New Year's Eve!

Originally, we had reservations for dinner tonight at Silver Fox, but none of us were really in the mood for it, so we didn't want to waste the money!  We ended up going to Cotton Patch Cafe, which made me laugh but totally hit the spot for all of us.  We came home and filled out our Year in Reviews, and had a good time comparing last year's to this year's and discussing all of our goals, etc.  We watched our home videos for this year, decorated rice krispie treats, watched another home video from 2009, and played Mario Party together!  I love our New Year's Eve nights together, and I'm so afraid they are coming to an end (as we know it) with Madison about to drive in a year.  I'm enjoying them while they last though!

Madison has always been a little more of a deep thinker than Nathan, but at least he agreed to fill this out!  I like our tradition of doing these each year and looking back on them to see what we've accomplished!

This year was a big year of change for us!  It started off in January when we joined a new church.  We jumped right in and participated in LTC, which helped make the transition easier.  We bought new  living room furniture, new kitchen floors, Madison turned 14 in March, and we got to see Traci and the kids for a few days over spring break!  I started subbing at the church preschool, which quickly led to a job teaching the 3's this school year!  We had two vacations this summer - Pensacola Beach and our cruise with Grandma and Grandpa.  Nathan turned 11 in July.  Madison started high school and marching band, while Nathan left elementary and started intermediate school!  Michael and I celebrated our 16th anniversary in September.  Michael got a new car (that's almost a yearly occurrence in our home!), and Madison finally got her new clarinet after months and months of searching for the perfect one.  We had a great year with a lot of fun and laughter together, good health, financial stability, and we all supported each other through this year of change!  Praying 2019 is as wonderful as 2018 was for us....can't wait to see what is in store for our family.  Happy New Year!

First trip to the gun range!

Nathan has been dying to shoot his new rifle ever since he got it before Christmas.  Today Nathan, Grandpa and Dad went to the gun range for some male bonding time!  Nathan had an absolute blast, and LOVES shooting guns.  He did really well, and learned a lot about loading, scopes, and definitely the safety of guns!  He told Michael several times today that he had a lot of fun, and he's already asking when their next outing can be.  My little guy is growing up!

Clover...

Our little Clover is gone for another year.  I think he's getting too grown up as well, because there were a few times he didn't leave our house for the North Pole.  I guess age makes you tired!  We'll see what next year brings with our little elf friend!

Rest up, Clover!  We'll miss you!

Christmas!

It snuck up so fast....it's Christmas already!  Nathan begged to get up super early, but we told him he had to wait until 8:00.  So, at 7:57, he was in our room jumping up and down trying to get us out of bed!  Madison is full on teenager mode with her sleeping...she could've slept until 11:00 today and been fine!  But, her brother would have none of that.  I enjoyed seeing the kids open their gifts so much that I didn't even get one picture.  That's big for me!

We got ready and headed over to Nana and Papa's house for lunch and gifts!  Chance brought over his laser tag set, and the kids had fun playing together upstairs afterwards!

I can't believe Christmas is all over.  It went by so fast.  But, it was a good Christmas filled with lots of good food, family, and laughter!  We ended the day by reading Jesus' birth in Luke, and reading all of our good deeds from our Jesus bag this month.  Christmas isn't about the gifts, it's about being with family and showing His love to others.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve!

Today, we met Gaga at her church for a candlelight Christmas Eve service, and then went over to her house for dinner and presents!  We played Christmas games, listened to Madison play her NEW clarinet, ate dessert and more dessert, and just had fun.  The kids were having so much fun, they even turned down the Acadia Christmas Express this year.  Sniff, sniff, they are getting too old.  But it was a great night and we all had lots of fun!

Nathan had to work for his gift....wrapped in layers upon layers of foil!  And Madison's favorite gift of all was her new Bible!

We headed home and opened a present each. We told the kids they could stay up, but they had to watch It's a Wonderful Life with us.  They chose to go to bed!  Maybe they were more worn out than I thought, or they just pre-judged a black and white movie and thought bed looked better!  We'll see if Santa comes in the morning!

1st Christmas celebration...

Grandma and Grandpa came over to celebrate Christmas tonight.

Grandpa had a surprise for Nathan.  He was waiting until he passed away to hand off his guns, but decided not to wait so Nathan could enjoy it now!  He gave Nathan a really nice .22 rifle.  He was excited, and can't wait to go shooting with Daddy at the gun range!

I can't believe Christmas is already here....this month has flown by so fast!

Sleepover fun...

Madison invited Maddie over to spend the night since it had been a while, and they had a lot of fun together.  Their main form of entertainment was taking pictures of themselves!  They went to the park and took a million pictures, only two of which I'm posting!  I love seeing Madison's friendships continue through the years though.  Sweet friends!

Pictures....

I was really close to forgetting about doing Christmas card pictures this year, but decided to go ahead and do them.  THIS is why I dread the process...

And finally, by some miracle....I got one.  It was funny because a lady at the park saw us taking pictures, and said, "Oh, it doesn't get any better the older they get?"  NOPE!  They can be annoyingly goofy, but I sure love these kids!