The Covid Year Continues

In the fall, we spent a lot of time finding new hiking spots where we could check out the leaves. One of our favorite spots was the cliffs by St. Thomas. They have a neat ravine with forts to climb around in. We also liked other spots we found near the Mississippi River.

Over MEA weekend, we visited a smaller German community and went on a hike around the area. We also stopped at a fall outdoor art show.

We still participated in Halloween (covid style, of course). Many neighbors put out treats by hanging them from clotheslines, sticking them in the ground, or placing them at the end of their driveways.

The end of 2020 and start to 2021 was a welcome event. Everyone was looking forward to the new vaccination that would be available starting in February to our age group. The girls favorite gifts this year were their PJs that matched their stuffed animals and their glampor. Besides getting their own gifts, the girls filled baggies full of quick snacks for people without food.

We still tried to get out for a few events over the winter but mainly stayed indoors. We tried cross country skiing as a family for the first time and the girls loved it (although we don't have any pictures). In February, we had some really cold days. The girls braved the cold and went to see the Valentine's lights in downtown Stillwater.

In March, Dan and the girls took at trip to Wisconsin and Illinois to visit family and see the community where Dan grew up. They got to see the two houses Dan grew up in and visit with grandparents as well as Dan's aunt, uncle and cousin. They also visited the Amish "Walmart", the Madison zoo, the Milwaukee Natural History Museum, and Lake Michigan. Emma was excited to see some of the art she had learned about when they visited Chicago.

Once things warmed up, we took a family trip to Afton and camped in a yurt. The night was cold but we survived with a wood burning stove that was in the yurt. The hiking was wonderful and we hope to return there in the future (perhaps a bit further into May).

Besides camping, we were able to go on a hot air balloon ride the day before Easter. Everyone was a bit afraid when we saw how big the basket was that we would all ride in. After we were in the air, only the girls were afraid of the loud noise from the burners. As we descended, the balloon almost hit a tree. We landed in someone's backyard and the family came out to see what we were up to. Grandma Kathy, Grandpa Mark, Uncle Mike and Aunt Mara came to trail the balloon with their car. They took some nice photos for us and came out to greet us when the balloon finally touched back down.

Now we are into the month of May. The girls just gave their school performances for what was called, Chronological Quest. Emma dressed as Catherine Parr and Analise dressed as Princess Dido. Both girls did amazing when they performed for the whole school. They also participated in music concerts and an art show. Emma found out she will be playing clarinet next year in school. Analise is excited for water day and the final all school picnic. We have tons of summer plans that we can hardly wait to start.

Emma celebrated her birthday with family and a friend over on Memorial Weekend. There were lots of gifts to open and a large yard sign to celebrate the day. Since Covid made it hard for friends to gather this year, Emma and Analise will have a joint celebration with friends (Evelyn and Elsie)over the summer. We will be visiting Wild Mountina Water Park.