Grand View Lodge

Despite all indoor fun being shut down due to COVID, the annual year-end trip to GVL felt like a much-needed escape from the house we haven't left for ages.  So, no bingo, no pool, no breakfast buffet, no Zorbaz excursion, et cetera... but, skating, s'mores, game nights, Ski Gull, takeout and fireside patio dining (and drinking) were all fair game.  And, with some company... the Kiesers, who have also been hardcore quarantining for weeks.

New this year were pit stops at Lupulin and Starry Eyes tap rooms as well as Thielen Meats on the commute up.  As were hammocking, a variation of "broomball", Kan Jam and Aerobee on ice... and a loooong build of a quinzhee amongst the more formal fish houses.

COVID Lockdown 2.0, Week 4

Weeks 4-5 finally brought snow.  First, fake stuff at Hamel Hill... then the real deal just in time for Christmas.  Lots of sledding, chasing Buster through the wetlands and of course... basketball.

Xmas with G'pa Tom

For G'Pa Tom's socially distanced Christmas, the sibs and their families met for an afternoon sledding party at Wayzata East Middle School's slopes and parking lot "tailgate" of cookies and hot cocoa.  

The day prior Santa Tom made the rounds across the metro stopping in for brief gift exchanges at each home.  For G'pas stop in Maple Grove, we drug the tree and fire pit out to the street for a festive fire while the girls and Buster played in a freshly plowed snow bank.

Not the same... but some fun twists I hope we incorporate for years to come!

Xmas with Nana

While the state of the COVID pandemic added some rule & regulation complexity to Christmas 2020, it also introduced some fun creativity to the holiday season that just may become new traditions. 

For our celebration with Nana, my sibs picked the warmest forecasted day of Christmas week and mapped out a centrally-located State Park (Minneopa) to do a socially distanced hike, Pagliai's pizza picnic, and cousin gift exchange.  And, to spread out the fun, a few days later we opened a few final gifts from afar via FaceTime.   

All considered, things couldn't have worked out better!

Happy Holidays

Happy 44th

Breakfast in bed, game night with some new additions (Shut the Box, X-Code), our first pond-skate of the year, night hoops, and our first extended family COVID-friendly Christmas celebration back at Minneopa (additional photos to follow).

6th & 4th

School photos.  Fall 2020.  E (6th Grade) & S (4rd).  Homemade backdrop & DIY photography as COVID kept the professional services from doing the annual tradition this year.

COVID Lockdown 2.0, Week 3

More of the same in week #3.  Rotating dinner menu ownership, weeknight games (chess, Phase 10, Mexican Train, etc.) or TV (River Monsters, Saved by the Bell, Cosby, etc.), baseball/softball and basketball via Zoom, in the garage or on the court, and weekend hikes with the big teddy bear.

This weekend's hike destination was Minneopa State Park to see the falls and buffalo.  Amazon's drivers and the wrapping elves were busy as well.

COVID Lockdown 2.0, Week 2

This week's quarantine highlights were a hike through the glacial potholes at Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls, a virtual Christmas cookie decorating party/competition via Zoom with the Kiesers, Willy the Elf's return, a sunrise trip to MN's greatest dog park at Minnehaha, and Mojo Monkey donuts.