2020 started off just like 2019, full of travel and adventure. We got to ring in the new year with a visit from our dear old friends, the Buckley's, who used to live in our neighborhood! We miss them dearly, and it was so great to have them here!
Will and I started off the year with a Jayhawk victory over the Longhorns at UT!
We gathered for another Hoowee Jamboree with friends at Bastrop State Park, enjoying the pine trees, can-jam and sing-a-longs around the campfire!
Wendell got into the Oscar spirit this year, taking on her sister's usual role as party planner. We made a feast and walked the red carpet. There is some dispute (as I am writing this almost two years later) about who won, but Wendell (who is most reliable and least competitive) says that Will and Mahalia tied. Aunt Jenn also played and may have been in the running!
Billy and I celebrated Valentine's Day this year (this is NOT one of our usual traditions--haha!) with a scavenger hunt date night that I put together. Such a fun and simple way of dating your spouse. #KeepItFresh
In March, our world, just like yours, came crashing to a halt. Covid was now among us, and life was about to radically change. Our spring break plans were canceled so we took advantage of spreading Covid cheer and luck to our neighbors on St. Paddy's Day. We rode our bikes around the neighborhood delivering beer and soda bread and standing in people's back yards or near their fence lines talking at a distance.
We did a hiking trip to Enchanted Rock State Park (while the parks were still open) with good friends, trying to take advantage of local sights instead of traveling (again, pre-lockdown).
Though we were trying to make the best of spring break at home--we even did our first Lynn family Zoom call sing-a-long--this is actually what it looked like for the kids at times. haha!
We started going to drive-in movies and role model how to make the best of a bad situation, and just before the lockdown was official, we snuck outta town one more time to get some sunshine at the beach (I think we knew we'd be in for the long haul)! Shhhh.
The day we got home from Bolivar Peninsula, the governor of Texas ordered a state-wide lockdown. Schools and businesses closed and from then on out, my classes, Billy's classes and all of the kids' classes were online. Even as educators, we were not prepared for helping our children with online school. The issue was less about 4th grade math (although that did suck), but more about helping them focus. Here is a classic video of Wendell's online school attention span! haha! Also, here is Wendell doing homework in a box. IN. A. BOX.
Gadie had her own personal (and political) response to the pandemic, criticizing the president's weak national response that continued to put lives at risk. She and Dwight were out of town when the lockdown hit, and when they returned from their road trip in Colorado, she said, "I think I'll just stay at Dwight's until all of this blows over." Little did she know that it would be an entire year before the vaccines made it safe for her to return home to live with us! :(
Two weeks into lockdown, Easter could not have come at a better time. The hope of the Resurrection and the joy of spring could not be dampened! Though we could not go to church or gather at a winery in a large group like we had in year's past, we still worshipped online, had a delicious brunch and continued our Easter traditions in the back yard (Easter bonnet and all)! Mahalia was not fooled. Note her egg: THIS SUCKS. hahaha!
Our annual spring bluegrass festival was cancelled due to Covid. Camp Ca-Caw was postponed. Social media posts looked more like this. (Sad face.)
Instead, we spent family time outside at McKinney Falls State Park, Zilker Park and our Plum Creek Hike and Bike Trail. Time spent in nature is where we found our collective healing. When I look at some of these photos and videos, I almost find myself asking, "What pandemic?" Almost. :)
We spent Mother's Day with Gadie and Dwight at Guadalupe River State Park. The parks re-opened by reservation only, and it proved to be the perfect respite! Thank God for Texas state parks!
In May we had a "grad party" for Mahalia and our dear friend Gabi. We pulled the television outside and watched Obama's speech to the class of 2020 and celebrated with champagne!
In May, we turned our sights from national politics for a bit, and focused on saving a local tree from the City Council, hearkening back to the days of the mid-90s slogan, "think globally, act locally."
However, like the rest of the country, during the summer of 2020 we participated in the racial awakening of the Black Lives Matter movement, and worked hard for change in our local community, as well as our workplaces and schools. The challenge of owning our privilege and working for change was less about protesting and being "woke" and more about having the courage to engage in difficult conversations and lean into our own discomfort as white Americans.
At the end of Mahalia's senior year, in lieu of graduation, our neighborhood of Plum Creek hosted a parade for the class of 2020. Mahalia and her friends rode on a float and the whole community got involved! It was so much fun and brought a lot of joy and happiness to us all.
We decided another family staycation was in order after school got out, so we rented an AirBnB near Boerne, Texas. We had our own pool, our own donkey, and we hiked the nearby trails at the Cibolo Nature Center.
Mahalia totaled the Prius this year, so in June, this little guy made its way into our lives. Subie!!!
That's not the only thing new in our lives...introducing Huntley, the pandemic pup! A rescue dog if ever there was one! Her first few months were rough, but eventually she settled in and became part of the family.
My father came for a visit (against everyone's advice, but you know, YDYB) for Father's Day. Even though we were worried about him traveling during Covid, we were so happy to have time with him. Wendell calls him pickle head and all the kids give him the business!
We had a lovely Father's Day brunch and then Billy and the kids did a mile race so Billy could prove he was still faster than his teenage children. haha!
None of us ever know what to give Billy when it comes to gift giving, but this year, even though we got him the AirPods he wanted, it was Mahalia's gift that stole the show--his very own Munchkin card!
In June, Hays High School was able to host a Covid-safe graduation for the class of 2022 outside in the football stadium. We had dinner beforehand and took some family photos before heading to the stadium.
Mahalia gave her salutatorian speech, and the whole ceremony brought tears to my eyes. The weather was perfect and the summer night sky glowed.
At the end of June, in a surprising twist, our Plum Creek neighborhood hosted a drive through PRIDE parade! This little neighborhood, that went Blue in 2008 and 2012, but then flipped to Red in 2016, has had just about enough of the politics of hate! I have never been so happy, and we proudly participated as a family (even Huntley!).
For July 4th our local neighborhood parade was cancelled, however, we still got dressed up and celebrated with a small group of friends. The neighborhood still had our local fireworks display which many people watched from their cars or porches, instead of gathering at the local park. Wendell and I watched from the sidewalk and then did sparklers in our back driveway!
In July, we celebrated Wendell's 10th birthday playing mini-golf and going out for lunch (via the drive through) at P-Terry's with her best friend, Jolie. Then, we celebrated with another family staycation at Cypress Creek in Wimberley, one of our favorite places.
We had an early birthday celebration of my 50th with Dwight and Gadie before they left on their Colorado road trip. Gadie made me this hilarious (she thought so) cake, and we had a lovely dinner together.
The week before my 50th birthday, I set and accomplished the goal of biking 50 miles in a day, running 50 miles in a week, and paddling 50 miles! I did it! I also wrote in my journal every day 3 things I was grateful for, something I left better than I found it, and I finished this sentence: "Today, my best self..." It all made my 50th my most special birthday yet!
I paddled these 50 miles from Austin to Bastrop straight to the AirBnB we rented. Mahalia and Will were my paddle partners (Will got to "count" this as his mother/son camping trip!), and the trip ended with a relaxing stay at the Zen River House. Billy made me an amazing video to which so many of you contributed and Mahalia made me this bad ass canoe cake!
This is 50!
In late August we took Mahalia to Puerto Rico (see below), and Will and Wendell had a delayed start to their school year. They were online for the first six weeks and then went back in person with masks. Billy was back in the classroom full-time, and I was teaching hybrid both in person and remotely. I got COVID tested every week, and this just became my new normal. It was a crazy school year, but the kids were happy to be back in person. Here they are: First day of 5th grade, first day of 10th grade.
In September, I was recognized by Foster Angels for the Sarah Smith Voice Award for my work with FACES. They delivered a gorgeous cheese plate from Antonelli's and we made an evening of it, watching the online celebration!
This year, Wendell and I had two mother/daughter camping trips...one in the summer in the back yard, and another at Padre Bali Park on North Padre Island! This little girl keeps me laughing, exploring, and living in the moment for sure!
Billy and I donned our KN95 masks and decided to celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary with a visit to see Mahalia and Billy's family in Puerto Rico. We tested before and after traveling and masked up and were able to travel safely, thank God. It was a beautiful time together, connecting more deeply to some of Billy's roots. Clearly, he was in his element.
When we got home from PR, we were finally able to attend to some home repairs that we had hoped to do in the summer, but COVID got in the way. We started with the outside of our house and turned it (Biden) BLUE!
Speaking of which, politics ramped up in earnest this fall, as the 2020 presidential campaign took center stage. We tried not to talk politics too much with conservative neighbors and family members, but we were very active campaigning, block walking and registering people to vote. I had to laugh at some of the signs in our neighborhood! Go Plum Creek!
In October, I flew to Newark and did a writing/research weekend with my good friend and colleague Dr. Anita Tucker. We rented a house in Connecticut and drafted an outline for a book chapter on outdoor behavioral healthcare with the Mayo Clinic. We also got to spend time with each of our fathers (hers drove in from NYC and mine just happened to be on the east coast teaching!), joking that "now everything makes more sense!" haha! I also got to see my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and my amazing nieces who also happened to be spending the weekend from NYC in Connecticut! Serendipity all around!
This year, Will and I fetched our fall pumpkins at a pumpkin patch out in Creedmoor, TX. I guess the isolation of the pandemic and the fact that this guy's big sister is away at college, inspired him to channel his inner child and pick pumpkins with his mom. We decorated the house and we found a Covid-safe way of giving out candy and trick-or-treating.
We also decided to make an ofrenda for Dia de los Muertos this year. There has been so much suffering and loss in the world, and we wanted to honor and remember the lives of those we have lost. It was very emotional, and I definitely think we will add this beautiful Aztec/Mexican tradition to our family's traditions. We made skull sugar cookies too!
For Billy's birthday, we got him a new President! Yeeehah!
For Thanksgiving, we again tested before and after travel, and road tripped (masks on) across country to visit Billy's family. We stopped in NOLA for old time's sake, and it was amazing how empty the streets were.
We got to stop in White, Georgia and visit Wendell's godparents, my cousins Andrew and Brie.
The trip was really wonderful except that I tore my calf muscle playing touch football--haha! It was such a stupid injury, but it really threw me off emotionally. I couldn't run or do yoga and had to wear a boot for several weeks. Dealing with an injury with mindfulness and compassion is something Billy and I will need to learn more as we age. He hurt his shoulder this year on his trip to Puerto Rico and we've both been seeing sports medicine docs and trying to figure out how to heal.
The holiday season was filled with decorating, baking, holiday parties and visits from friends and family. We spent a lot of time outside for small gatherings and did our best to hang with our pod. We were blessed to stay healthy and safe this year and celebrated Christmas with hearts full of gratitude.
We obviously had a big year as a family, but everyone had their own individual milestones, accomplishments and challenges as well...
I was invited to give the keynote speech with my colleague and friend Anthony Deringer at the Texas Outdoor Leadership Conference at Sam Houston State University. We integrated storytelling content from ActivatEE, and focused on the stories participants create from the experiences we create as outdoor leaders. So much fun!
I gave a similar keynote at the AEE Heartland Regional Conference in early March. This ended up being my last trip before COVID hit, but it was the first time I looked at my friend Brian and said something to the effect of, "maybe this is something we should take seriously."
You can imagine how hard it was for a small group of experiential educators to pivot. I mean, an AEE conference is actually a case study of how a virus can spread...from the games and initiatives, to singing songs and sharing beers around the campfire...eeeesh! We all got lucky and no one left with Covid, the new virus that would soon begin sweeping the globe.
This is actually my very first picture of the entire pandemic wearing a mask on the flight to St. Louis on March 5, 2020. I wore one on the way home too, but still had drinks at the airport with a dear old friend from college who happened to be traveling at the same time! Little did we know!
On March 12, I did my final in-person training of the year. I did an all-day adventure therapy CEU training at the University of Texas with 20 counselors, social workers, etc. There were not Covid protocols at this point, but the outdoor setting was a protective factor, and everyone stayed safe. I got this training in just before the governor of Texas issued the lockdown!
From this point on, all of my other conferences and trainings were canceled and travel came to a halt. My time on the greenbelt with my trail running group became a major source of sanity, as being outside felt like the only safe option. My classes went online for the rest of the semester from March-May, as did my book club, and like the rest of the world, I became all too familiar with Zoom.
In June, I did a girls surfing weekend with my good friend Gena! This was also a balm for my Covid soul. Fresh air, sunshine and time with my "pod."
And in September, I took my trail running group paddling on the Colorado River! So much fun and a crazy adventure as well!
The Wilderness Therapy Symposium was postponed and moved online in October. Though we couldn't all be together in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, it was still remarkably special to be with some of my favorite colleagues, even remotely. The same was true of AEE, the big experiential education conference I go to every year. My year was filled with lots of online webinars, trainings, and conferences, and though it was exhausting at times, I was so thankful to stay connected.
These personal and professional adventures kept me sane, but as the pandemic wore on, I found myself doing strange things like taking up drumming or doing my own hair (I died it and Mahalia cut it)! God help us.
And then there were those days when the only good idea seemed like staying in bed forever.
Billy: Before Covid hit, Billy started the year off with a family reunion in Puerto Rico in February with his parents, sisters, and lots of PR cousins! He got some beach time, and also did a trail run in the mountains with his cousin Pedro Juan!
Billy had to pivot during the pandemic to teaching online and though it was an incredible challenge, he stayed committed to reaching students who, now more than ever, wanted to remain invisible. He stayed active in kids' lives and helped so many young people weather the social, emotional and academic storms of this pandemic. He also continued to fight for racial justice by protesting the Hays High School mascot. Along with others, Billy's protest helped change the tide and the Rebels are no more. From now on, we will be rooting for the Hays Hawks! He continued coaching ultimate frisbee--this was the year BOTH Mahalia and Will were on the team, and he also did his usual red dress fundraiser at school, pushing gender norms and raising money for heart disease research. All of his time at Hays High School paid off the most the day he hugged our beautiful Mahalia at graduation (as well as cheering on all the other kids he encouraged along the way!). So proud of this guy. Still teaching with passion and fighting for justice after all these years!
Our good friend Tom Ray retired from Hays High School this year! He gave so much to the school and he was the teacher who Mahalia selected as her Linebarger teacher. The Linebarger Recognition celebrates the Top 25 Graduating Seniors of the district's high schools. They did a silly American Gothic photo shoot to commemorate this moment. So you can see how important Mr. Ray is to our family and why Billy made him tostones in a portable fryer at his going away party!
Billy continues his #dadlife--reading to Wendell and going for walks around the neighborhood. But he also had a new baby in the house to care for, and his dad skills did not fail him with this fur baby! Notice the skin to "skin" contact. haha!
Billy didn't mind many aspects of the pandemic, like letting his hair grow out. When it got long enough, he let Wendell style it. He and Will had a bit of a contest to see who needed a haircut most!
Mahalia finished high school in a pandemic, and though she lost a lot of old traditions, many new traditions began. Prom was cancelled, but she and a small group of friends had a homemade prom in one of their yards.
She ended the year as salutatorian of her class, and gave the most amazing speech at a postponed outdoor graduation later in the summer.
Mahalia decided to attend Princeton University, and my dear friend Suzanne took her seniors pictures for us after she made this momentous decision.
But the week we were packing her boxes to move, the university announced that campus would not be open to undergrads and that all classes would be online/remote. Panic ensued, but a rapid back-up plan was implemented, due to her determination and grit, and Operation Puerto Rico began. We had a farewell dinner and gave her this small bit of advice: Get in good trouble.
I know one little girl who didn't want her to leave!
But leave she did! Mahalia rounded up three other girls (who she'd never met) from the class of 2024 and found a place on AirBnB to rent in Mayaguez, a city nearby Billy's cousins. I flew down with Mahalia in August to get her settled and she stayed until Thanksgiving. She had so many exciting adventures, and we are so proud of the way she adapted.
It was a big year of major transitions for Mahalia and this picture pretty much sums it up.
Will finished 9th grade online and began 10th grade online as well. COVID disrupted spring basketball and was the reason he did not continue playing tennis in the spring season. In the summer, Will got back to playing basketball, and he ran cross country in the fall.
This summer, Will got his driver's license, his lifeguard certification and a summer job at our local pool (until he left/got fired--it depends who's telling the story--for standing up to his manager for not following Covid protocols). Gotta love this kid!
Will got his braces off right at the start of 10th grade! Looking good!
And then, he and his sister went to the mall together and got their ears pierced!
Wendell: Wendell finished 4th grade online, vowing never to ask me for help in math again. She tolerated online school by pausing every 10 minutes to do a bunch of cartwheels. She also climbed everything she could. This started as a pre-lock down activity at the climbing gym, but then she made due in our neighborhood and our backyard. She also taught herself how to skateboard. I love this kid. She actually taught me a lot about how to live my best life during a pandemic...by doing what's right in front of me with mindfulness and simple joy.
She was brave enough to let her sister cut her hair during the pandemic, and I'd say, based on our homemade school picture that she did a great job.
In general, Wendell handled 2020 like a boss...adapting to online birthday parties and staying happy and kid free spending time in nature and with her puppy!
Gadie: One of the hardest things about this year was that Gadie did not live with us. In March, when the pandemic hit, she decided to move in with her boyfriend Dwight. At her age, she was more high risk for a serious reaction to Covid, so she and Dwight stayed together for awhile. Because Billy and the kids and I were all in person for school and work, it would've put her at high risk to live at home. Thankfully, she was able to come over in the early stages and visit with us outside, and as the pandemic progressed and we established our pod, she and Dwight were able to spend more time here with us. Even though we missed her, we were so thankful that she and Dwight both stayed healthy. They bought E-bikes and spent a lot of time riding around outside, as well as traveling together. They also continue to protest racial injustice and make the world a better place. 
So that's the key, I guess. Stay playful in nature. Help others. Keep it simple, and stick together. It's been a year of hardship and loss, and we are all privileged and lucky to have stayed healthy and safe. We know much of the world was not so lucky. So we stand in deep gratitude, while holding space for the sorrow of the world. We are hopeful as we consider a new politics of hope and racial justice coming to this country, and we say good riddance to this guy.
Here's to a better time of things in 2021. Love from our family to yours.
