Last viewing of lights after Christmas, so precious.
Roast pork and mashed potatoes!
God did sustain us trough the year even with everything that happened! I do love that pork and sauerkraut!
My second bullet journal. Still doing it at end of 2020!
Last of the swimming before COVID 🙁 Not sure if we went 1-2 more times??
Ryan working on one of his Christmas craft presents.
Got to have our birthdays date in January at Olive Garden!
February
One of Ryan's favorite puzzles that we get new every so often at Five Below!
Teaching at Riverside's choir room! Pictured Colleen in there in choir, a neat experience. Wanted to hear the choir sing but unfortunately the teacher just had them do worksheets....
Roger and I did Instacart shopping starting sometime in January until sometime early April (when we started working a ton of hours with the boys and were pretty nervous about being in the public with the virus). But we had a lot of fun here learning this delivery job.... Did almost every night!
Beautiful Valentine's Day flowers
Neat new comforter and sheet set Ryan got for his birthday 🙂
I think this was one of the last snows of the 2019-2020 winter season. I don't think we had a lot of snow.... Always love the snow clinging to the branches!
Ryan loves playing with Megaphoto app 🙂
More silly Megaphoto play!
Chris and I - one of our last physician appts where I was maskless and didn't think about the virus -- simply at a pre-sleep study appt. Still need to get the sleep study!
I managed to keep up bullet journal since May of 19 to present! COVID kind of brought it down a bit but I'm still doing one!
Looking happy
Uncle Don to the dr. -- pre mask days!
March
Mom visiting in March 2020 pre-pandemic.
Probably the last time I saw Uncle Don in his room before the pandemic. How much things have changed!
We're on our way to Kalihari for our annual swimming outing with our group home company. This was approximately MARCH 6 which was only 7 days before all the schools had their last day. Surreal. We had a wonderful day! Ryan, Chris & Jermaine with me.
A bunch of the tubes and chutes at Kalihari. I didn't have a waterproof phone cover so coudn't take my phone in the pool, but we really enjoyed playing in the pool! The boys played basketball hand over hand with me!
Went to lunch at Wendy's after Kalihari
Drove Jermaine and boys out to see Marblehead Lighthouse, one of our favorite landmarks in the area by Port Clinton.
Lake Erie view by the Marblehead Lighthouse.
Colleen and Axel walking with me at Skok Meadow. Axel finally walked over the bridge going back! A precious day with Colleen pre-pandemic.
Axel greeting another dog.
Another pre-pandamic event, Colleen and I got to go Instacart shopping. Although, I think by this time there were hintings of the pandemic coming, I seem to remember shortages....
Last time at school until September 2, 2020.
Ryan getting all his work to take home for virtual school -- was only supposed to be a few weeks.....
Pandemic just started, we're instarting, and masks were not yet recommended. Everyone was massively using sanitizer, but it was hard to find, causing interesting situations.
Tables were the first to go, at stores, parks, and the like. Playgrounds were closed also.
The days of daily parks were begun!!! Pretty much went unless it was storming or under 20 degrees!!
Even though the world was going through massive changes, we still had comforting traditions such as St. Patrick's day dinner!
Chris all snuggled up asleep -- probably during the day per the light!!
The virtual schedule I kept at first, while the teachers scrambled to set up their virtual classrooms and zoom meetings. I did everything myself the first few weeks with their materials, which was cool also...
Lake Erie Bluffs visit -- Chris was giggling like crazy that day! His workshop closed March 20th and he was off to the parks with me by March 23 or so.
Another park walk.
Chris loves his PC Scramble (which we now found out is out of date! Doesn't work on his new IPad!)
chilling...
The thoughts for the Class of 2020 started in March -- this was a sweet one ---
First FaceTime of the pandemic!
April
Getting a walk during nice April day.
Mom stood 10 feet away from my car window first time we saw each other after virus came. Pretty flowers!
Another park walk on a nice April day.
Ryan watching a video lesson in virtual school in April.
Chris looks really happy to be going away!
When the masks started to be recommended, and we were still going shopping for other people doing Instacart....
learned about all kinds of new foods -- fun and interesting!
We saw this sign a lot at a local school, it was so heart-warming.
Looked like a beautiful April day to walk at the bike path.
Walked all the way from Chardon Windsor and went across the Aquilla Road bridge... kept going ...
Walked all the way to 44! Chris and I were getting really tired! Bike path ended here. Now they've extended it!
Parks every chance we got!
I loved how Ryan made these creative pictures.
When we hadn't seen Colleen, Roger's parents, or my mom in so long and thus had to wear masks
Masks mandated in the group home... I didn't have a great one yet.... this is a scarf and kept falling down!
Still was getting the Bible verse pictures at this time (before program stopped working) and this was another good one!
May
I think this is Concord Woods -- spring bringing the pond to life here!
When my hair started to get too long but I could still push it to the side 🙂
Loved having Sophie hanging out with us all the time.
Cherry blossoms, I believe.
I believe these are apple blossoms in our yard but not sure 😉
area elementary school has some cheerful drawing on sidewalks to help raise some caring vibes.
We started in May to pick up graduation items for our Ryan. we got two yard signs and all sorts of other things <3
His diploma cover
tips to the graduates
Cards Ryan received - so precious!
Ryan's middle school teacher <3
Ryan's elementary school teacher 🙂
Ryan's third grade co-teacher!
Lilacs at the boys' condo.
My BFF Lisa came over to give us work to type (we type data entry for her company every few years). Chris was so happy to see her!
We had a sign on the boys' condo door + a lawn sign there AND at our house!!!
We treasure these last pictures of our kitty. She seemed great here and started to not feel well right after. Miss her very much!
Literally days after Sophie passed Ziggy passed as well. He was a sweet lizard fish and so fun to watch...
Beautiful spring day at the park.
One of Roger's first amazing grillings of the summer.
I think this is Perry Campground
June
Miss this baby---
This sweetie went to a better place too -- Ziggy-Zorro
Sweet Colleen and her Axel. A great pet-mama, as we acknowledge our past pets on a beautiful summer day in early June after Sophie passed end of May.
We've been blessed with a lot of pets all these years. Lost, between Sept. '19 and June '20 - Charcoal, Buddy, Sophie, and Ziggy. Our guineas Pumpkin and Peach are here too -- sweet pets, loved them!
The maskless one. He had a ball at the store this day! I took him as little as possible, to keep him/others safe, but boy does he enjoy it!
Ryan spending weekend at our house before grad.
A wonderful "clapout" Ryan's school had, a drive-through event two days before graduation.
Signs going out from the clap-out for all types of senior groups --
Marie and Ryan and one of the administrators. He couldn't quite wear the cap but did wear the gown! So proud of him!
So happy Colleen was able to come
So glad Chris could be with the family watching Ryan walk as well!!! Mama (Gayle) also was able to come!
So happy we made it to this drive-through graduation!
There's his name!
Daddy and Ryan looking so much alike!
The last book we typed two years ago for my friend's company. Did another this year!
Was glad to get to some produce markets this summer!
So beautiful, summer flowers at the park (most likely Painesville township park, per next screen)
First of the summer lilies.
We averaged walking about 2-4 miles a day this summer!
We finally got to see our friends outside. Ryan is getting congrats grad balloon and gift!
Everyone really enjoyed the pier!
View across the Lake from Painesville Township Park
Walk after picnic
After the park we met outside to get ice cream at Curly Cone. Such a fun night!
Happy guy!
Overlook of Chapin looking out to over to horizon. So pretty - saw it since I was a little girl with Uncle Don. Took Ryan this time, also have taken Chris.
Fun to get all four of us to the park! Lakeshore park or Bluffs park, not sure.
About to storm, Painesville Township Park
We got absolutely soaked at park. Chris's hair after-effect!
Specifically note the flowers on the chicks and hens on the top left. Have never seen this before! They were SO beautiful. They all fell off some weeks later....
Looking so much like his dad here....
July
The amazing first multicolor hydrangea blooms!
Took the boys out for ice cream on July 4.
Ryan always gets root beer at the ice cream stands.
Chris enjoyed I believe a strawberry sunday!
And my ice cream.
One of those unique skies you don't see often
So glad we could safely keep our immediately family in our circle as we saw them a lot and grateful to this point Roger's parents have not caught this virus (12/20)
We had an opportunity to get a lot of yard work and other work done over the summer.
First apple!
Another one of our before hike picnics!
A cute smile Chris has this day!
My mouth is watering looking at this. Some great barbecues this summer!
August
Possibly Painesville township park
Didn't get as many tomatoes as I wanted to this summer, but they were great!
Chris and I just loved this salad!
Was so happy when Mom and I could at least visit Uncle Don outside.
Gift from my mom on the left of another succulent to add to Colleen's chicks & hens on the right!
I think this was Big Creek park -- so pretty!
It was a nice long walk!
Yet another picnic lunch!
Ryan doing his best to use his mask.
Ryan's professional grad picture came in August along with a USB flash drive of pictures from graduation.
I worked on our basement A TON over the summer, and am so proud of how far I got (I am now stymied again by life)
Was so happy to get on a long park walk with Colleen. Ryan was with us this time.
This baby looked just like our precious Charcoal. A stray at the boys' condo. Friendy like her also!
I had substitute training day at Broadmoor in August. All wore masks, so nice to see everyone! Cut these out for clocks! Never made it back there to work yet this year....
Loved these bees on the flower!
They did great!
We went as far with the boys long hair as we could before we would have to start braiding it.... I was nervous about COVID but off to a hopefully safe barber we went!!!
Walk at Heisley Road park after haircuts So pretty!
Booted up my old Asus for my mom to use as CD player. 11 years old tomorrow! If it was made tomorrow. It took forever but STILL runs!!!
I couldn't believe I got this ladybug and bee so close with zoom!
September
Ryan got over to spend the night a few days labor day weekend. He always enjoys our music time!
Took Chris to a neat wildlife refuge next to my mom's apartment -- it was so pretty!
Finally got a new dryer after dryer broke a few months before!
Had to suddenly make Chris a bedroom in our house due to emergency in the condo. Did it in 24 hours 😉 Luckily had two mattresses, put on top of each other. We now have a new box spring that is really nice! A folded one that came in a box, different, but neat!
second outdoor small group picnic of the summer! It was great!
We love Lakeshore park and were thrilled to introduce it to our friends!
Our magnificent lake view!
I love this picture of us!!
So happy when we could visit outside with Uncle Don!
Took Chris to Claridon Woods!
Fun summer walk at Perry campground (I think?)
We had a great crop of tomatoes this year!
Discovered for the first time the boardwalk at Headlands beach. so beautiful and unique!
Headlands beach reed plants - the most prolific I've seen them at any park!
Walter Best Wildlife refuge
Headlands wildlife preserve great big rocks!
Headlands wildlife refuge - could see out to Fairport!
Ryan finally went back to school September 2!
Athena Collen's beta fish still at my house, looking beautiful.
First of the signs of the season change.
October
So happy that Chris finally was able to get back to his workshop!
Having been pet-less since June, we were excited to "babysit" Athena for a while as Colleen was moving and didn't have room for her at the time. She has been with us for all this time and was generous enough to have her tank cast rainbows on the wall from the sun behind her -- 🙂
Our sweet people over at SpecialSports had this great event that both boys got to!
Ryan (and Chris too with his staff) got to go through Special Sports drive through Halloween party. What a sweet new tradition!
That new pumpkin, the first, from Special Sports. A big thank you to them!! https://www.specialsportsinc.org/
On an October walk, we saw these mushrooms in someone else's yard in our neighborhood. They looked really different and we called them 2020 mushrooms.... 😉
So then we got to our house and lo and behold the same type of mushrooms were shooting up in our front yard! 2020 mushrooms.
Eventually we had three!
Wow the golds were alive at Penitentiary Glen!
Chris going out the door to get on his bus for school!
Made yummy chili and was able to eat it outside while handing out candy (wearing mask by people, of course). It was a beautiful night and we were able to have our traditional fire in the paper burner in the front yard that we hadn't done in a few years due to rain.
that fall fire.
A great Halloween night!
Jermaine over for a little bit
Early voting -- pandemic style
November
Finally got the nerve to get a haircut in early November, right BEFORE the surge.
Mom liked the park a lot.
Took my mom to see the Headlands Wildlife Refuge, in time to see fall colors!
Amazing how these were all different colors in the summer, then the same dusty pink in the late fall.
Dad needed a lot of help with the leaves this fall!
Burning leaves late in November!
Nothing like outdoor grilled hot dogs!
We took Chris for a walk at Big Creek park
Mom enjoyed some of the neat fall foliage
One of the first major Christmas light displays! I started looking for them right before thanksgiving - this may have been on Stratford, Barrington, or Fairfield....
Got our tree up before Thanksgiving. I always love when I can do that, but SO grateful I did in hindsight as I didn't know how sick we were going to be for 2-3 weeks after Thanksgiving....
Was surprised to find only the bottom lights worked on the boys' tree! I got sick immediately and they had to wait until I was better mid-December and brought over some blue lights!!
Chris got to take a bigger bus! Right before we all got sick...
Walk with Chris Thanksgiving morning!
Broccoli casserole for Thanksgiving dinner!
Been years since we used our Cooking the American Way pumpkin pie baker
Mama's delicious jello salad.
Chris (and Papa and Grandma and even Nancy) have a birthday cake!
Thanksgiving dinner, day one on actual Thanksgiving day where Colleen and Brandon came over.
Our second family dinner on Sunday.
Chris's birthday party
Glad we could walk around the neighborhood on Sunday after thanksgiving.
Walk in our neighborhood 11/29. Little did I know I'd come down with COVID the next day and Roger, the boys, and my mom would follow. Glad we had such a wonderful time together for Thanksgiving.
December
Biblelens was a neat app that put pictures with Bible verses. This one came up in memories and was at such an appropriate time. God here for us in our sickness, and the boys' sickness and my mom's..... Continued prayers to all out there sick!!!!
We're hoping to get a lot more practice in, we have some song ideas we're working on!!
The storm that was both gorgeous and destructive. I missed it mostly with my COVID fever but did look out the window some.
Amazing snow that pulled my Christmas lights out of the outlet -- did again on the Christmas Day snowstorm.
My favorite pic of all the snowcopolypse pics of December of 2020 -- roger took, he wasn't feeling that awful yet.
Broken tree limbs
more broken limbs in front yard
The storm broke some tree limbs. Crazy!
Took me a long time to get the tree decorated - 2/3 done after I was getting over COVID..... it was a comfort to have it's cheer while we were sick...
love my manger and other ceramic pieces!
The one selfie of my COVID fevers...
Watched a lot of Christmas movies during isolation, here is Santa Clause 1.
Still have Beta Athena for company!
Oreo under Colleen's tree
My first trip to a store myself after isolation ended. I thought I was ok but halfway through I got SO dizzy and sick and had to hold on to the cart. Couldn't get out fast enough.....
Towards end of our quarantine started to get out and look at Christmas lights....
There were a lot more lights out this year.
Only got about 1/3 out from what I usually do but glad for what I got down.
Chris's, ours, Colleen's
First time to the store after our COVID isolation was over! We had two curbside pickups at Giant Eagle -- I didn't mind that so much!
Santa Rog 🙂
Mama cooking a great dinner!
Mama made a yummy dinner!
Christmas Eve's Eve. So glad to get to see Mama and Papa!
Mama and Papa's tree!
Ryan's staff called off - it was nice to take him with us to the lunch!
The village, and me in the mirror!
The house on Rolling Acres behind us. They were already gone on New Year's Day....
So pretty!
Love the nativity!
Roger made us some amazing pizzas!
Wrapping and enjoying some broccoli casserole from our beginnings of Christmas dinner.
Santa came! left presents on the chair!
Ryan waiting for the time to open presents. He was up at 3 and Chris was up TIL 4!
Enjoying new IPad!
Notice new slippers.... We gotta work on that!
a toy story puzzle set!
After 9 years finally new IPads for the boys!
Roger got me this very neat recorder! Can't wait to see what all it does!!!
Chris seemed to like his new IPad. Working on getting some good communication apps on it.
The second digout in 3-4 weeks.
12/25 snowcopolypse
December 25 snowstorm!!! Ordered a new snowblower after this -- second one Roger had to hand shovel.
He eventually started helping.
Another few feet to hand shovel....
I tried to plug in snow blower in another outlet but still didn't work. Accidentally dropped my light timer under the porch behind the pricker bushes in the process...
So happy to have the girl and boyfriend over for dinner, as Thanksgiving I got no pictures!! Storm calmed just enough for them to come Christmas Day!!
Silverwind joined our fish family as a gift from Colleen to the boys. Love him!
After storm beauty -- a day or two later.
Amazing sky!
Pinks and oranges
It was good to get out.
Chris and I back at the parks again!
didn't realize he was so far behind me. Had to go back and show him he could walk in the snow on the side 😉
Waterfall
New Year's Eve -- a lot of snow still in the rolling hills by Environmental Learning Center! We managed 1/2 mile at the most but SO Beautiful!
It was daytime but these Christmas lights were cool! Across from the park.
Great to get back to them! I think this is Lakeshore Reservation
Lakeshore Reservation
Lakeshore Reservation
Super happy after another night up all night!
Great to have so much time with the boys! We definitely need to nap some, though.
