We had a great low key and relaxing Christmas. As usual the kids (and us) got completely spoiled. I had a check list about a mile long to do with the kids that month and we managed to get it all done. We did our traditional Christmas light scavenger hunt with hot coco, saw Santa, went to a really cool Christmas light display in Cottage Grove, Christmas cookies for Santa, Christmas books all month long, getting to open a few presents before Christmas, teaching and showing the kids about giving/donating, among many other things I can't remember right now. Then we brought in the New Year the best way I could possibly imagine, with family!!!!! My parents, brother and his girlfriend, and us all got together for dinner and laughs and just hung out. It made my heart so happy that the most important people in my life all got together on a really cool night just to be together.
Austyn finished up her basketball season and enjoyed her first year. She improved so much it blew my mind. She is looking forward to softball next. We had our first parent teacher conferences in the beginning of December and she is doing amazing. She is a very quick learner and her teacher said her retention level is extremely good for her age. She loves to read and also her kindness continues to shine through in everything she does. She is such an amazing girl. And another big event for her is her new BRACES. She has a pretty extreme cross bite and is having that corrected for the next 8 months. She was and still is so excited to have braces.
Quade did great in his basketball too. But as usual he was able to practice with Austyn and learned more practicing with her than at his actual team practices. He is going to be a super star when he gets older. Im still being amazed daily at his behavior in school. He apparently is the star student in his class. The one that the teacher points out as an example of how to act to other kids. Can you believe that? Quade of all kids?? Hey, I'll take it. I'd rather him be a crazy kid for me and act like that for everyone else. He is so into LEGOs and anything that requires thought and being built. He is such an amazing kid.
Jordan has begun training for the Seattle Stairclimb that is in March. And along with that is participating in the Firefighter Fitness Challenge again. He is enjoying his "spare" time and filling it with projects. So really there is NEVER any "spare" time. He did hear that possibly in December of this year he will be up for promotion. I know that seems like a long time off, but his promotional list expires in two years. So as long as he promotes before two years, he doesn't care. And of course it could be sooner. People may randomly retire at anytime (cross our fingers for sooner).
I am also participating in the fitness challenge. I'm on a team with 4 super cool gals. I've already lost 10 pounds and I'm on week two. I'm very shocked with how fast I lost those 10 pounds. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up a slower, but steady weight loss as the challenge continues. I was really glad I was able to co coach Austyn's basketball team this last season. And look forward to helping on her softball team this spring.
Our perfect little family
We took the kids ice skating (another one of my
check list items for the month)
Christmas tree hunting.
Now, how are we going to rearrange the furniture
to fit this tree in here?
Let the decorating begin! It was Quades turn this year to put the star
on.
My Mom took us to see the Nutcracker. It was
fantastic. Austyn absolutely loved it.
Austyn loved getting all fancy for the play
4 Generations!!!
The whole Nutcracker gang
Jordan had been saying for months that when
he was done with his testing he was going to
shave his head. I kept telling him "NO". And reminding
him how retarded he looked last time he did it. But he
convinced poor little Quade to do it too. Ugh, they look
terrible.
I left to go pick Austyn up from school while Jordan was working
on the dog house and I came back to find Quade like this. Napping
in the garage with music playing in the headphones, laying in front of the heater
Here is my beautiful girl before her braces
During... I couldn't pass up this opportunity
And after.
And of course the best for last. My sweet LITTLE puppy. She is just now 6 months old and probably somewhere around 110 pounds. Still sweet as can be and has the misconception that she is still a tiny
puppy. If she had it her way, she would be a full time lap dog. She is up to 7-9 cups of food a day now. Jordan was amazing and revamped our underground fence right after his test was done. But something is fouled up with the base unit. It still works fine, it just has a constant beep. So I haven't gotten her trained on it yet. We have been leaving her out every time we leave for about 3 weeks now and she hasn't wondered anywhere. She doesn't exactly have the get up and go, to go too far. I'm starting her in a class this weekend basically for the socialization part. Her size is so deceiving to me. I feel like she is a full grown dog, but I have to remember she is still just a puppy. My one issue with this dog is that she poops on the gravel under our back patio. If ya got any stellar ideas, send them my way!
I sure hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and New Years!!!! I know we did. And as usual my New Years Resolutions are the same as always:
1. Be the best wife, mom, and person I can be
2. Focus on being healthy for myself and my family
3. Continue to know how blessed I am in every aspect of my life
HAPPY 2018!!!!!!
