Between Thanksgiving and Christmas Break

 Dordt University decided not to meet back in person after Thanksgiving.  The students had a week of online classes followed by a week of finals (also online).  As a graduate assistant track coach, Caleb needed to remain on campus since the team still had organized indoor track practice for those who stayed on campus (and he wanted to be in Iowa when Mikaela returned from her Chicago internship).  Nicolas also preferred to stay in Iowa during those two weeks as he wanted to continue earning money from his part-time job at TransOva. (He also had track practice).  Anna, however, was eager to come home.  We were able to get her home a week earlier than planned, and she stayed with Grandpa and Grandma instead of the dorm the week after Thanksgiving.  She did participate in her first indoor track meet as a Defender the week before Thanksgiving.  

My mom's heart loves this picture!  This is the only year they will be together on Dordt's campus.

    Chocolate covered cherries are Anna's favorite Christmas treat, so Grandma taught Anna how to make these before Christmas.  Anna brought some home in her luggage and they were so good!

As I eagerly awaited the arrival of all the Iowa kids for Christmas, I kept my crochet hooks busy making gifts for the younger three.  

For Seth, I was able to complete Harry Potter, Ron Weasely, Hermione Granger, and Dobby.  I have plans to do more characters but just didn't have time before Christmas.

Here's another picture after I completed their robes, scarves, and Dobby's sock.

For Anna, I crocheted Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett.  Pattern here.

And for Lydia, I made her favorite character from Lord of the Rings, Legolas.  Pattern here.

Three members of our congregation had been confined to senior living facilities during the pandemic.  We contacted each of the facilities and were given permission to come caroling as a church family to bless them.  Between the time we got permission to the time we caroled, one actually moved out of his care facility into the home of his daughter, so we caroled outside on the front lawn of his daughter's home instead.  We may not have been the most beautiful sounding Christmas carolers, but it was carried out with much love!