Misc. December

December Happenings...

It was an honor to go with the Firestones to remember my sweet friend, Kari. This is an annual service the local Police Department organizes to honor those lost in tragic events. Remembering Kari and being surrounded by those who were mourning felt like holy ground. I was thankful to be there and thankful that she continues to be remembered.

Shannon, Brad, Wade, & I took the three big kids to Holiday In The Park. It was a cooooold day but lots of fun. And fun being with Morgan her first time on the roller coaster. Let's just say she wasn't a fan...but super proud of her for trying. :)

AndI was a little proud of myself for trying the Titan. It is the craziest, stupidest five minutes. Seriously why did we do that to ourselves?

This picture is of Tate approximately 2.1 minutes after we got home.

Wade got to be Watch Dog at Tate's school. Probably one of Tate's most favorite days of school. :)

Thankfully when the winter storm hit, Tate had a giant Lego set to occupy his time. 

One of his favorite games.

One of the funniest nights in December was our Small Group Christmas Party. It was an "As Seen On TV gift exchange." HILARIOUS. And scary that people pay real $$$ for these things.

Big winners!

Although I will say that taking home The Clapper made my night. Went straight to the Christmas tree lights. Clap On!

When Will's school pictures came home, it about took my breath away. SOme serious cuteness going on. Freckle on the lip and everything.

The one time a year (don't judge) that I turn the kitchen into a crazy, messy baking disaster. Two dozen "Thin Mints" each for 15 different teachers between the boy's two schools. Crazytown.

And speaking of crazy...it's totally normal in homes across America for children to bathe in goggles, right?

Tate worked up some plays for the Cowboys vs. Eagles game. The team needed all the help they could get this season.

This flu doesn't keep this kid from getting his dance on.

And our attempt to do something kind of cool. Waking Tate up at 11:55 p.m. on New Year's Eve to ring in the new year. At least this year he actually woke up. :)

Christmas 2013

We had such a fun Christmas. And remembering the previous year of me being horribly sick in bed made it even better. :) I was happy to get a decent brother shot right before bed on Christmas Eve.

And then when I looked at my camera and saw this one...I had received the best Christmas gift. So sweet!

 I still LOVE nighttime pictures of Christmas trees.

And finally everyone got to bed. And thankfully everyone cooperated with the 7:00 a.m. rule even on Christmas morning.

We try to reign in the whole Christmas present thing. Our kids still get plenty, but they are still so young and really aren't asking for much. So we're trying to keep it as simple as possible...for as long as possible.

Tate's big request was the Minecraft Lego set. He was just a tad excited. :)

And Will was hilarious, as predicted. He still just didn't totally get the whole Santa, Christmas morning, present thing. He really didn't have a crazy amount of presents, but it still took us DAYS to finish opening them. He would open one present and just want to play with that. No need to open anymore in his mind!

Seriously after he saw the tractor Santa brought him, it took forever to get him to open any other presents. :) He was pretty excited!

 

Tate almost lost HIS MIND when Will didn't want to open any presents. Tate was very willing to help. :)

The bongos were super fun!

 And anything Star Wars makes this kid pretty thrilled.

Will again didn't really care about opening the "BIG present." It was way more fun hanging on Daddy. I love this picture!

 Finally he figured out the fun part of presents. :)

 Love these two!

Later in the day, we headed over to MoMere & Poppy's house for Round 2. One of the best parts of any holiday over there is getting run all over the golf course. Best place for the Stomp Rocket!

And there was cause for celebration because of more Legos

Will had a great time as well. but he was also perfectly happy doing this. :)

Cousins!

And the men on the Strzinek side of the family were looking quite dapper thanks to Tate's gifts from the Christmas Market at church.

Our attempt at a family picture.

Love this one. Will may have inherited his Daddy's musical ear. He loves the piano.

The original #strzbros!

Next up in Christmas celebration was Round 3 with the Enright side of our family. We rotate between the three homes, and this year was at our house. It felt a little bittersweet as my parents had recently announced that they were moving to Oregon. This was our last big family get-together before they moved and possibly our last Christmas together for awhile. So it was quite the Christmas gift and miracle that this picture my Dad insisted on doing with the timer actually turned out SO good!

Brad scored pretty good in the adult gift exchange. This picture cracks me up.

 Kit!!!!

 I'm a sucker for anything handmade and LOVED my new Christmas plate.

 The two big kids had to complete a word puzzle to figure out their big present. :)

And after presents, we had some true Enright craziness and fun with some "Minute To Win It" games Guys vs Girls.

 My parents were quite the troopers.

It was hilarious!!! I think in the end, the guys technically won. But the girls put up a good fight. Lots of fun!

Lots of family time all around and lots of fun celebrating!