I made the boys help me decorate this year! They did a great job!

Outdoor lights

Carson with his favorite toy, laying in the sun

My mom surprised my sister and I with these amazing quilted wall-hangings she made!

There hasn't been a lot of live music performances due to the pandemic. Surprisingly a group that Dan likes had an outdoor performance in Helotes. The seats were spaced out and it was COLD! We wrongly assumed there would be patio heaters and got there quite early to get good seats. We froze our butts off, but they upgraded our seats and gave us a few more free tickets so Dan invited an army buddy to join us. The group is called St. Paul and the Broken Bones- and they put on an awesome live show! You could tell they were freezing too as they quickly segued from song to song and stuck their hands in their pockets when they could! The stage wasn't heated either! 

Masks + Cold + Glasses = non-stop fog!

Alex recently had a birthday party playing paintball! It was fun until he got shot in the back of the head.

Ouch!

Alex had never made cupcakes, and I've never been terribly good at making them, so we set out to remedy that over the weekend! From scratch, spice cake cupcakes with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Delish!

And in keeping in the spirit of the season, Dan saw that the AT&T center had set up a drive-through light display. We spent a fun evening listening to Christmas music, singing out loud, getting some ice cream and seeing the lights.

Lights displaying each of the 12 days of Christmas

If you know me, you know I love red and white lights. I loved how these trees were decorated and so sparkly!

  

And a fun tunnel of lights!

While I miss performing, I've always hated how busy this time of year can get. By the time the kids are out of school it's already almost Christmas and you haven't had time to do any of the things of the season together. I'm trying to cherish this unique time and enjoy the calm and quiet. I hope you can find your joy and peace during a holiday season like no other.

Also, for those who have been following my health journey, it's been 8 months now that I haven't felt like myself. I'm done with all the testing. I've started a few medicines that seem to have given a little relief to the pressure in my chest and the chronic pain, but the fatigue is still ever present. I'm hoping that over time this will change as well. Such a long process. What a year, right? I can't think of a time when every single person has been affected by the same thing. I'm hoping this vaccine will make a difference, but I still think it will take awhile.

Here's to keeping our holiday season Merry & Bright!