Once again, we had a busy, enjoyable holiday season. It began with cutting down our Christmas tree.
Time to decorate with these two sillies!
Evan's first school orchestra concert
The boys are playing in junior divisions of the Lake Michigan Youth Orchestra. This was an excellent concert. We were happy my mom and dad could come to all the boys' holiday concerts.
For the first time since Christmas 2019, we flew to New Mexico to celebrate Christmas with Nana & Lolo.
We were happy to see Kate & Neal, who were passing through on their way from OKC to Arizona, etc. We played charades - a Kile family tradition. Ryan and Evan gave it a go. They did great!
on a hike
Nana suggested this vantage point. I'm so glad she did. It looks like a Christmas tree. I love this picture!
Ryan on a hike
There was an involved cribbage tournament.
Karissa ended up winning. Congrats!
Burke & Karissa cooking
One of the highlights of the trip was a concert by the Santa Fe Desert Chorale at this beautiful cathedral. I don't know what we expected, but we were all blown away and mesmerized, start to finish. We're so grateful Nana & Lolo took us to the concert.
Inside Beastly Books, a bookstore owned by George R.R. Martin.
Fenris & Josie
Christmas Eve dinner
Christmas morning
big boys with their stockings
Lolo helps the boys fly their new remote control helicopters.
I am thrilled I got to visit with an old friend from my New York days, who now lives in Santa Fe.
Evan puts together the elephant puzzle with Nana.
Time to head back to Michigan!
It was so wonderful to spend time with Nana, Lolo, Keith, and Karissa.
On New Year's Eve we had a Christmas at home. The boys didn't ask if we were having a home Christmas, and we didn't mention anything, so it was a fun surprise.
They got some wishlist items and a few other surprises, including these random paintings.
The style aligns with their collective sense of humor.
On New Year's Day we celebrate Christmas with my mom and dad.
On New Year's Eve, we also took a winter hike at our local nature center. It was a pleasant day to be outside, and explore some new-to-us trails.
Shortly thereafter, Ryan, Evan, and I tested positive for COVID. So, January has just been symptom watching and rolling isolation periods. I am thankful we had relatively mild cases, and that we were 22 months into the pandemic, and were better equipped.
Interesting start to 2022.
It can only go up?
