New Year's Eve....2012

Tonight we took the kids to Tokyo Hayaci...it's become our New Year's Eve tradition to eat Habachi, with or without kids!

We came home, built a fire, played games and played on the Wii.  The kids didn't make it past 9:30...they were exhausted from having so many sleepovers together this break!

I can't believe it's almost 2013.  I remember when the year 2000 seemed so far off!  Time flies, especially once you have kids and you see them grow so fast.  I love my little family and I'm so thankful for all that I have!  I always get a little sad on New Year's Eve, because it's like saying goodbye to a phase in our lives (yes, I'm too sentimental)!  We've had a lot going on this year....we had new windows put on the house (expensive!), Madison turned 8, Michael and I finally entered the iPhone world, the kids started gymnastics and love it, we made the decision to hold Nathan back in kindergarten (which has been a wonderful decision), we went to Pensacola for our beach trip, Nathan turned 5, we went beyond our comfort zone and found a new church for our family, I had a hysterectomy finally (which has helped me feel SO much better), Michael and I celebrated our 10th anniversary, we finally paid off our credit card debt, and Madison wrote a story which has made it to the state level.  This year has been challenging with a lot of hard decisions, but wonderful...and God got us through it all.  I can look back on 2012 with fond memories, but I know there is a lot more in store for us in 2013 though!

Sweet girl...

I found Madison in her room like this....reading her new Bible.  I just love her love for God!

Snow fun!

The snow was still outside when we woke up this morning, so we got bundled up and played outside for a little bit!  These kids are spoiled with snow...Michael and I grew up with ice, at most!

Madison's teacher last year had told them to put syrup in snow to make a homemade snow cone.   Well, we never got any snow last year, so she's been DYING to try it out ever since.  I told her that she probably meant the kind of syrup used in snow cones, but Madison was adamant that she meant pancake syrup.  So we tried it!  She was beyond excited.

Madison loved it.  Nathan took one bite and didn't want any more.  It looked pretty gross because it clumped together, but hey, at least we finally got to try it!

Still wondering what the fascination with eating the snow is....they love it!

Such fun times!  I'm excited we at least got this snow...I'm happy for this season!

Christmas day...

After opening presents at home, we got ready and headed over to Nana and Papa's.  Chance is 3 1/2 now, and Nathan has so much fun with him!

These kids are getting way too big...sigh...

They had to go around the house with clues to find their last present...a climbing dome!  They will love this once it's put together and out in our backyard!!!

Playing Pop the Pig...

At lunch, Michael had glanced out the back window, and noticed it was SNOWING.  On Christmas day.  Snow!  How much more perfect can it get?  Christmas music playing, a fire going, family opening presents  by the Christmas tree, and beautiful snow outside.  It was amazing.

The kids were dying to play in it all day, but we didn't go to Nana and Papa's prepared for snow (we weren't really believing the weather people!), so they didn't have the right clothes/hats/etc.  When we got home, they got dressed and snuck in a few minutes of playing in the snow before bedtime.

We had an amazing Christmas.  I'm blessed.  Really and truly blessed.  We have so much to be thankful for, and it's at times like today when I really step back and think of all God has done for our family.  I know it's easy to have gifts be the focus of Christmas, but with each passing year, I pray that we are able to teach the kids that it's all about Jesus....and His precious gift to us.

Clover...

One of the most exciting things during this month is seeing where Clover hides every morning!  This crazy elf has made us laugh a lot.  The kids even got a note from him this morning.

Here's all the crazy places he hid...

The kids are very sad to see him go back to the North Pole, but are very excited that he'll be back next year!  We sure do love Clover!