Preparing for the Holidays

 Enjoying some snow in November.

And some unseasonable warm weather in December (art by Johanna).

Matching pajamas from St. Nick.

We decided to pick and cut our own tree.  Tony promised Michelle we wouldn't get the furthest away tree this year but once again, the best trees were "over a river and through the woods" so to speak.  Michelle went to go search for Walter while Tony cut down the tree.  Johanna helped by holding the tree and could tell it was about to fall.  Tony insisted "just left it fall on me". Unfortunately, the tree took a turn and got Johanna too.  She screamed "it got me!" as she unsuccessfully tried to get herself out.  Michelle was able to yank her out minus one boot.  Tony declared "your boot is the first ornament on the tree!"

We hung the nearly 40 year old reindeer decoration.

We made and decorated more cut out cookies. Tony likes to bake, Michelle likes to decorate, and the kids help with both.

And so, we are ready for the holidays!

Thanksgiving 2020

 We stayed at home for Thanksgiving but kept up our homemade pizza making tradition.

We also upheld the Arnold Christmas cookie decorating tradition through the magic of zoom.  Grandma Millie even delivered all the cookies and fixings to go with them!

Cool Aunt Jen sent us a Thanksgiving care package.  The kids especially enjoyed the puzzles and joke book. 

Kluesner Holiday-palooza

 In November, we took advantage of the nice weather and had a Kluesner holiday get together.  We wanted to cover all the holidays we missed or would likely miss spending together: And Karen made sure we had them all covered.  Easter: egg hunt, egg race.  Halloween: silly headbands and glasses.  Thanksgiving: snacks?  Christmas: Santa hats.  We adhered to covid recommendations by wearing masks and sitting apart when having a snack and drink.

Halloween 2020

 We opted out for trick-or-treating this year.  The kids did learn how to use filters on Dad’s phone. 

The kids also “dressed up” as Grandma Millie and Papa Wayne and made a video.

What are you doing Wayne?

Walter/Wayne: Checking my retirement

Look, Millie is home from the bank

Johanna/Millie: Wayne, is that shirt new?

Walter/Wayne: I bought it 5 years ago.

Johanna/Millie: Ah, da heck!  (followed by the famous Clemen laugh)

The highlight of the weekend, however, was the unseasonably warm weather and opportunity to check out the new playground equipment at Vets with all the cousins.  The cousins, aunts, and uncles even got to play a game of kickball on the new, AstroTurf baseball field.