Christmas 2013

consisted of enjoy the season and reason for celebrating, family fun, and absolutely no traveling, which happens every other year around here.

We started out simple by making sure all of our Christmas cards were addressed and stamped about a month before the bid day. I had a fabulous helper this year...she put on all the stamps and it really saved me some time!!! She's a pro, that's for sure....

Super duper job, Miss Ty!!!

After cards were out, tree was up, and presents were wrapped, we spent Christmas Eve with Jason's family and had a great time. It's a small little get together and Jason's bro and his family didn't make it up until Christmas Day, but it was still great to see each and every one of them!!!

Off to Grandma Marcia's....

After a fun night of visiting, laughing, giving & opening presents, and just enjoying time together, we headed home where the kiddos quickly got milk and cookies ready for Santa and Trey left this note.....

Perfect. And, from the looks of it, Santa loved the milk!!!

Christmas morning was spent here at our own house, where the kiddos woke up not too early and headed into the front room to see what Santa left...they were looking forward to their big bags that Santa leaves every year. 

Checking out the stocking loot...

Excited about Santa's bags...

My favorite pic of the morning...nothing beats an adorable little "Thank-you!" hug!!! 

The rest of Christmas Day was spent catching up with far away family and squeezing in a little cousin time with Jason's brother's boys....

I'm always heavy hearted when I don't make it back home for the holidays. As much as I LOVE spending time here at home, there's just something that's missing when I don't make it to Grandfather's for Christmas Eve, and I don't wake up at my mom's house Christmas morning. I know time marches on, new traditions are made, and memories keep the feelings alive, but I still miss those special times like no other. So, when I found out that my mom and Steve would be stopping here on their way to Omaha to see my brother, I was beyond excited. It was a too short, but very sweet visit and it was SOOOO good to see them! We wrapped up the Christmas Holiday with them....

What a fabulous Christmas holiday!!! Be are beyond blessed with an amazing family, that's for sure!!!

SANTA!

This was definitely Tay's year when it came to sitting on Santa's lap. After spending a few weeks looking at last year's Santa pic, which showed her bawling like no other, she was bound and determined to smile pretty and be a big girl. She definitely didn't disappoint....

The door of fame....year after year of Santa pics. Every year I have intentions on finding a much cuter way to display them, but end up sticking with good old scotch tape. Eventually, they will make their way into a photo book for each one of the kiddos. But, for now, we love looking at them every time we use that door. Not to mention the cute old holiday artwork and crafts....

Silly girl...looking for the Big Man in Red!!!

Ready to give Santa the picture she colored for him....

My Little Man all growing up on me....the "Seriously, Mom?!?!" look. Such a handsome fellow!!!

She even said good-bye!! What a big girl! Santa 2013 is in the books & couldn't have gone better!!!

Christmas Tree Time!!!

The kiddos are still in that super fun stage, loving the Elves on the Shelf and making it look all things Christmas around here. We had a blast putting up the tree this year. Everyone played their part and it made for one amazing tree....

All ready to work their magic!!!

Daddy's favorite ornament!!! Ha!

Best teamwork EVER!

Ty's better than me at spreading them out and making them balance!!!

(I'm IN LOVE with Tay's low ornament hanging this year. She was sooooo proud and, despite the fact that there wasn't much room for presents under the tree, you know that I didn't dare move one of her beautifully placed decorations. So stinkin' cute!!!)

Amazing job, Munchkins!!! You did fabulous...and I couldn't imagine a better tree!!!

1st Time Hoopin' it Up...

for Miss Ty!!!

She's been waiting and waiting and WAITING for this moment to come. She's hitting the court, learning the rules, playing defense, and shooting hoops. She's even practicing her pivot....which I don't think I've ever mastered! Ha!

The only thing we really need to work on is not running with the ball...dribble, dribble, dribble! But, that's not too tricky and I'm sure she'll have it down in no time....

She had her first game this past Saturday and had a blast. She scored two baskets and was awarded the Silver Offense Star. We're still learning about not pressing, staying with our man, taking the ball out, but there's LOTS of time to figure all that stuff out! 

Just smile and have fun and enjoy the heck out of learning the basics!!! We're so proud of you Miss Ty! 

Love ya BUNCHES!

Wrestle Mania....

seems to be Trey's winter months motto!

A little while ago he started his first season of wrestling. He eagerly attended his first practice and hasn't looked back since. I think it goes without saying that this hobby is going to stick around a little longer than some of the others. (like Tae-Kwan-Do, which involves a yellow belt we've paid for and never seen!!! Ha!)

Gotta love this pose!!!

We started off pretty simple. Hitting the wrestling room a bunch of other kids, some who had been wrestling for years and others for minutes. Listening and learning, blurry photos and all...

After a couple weeks of this, Jason signed Trey up for his first meet...which was dedicated to sole purpose of getting his feet wet and seeing what the sport is really about. Full of nerves and a little knowledge of some basic moves, Trey hit the mats. The result...three matches, three losses. Fourth place in his bracket & a jammed finger (which did bring a few tears to his eyes. The jammed part, not the losing part.) Overall, Trey rocked at defense, avoiding getting pinned. But, he didn't really get any opportunity to score any points from his back offensively, so he congratulated each of his opponents after watching them get their arms raised in victory. He had achieved what he set out to do & we were really proud of the effort and sportsmanship he showed....

Trey & his Daddy talked through some moves, strategies, and learning points and hit the mats for a couple more weeks. Trey quickly found himself in another meet. Another four-man round robin bracket. The morning of the meet, Trey was as excited as ever. After a quick weigh-in, he listened to some pump-up music...eagerly awaiting another shot at the mat. This meet ended with Trey on top (YES! He won his bracket), going 3-0 and getting his first PIN in his last match of the meet. He improved tremendously on offense and followed through on what he learned in practice. His smile was huge and, bottom line, he felt good about what he did and the hard work and focus he put in. 

Everyone waiting for the awards ceremony!! So patient!

There are a few more upcoming meets and Trey's still pumped. This next one should be challenging as the competition is also improving. He's set on doing his best, having fun, learning more about the rules, and enjoying the experience, which is really what it's all about!

Here's to building discipline, drive, motivation, and character!!! Way to go, Trey Man!!!

This Blog has to be feeling....

NEGLECTED!!!

Oh my!!! To think that it's been over a month since I've done any type of post what-so-ever makes my heart sad.

Yes, we've been busy, but that's never an excuse!!!

I'm thinking blogging is a lot like doing the laundry...if you don't do a little bit here and there it gets piled up and overwhelming. Then it's not fun, because you're swimming in a time suck. It usually results in having to dedicate a whole day to catching up & ain't nobody got time for that!

With the year off to a fresh start, I thought it would be a perfect time to get my blogging habits back in working order!!! I'm set on doing a little bit more often so I don't end up months & months behind. This whole blogging thing has always been about creating (& maintaining) a space to jot down memories for the kiddos to have to look back on after I'm long gone...and, that's how I intend on keeping it!!

So, without wasting any more time....here goes!!! (And, I'm going to do my best to keep in order...starting back from where I left off.....

We're BACK!!!!