Our Merry Christmas

This Christmas, more than others, I felt so blessed. I know so many people that are hurting during the holidays, because of their situations, or because of the pain of those around them. My heart goes out to all of those people, and makes me even more grateful for the simple things in life, like my kids, my husband, our church family, our house, and skype! Here are a few pictures of our wonderful Christmas.

Before the chaos...

Let the chaos begin!

After the gifts were opened, Rob went out to get the paper...

Such a beautiful WHITE Christmas! Later in the evening we went to a friends house where we had our Christmas dinner. This is the view as we pulled our car out of the garage.

Our house enjoyed its first Christmas as well!

Apparently video games can occupy many kids at the same time.

After we left our friends house, (which is a story in its self... let me just say there ARE hills in the midwest, and a lot of snow: Subaru PRIDE!) we drove around a bit enjoying the still beauty of a snow covered city. Once we got home, and put the kids to bed, we enjoyed a nice game of backgammon and a new concoction. I made hot apple cider and added a bit of Grey Goose La Poire... it was amazing! (and yes our alcoholic beverages are sitting on a Bible)

The perfect ending to an amazing day!

Keeping Busy!

Where to begin... we moved into our new house, but I don't have any pictures because it was a long ordeal! If you haven't already heard the story, I'll summarize it by saying: never get a mortgage through Bank of America! Once we were in, we had a few crazy weeks of unpacking and then it was my birthday! My parents flew out for the week and were able to celebrate both my birthday and Thanksgiving! It was so awesome to hang out with them and show off our new house. 

Making their Mamma a birthday breakfast

Birthday lunch at Gates!

Exploring Kansas City

Thanksgiving day, the boys barbecued the turkey so we had time for cards

Very excited, and feeling very manly 

Picture perfect and tasted even better than it looks!

How we spent most of our time... Farkle

Their new past time... cross dressing

The next week we were able to go with a friend to see Swell Season! If you haven't heard of them you need to go rent the movie Once and be amazed. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have had. I wish I could share video with you all... oh wait I'm sure you can find it on youtube... and you should!

Last week we had a beautiful snow day! Grace stayed home from school, Rob stayed home from work, and they all played outside! I, on the other hand, enjoyed drinking some hot coffee, reading a book (that wasn't for school) and watched them from the comfort of the warm house.

Last weekend we had the staff Christmas party and the kids looked so cute that I had to take a picture of them. 

Today was Grace's Christmas program at school. It was so fun to watch her up there... and actually hear her little voice. It was also really strange to be sitting at my child's Christmas program! After the singing, the kids had a little party in their class and I was able to see her in her school environment. I was also able to see who this Caleb boy is that she is always talking about. In fact, she came home one day and told me they were married. He is just to the left of her. You can't see his face but in the second picture it looks like he is whispering in her ear! 

I'm sure I will have more Christmas pictures soon!

Do you ever wake up and think "I'm the luckiest person in the world"?

Fall-time Fun!

I love autumn for so many reasons, but this year in addition to the beautiful trees, cool weather, pumpkin spice lattes, and warm scarves, we are having a blast at all sorts of fall activities. First up we had Gladfest. We actually live in a small town within a big city, and so in small town fashion, there is a festival including rides, games, music, and let's not forget deep fried Oreos! We went with a bunch of our friends and had a blast... although it was cut short because we were all freezing! 

The funny thing about this picture is that we know all the kids in it! Grace and Justice had a blast going on rides with their friends.

Rob and Justice on the ferris wheel!

Next up was the Renaissance Festival. Now, I have never been to a renaissance festival, and I probably won't go back, but it was rather entertaining. The kids thought it was cool, especially Grace because there were princesses everywhere. For Rob and I and some of the other adults... well I must say it was GREAT for people watching!

A grumpy knight

The cutest little princesses there!

The girls loved watching this weird skit, and then afterward they were able to meet the weird fairy lady and the dragon. 

Today was the Boo Bash! Our church puts on this amazing Halloween party for the community. They go all out including pictures, a trick-or-treat village, and a haunted house (which is for the older kids!). The coolest part is that it is all free! Anyway the kids were excited to wear their new costumes!

The bikers from our church dressed up like the people from the Wild Hogs movie (big stretch), and then they let all the kids sit on their bikes for pictures!

 

Like I said, ALL the kids!

This is Jon all dressed up for the trick-or-treat village. Why didn't you wear that for Ren Fest? Next year??

After all the fun, we enjoyed just sitting down for a bit and watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on the big screens. 

Last but not least was the train ride outside. Is it just me or do NHCC parties get better and better?!?