January 2021

Snow, Snowman and Massive Icicles

We got a ton of snow this winter.  At one point there was close to 16 inches of snow.  It gave us the opportunity to have some fun outside. And shovel a ton of snow!

Carol and Grant’s Trip to Lawrence, KS

Carol and Grant made a weekend trip to Lawrence, KS to see family (and alpacas!).  They enjoyed their time away and Jenna and I enjoyed some Daddy/Daughter time.  On one of the days, we went to my parents house and did some art in my Dad’s studio.  With Jenna and I on one side of the room and Mom and Dad on the other and all of us wearing masks, we were able to social distance.

Random Pictures from the Month

Jenna Art, Bedtime Stories, Silly Nate, Artist Jenna, Jenna and Carol, Nate and Jenna and Silly Nate

February 2021

Frozen Lake

It was still so cold and snowy in February that Lincoln Public Schools called off school for a day.  So even though our kids are not in the classroom learning, they got the day off.  While I was working, Carol took the kids in zero degree weather over to Holmes Lake for some sledding down the dam.  It was cold enough that the lake had frozen solid to walk on.

Valentine’s Day

Ordering flowers online for Valentine’s day resulted in a bit of a surprise.  Rather than a local florist delivering the flowers, they were shipped via Fed-Ex.  The flowers arrived very cold, but bounced back ok.

Nate’s Birthday

I celebrated another birthday.  As much as I try to ignore the day, Carol and the kids refuse to let me go without celebrating it.  Carol made me a cheesecake for my birthday this year, per my request.

Donuts

Another fun activity that Carol and I did together was make donuts.  Carol had recipes for both yeast and cake donuts, so we made both kinds on separate occasions.  We learned two things: homemade donuts are delicious and they take most of the day to make.

Haircuts at Home

Carol has cut my hair for years, so the pandemic didn’t really impact me that much when it comes to haircuts.  But Carol also needed a trim, so I cut her hair for her.  It was only my second attempt at cutting her hair and the first time did not go terribly well.  Luckily, things went better this time around. Though I don’t have a before and after picture, so maybe Carol doesn’t think things went as well as I do.

Random Pictures from the Month

Grant in a Box, a cold opossum, Daisy, Dancer Jenna, Smiling Jenna and a Nebraska Sunset

March 2021

Kayaking

Another pandemic purchase – Kayaks!  We tried to buy kayaks last summer, but they were sold out everywhere online.  Kayaks must have been a popular thing for people to buy during a pandemic because it is something you can do without getting too near other people.  So we decided to beat the rush this year by buying them early.  Luckily we had some nice weather and were able to try one out before summer.

Spring Break Trip to Genoa, NE

We didn’t think we would be doing a Spring Break trip this year because of the pandemic.  At the last minute, Carol and Grant came up with the idea of finding a place in the country close enough to us that we could get there without having to make a rest stop.  So they found a house for rent on VRBO near a small town called Genoa, which is about an hour and 45 minutes away.  It ended up being a nice little getaway because the place was on 10 acres and had trails to walk.  Plus it had a hot tub.  The weather was cool while we were there, but there was only one day where it was cold enough that walking the trails and getting in the hot tub wasn’t as pleasant. We enjoyed our five nights there and the kids were not at all excited to come home and start online school back up.

Pictures of the House

Pictures of the Trails and Landscape

Pictures of Fun in the Hot Tub

Sunsets

 

Random Pictures from the Month

Grant in a tie, 100,000 Miles on the 2007 Dodge Caliber, Smiling Jenna and Towel Hat