Late November and Early December 2020

Thanksgiving break was nice and mild this year, and we had a lot of downtime to enjoy.  Chad and Oliver at Lindbergh Park.

We enjoyed lots of long walks.  Amy and Gloria.

We found time to make some cookies...

... in the shape of turkeys!

Gloria

Fun enjoying some Thanksgiving crafts.  Luke making a hand turkey.

Why not get the Christmas lights up a little early this year -- we could use the extra light during the long winter nights!  Chad and Oliver

The end result of the Thanksgiving turkey crafts;,replete with googly eyes.  

As part of our Thanksgiving, Amy decided that each kids should make their own dish to contribute to the family meal.  Gloria making biscuits.  

Looks making fresh cut french fries (deep fried and all!)

Oliver making a baguette.

For the record, I made the cocktail (tequila, calvados, cinnamon) and it was delicious.  But Amy's amazing meal and the kids great contributions won the award.  

So much to be thankful for this year, especially all the extra time we have had together as a family.

We found a fun jalebi making kit online...

... and it wasn't bad!

We welcomed some new members to our house -- several fish and a couple of snails.  They've provided hours of entertainment.  The kids researched the types of fish extensively and enjoyed the process or setting the whole tank up.  

Thanksgiving behind us -- time to gear up for Christmas post haste!  The annual Christmas card assembly line busy at work.  Oliver, Gloria and Luke.

Luke and Chad.

Gloria and Oliver.

Gloria updating the family calendar.

Christmas lights up and in full gear!  We are not messing around this Christmas!

A family game night.

Gloria making the most of zoom school and an unseasonably warm day by enjoying a story hour on the swing (Google mesh wifi is a winner)

Gloria's letter to Santa.  

The kids all enjoying recess after lunch and before afternoon zoom school in the backyard.

Putting together a puzzle about our favorite show has been a fun way to pass the time at home.

We enjoyed a nice day hike at Morton Arboretum.  

Christmas is near!  Time for a test run on the Christmas cookies.  Thanks, Aunt Dira, for the recipes!  

Late Fall 2020

We were lucky to have Halloween on a Saturday this year, along with unusually warm weather.  Even though the pandemic limited some of the normal activities, we were able to enjoy a very special and fun Halloween that was perhaps better than ever since we had to be so creative.

Oliver as Einstein

Gloria made this unique costume -- a candy machine.  It included several hundred poms that she glued to the box.  

Luke as Joe Biden.  A hit in Oak Park.  Luke had cheering fans everywhere he went.

Chilling out on the couch.  Luke and Oliver.

We had to be creative this year as far as welcoming trick or treaters.

We made a fun sign with instructions...

and a fun candy Chute made out of PVC pipe to send down candy from the top of our stairs.

It worked great and was a real hit with neighborhood kids!

We enjoyed a number of unusually arm days in November, great for lunch in the back yard.

We decided to honor in our own way the Day of the Dead, with our own "Ofrenda" and shared memories of our beloved great-grandparents who have passed.

The religious ed program at Ascension sent home a number of great craft projects and ideas for us to use to celebrate the liturgy at home.  

Accompaniment by Oliver.

Tennis in mid-November?!  When it is 74 degrees, why not!  Chad and Oliver.  

The news of Joe Biden's victory was a day of great celebration (and relief) for us all.

Nice warm days for us to take care of the leaf collection work.  Gloria and Luke.  

First, some fun before we rake the leaves to the curb.

We enjoyed a wonderful Diwali celebration at home.  We had sweets, crafts and great Indian music and learned a lot about India and the Hindu festival of light.

Luke painting a diya lamp.

Oliver.

Chad, Oliver, Gloria and Luke with Indians sweets:  some ladoo and jalebi.

We made some fun rangolis (colorful sand patterns) out on our front sidewalk to welcome Lakshmi and hopes for wealth and good fortune.

Amy made some amazing Indian food, and the kids did some Indian dance lessons via youtube.  We also made paper lanterns and read about the origin of Diwali.

What a great day of celebration!