A Special Surprise and A Snow Day!

Each year, our Elf Rudy, visits during the month of December.   He checks up on us and reports back to Santa if we are being naughty or nice.   Let's just say that Rudy had his share of naughty this year, pulling a few pranks and going through more than one bag of marshmallows.   But regardless, he's a treasured friends and the kids are always sad to see him go back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.  So, imagine their delight when they woke up Christmas morning and found Rudy still in the house.  He had written a small note telling us to check our email.   There we found a letter explaining that for his own Christmas gift, Rudy had asked Santa to lift his magic for one day.   During Christmas Day the kids were free to hold Rudy (which is usually a no-no), hug him and say their goodbyes.   This made for two very happy kiddos!

 

 McKenna was a little leery at first.   She was definitely afraid that touching Rudy would cause him to lose his magic.  But we finally convinced her that it would be fine.   So, she had her time saying her goodbyes and thank you's until next year.

 As an added surprise we got snow this week!    What more could a kid ask for than two snow storms the week of Christmas break!   As soon as the grass was covered on Wednesday they headed out with their friends!

 It's still not clear if it was the kids or the dog who was more excited about the fluffy white stuff.  Tucker has always loved the snow.   Even his old age doesn't stop his excitement.

 And Kinley continue to earn the award for best sport ever.   This cutie braved the cold temperatures on Wednesday evening and again on Friday.  I'm not sure she could move to protest but the fact that I literally had to drag her inside kicking and screaming is a good indication that she was more than enjoying herself.

 I had half a heart attack when Earl began sending her down our small hill by herself.  But I was in the minority as she laughed the entire way down.   When Earl would walk away and I would try to bring Kinley in she would emphatically say, "No.  Daddy.  Down."  Okay, got it. 

And so they made a few more trips and we all had a few more laughs.

What a wonderful week we have had.  We have certainly made a ton of precious memories.  

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Christmas 2012

Well, we made it.  Through all the preparation of our homes and our hearts - we made it to Christmas again this year.   It was everything that on imagines Christmas should be and to be honest, at some moments I felt a little guilty.   We are so completely and unbelievably blessed with family and friends and many other luxuries too numerous to mention.   

Our Christmas was very quiet and laid back this year.   After spending Christmas Eve at Mimi and Pappy's we came home early and started our preparations for Christmas Day.    I'm including a picture of our tree in this post because I consider it our small Christmas miracle that it was still standing Christmas Eve.  One look at the pile of ornaments taking refuge on my kitchen window sill would tell you a lot about the state of our tree this year.

 

 Let's just say that we made a strong effort to keep the breakable ornaments up higher than a certain little girl could reach....but it didn't always translate into success. 

 

 McKenna and Cooper made sure to get Santa's plate ready.  They were very generous with the cookies for Santa and the oatmeal for the reindeer.

For once it didn't take much convincing to get the kids to bed.  They were exhausted from their day at Mimi and Pappy's and excited for Santa's arrival.  Apparently McKenna was not tired enough though because she was waking me at 5:50 asking if we could open presents.   Um....no.   Since she was the only one up I made her go back to her room for at least another 1/2 hour.   She will gladly tell you that she gave us an extra ten minutes on top of that.   Again, Christmas miracle.    Since Kinley has recently embraced the concept of sleep, we decided to let her do just that while McKenna and Cooper opened their presents.

 

 There was a definite theme associated with our Christmas this year.  Let's see if you can figure it out.

 McKenna was over the moon excited to get an ipod touch.   She was really hoping Santa would grant her that wish.  Good thing he came through.

 And this picture pretty much says it all.  Cooper loves his Lego's!   If you're counting we are up to two HUGE Lego sets.    I'll spare you the pictures of the other 4 large boxes of Lego's and the 4 small boxes too.   Suffice to say we have a fairly complete city!   We have such a fun time building them together that it's all worth it.

 

 Kinley's timing was nearly perfect.  She woke up just as the big kids were finishing up.  And she was in a wonderful mood.   She had some present opening practice in the days leading up to Christmas so she didn't need much help.  

 Her reaction when she opened her very own "baby doll" was priceless.  She was all smiles and showed her off to everyone.

 Earl and I exchanged presents - jewelry for me and golf stuff for him.  

 I think for a minute that he really thought I only go him a cover.   Silly, the club is hidden in a special place!

 We shared breakfast and a few more presents with Mimi, Pappy, Shane and Jeri before enjoying a pj day, lots of box opening, video games, an afternoon nap and generally wonderful time together.     

Merry Christmas from my biggest blessings!

Pre Christmas 2012

Consider this your warning - there are many, many pictures in this post and likely very little commentary.    With that being said....here we go!

Our usual Christmas routine was changed up a little bit this year for a variety of reasons.   We made sure that it didn't mean that we missed sharing time with family though!    Since we weren't going to see Nicole and Jon the day after Christmas, we stopped by to visit with them last Saturday afternoon.   There were some presents to be exchanged, along with some laughs and hugs too!

 

 Mom-mom will be so proud that we actually thought to get a picture of all of us together.  It only took us about 5 attempts.  And I promise that we didn't photoshop McKenna in the back.  She just was hiding back there.

 Later in the afternoon we headed up to Aunt Mary's to celebrate our Christmas with the Richard side of the family.  There were 26 of us and Aunt Mary was all ready the party.   We shared a yummy meal coordinated by "the kids" and exchanged presents with the little kids.  

 Kinley was cheesin' it up.

 The great grandkids (minus Morgan).  Where the heck is she???  Well, we will try again next year!

 Kyle and Cady.   They always look so cute together even though Kyle doesn't like to have his picture taken.

 On Christmas Eve we headed to Mimi and Pappy's for a very delicious meal made by Chef Pappy!

 These three are a bit crazy!   Can't you tell!

 Mom-mom and Pappy joined us and we exchanged presents with them.  Kyle and Cady made us these personalized crocks.  They are so cute!

 But Mimi and Pappy won McKenna over with a hand made American doll bunk bed with custom made quilts and pillows.  I think you can tell by McKenna's reaction that she was very surprised.

 Cooper's favorite present from Mimi and Pappy was his Hess truck.    My Mimi and Pappy Richard used to buy these for the boys every year.   Wonder what they would think if they knew this year's "Hess Truck" was actually a helicopter!

 A few of the best women in my life.

 And a pretty special guy, too.

Before we knew it, snow had started to fall.  We rushed through dinner and then snapped a few pictures before sending Mom-mom and Pappy back to Lewistown.

One last picture from Christmas 2012 because it's the only one we have of the 5 of us together.

We had a wonderful few days leading up to Christmas.  We are so blessed to have some of our family close enough that we can visit.   We talked to Grammy Musial on Christmas Eve.  She was lucky enough to have off work and was spending some time with Loretta and the kids.    The kids didn't know it yet, but Grammy Musial's annual Christmas box had already been delivered to our front porch.  

A Few of My Favorite Things

It does not take the events of this past week in Connecticut to make me stop and count my blessings.   I've been around enough bad things in my nursing career to make me realize how very lucky I am.  But when something so out of the blue bad happens in a place that is supposed to be safe, like a school, you can't help but take stock again.  And again, and again.

 

I am happy to say that today is the first day since last Friday that I have not shed tears over a news story, youtube video or article on Facebook.    I cannot say that I'm particularly fearful for the safety of the kids while they are at school.   Though I am so appreciative of everything our school district has done to reach out to parents nearly every single day since Friday.  But I have found that I am much more anxious about nearly every other aspect of their safety.   Last evening at McDonald's I lost sight of Cooper for 1.5 seconds and was on the verge of panic.    I see Kinley with a small Lego and I am on her in a second, sure she's going to put it in her mouth and choke.    I'm pretty sure that my already anxious personality did not need anything else to worry about.   The sad reality is that this IS our new reality. 

 

If anything positive can come from such a tragic event I hope it is that all of us continue to draw close to those important to us.   I know that we have spent a lot more time just being together and pausing to appreciate little laughs and what we would otherwise think of as average moments.   I had to snap this picture tonight.   Admittedly, my first thought was to tell all three kids to move back from the TV.  But something stopped me short and made me take notice to the sweet scene of them lined up together, singing the theme song to a favorite show.   

I spend all my waking moments and sometimes give up some precious sleep figuring out ways to keep my kids safe.  But the truth is that none of us are promised tomorrow.   So I will continue to hug my kids extra tight and pray for those who's arms are empty, look to see beauty in the ordinary moments and squeeze all I can out of this blessed life.

We are in full Christmas mode around our house tonight.  Tomorrow I have the priveledge of spending the day in McKenna's classroom.  We have a full day planned that includes making Christmas ornaments, decorating cookies, playing a few fun games and watching the Polar Express.    Did I mention that I have to dash to Selinsgrove over their lunch period to get my haircut?  Nothing like packing something into every minute!

Saturday we will head to Lewistown for Christmas at Aunt Mary's with the Richard side of the family.   We are expecting a quiet Sunday before we gear up for Christmas Eve at Mimi and Pappy's.  Our Christmas traditions are shaping up a bit differently this year but we are looking forward to the time spent with family and friends.   I'm sure there will be plenty of pictures to share in the days to come and I'll be excited to share them. 

Cooper's Theatrical Debut

Friday was a special morning as we traveled to Cooper's school for the Family Christmas Celebration.  We were treated to many activities but our most favorite was watching as Cooper played the part of Joseph in the class program.   It was kind of fun that one of his oldest school friends played the part of Mary.  

 

 This picture of cracks me up.  For some reason I have a hard time conjuring up a picture of Mary with her arm draped around Joseph's neck.  Until now, that is! 

 I'm fairly certain that Kinley had the time of her life.   She is always wanting to stay and play when we drop Cooper off at school.  Friday she finally got her chance.  Her first love was the gingerbread house.   Cooper had fun reading The Gingerbread Man to her while they sat in the house.

 Daddy was on vacation this week so he was along too! 

We played games and did crafts, had a story and sang songs too.   It was a really wonderful day and I feel blessed to have shared in it with Cooper.  This is his fifth and final Christmas at CDC and it was nice to celebrate with his friends and teachers.

After much thought, discussion, and prayer we officially put Kinley on the Crossroads waiting list for next year.  She will be two years old, Cooper will be in kindergarten and we feel like she will be craving time with other kids.   So, with any luck she will be attending two mornings a week, freeing up me to put in a little more time at the hospital or the school.  It was nice to see her having so much fun on Friday - hopefully it stays that way!  

McKenna, You're 9 Years Old!

Dear McKenna,  today you are nine years old.   It's been an exciting year, watching you grow in so many ways.  You are becoming such a beautiful young lady both inside and out.

You are enjoying third grade, spanish classes, field hockey, Sunday school, and time with your friends and family.   Even though you are nine and the big girl of the family, you don't hesistate to play with your brother or sister.    You love your American Girl dolls, computer games and crafts.    

 

 You began your birthday celebration way back in October with a trip to New York City.  On your real birthday we continued the celebrating by taking a special treat to school.

When you arrived home from school, Mimi and Pappy and Mom Mom and Pappy were here to visit.  We opened presents from both and shared a cupcake together.  For dinner we had your favorite - fettucine alfredo!

 

We had initially given you the choice between a party with your friends or the NYC trip.  You picked the trip.  But I couldn't let your birthday pass without having a little party.   Friday afternoon Daddy took you to Barnes and Noble for a book and a Starbucks hot chocolate.  Meanwhile, Cooper and I were at home furiously setting things up for a surprise birthday party.  Needless to say....you were surprised!

 

Daddy and I hope you had a wonderful 9th birthday.  We are proud to be your parents and though we hate that you are growing up, we can't wait to see what the next 9 years hold for you.   We love you!  Happy Birthday!