Getting ready for Christmas

Christmas is my favorite time of year. The music, the decorations, the parties, the family, the friends, selecting that "perfect" present, Christmas movies, and the "magical" wonder that my kids still hold as they both celebrate the fact that Jesus came to earth in the form of a man, and the possibility that something big and magical can be hoped for.

The kids still have faith.  They believe in the birth of Jesus and get excited to celebrate His birth.

They also believe in Santa, reindeer, elves (specifically Rudy), though Porter is becoming skeptical...

Nonetheless, Rudy returned on December 1st.

Emma Rose said, "Rudy HAS to be real because mom would NEVER let us eat donuts for breakfast..."

Emma Rose has been busy "making" Christmas gifts for the family almost every day after school.  But she got her inspiration, I believe, when Grandma took us to "Canvas N Cocktails" to creat a Christmas picture - of course, Emma Rose marched to the beat of her own creative drum...

The kids and I have been busy wrapping presents, making cookies, and the kids did an AWESOME job making their own gingerbread house, tout seul!

Corey and I attended our awesome, annual neighborhood Ugly Christmas Sweater party.  I was "Naughty" most of the night... Corey was petted...

Rudy has been up to no good, and the kids relish in finding him up to shenanigans each day.

Here are some of his 2018 tricks:

We've had fun looking at lights as well - especially this year's display at WaterWorld!!!

And my favorite picture of the month - Porter and Duke snuggling while The Santa Claus plays...

Merry Christmas!

It's Fall, Y'all!

Fall means soccer, football, trick-or-treating, and Bronco sunrises.

Despite the Indian Summer weather, we did have exceptionally early snow, much to the delight of the kids!

And that afternon, Corey and I got to attend the coldest Bronco's game of the season.

The Cowlitz pendleton blanket kept us warm...

The kids wrapped up another fall season of soccer, Emma Rose playing up on a U8 team called the Hot Shots.

Porter really improved on his competitive team this year. Here's a little highlight from #20 himself:

Our church put on a phenomenal Fall festival, and while I barely saw Porter, who dashed off to play games, drink hot cocoa, and pumpkin-chuck with his buddies, Emma Rose and her dear friend, Payton, had a blast, riding horses, petting animals, and climbing a rock wall.

And Halloween brought pumpkin carving and fun.

Halloween was fun this year.  Corey and I went as Nemo and Darla.

Porter was a soccer goalie, and Emma Rose went as Wonder Woman.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Back to school, but so much good

I cry every year school starts again.  Not because I'm back to work (well, not entirely...), but because my precious time with Porter and Emma Rose comes to an end.

The last few days of summer included a trip to a students' ranch, where Emma Rose, in heaven, put her "horse whisperer" skills to use.

Porter was proud to take 2nd place at the final tournament of the summer with his team at the Broomfield Shootout.

 ... and he learned (proudly) to mow the lawn.  He loves it!

Emma Rose continued to cruise around the neighborhood and find friends to follow suit.

Duke soaked up the last few days of summer as well...

The last day of summer, the kids and I headed to the library and out to eat at their favorite restaurant.

They headed back to school on August 16th, Emma Rose starting 2nd, and Porter starting 4th grade at Lincoln Academy.

A few days later, Emma Rose was baptized!

 Over Labor Day, we went to an Air Force Academy game with Grandma & Grandpa.

And now that we're back in the full swing of routine, I'll relish in the little snuggles and kind words and precious moments with the family.