Memorable March 2021

Won't Forget!

The most memorable happening of this month, had to do with getting vaccinated. Don and I finally got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, when we returned to Texas. 

But it wasn't just that Don and I got the vaccine. It was that our kids also ended up getting their first doses as well. After a year of worry, things are lifting.

Baby Charlotte  
​
We began March with chilly weather in Portland. Don and I spent a lot of cozy time with this little one.

Uncle Scott
​
Scott had to jump through a few hoops to make this visit from Sacramento. Flying didn't seem like a wise idea, with the pandemic. 

Quarantining, Covid testing, juggling work and a long drive both ways! Scott's face looks like he thought it was worth it!

Spring Color

It took forever, but we finally saw signs of spring.
​
Outings

We made good use of the sun a few times. Little Charlie had her first visit to Laurel Hurst Park.

One afternoon, we were able to get the last reservations at the zoo. With one way paths and limited guests, the visit felt very safe. Even with masks on, it was easy to forget the pandemic!

Hardest Part of the Month 

The hardest part of March, was saying good-bye to Charlie and her parents.

These are some of the photos that Heidi and Jamie sent in the 2 weeks after we left. Photos and FaceTime helps!

More Family

After a year of being isolated and planning cautious visits with our kids, we opened up to more family. After leaving Portland, Don and I spent the night at Jennifer and Kate's.

It was St. Patrick's Day, so we had beer...

And we feasted on Corned Beef and Cabbage... inside with no masks! Both are vaccinated. This is such a new world!

Remy
​

Jennifer and Kate have been grandmothers for over 2 years, but we haven't been able to meet Remy. Before we left Portland, I was able to take advantage of nice weather and drive to WA for an outdoor visit. What a cutie! I can't wait for Remy and Charlie to meet!

Sacramento with "The Kids"

Before the long drive back to Texas, we spent 3 nights in Sac, with Scott and Chali. 

We picnicked on the first day of spring. We tiki-ed in the evening, with flowered shirts.

Folsom, CA

We took a little day trip to the (now somewhat touristy) town of Folsom.

We did lots of walking and little photo posing.

Winery

We also squeezed in a little winery visit, which seemed downright decadent after a year of isolating and steering clear of restaurants.

Not only that, we had one more family meet-up.

Our nephew and his family drove up from the Bay Area and we had our first visit in 2 years. It seems mind-boggling after a year of extreme caution. But again, we took advantage good weather for outside visiting.

The Long Drive

Eventually, Don and I were on the road for Texas. 

After nearly 3 months of Oregon winter, we traveled through California and Arizona, New Mexico and finally, we reached Texas in time for Bluebonnets!

The Texas Freeze

We pulled up to our cabin on March 25. The Big Texas Freeze of February did a number on our palms and our pipes. We discovered a leak, but chose to save that repair for another time. We headed to a nearby historic hotel and forgot about it... isolated porch, wine...

The next day, we found more busted pipes in our Sugar Land house. Luckily there was minimal damage and we focused on the good news... of getting vaccine appointments.

Ending the Month

There's so much to be grateful for this month. We spent so much of March, with family! Getting a vaccine at the end of a good month, was the the icing on the cake.

We had lots of house issues. (2 days of plumbing repair and a broken washing machine, dead bushes and palms) But we were more excited about celebrating the light at the end of this pandemic tunnel!

March ZOOM Celebration

On March 28, we Zoomed with the kids. 

We toasted to the amazing news that we had all had at least one vaccine shot in the month of March.  

March 26, 2020
​
Later, I realized that almost exactly a year ago, Don and I had our first Zoom ever. It was a tiki-themed Zoom with the kids... an attempt to distract from pandemic worries.  

What an odd reminder! 12 months ago, we had no idea that we would be celebrating vaccines in a year... or that there would be a baby named Charlotte, added to our group. What a year this has been!

​I will always remember March '21, as the month when the fog began to lift!