Christmas 2021

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Grandma JoJo, Josie, Theo, Grandpa John, Lucy, Marit and Evelyn (and baby dolls).
Marit, Maya, Grandpa Bob, Grandma Kim, Zachary, Dani, and Theo

 

While 2021 wasn't quite the year we had hoped it would be, we found joy and happiness spending time with family over the holidays. The whole Benziger family was vaccinated and boosted (those who were eligible). Masks, while controversial, seemed to be providing adequate protection as Keith (a pediatrician) and I (a cardiologist) worked routinely with COVID patients and neither of us had come down with it. 
After much deliberation weighing the risks and benefits of travel and exposing grandparents to possible illness, we decided to take a chance. The Delta wave continued to devastate and overwhelm our Minnesota hospitals just as the new Omicron variant was on the rise in NYC and Chicago. However, we decided to load up the car with presents and after I finished work we drove south. The roads from Duluth to Chicago were clear and traffic was light so we arrived in Deerfield just after midnight. 
The last time we saw Grandma and Grandpa Benziger was in April 2020 in Duluth when we visited the U.P. This was the first time the whole Benziger family would be together in two years! Maya was home from Bates and about to graduate as a triple major. Zachary is finishing his first year at UC-Boulder and is excited about next year. Danika is enjoying singing in her high school chorus.
It was a very relaxing long weekend. We spent four days together and enjoyed delicious home cooked meals and lots of present opening for the kids. We didn't venture out to any museums or restaurants like we typically do when we visit the big city of Chicago. We stayed home and just enjoyed being together with each other (and watching futbol and HGTV). While it wasn't a white Christmas in the windy city, Santa managed to find us and fill our stockings. The kids got a personal call from his sleigh and we tracked him delivering millions of presents on the NORAD app. It was a season that was merry and bright. 
Unfortunately, when we returned the following week, we found out one of the family members had come down with COVID. Fortunately only mild symptoms. Theo developed flu-like symptoms with a fever, cough, headache and runny nose a few days later but after 3 rapid test and a negative PCR test, we aren't sure what virus he had. We quarantined nonetheless and no one else tested positive or had symptoms. The exposure sadly caused us to cancel our Christmas plans with the Pastorius family over New Year's. Fortunately, we took family photos over Thanksgiving this year so Grandma had a nice picture for the Christmas card. We postponed Christmas until February when we can all be together (and who doesn't like opening presents even if it's Valentine's Day?) 
We hope you and your family had a happy and healthy holiday season. May 2022 bring you lots of joy and may the spirit of Christmas stay with you throughout the New Year.
















Christmas 2021 in Chicago with the Benziger's


 

Comments

  1. JoAnnJanuary 26, 2022 at 1:27 AM

    Loved any family time we can spend together as a family.

    ReplyDelete

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