Days with the Dorans

So I ran with my dad on New Year's Eve which was awesome especially because the last couple days had been a bit of a roller coaster! I believe I mentioned that Jen was positive and so I took a test that was negative and since I was symptom free- I went to that game. Well, what I forgot to mention was that I went all over town to actually try to get a test (which was impossible). I ended up getting tested at CVS which sends their tests out- but when I talked to Jodi, she had some so I took her at-home test which was negative... (You following this?) Anyway- my CVS test came back POSITIVE! I was in shock and took another at-home test which was negative. So now I was super confused so I called my doctor who swabbed me themself and said that THEIR test would be totally accurate. Long story shorter- they had me negative too so we're going to just go with that and since no one I was ever with ended up getting sick, I'm assuming we're good. Still, we did NYE with just us. With...

Ok. So I know I've slacked on the pictures lately but I did REALLY bad for our Christmas in Saginaw- so much so that I didn't realize I didn't take any pictures until AS WE WERE LEAVING!! I guess I should be happy I got one. (ugh) It was a great day and I guess all that means is that we were living in the moment. 

I can't believe my rainbow is seventeen! I remember being 17 and it felt so old and yet she still feels like my baby girl! Nana and Papa came over to open presents in the morning and celebrate Ali! Of course all that excitement knocked Papa out! In the afternoon we went to Nana and Papa's where we had Christmas with the Drapals. Ali didn't mind sharing her birthday with Christmas (I get it... I did it for YEARS!). We had a nice visit with everyone and I posted videos below. Ever since covid we've stopped blowing on cakes and we clap them out which actually feels more fun. I'm kind of grossed out a bit thinking about how we always ate cake others blew on... After Nana and Papa's we headed back home. We always watch a movie on Ali's birthday and this year she chose Mama Mia (which also meant it was only us girls... well... and two of the boys- haha! We laughed. We cried. And I was reminded just how lucky I am to have the most amazing girl!! I really am such a ...

So I had gone out with Jen Hart the last day of school and had dinner and she let me know that Christmas Day she tested positive for Covid. I was a bit nervous all of Christmas... Thankfully I took a test and it came back negative. Danny was finally out of quarantine which meant that we could go the the WMU Bowl Game! Danny was able to get two four packs of tickets free so we took the Bigs and the Drapals all went too. It was general admission and funny that as we were walking to the game we ran into them! There were a lot of people with masks on which made us feel more comfortable and we were spaced out from others too. WMU won and to celebrate we hit the Detroit Brewing Co for dinner and Drinks. My phone made a movie of my pictures and I uploaded it  HERE .

Santa came! There is such a peaceful feeling on Christmas morning. I love the stillness. The stockings were stuffed. And Santa gifts were delivered. I didn't really take any pictures but lived in the moment which I guess was nice. We had a lazy morning and it as perfect. Since Danny's family couldn't come there wasn't a huge rush to get over to Nana and Papa's house right away! We still opened all of our presents which was fun. One of the things Nana got all the kids was a personalized puzzle with them. Joey opened his up right away and did it. It was really cool! It was strange not seeing my brother on Christmas Day. I think it may have been my first Christmas without him since he was born! I put my ornament front and center on the tree and he wasn't there to put that metal mask thing in front of it. It just wasn't that same... The food was delish though and we had a great day! Merry Christmas!

I woke up with the house decorated and amazing and then went off for a run with my dad which is the perfect way to start my birthday! With Danny 'sick' we had a REALLY low-key day. Nana and Papa came over as they usually do and we just had fun and made cookies. My "cookies" aren't really cookies at all but assembled goodies but they looked cute and were yummy! The kids did decorate sugar cookies as is their tradition and... well... it was pretty gross. They went pretty overboard with the frosting and the sprinkles but then I suppose that has become kind of a tradition as well! The best part of my birthday of course was just the laughter and the fun and being with my favorite people. How lucky am I? Very! Jeff made my favorite yummy donuts and everyone sang happy birthday and Sto Lat and it was just perfect! After that the reindeer dust was made the the Fab Four went out to toss it out all over the yard for the reindeer to eat! Joe again opted to NOT join his sibs ...

I was thinking how nice it is that we always can celebrate with family our December birthdays! Ali's birthday, my birthday, and of course Grandma's birthday. On our way north though, I was surprised that Saginaw schools were still in session. Then I remembered there were some years we had school on the 22nd. I am SO glad we didn't go that long this year! The other Dorans were able to come too and Mary's kids thought Joey was hilarious and actually loved playing with him which was cool because up until now I think they've been afraid of all of us... (I don't blame them). Although I know Chris hadn't been spending Christmas with us the last couple years it was a hard year knowing that she was gone. I was so glad we could all be together to celebrate a woman we love so very much!