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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

ten on tuesday

1. It's the last day of 2013! Super excited to see what the new year brings. I feel like so much has changed in our lives in the last year or so. Can't wait to see what's ahead.

2. Chuck and I went out for my birthday Saturday night. We went to Montgomery Inn at the Boathouse. We've had a gift card to use there for 3 years. Yes, we do get out a lot, why do you ask?

3. We had just gotten our food when a waiter came by and ask Chuck if he wanted a box for his food. I guess he didn't think he'd finish it? Later on that same waiter walked past our table and mumbled "Uh-huh" under his breath. I told Chuck it was because he was getting a box for his leftovers. (Would've been funnier if he'd have said "Nailed it!" but I'll take the "Uh-huh")

4. We're gearing up for high sports season around here-Jarron and Jackson have basketball games pretty much every Saturday until March and Bryce starts indoor lacrosse. Free time, it was nice knowing you.

5. I'm going to be the world's oldest bridesmaid this June. My sweet friend Amanda is getting married and graciously asked me to be in her wedding. I'm honored to do it but I'm half afraid the dress shops are going to think I'm her mother.

6. I'm also going to be an aunt again this June. I can't tell you how excited and happy I am. When my brother texted me with the news (yes, he told me he and his wife were expecting via a text message photo of the positive pregnancy test), I literally screamed with joy. We'll find out in late January if we will remain an all boys club or if I'll finally get to take someone to the American Girls store.

7. I really, really, really love my new job. A lot. Just wanted to share that.

8. We have officially entered the vacation planning season. I can't wait to see where we will decide to go. We've gone to Destin the past three years. I wouldn't be too terribly sad to end up there again.


9. Jackson was telling me last night how much he has enjoyed being home every day for Christmas vacation. "Sleeping in, no school, no homework. This is the life." Moose looked over at him from his bed, smirked, and said, "This is my life every day. It's pretty awesome to be me." Ha ha. Yes, yes it is.

10. Happy New Year, friends! Hope that you have a safe and happy evening with the ones you love.
See you in 2014...

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

christmas, christmas time is here

Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We've been good, but we can't last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast


It's really hard to believe that after all of the planning, shopping and organizing, Christmas is nearly over. We had a great Christmas this year. Well, technically, three great Christmas celebrations. 
Our first was with the Lakes on the 23rd. Lots of boys-12 grandsons and two great grand-daughters (one didn't make the trip this year) all in one house. Wow. Lots of remote control cars and action figures. :) A fun game of "Would You Rather" with Retta and I & our oldest boys.I was pleasantly surprised by how well Bryce knew me.I guess 12 year old boys do listen to their moms sometimes.


Our next Christmas celebration was with the Sawyer clan-MORE boys. Six boys-no girls, all under the age of 12. Quite loud and quite into Batman and Ninja Turtles. I was super excited to see Bobbi's Nutella brownies make an appearance. I pretty much wait all year for them.

Finally, Christmas morning arrived. Moose is our only boy who still believes in Santa. It was pretty funny to see him open a present and hear him say "Oh no. I got mail for Christmas!" We had wrapped one of his toys (a large stuffed Monsters Inc animal) in a Priority Mail box-ha ha. Pretty funny that he knows the USPS logo. We spent a relaxing day playing with all of our toys (video games & Nerf guns for the big guys, and TMNT and Hot Wheels for the younger guys) and went to evening service at church.

{no Christmas morning pictures-I know better than to post a photo of 12 year old boys in their pj's and without their hair done-that's a big no-no.}

Friday, December 13, 2013

monster mash



I was working in the lab, late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab, began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise

He did the mash, he did the monster mash
The monster mash, it was a graveyard smash
He did the mash, it caught on in a flash
He did the mash, he did the monster mash

I think this might be it-the last year that all 4 of my boys dress up for Halloween. Quite frankly, the twins didn't really even dress up this year-just found stuff from around the house to make "costumes".
Bryce went as Clark Kent. 

Jarron went as a politician tired from a night of campaigning. {I know.}

Jackson was Robin-in a costume that was handmade by his Nana. Incredibly impressive!

And Moose was Flash. Of course. Which he demonstrated by running from house to house until he exhausted himself. At Trunk or Treat a number of people told him he looked like the little boy from "Daddy Day Care" which annoyed him--"I'm not Daddy DayCare! I'm Flash! Jeesh!" Ha ha.

Here in Fairfield, Halloween was almost cancelled. Well, postponed. A big nasty storm was scheduled to come through on Halloween night, bringing cold temperatures, high winds, and LOTS of rain. Fortunately for us, our awesome church had scheduled Trunk or Treat a few days before. 

Fun costumes, WAY too much candy and good friends = a successful Trunk or Treat.

On Halloween night, we didn't let a little rain and 40 MPH winds stop us. Out we went, and boy did we get lucky. Since not very many kids were trick or treating, people were just handing the kids handfuls of candy, it was CRAZY.

After awhile, the weather got the best of us too, and we headed to our warm, dry house, so Momma could eat, I mean "test" the candy. :)

Sunday, December 8, 2013

love to eat turkey

Love to eat turkey
'Cause it's good
Love to eat turkey
Like a good boy should



Have we ever talked about how much I love Thanksgiving? It's probably one of my favorite holiday, if not my favorite. I love the idea of a day set aside to be with your family to be thankful for the many blessings that God has bestowed upon you during the past year. I love the freedom from the pressure of buying the right gift or candy. :) And I love the turkey. {so very much}

This year, we were fortunate to have 3 different Thanksgiving dinners to attend. The first, the Friday before Thanksgiving at Chuck's parents house. {For some reason there are no photos of this-so weird.} Dinner and a fun game night!
On Thanksgiving Day, we headed down to Jackson County to spend the afternoon with the Lakes cousins. What a fun afternoon. It's always a little crazy for me to see Bryce, Jarron, Chandler, and Logan together as teenagers. I still remember them as babies and toddlers playing together in blow-up pools at 4th of July get-togethers-so it's a bit disconcerting to see them hanging out, comparing headphones and playing NBA Jam on their phones and iPods.
Jackson and Brody found a whole crew of cousins to play with too-Tate, Tansen, Colin & Landon. {In case, you are wondering there are a LOT of boys in this family-only a few sweet girls-Gracie and Lanae are in the pictures below.}


The Sunday after Thanksgiving, we celebrated with the Sawyer crew. Snuck in a quick photo shoot with Aunt Bobbi for Christmas cards and played an intense game of Apples to Apples {an annual tradition}. Keaton was our big winner this year. I couldn't stop laughing at Keaton and Moose sharing some chocolate pie together-those too are such good friends.


We have sooooo much to be thankful for this year-family, amazing friends, and a wonderful church family. Blessed beyond measure.

Friday, December 6, 2013

snow, snow, snow, snow




Snow, I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow
Snow, oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow


Where it's snowing
All winter through
That's where I want to be
Snowball throwing
That's what I'll do
How I'm longing to ski
Through the
Snow, those glist'ning houses that seem to be built of snow
Snow, oh, to see a mountain covered with a quilt of snow



It's only December 6th and it snowed! The boys already have their first snow day of the year! So very exciting.

Be back soon with a Halloween & Thanksgiving recap. I'm determined to get caught up in my little corner of the web. :)