Grove Park Getaway

Around Thanksgiving, as we faced another holiday at home without visitors, Tim and I decided a quick trip after Christmas would be a great idea for all of us. We managed to reserve a couple of nights at the Grove Park Inn, which felt like just the right amount of distance: far enough to feel like we were truly getting away, but close enough to not spend the whole day getting there.

We headed into downtown Asheville first, wandering around the eclectic shops and art galleries - and discovered Chicken Alley!

We were pleasantly surprised to find a fair amount of snow on the ground, which really added to the wintry experience. This was especially scenic as we hiked around the grounds of the Biltmore Estate the next day.

I have been smitten by the Grove Park Inn since Tim and I first visited it for dinner with my parents nearly 20 years ago. The fireplaces in the Great Hall (lobby), the stonework, the views! Truly incredible, and especially magical at Christmas.

Christmas 2020

It was a bittersweet holiday for sure, but as has been the case for much of this year, we made the best of it. The fact that we captured a pretty decent family photo with our timer speaks volumes!

CTK worked so hard to offer a multitude of safely distanced masses, and we managed to snag a 6pm slot - in Kenny Hall, but better than nothing. We later enjoyed our usual fried shrimp and twice baked potatoes, and then mixed things up with a few rounds of UNO before packing everyone off to bed.

We are thankful to have so many memories of holidays past, but made a few new ones, too!

Clare’s Senior Night for Swim

So many things have been canceled or drastically altered due to Covid, but we fully embraced Senior Night for the Marist Varsity Swim Team! Those photo buttons that had accumulated over the years came in so handy! Being the only swim meet that allowed spectators this season, we made sure to take full advantage.

We also loved seeing her giant, badass poster in person!

 If you had told me years ago that Clare would be a four-year Varsity athlete, I don’t know that I would have believed you. Watching her develop her athletic side, which doesn’t come as naturally as academics, has been a joy (even when there were tears). 

We also appreciate what a source of deep friendship the swim experience has been.

We are so very proud of our War Eagle!

Our 2020 Tree

This was not a tree we were excited to buy. It didn’t help that Clare, who really wanted to join us for her last (!) time to select a tree, had received word earlier in the day that she needed to quarantine due to Covid exposure at swim team. So she had to stay home. (She has since tested negative, thankfully.) The rest of us headed to Home Depot, where I was ready to persuade Tim that a 12-foot tree was required. Too bad there weren’t any to be had. The tree we settled for is *maybe* 9 feet on its tiptoes. 

On the positive side, I figured I could do the lights by myself, so the next day I got those done nice and early and we were ready to decorate by early evening. And since Clare couldn’t go to swim practice, we got started! It didn’t take long to get this tree decorated, so we enjoyed our usual buffet as a picnic, admiring our work. Although I had dubbed it the Tree of Disappointment earlier, the (many) lights and ornaments really transformed it in true Charlie Brown style. 

So as usual, we are counting our blessings instead of sheep, knowing that there are many.

Giving Thanks in 2020

This has been a year that has challenged us to take a close look at what we have to be grateful for - and it’s still quite a bit. While it was sad and disappointing to not gather with family, we relished the relaxed schedule and the opportunity to gather with friends who are like family.

Before we headed over to the Francos’ house, I forced everyone to dress for a photo op - and I was thrilled with the results. This series of Laura’s progressive laughter due to Danny tickling her warms my heart.

Deanna and Luis treated us to a sumptuous feast, and the beautiful weather afforded lots of sitting outside by the fire. It was truly a lovely holiday that left us feeling even more grateful.

Laura the Saint

Despite a delay due to Hurricane Zeta, the fourth graders of CKS put on their traditional All Saints Mass and project. Laura had no interest in a namesake saint, and instead chose St. Kateri Tekawitha, a Mohawk who converted to Catholicism and was extremely devout in her short life. Laura first learned about her in first grade, and she clearly made an impression! 

Halloween 2020

While there were a few differences, Halloween turned out to be one of the more normal things about this pandemic-afflicted year. Sure, trick-or-treating was primarily characterized by tables set up with treats, with few doorbells rung. But it was trick-or-treating nevertheless - on a beautiful fall night!

While Laura and Meghan trick-or-treated around Byrnwyck, Clare joined the Swim Squad at SJ’s house for a fun sleepover (complete with golf cart joyrides).

Meanwhile, Danny and The Boys spent a fun night at Cameron’s house (no costumes required; not all boys pictured).

We were grateful for a relatively normal, fun night - particularly on the heels of Hurricane Zeta’s havoc!

Zeta’s Aftermath

2020 continues its scourge. Thanks to Hurricane Zeta, we lost power for 34 hours (Laura was miserable...and miserable to be around). AND, we lost our favorite tree in the back: the cucumber magnolia! At least it fell away from the house. It also gave Tim and me a new experience in our marriage: chainsawing. About a third of the way through, Tim had to head to Home Depot for a new chainsaw, but eventually we dispatched the fallen tree to the back of the yard. 

Might need to bulk up our flashlight supplies...because no one believes 2020 is finished with us yet.

The Show Went On

One of Clare’s favorite experiences at Marist has been performing in the various theater productions. Each year she participated in a show, and each year had so much fun. We feared this might come to a screeching halt with the Covid restrictions, but thankfully the theater director and administrators got VERY creative. With two different casts, five different small plays, and online and then masked rehearsals, culminating in an outdoor production, “Unprecedented” lived up to its name - and satisfied Clare’s yearning.

She is shown here in her different roles in an extremely truncated version of Hamlet. She was also a waitress in a cute skit called “Surprise,” and overall we were very impressed with her performing skills. We are so glad that Marist is doing what it can so that the show will go on!

Pandemic Pumpkin Procurement

Unlike in years past, there was no major outing to a big pumpkin patch this year. Of course we like to blame the virus, and 2020 in general, but if we’re being honest our soccer schedule is largely to blame. With games on most weekend days, occasionally including double-headers, there hasn’t been many blocks of time. Frankly, we might just be aging out of it, too. 

Still, Laura and I wanted a pumpkin to carve! We took advantage of a half-day from school and seized the moment. We did try Home Depot first, but it seems we were a bit late to the game. So, we drove to the local Presbyterian church “patch” that we have driven past for years and found ourselves a jack-o-lantern-to-be. Stay tuned!

A Labor Day Getaway

As the days of limited movement and activity continue, our departures from routine feel extra valuable. So we were very glad that Tim took the initiative to find a house in Highlands, NC for our Labor Day weekend. 

With highs in the mid-70s and lows in the mid-50s, with no humidity, it felt like paradise! In between enjoying the house, we rented a boat on Saturday and hiked on Sunday. A great blend of fresh air and leisure.

The views were gorgeous, and Clare, Tim and I logged a fair bit of time in the screened-in porch. We also enjoyed a fire each night, but alas no photographic evidence. A lovely getaway that has us feeling refreshed and recharged!

Fired Up for Soccer

Despite the disruption of a whole lot of life, both Danny and Laura were able to resume their soccer careers - and both for Concorde Fire this year. By wonderful luck (more like Divine intervention), Danny was given the opportunity to move up a level, playing with two bffs from Marist. Similarly, both Laura and Natalie, who have been playing together for the Y since they were five, made the move to Concorde and were placed on the same team.

After summer training and now the resumption of regular season practices, both kids have experienced tournaments, and both teams competed very well. In fact, Laura’s team went 4-0 to win their bracket!

While Danny’s passion for the sport is obvious to anyone and everyone, Laura was more uncertain about making the move. However, she now feels very bonded to her team - and *really* enjoyed earning some bling! Here’s hoping their seasons can continue uninterrupted.