Post- Christmas blahs

Anyone else feel this way? The blah feeling when Christmas is over? It happens to me every year. It's so cold. It's so dark. It's just so.... over. But soon I'll spring back into action and work on some organization projects (don't we ALL have projects we could be working on??) around the house. January is a great month for cleansing- in so many ways!

But I wanted to keep up with the blog, even in the "blah" times. So, here are just a few pics from the past few days. I hope everyone is looking forward to a fun, safe, happy, and healthy new year.

Yep, it happens to all of us. We just want to lay around all day. You can see I made a great dent in taking down "all things Christmas". It took a few days to put it all away, but we're 99% there now. Just a few more odds and ends- by January 1st we'll be ready to clean house and get things back to "normal", whatever that is. :) 

Breaks bring about a lot of game playing at our house, which I just LOVE. Board games, card games, you name it- I love to play! Aaron challenged Allison to a game, but sadly, after 2 minutes of playing, they got on each other's nerves and quit. UGH! 

But I still love them, so we went out and ran some errands- like getting Aaron's haircut- he was overdue! Then I treated them to a yummy Italian lunch. Then we shopped with some of their gift cards and just had a nice afternoon together. 

One of my Christmas gifts- a hook for my purse! I saw this online and thought- I LOVE this! My purse is always falling off the seat, or sliding off when I brake too quickly. Simple things- but I love that people are thinking of fun inventions. I need to think of one! :)

We send each other pictures all the time. Cutie pie! 

Zoey didn't want to be the only one in the family without glasses. HA!!! 

Allison is at a movie with a friend, and the boys are at Costco. They sent me pics. :) 

I know, they are too cute! Allison has big party plans for NewYear's Eve, so me and my boys are going to try and do something fun too! I can't wait for 2018. Bring it on!! 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas 2017! It is now December 26th, and I'm taking a break from putting away all things Christmas. Some people can leave their decorations up for another week or two or three, but I'm always wanting to create a clean slate the day after. It makes me prepare mentally for the NEW YEAR!! I was still writing 2016 sometimes, so I'm not sure how long it'll take me to get my head around 2018. WOW! This post has a LOT of pictures, so get ready!

Christmas Eve was SO special! They had 4 or 5 services at church, but we went to the first "family oriented" service at 10:30 AM, where Aaron would be singing with his choir. They did a GREAT job and it was a very moving service. Scott volunteered his video talents at 2 other services and he said the 10:30 was the best one. Yeah! 

It was SO exciting to have a white Christmas! It's been a long time! I gave Aaron a quick shoveling lesson, and he took care of the little that was on our drive and sidewalk. Child labor- a good thing! 

While Dad was volunteering at church, the kids and I watched Elf. 

When he got home, we hopped in the car and drove to a lighting display. We'd been to this one before, but not in a long time. We all enjoyed the scenes and singing Christmas songs as we slowly drove through. I love this tradition! Beth- we pointed out to Allison the playground and swings where she and Katie used to play ALL THE TIME!! :)

After the drive through, we went to the neighborhood that has the house that "dances" to Christmas music. Their lights are coordinated with a station on the radio, so you sit back, tune in, and watch the lights "jump"! It's pretty cool! 

Once home, we enjoyed a chili dinner and then the kids opened their one present on Christmas Eve- always new pajamas! :) 

After putting out our cookies and milk for Santa and feeding the reindeer, Dad read them The Night Before Christmas. This was the first year they were too big to both sit on his lap, so we changed positions a bit. But I think we'll always read the book. It's 54 years old! :) I'm not sure how I got it, since it probably technically belongs to my brother, but I'm not giving it up. :) 

They only hear it once a year... and I love how they recite the end of the lines with him every time! 

I was up at about 7:00 and downstairs waiting for everyone to wake up!  When I was little, I think we had a rule that you had to wait until 7:00 to wake up Mom and Dad. It wasn't until 8:15 that Allison woke up and wanted to come downstairs. But we had to wait on Dad and Aaron. 

Finally, Aaron was ready. He kinda fell down the stairs a little and was not that enthusiastic at all. He said he felt dizzy. We ignored him and went about our morning. 

They opened gifts from Santa first.... this would be Allison's favorite gift of the day. She loves it! 

This would be Aaron's favorite gift... he's pretty easy to please! 

All of his gifts were wrapped in pandas and hers in snowflakes. So when they got to this gift, they knew it was one they had to share. :) 

I have no idea what's happening here. But I thought it was pretty cute! 

A collection of new Lokai bracelets. SO pretty! 

Everyone needs a pair of hedgehog mittens, right? She'd rather have the real thing, but for now, this will have to do. They are SO cute! 

Aunt Sheila knows how to shop! She gave her the cutest jewelry holder made of marble. Allison LOVES all things marble! 

And Aaron requested the newest Jeff Probst book. He's read the other two and he's a HUGE Survivor fan! Thanks, Aunt Sheila! 

After opening presents, he headed to the couch and complained about being hot, then cold. Took his temp and it was 100. No wonder he complained of being dizzy and almost fell down the stairs. Poor kid! 

Did I mention that several months ago Scott treated himself to a new camera and said to call it his Christmas gift? Yep- that was a wise purchase. I LOVE the pictures it can capture! 

This was him for most of the afternoon. 

Meanwhile, Allison got right to it- learning chords on her ukulele. And playing them for her friend through facetime.  

She also seemed to enjoy one of her gifts... there were 4 gone by the end of the day! This girl likes her some fancy chocolates! 

Zoey had a good Christmas too! She enjoyed going to the lighting show with us, and she LOVED what Santa brought her in her stocking- new blue tennis balls (she ditched the old yellow ones and kept bringing us her new ones!), and a couple of new treats. Her 7th birthday is on the 28th- I might make her a peanut butter sandwich- she LOVES peanut butter! :) 

One of the cutest pictures came to me via text, from my niece. Baby Branson looks to be enjoying his first Christmas. My goodness, this kid is the CUTEST!!!! 

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!!

Yep! This is what I opened the door to yesterday. I heard it was possible for us to get snow in the next few days, but I didn't really give it a second thought- didn't want to get my hopes up- so when I opened the door to let Zoey out, I was totally surprised and excited! In a neighborhood of very mature trees, it's like a winter wonderland out there. I just love driving around after it's snowed! 

When I took Aaron to choir rehearsal, the church looked really pretty too, so I snapped a couple of pictures. 

Most people enjoy walking their dogs in spring and summer. I'd rather take walks in fall and winter. It was SO pretty out with the snow and the sunshine. Zoey and I really enjoyed ourselves! 

Pretty, right? 

I've spent the last two days making goodies for us to deliver this weekend. I made super easy stuff, and it was a lot of fun! 

These no-bakes are one of Scott's favorites. 

These are a Mrs. Field's recipe. They never disappoint. I also made peanut clusters and the Ritz/peanut butter/white chocolate yummies- I'd never made them before. Basically, I copied what Joanna Gaines made this year, according to her IG page- and really, you can't go wrong if you copy Joanna, right???? :) 

My favorite funny of the week. I sent it to my niece, who is home, probably awake right now, with a newborn. :) I'm sure she wouldn't describe it as funny. :) 

This morning we're headed to church to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Best birthday EVER!! We have several services today, but the first one is designed for families, so that's the one we'll attend (and the one where Aaron's choir will perform- yeah!)  Sadly, my dad's condition is causing him to remain in KC for the weekend (but he'll be fine, no worries!), so it'll be a quiet little Christmas at our house this year. Boo Hoo! 

Have a merry Christmas Eve!! 

Pre-Christmas "stuff"

I wish I had a catchier title, but it's been, um, an "interesting" week, and I don't really have a good phrase for it. SO, I'll just catch you up on what's been going on around our place the past few days. How's that? :)

Sadly, this has been the main event this week- Allison home sick with a cough and fever. ICK! She missed out on some fun stuff at school, an in-gym meet, and a get together with a friend. She's not sick very often, and usually it passes quickly, so we're hoping she'll feel 100% by Christmas! 

Zoey stuck close by her as she slept and slept and slept.

Dogs just know when we don't feel well, don't they? 

Meanwhile, Aaron felt fine (hope it stays that way!), so we headed out to see the movie Wonder. He and Allison (and I), had all read the book, so we looked forward to the movie- and it did not disappoint. We both enjoyed it very much! 

Yesterday was Aaron's final "Christmas party" at school. Ah, 5th grade. It's bittersweet! I planned on just attending, but when I told someone I'd tried to sign up to help but the spaces were full, I got roped into leading an activity with the kids. Which ended up being super fun! They used yarn to try and make a snowflake. It was interesting to see how each group tackled the challenge.

Aaron's class was full of some very "spirited" young boys. Ha! This was at the end, obviously, when they decided to get tangled up in their snowflake. Good times! 

One afternoon, Aaron had choir rehearsal. We have several services on Christmas Eve, but one is designed for family, and there will be a short performance by the youth. This picture doesn't do it justice- the church looked SO magical! I ducked out for most of it because I want to be surprised by it on Sunday. 

After rehearsal, we headed over to Liam's house, where we were having a final goodbye get together for his buddy Quintin, who was going to be moving away in July but ended up staying quite a bit longer (yeah for us!). We know they are headed closer to family, so we're happy for them, but it's also sad when friends move away. :( 

Liam's mom is quite the planner- she had these doughnuts ready for them to take with them on the road the next day. So sweet! 

We were late getting a birthday present to Quintin, so we brought it along. Needless to say, he was thrilled with the road atlas Aaron chose for him. Too funny! 

The boys enjoyed hanging out all evening, and the adults.... we shared stories and laughed until we cried (okay, I cried). It was such a fun night! 

I stole some ideas from Joanna Gaines' instagram and had some fun baking. More of it to come today- last night was just a "test drive", and all samples got the approval of my gang.

You can't miss with THESE ingredients. My pants are tight. UGH! 

Aaron's teacher posted a couple of cute pictures from the week. The kids completed a couple of service projects- so these fun bags and the snowman from the next picture will go to some people in the community to bring cheer. 

Cute little snowmen!!! 

The kids had a 1/2 day of school on Thursday, and now they are out until the 4th. Yahoo! Aaron and one of his buddies had a gift exchange, and Aaron came home with a fun project where you chip away at a big block until you discover a gem inside. This kept him busy for a good hour yesterday! 

And Allison, who felt well enough to go back to school, spent her afternoon checking in with friends and watching re-runs of Fuller House.           

Zoey? She just chilled. 

And chilled some more! 

NOTES:

If you're inclined to pray- we could use some for a couple of people. My mother-in-law recently fell and broke her hip, and we'd love to have some prayers said for her to have a speedy recovery from surgery.

And my dad, who has had several episodes with kidney stones, recently had a surgery to try and prevent them from coming back. So please pray that he's feeling better soon and can still make it to STL for Christmas! And pray for my mom too, cause she'll have to do the driving- and she likes to drive long distances about as much I do. Yikes!