Well, another year comes to an end. 2017 was good to us, but I'm ready for 2018 and all that comes with it. To continue with tradition, take a look at my favorite photos from the blog this past year (click to enlarge the photos).
This *practically* teenager and I snuck out this morning for an aunt + neice date as part of her Christmas present. Coffee/hot cocoa + manicure + delightful conversation = one of my favorite mornings.
We wrapped up our final round of family Christmases today and I have to say we went out with a bang. A full turkey dinner (think Thanksgiving), loads of presents, quality family game time, lots of laughter, and happy kids. It was the perfect send off to Christmas season 2017. Thanks again to our amazing family. We’re feeling very loved.
Now that the hustle + bustle of Christmas is through, I'm going to take some time to relax + recover from it all. I'll be back soon (probably before the week is out), but in the mean time enjoy the newest podcast (below). Spoiler: it's a good one.
We've all had those moments in parenting that are too funny or too gross or too ridiculous not to share. In this episode, we read all the #MomFails that we've been collecting since the beginning of the season and shed some light on the less-glamourous side of parenting.
To friends + family we celebrated with this season and to all of you we didn’t, thank you for being in our lives.
Merry Christmas.
The boys have been counting down to Christmas Eve for weeks (maybe months). Finally the big day has arrived. Let’s hope the big guy doesn’t let them down!
Cookies (covered with fruit as Robbe suggested), milk, and carrots have been left and now we wait.
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!
Growing up, we went bowling with family every year on Christmas Eve day. Looking back, it was one of my favorite memories from our time visiting Grandma and Grandpa. I never did well (I’m sure you’re surprised) but it was about the perfect way to spend quality time before the big night ahead.
To continue the tradition, Chris and I took the boys bowling for the first time today (even though it was a day early). It would have been more fun with the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents in tow, but we had a good time nonetheless. And I even won. I know...I’m in shock, too.
Here’s to continuing traditions!
The boys offered an impromptu serenade at a friends’ holiday party tonight. In case it’s not evident in the photo, it was about the cutest thing ever.
The boys were pretty busy with their train setup downstairs so they couldn’t help with much cookie decorating. I think they each did two. Does it make me a terrible mom that I was completely fine with their lack of interest and genuinely enjoyed frosting in peace and quiet. Sorry not sorry. :)
Although we won’t win any prizes for appearance, the cookies turned out super delicious. At last, we’re ready for Santa.
Seriously, could this ornament be any cuter? Robbe gave it to us after making it in school (with a lot of help from his teachers). It’s a photo of him inside a ball filled with snow that shakes around him. I love it so much.
Shout out to Ms. Megan and Ms. Stacy for their craftiness + thoughtfulness!
The girls met us after school for some fun family crafting time. Blue Boxer Arts rocked it with these totally unique image necklaces. Even with our wide age range (Robbe was in attendance, after all), everyone enjoyed the afternoon. I can't wait to do it again sometime. I'd show off the final product, but there *might* be some Christmas presents in the mix so that'll have to be another day.
I realized I never posted the official "smiling with Santa" photo from the Santa Claus breakfast. Good thing I remembered! :)
'Tis the season for travel. In this podcast we share some of the tidbits we've learned over the years about surviving the holidays with kids and even give some *gentle suggestions* for those hosting family or friends with little ones in tow. Enjoy!
We finally had the chance to do our annual trip to the dollar store for the boys to pick out Christmas presents. If you remember, because everything is so cheap, we give them them free reign to pick out whatever peaks their interest (no questions asked). We expanded their shopping list this year so they were responsible for picking out gifts for our immediate family as well as some of their cousins. I have to say, they made some good choices. We even let them wander on their own (while we were stalking at a safe distance) for the gifts for mom and dad. They were so excited about their newfound independence.
I'm not going to release the list of results just yet (for obvious reasons), but here's what we ended up with last year in case you're curious.
As we do every year, we've been trying to figure out how to teach giving back this holiday season so it's not all about receiving. Sounds familiar, I'm sure. Part of this lesson is taking an active role in the holiday sharing project through our church. We bought some books for a local elementary school, we donated a couple hats and pairs of mittens to the "mitten tree", and then we picked two gift tags with specific requests for families in need.
Our selection? Two different tags for kids asking for "doctor stuff". Seems simple enough, right? The doctor stuff for the six year old...no problem. The doctor stuff for the 10 year old...a lot harder. I spent way too much time putting this kit together (the photo at the bottom of the collage above), but at the end of the day I'm happy to be sending the gift onto a deserving kid. Even if she loves it just a little bit, all the work + hunting will be totally worth it.
At one point today, I looked out my kitchen window and there were three squirrels scampering around the walls of our screened in porch (one on each side...on the outside, thankfully). I'm sure this is a sign of something. I just don't know what yet. I'll keep you updated about any other shenanigans.
Just in case you can't make it to our house to see what Christmas looks like to us, I thought I'd bring some of the holiday love to you. Enjoy!
Tonight was a good night. I managed to attend a niece's holiday concert AND another niece's dance team performance back to back. Just another reason we moved back...I just love these girls.
This has been the standard scene in our living room for far too many days. Ok, it's just been two but that feels like forever when you don't like staring at a mess.
The boys (including Chris) have been living the dream, though. I guess I'll let it slide...for one more day.
I'm sorry I've been a terrible blogger this week. I missed two day (TWO DAYS!!) somehow. That's when you know it's been a busy week. That's when you know it's the holidays. All is well, though, and I'm happy to be back at it.
We had an insanely busy weekend full of holiday fun including cookie decorating, a holiday party, and krumkake rolling with grandpa. Whew. Every year I get totally sucked into the excitement and anticipation of the holiday season only to get *slightly* overwhelmed and exhausted by it all. That seems normal, right?!? Oh...and it's only December 10th. I better rally for the second half of the season or Christmas Eve is going to be rough!
We've got a new episode coming out tomorrow and I realized that I never posted the last one to my site. Eeek! See? I'm *a bit* behind in everything lately. This episode about milestones give a bit of back story (which you probably already know) about Robbe's speech delays and offers an update, too. Give us a listen!
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