CHRISTMAS!!
This is my favorite time of the year (not for the weather, although I can't complain this year!!), but because it means LOTS of family time!! With Kyle being a teacher, this is a GREAT time to refresh, take a break, and spend time with the family! This year was a little bit different because Kyle taught right up until the 23rd, so it didn't fully feel like Christmas when it came along. But, none the less, it came, and it came quickly.
Christmas Day #1: My family Christmas ended up being the night of the 23rd, from about dinner time on. My whole family was there, including Eric and Tiff by evening. We had a ton of fun watching the kiddos open gifts, ate some AMAZING food (and too much of it), playing games, and laughing. And, the party ran late, as we didn't leave my parent's house until midnight! The kids were going strong, so why leave, right?!?!
Christmas Day #2: The next morning we headed back to my mom and dad's for a day of "relaxing family time." Everyone was in comfy clothes and we enjoyed just hanging out all day! Unfortunately my oldest brother and his family couldn't spend Saturday with us and they were missed! But, the rest of us ate, laughed, ate, played games, and ate some more! :)We even enjoyed a rousing game of "Things" both with the kids and "Adults Only." Let me tell you, if you ever want to take a game to a "new level," play with my family! That's all I'll say... but you can only imagine! :)
Christmas Day #3: The next morning was Christmas morning and we all got ready for church! The kids looked adorable in their "Christmas Outfits" and we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas service. We then came come, took naps, and then enjoyed letting our kids open their gifts from us! They were too cute, and got SO excited about the simplest of things. I hope that they always keep that mindset about Christmas- being thankful for what they have and remember the TRUE meaning of celebrating Christmas! We then headed to Kyle's parent's house to enjoy dinner and the evening with them.
Christmas Day #4: (I LOVE family time, but by day #4 in a row, this mama was tired!!) This was the day for the Sears' Christmas. Unfortunately, Allison couldn't be with us since she is still in Belgium playing volleyball, but THANK GOODNESS for technology! We Skyped her and she joined in ALL DAY! It was great! We showed up for the annual homemade cinnamon rolls, watched a movie, ate lunch, and then it was time to open gifts. We were blessed once again and the kids were so cute! I love watching their excitement! We had an amazing dinner and just enjoyed hanging out all day!
All in all, we were very blessed over the Christmas Season, and we couldn't be more thankful!
Christmas Break!!!
Like I mentioned before, Kyle has had 2 weeks off of school, which has been nothing short of AMAZING! Because of how the holidays fell, break seemed longer because the holidays were done (including New Years') and we still had one more week of him home! It has been great! Lots of snuggle time, playing with new toys, playing outside in the snow (ok, so 1 day of that!), Date night for Mommy and Daddy :):):), and just lots of time to be together! The kids have LOVED it. They are going to be in for a shocker come tomorrow when daddy goes back to the normal schedule!
New Years' Eve
This year was different than years past because we didn't have big plans. To be honest, it was kinda nice! So, we decided to take the kids out to dinner. (that doesn't happen often because it can be crazy!!) It was a lot of fun and fun to see how excited they were to eat at a "special place!" They just seemed SO grown up to us, watching them eat and sit at the table! We then did some grocery shopping and came home. The kids went to bed at a normal time, Kyle and I treated ourselves to a homemade milkshake, and then decided that watching the ball drop was over-rated, so we went to bed too! :) It is definitely different when you don't have kids that sleep in and don't understand that concept, so staying up late and jeopardizing our own sleep seemed silly! :) Yes, that means I am officially "old!"
Memorial Basketball
We have also been very busy with the basketball season. Kyle is the Varsity Assistant at Elkhart Memorial still, and he is loving it! This year, they have 7 Seniors, all of which have really come a LONG ways in their 4 years! They are playing TOGETHER as a team (for the most part) and are really showing that they are a team to be reckoned with! They have beat most teams (all by one I think) by more than 10 points, and haven't REALLY seen too big of a challenge yet! It is fun to watch, and fun to see Kyle having so much fun with it! It will be exciting to see what these kids can accomplish for the remainder of the year! Oh, and let me just tell you....I think there should be SOME KIND of an award for Coaches' Wives that have little kids and make it to all these games!! We have come to the conclusion that WE have a tougher job, and one of these games, we are going to trade the guys jobs- we will coach and they can entertain/feed/hold/take potty/discipline/snuggle these kiddos for a whole game (or two!) I think we would have a WHOLE NEW appreciation factor!! Right Natalie Clark?!?!?! :)
The kids all decked out in their red for daddy's game:
Sibling LOVE
Lately it has been really fun watching the kiddos and how much they do really love each other. I know, I know, like ANY kids, they have their moments. They fight, argue, and don't share, but they also have been showing that they love each other too. It is so cute to watch. Payton has been fun trying to teach Bubby new things, and it is cute to watch them give hugs (sometimes just because) but esp. before naps and bedtime! They just tackle each other in a hug! I don't for one second regret having them so close together (16 months apart) because they are BUDS now! :)
Bedtime Routine
Payton has had a rough time lately staying in her bed. It's like she is scared to stay in her room/bed. We have tried EVERYTHING from leaving a light one, leaving the door open, to lots of other things. But, she always would come out crying. So, over break, Kyle got the brilliant idea to make her a "new room"- AKA- rearrange her room. And you know what?? It is working! :) We even put some toys up in her room (I re-claimed my living room, no more toy box central!) and she thinks that is pretty cool! So now, at bedtime, after her hugs from her brother, we head up for the "routine." She has enjoyed daddy reading a book to her and then one Bible story. Then we go through the ROUND of Sunday School Songs (Jesus loves me, deep and wide, I like the Bible, and Read your Bible/Pray everyday) I know, many of you would say....she wants SO much because she is stalling, but to be honest, we enjoy that time with her, and if she is singing about Jesus, why stop her, RIGHT?!?! :)
Goodbye 2011, HELLO 2012!!
With the turn of a new year, lots of new excitement and goals arise! This year, there is no exception. I plan to blog about our New Year's goals and things we have learned in a later blog (hopefully), but I have to say- I AM EXCITED! This last year has taught us A LOT about love, friendships, business, leadership, parenting, and so much more! But, we have a BRIGHT future ahead of us! This is our year of "No looking back" and "No Excuses!" We are excited to start this New Year out with a BANG!!:) Happy New Year Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment