Looking back... 2021

2021... As I reflect on all that we went through, it seems, like all years, we saw both wonder and beauty, and experienced things we'd rather forget. Vaccines rolled out Dec 2020 and there was a definite feeling of "hope" that life might resume some sense of normalcy out of the pandemic. Then the Snowpocalypse hit us in February and Texans had to re-frame life once again. The first few days of snow was magical, because, you know, we are in Texas so what's snow!? After day 3 when people started losing power it started to lose it's appeal. We hit lows in the single digits- unheard of for our area. More and people were cold-- and then also without water. We were lucky enough to be the smaller number of households that did not suffer any heat/water losses, but people all around us were truly struggling. Amazing that something so beautiful as this snow could cause so much suffering and death.

Nathan lost water as his house, so he ended up walking in the snow to stay with us! We were lucky to enjoy a few days with our whole family together, rare these days... and Boudreaux enjoyed all the snuggles for sure.

Spring brought more camping trips... so many beautiful places!  Since we really weren't doing any other social activities, camping was our "lifeline" to sanity... with an average of 2 trips a month.

Boudreaux: Faithful hiking/camping companion! Where we go, he goes! You can't start the truck without him making a mad dash to his side where he hops in. 

April meant beach time! Our anniversary this year we took Clark all the way down to South Padre Island and enjoyed a whole week on the beach!

 Saw my mom and brother for the first time in forever, as we all started feeling a little safer gathering.

The Backyard Bastard Camping Club took tons of trips and battled a lot of rain this year. So grateful for our good friends and socially distanced/outdoor opportunities!

Enjoyed a girls weekend away to the San Antonio River Walk with my mom and Kelsey... we needed it! Finally got to visit Al! (Covid restrictions were lifted) It was great to finally see him in person.

Lots and lots of lake time! Friends, family, and our favorite pups!Beautiful views and sunsets.

Family celebrations and birthdays were small still as Delta variant still threatened us. We made the best of things, usually with inappropriate games and alcohol...

As we begin our 2022, we are in the middle of the Omicron surge. Not much has changed really from last January-- except that all our lives have slowed down, small things have become more meaningful, my circle of friends has become quaint but important. We are getting accustomed to doing a lot of things virtually, and instead of resenting it, I think many of us are appreciating it-- less time commuting and more time doing things that matter. I hope as you begin your 2022 you continue to pursue your dreams, simplify your life, and enjoy every moment.