Happy 2016

We had SO much fun on New Year's Eve celebrating with some of our favorite friends. The Cassada clan stayed 1 night. This is the kid's dinner. 

5 couples went out to dinner together. Such a treat to go out. 

These ladies are such a gift to me and I loved being with them.

After dinner we all came back to our house to ring in the New Year. It wasn't as much of as a party as I had hoped because our dinner took forever. We waited 1.5 hrs from the point of our reservation to be seated. At least we were all together so it didn't really matter. Except for all the left over desserts in my house :0

The four oldest kids, Owen is one of them, stayed up until midnight. I can't believe I have a kid this old. He actually handled himself beautifully the next day. phew!

The visit with friends went by much too quickly. 

We were all in a bit of a funk when it was back to the 6 of us.

I hope your New Year has started well.

Soggy Christmas Town

I don't recommend amusement parks on a rainy day. The kids received Busch Garden's Christmas Town tickets for Christmas. We were limited to specific days because of a promotion. The day we could make work ended up being a dreary, wet, wet day. These photos are quite comical now that our clothes have dried ;)

  They were the only ones on the rides. That was the only advantage. 

 My parents and sister's family came along. EJ didn't take the day off, but he didn't miss much.

The lights were beautiful and we had a fun dinner on the road trip home bc we couldn't stand being in the rain past 5:30. Now we can say we've been there, done that, not sure we will go back anytime soon. Summer time is way better :)

Merry Christmas

Christmas morning, checking out what Santa left them.

 Grandma's monkey bread for Christmas breakfast went a little crazy!

 A real smile... love it.

 Christmas day weather was so warm and wonderful.

The younger two and I went for a walk. They were excited to show off their new capes.

We went to my parents house for dinner and opened presents with my sister's family.

 After dinner entertainment. Dad is thrilled someone else is loving a musical instrument.

So, so much to be thankful for. Merry Christmas!

"Waiting" for Christmas

So we really only have 2 children who still like to decorate for Christmas :( 

How are they getting so old?

I remember as a child the anticipation of Christmas morning. I must say it's totally different as a parent. Ha! For one, my kids are crazy hyper (the week leading up to Christmas) and two, it's SO much work for me ;) However, this year, I had a lot more fun with my kids the week leading up to Christmas. For the first time in a long time, our family did not host a big meal for all our family. I didn't realize how much extra this added to my plate. I might not be so quick to volunteer next year ;)

EJ's mom arrived on Dec 17th and the kids' Christmas break began Dec 18th. Within 5 minutes of her arrival she was welcomed with a trombone (Owen) and harmonica (Mason) duet. The noise level didn't change much the 9 days she visited. She might have been a tad relieved to get back home ;) Her knee is healing so well and it was great to see her up and around with so much less pain.

  We did our annual tacky lights tour.

 In much milder weather than normal.

Lots of cookie baking. These 3 super heroes made a batch of sugar cookies. I made several cookie recipes all alone trying to keep germs at bay. Lots of runny noses and coughing over Christmas. I enjoy baking a whole lot more in a quiet kitchen ;)

  Avery gift wrapped herself

 We went bowling one morning. Owen beat me. yikes!

On Christmas Eve morning we went to the Bass Pro Shop as a rainy day outing and because I like their Christmas displays, I figured it Ryan and Avery could see Santa that would be a plus. Well, there was more than a 3 hr wait to sit on Santa's lap so we waved from afar and played some games instead. Nothing like shooting games on Christmas Eve. Thankfully no one was too sad not to see Santa, however Ryan later confessed he wished he could have asked Santa for a puppy. lol

They can be very loud and obnoxious and fight a lot with each other, but I truly do love having them home from school. God gave me what I needed to keep the pace and I am glad we had the opportunity to do fun things together. 

15th Anniversary

Looking back on these photos makes my heart so happy. EJ and I had the awesome privilege of escaping for a long weekend in early Dec for our anniversary. My parents held down the fort and we are forever grateful. We took a 6 am train and arrived around lunch time at Grand Central Station on Dec 11th. The weather was unseasonably warm just the way I had prayed it would be ;) We enjoyed a steady mid 50s even as the low, the difference from day high and night low eerily the same. Crazy! It certainly allowed for much pleasanter walking lots and lots of miles each day. 

It certainly felt strange to traveling without kids. We thoroughly enjoyed the freedom that allowed. Our meals were whenever and wherever we pleased and it was nice not be awakened by children in the middle of the night (which doesn't always happen but with 4, the odds are much higher) or the early morning for that matter.

The city was very crowded, partly because of the holidays and I think the warm weather increased those numbers. One of our favorite parts was just being able to hold hands. A rarity in this stage of life with a 4 and 5 year usually clamoring between us.

It's been an anniversary tradition to get a photo of us together with a tree. 

This is the lobby of our hotel, The Roosevelt. 

This is the tree at Rockefeller Center

There were Christmas decorations around every corner, so beautiful.

We saw the Broadway Musical "Matilda." It was awesome, we both enjoyed it and we got to spy on a college acquaintance who played one of the leading roles. SO funny!

We walked most of the weekend, however did take the subway to the 9-11 Memorial and then to Chelsea Market. The memorial is beautiful and amazing and sad all at the same time. It was an honor to be there in person and to pay our respects to those who lost their lives and their loved ones. The fountains are breathtaking.

Sharing a crape in Chelsea Market for a mid-afternoon snack. I am so sure ;)

EJ really wanted to go up to the top of the Empire State Bldg. We didn't, maybe next time.

We had a wonderful weekend away. It was awesome to reconnect with each other and also reminisce on all the past blessings of our 15 years. While we were there, I came to the conclusion that BIG city life isn't exactly my ideal vacation. I was happy to be by EJ's side, but the hustle and bustle drained me. I am definitely getting more introverted the older I get.