A December We'll Remember

2020 will be remembered for a lot of reasons. Among them, this is the first Christmas we have not spent together as a family. Even while living abroad, we managed to get everyone in the same place for Christmas, no matter how complicated the logistics were. But in spite of our relative proximity of one another this year, the pandemic proved to be a complication we could not safely overcome.

It's been a less than ideal December, but we're trying to make the most of the holiday season none the less. That has included cross country skiing for the kids, who are together in Portland; some long walks and snowy hiking for us in Philadelphia, including a visit to Washington's Crossing, along the Bucks County Ale Trail and one of Philly's mural miles; Christmas crafting in the form of the beautiful felt stockings Emily and Jake made, pictured above; a bi-coastal Christmas-eve charcuterie show-down; and our annual Christmas morning family gift exchange via FaceTime. Photo links follow:

• Philadelphia Mural Mile (South) 
• Snow Day
• Christmas Weekend

Best wishes for a safe, healthy, way less chaotic, and happy New Year. 

Thanksgiving Weekend

Click here for photos from ourThanksgiving weekends on both coasts. Pat and I were in Philadelphia moving into our new house after 2+ months in an Airbnb - an apartment in East Falls in a building that used to be a women's medical college. It was a nice temporary spot, but now we can finally start settling into our 1920 twin in Chestnut Hill. 

Before we closed on the house, we enjoyed a Thanksgiving Day walk from East Falls into downtown along Philadelphia's boathouse row, pictured above. After closing, we made a quick trip to New York to get some belongings Uncle Jeff was kindly storing for us. 

The kids were able to be together in Portland and got to enjoy some kayaking, kick-ball, snowshoeing, and collaboration on a great Thanksgiving meal. Thank goodness for Zoom.  

After the long weekend, the twins returned to Corvallis and Bellingham to finish off their Fall terms. Jake is keeping us updated with a daily countdown to Christmas. Emily and her roommates got a tree. And sadly, we unbooked the flights the kids were supposed to be taking to Philadelphia this Friday. Last Christmas, we are all together in Malta. This year is another story. 

Happy Holidays.