Teacher Break

How am I recharging this holiday break?

1. No alarms
2. Fuzzy socks every day
3. Coffee and mimosa’s for breakfast
4. Making my family homemade meals
5. Watching movies
6. Laughing with family
7. Playing Nintendo 
8. Making lists 
9. Trying to stay away from Walmart 
10. Taking care of my sick child
11. Cleaning reminents of puppy rampage
12. Staying cozy by the fire
13. Reading, reading, reading
14. Yoga-ing
15. Enjoying this life! 

Ella's Birthday & Christmas 2018

In a culture that is consumed with "things," it's important that we take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and to be sure we teach our children the same.  It isn't the things that are important in life; it's the relationships and friendships, the gratitude for everyday, the appreciation for little gestures and moments, the mindfulness of knowing that the things around us are just "stuff" and no amount of it will bring lasting joy and happiness.  This season, as you look at your circle of loved ones with love in their hearts, please be reminded that it could be worse.  You could be this guy...



Speaking of being sanitary for the holiday season, Brock was out-of-commision to partake in Christmas gatherings due to the strike of influenza.  Usually, someone is sick for Thanksgiving gatherings, but this is the first year it has hit us during Christmas get-togethers.  As always, we made the most out of the situation given to us.  It was a Merry Christmas, in deed!

102 degrees doesn't feel very good.

With the rest of the fam celebrating at Chad's folks' doing their traditional Christmas Eve festivities, I prepared our cookie station.

Christmas Eve Cookie Decorating

Christmas morning came and Santa had some Saran Wrap fun with the stockings this year.  Chad was mildly amused, Brock had a pretty consistent fever-zombie look on his face, and the girls were all smiles and giggles.  The day was spent playing Nintendo, watching Christmas movies, eating waaaay too much junk and sugar, sipping tea and holiday cheer, and loving this time together.

For Christmas, Chad made me two charcuterie boards.  

Both are engraved with Chuttie Harry.  :)

Christmas Dinner with the option of leftover Pizza Hut pizza in the fridge if anyone complained.  

Brock's biggest deer yet.  This one is definitely going on the wall!

When we did the house remodel, we added a bathroom upstairs for the kids, but there is something to be said about confined spaces and trying to make Mom the most uncomfortable she can be when trying to use the restroom in peace.  Can't you guys go upstairs?!?!?!  #mylife

Brock jamming out with with loud music, Sophie dancing, and Ella doing her hair: 

Booger and Her Babies 

Like mother, like daughter:

The bittersweet moment came when all of the puppies found their new homes.  It couldn't have happened at a better time because they were beginning to eat the drywall and cabinets, and they were getting big enough to escape their outdoor kennel.  Having puppies was quite an experience and definitely one to put in the books.  It's safe to say that we will now be getting Sugar spayed.

Ella's 12th Birthday

For her birthday this year, she invited three girls over to spend the night.  They camped out in their pad with snacks and drinks and spent the evening just being girls.  

Happy Birthday, Ella Bella Boo.  We love you!

Can Someone Check the Time? Mine Says Half Past Crazy. Please Confirm.

Many things have happened over the course of the last three months.  We have since gained eight puppies, a plethora of new scents to warm our home (none of which are pleasing to the olfactory palate), a new nephew, a 15-year wedding anniversary, 13th Halloween with the kids, Sophie's 10th Birthday, fighting illnesses and hiccups, music concerts, almost entire completion of the house project, missing teeth from a couple of kids, and promises of braces in the near future.  That's just the tip of the iceberg, but I have depleted my energy sources for the evening, so that will have to suffice.  In the spirit of the holiday season, I must sing:

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

12 piles stinking

11 tears-a-streaming

10 puddles leaking

9 dogs-a-whining

8 puppies snuggling

7 curse words flying

6 biters biting

5 HEARTS GROW-ING

4 puppy pads

3 working kids

2 bowls a clanking

And an ow-wl watching it all.

About to have her puppies!  Push, Boogie, push!

Puppies in strange places:

When personal belongings are left around,

Interesting pictures can be found.

15-Year-Anniversary evening was spent hauling kids to practices.

Have to drive in style.

For our anniversary, we went to Cablea's to do a little shopping and spent the day together.  On our way back, we stopped at Track Side Grill for lunch and then to McDonald's for a baby cone.  It was a wonderful day with the hubs.

Hiccup Rag Trick

(always works!)

Hello, Elias!  Welcome to this crazy family! <3

It was beyond easy to fall in love with this guy:

Happy Place:

Lists, candles, cocoa with a peppermint twist, Christmas lights and music, and a warm fire.

Soph French braiding Ella's hair.  Turns out, she can do it better than me!

6th and 8th Grade Choir Program

Halloween 2018

Cupcakes for Sophie's Class Party

Zombie Basketball Player and Cowgirl

M&Ms

Teenager

Each year, we have to sort through the candy for drugs.  I ultimately tell the kids that the Reese's and Snickers are drugs because they should go in my pile, but they were on to my clever ways.

They gladly donated.  I am loved!

The actual "drug" candy.

Drugs

Sophie trying to contort while playing the computer:

Happy 10th Birthday to this loving, spunky, flexible, jittery, animal-loving girl!  We love you, Soph!

Urban Air with Kyn

Kynleigh was so graceful on the zip line swing.

Sophie, on the other hand, was spinning like an out-of-control dreidel.

We concluded her birthday evening with dinner at the Valentino's Vegas Buffet and then a slumber party at our house.  The girls had a blast!

Sophie helped me make her cake again this year.  Nice job, girlie!

Happy Birthday to You...

Wonderful wishes to you, sweet Sophie!