So long 2020! You held some good times, some fun memories, and a whole heck of a lot of weird. 😂 Here's to hoping 2021 has us back in school more regularly and exploring the globe again (safely).
January
The year started like any other with a fun NYE celebration and excitement for what the year would hold. We spent the month exploring lots around Doha in both the desert, the greenery (yes it exists), and the city with lots of events that were happening.
February
We were fortunate to have a trip booked mid-February during the school break that took us to Germany and Austria for a fabulous ski trip. It was such an amazing time!
My mom flew out to see us right after we returned from the school break and we couldn't be more thankful that she was able to come and return home safely. We cherish the time we got with her this year amidst so many families separated.
March
The girls were in school about half the month before things started shutting down around the country. Prior to that happening the girls were going to school full time, taking cooking classes at the mall, having playdates and parties and out exploring. We also managed to celebrate Jason's birthday with friends.
April
By April most of the country was in lockdown - children under 12 years were not allowed basically anywhere - malls, grocery stores, etc. All restaurants shut down for dining, but thankfully most stayed open for delivery and/or takeaway. School remained online full time and everyone hunkered down amidst the pile of information flooding in regarding covid-19.
Our month was spent navigating online learning, playing in our back garden, and celebrating Easter as a family.
May
As things started to cool down (ever so slightly), we enjoyed lots of bike rides outside, baking, perfecting our pizza dough recipe, and re arranging furniture multiples times (like so many others around the world - ha!).
June
This little duck turned SEVEN! We widened our bubble to one other family during our strict lockdown and it made a huge impact to surviving the summer heat and isolation. We also celebrated Father's Day and finished up the remainder of the school term virtually.
July
These girls turned FIVE! We celebrated with a Frozen II cake and had lots of fun. The heat continued to climb and we took countless sunrise beach trips to get fresh air and nature once they lifted restrictions on visiting them at the beginning of the month.
August
Twelve years together! We were thankful to be able to go out to dinner together and celebrate our marriage as restaurants had opened back up. We continued to spend time outdoors as the compound pool opened back up as well our regular trips to the beach.
September
School started up again in Doha with a hybrid in-person and online learning schedule. The girls were so excited to be back on campus and have adjusted amazingly with all the changes. Our trips out fo the city slowed down drastically given the school year starting and so by the end of the month we all needed some green and headed back out for a beach day.
October
Camping season officially started and we jumped on the outdoors for the girls' school break camping out in the desert and out in the mangroves. We were also thankful to be able to celebrate Halloween with friends in the compound and {safely} trick or treating.
November
We celebrated my birthday and hosted an outdoor Thanksgiving gathering that followed safety protocols and restrictions still applicable here. It was a great reminder of all that we have to be thankful about this year.
December
There were more camping adventures around Qatar as well as lots of fun Christmas activities like gingerbread houses, cookie decorating, ornament making, etc. We also enjoyed the drive in theater for some movies and some fun dinners and activities.
