Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Nate's Surprise Birthday

Having a birthday near Christmas has it's share of challenges. We try really hard to make Nate's birthday separate from Christmas, but given that the big day is only 5 days away from the day he was born, it gets...well...challenging. This year, we decided to do something a little different for his birthday, something we knew he would love. We started telling him about a month ago that it was going to be a surprise birthday for him. That he wouldn't find out what we were doing until his actual birthday. He was excited but also anxious, especially not knowing if his friends were involved (birthday parties this time of year are very hard to plan!). 

We told him that on December 15th, he would start getting a clue a day. But they were not really designed for him to be able to guess what we were doing. 

The morning of his birthday - the last day of school before winter break. 

He was THRILLED with this Lego set sent by our dear friends, the Pooleys.

After school, we picked him up and told him we were going to Nashville. He was excited, but was also bummed to be in the car for so long on his birthday. We told him it would be worth it!

And here's where I insert a big Mom fail. I didn't even get a picture of the big surprise! Nate loves his cousins Noah and Gavin (Levi too, he's just not old enough to play Legos yet:)). So we conspired with Scott's parents to bring Noah & Gavin to meet us at a hotel in Nashville for the weekend.

He was so surprised when they knocked on our hotel door. He couldn't even speak for a minute. I'd say it was a success!

So we spent the weekend, dressing up...

Swimming...

(Sun Bathing)

Building Legos...

Seeing Frozen...again for Nate and the first time for Noah & Gavin. They all loved it!

Building more Legos...we got him the Delorian from Back to the Future. How cool!

Eating at his all time favorite restaurant...the Spaghetti Factory.

(Classic Nate look)

And eating blue Batman cake.

It seems like his cake is blue every year. I asked him last night if we could steer clear of the blue icing next year. He laughed and told me he would see what he could do:)

We had a wonderful weekend and are so thankful for Mimi & Paka for making the trip and to Amanda & David for sharing their boys with us.

Nate was sad pretty much all day yesterday because he didn't want to leave Noah & Gavin. We are so thankful he loves them so much and most thankful that we can say we'll see them next week!

8 Years

To My Darling Nathaniel Corse Boyle,

You are 8 years old today. 8 years sounds like a very long time to me. Yet, it seems like we just brought you home from the hospital. Not really, but in my sentimental mother's mind, you will always be that Christmas baby.

You are a big 2nd grader, finishing up your first semester at MRH Elementary School today. Dad & I have used the word rockstar many times these past few months, as you continue to marvel us with your academic accomplishments. Some tasks come easy to you and others don't, but you press on and find happiness in learning.

You do very well with the social aspect at school too. And I know why. You always seek to help people be included and never shy away from someone that wants to be your friend. I've watched you befriend people that I didn't think you needed in your circle. You knew they needed your friendship and didn't walk away when forming that bond was difficult at times. Your strength in this area amazes me and you have not once come home and said you didn't like someone at school, even when I thought you should have. We could all take a lesson from you.

You love your sister fiercely. Even though she bugs the tar out of you. I tell you that this is a little sister's job. Truth be told, you are nicer to her than she is to you, most of the time. But she is the only one that you allow to call you "Natey" without getting mad.  I hope you are always as loyal to her as you are today, and she the same to you.

Your imagination is still in full-force and you still enjoy Legos immensely. Although Dad & I have a love / hate relationship with the Legos, we know they have helped your little creative mind so much. Unsolicited the other day, you told me, "Mom, when I grow up, I want to work for Lego for 2 reasons. One, so that I can do something that I like to do for work, and Two, so that I can help other kids use their imagination." This would make us very proud and we'll keep reminding you of your dream!

You finally got one of your big wishes this year. A pet that will actually let you touch it. Truman brings you so much joy and Dad & I are happy to be let off the "I Want A Dog" bus for a little while.

We still read to you at night before you go to bed. Usually 2 chapters of a book that we are reading together. And our routine since you were a baby was always to sing songs after books. But it seemed like you were out growing this part of the routine, so after the book is read and the lights are turned out, I started doing something a little different this year. We instead do a little "Repeat After Me." 

I am special

My Mom & Dad love me very much

If I work hard

I can do anything I want to do

I can be anything I want to be

And my Mom & Dad will always be proud of me. 

Nate, you are a treasure. Words can't describe how much we love you. 

Happy 8th Birthday! 

Love, Mom 

Hop On Over

In case any of you do not read my sister Emily and her husband Ben's blog, I wanted to ask you to hop over to read about her new bundle of joy that came with the rain...

Ilona Comes With The Rain 

I love this post and all of the ones Ben & Emily share (ok, mostly Ben:)) about big sister Bluet and sweet baby Illona.

Enjoy!

Weekly Wrap-Up

Last week was a little crazy around here. As I'm sure it was in just about every household. Every year I say I'm going to be less busy around the holidays and then every year seems to be busier than the last. But we are thankful for all of the "stuff" that fills our days! 

I left for Miami on Tuesday and was sad to leave during such a busy week, but was secretly really looking forward to some 85 degree weather! Scott was off a couple of extra days so I knew the kids would be in good hands. My work meetings went well, but I found myself staring outside at the 85 degree weather!! I did get a chance to sit by the pool a couple of times soaking up the sun. It felt wonderful, even if I was still in my work clothes. I came home Thursday just in time to see Nate at his winter concert. 

I know this picture is awful. Apparently I need a telephoto to get the stage. But Nate had a speaking part. When he came home and told me he volunteered to speak about a month ago, my stomach started hurting. You know how you get so nervous for your child but are so proud at the same time? Yeah, that was me X 100. Nate used to be so shy, but has really grown out of that stage. No thanks to me I'm sure:) 

Anyway, after fretting about it for weeks (me of course), he did absolutely perfect. He wasn't nervous at all. Definitely not my child! Scott kept telling me not to impress my fears on him...but I couldn't help but ask him if he realized there would actually be PEOPLE in the audience. Growth. On everyone's part. Especially me...

On Friday, we had some more yucky weather, so the kids and I watched Christmas movies and ate pizza before calling it a night. Then on Saturday, after much debate, because we got more snow (UGH), I decided to take the kids to my parents because we were going to be down in that area on Sunday anyway doing one of our Christmas traditions. And we desperately needed an activity. 

Why yes, she IS wearing Christmas pajamas! They are 90% of her at home wardrobe right now.

My Dad showing Lila and Thane the fish. Thane loves his cousins and Lila loves having a follower. That will probably only last for a few more months:)

 

On Sunday, we went to the River Ridge Winery where they have a beautiful Christmas shop. We've been going for several years and I love this tradition! Sarah's Mom, Cathie, couldn't join us this year (Get Well Soon!) so it was just the kids and I, Sarah, Thane and my Mom.

We had a good time picking out ornaments and having lunch. Can't wait to do it again next year!

Cold Weekend

Winter decided to greet us this weekend. I would have taken some pictures of the snow, but, well, it's just snow. And I'm sure we'll see some more before April. Really, we only got about an inch. So I was thankful, since areas south of us got much more. But for the record, I think it should be illegal for it to snow before Christmas. 

Due to the cold and nastiness, we hung out around the house much of the weekend. Truman tried to bring the Tigers good luck, but alas, they just couldn't stop the run. Why yes! Lila is in Christmas pajamas. She spent the better part of the entire weekend in various sets of pajamas. Why fight it. 

After Scott took the kids swimming yesterday afternoon, we bundled up and took a ride through the Tilles Park Winter Wonderland. I love that this is one of our traditions. This year, we were smart and picked up Subway to eat in the car while looking at the lights. The kids loved it. And so did we.

M-I-Z Z-O-U

Can we all just embrace this for a second?

Thanks.

I suffered through a few very tough seasons when I was in CoMO.

That makes this win and this chance ever so sweet.

I can't wait for my Missouri Tigers to take on the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday afternoon! 

M-I-Z

Z-O-U

Thanksgiving Over Texas

Sadly, Scott had to work on Thanksgiving, so last Wednesday, the kids and I took off for Texas, along with Hamil, Sarah and Thane. We flew into San Antonio and made the short drive over to Marble Falls where we had rented a house on a ranch. My parents and Michael started driving from SE MO on Tuesday afternoon and were surprised with a phone call from Emily that informed them she was checking into the hospital to have the baby. She wasn't scheduled for a c-section until the 4th but her blood pressure was high and they decided it was time for baby Ilona to arrive. 

So my mom got busy and when they stopped in Little Rock for the night, my mom booked a flight from LR to Houston the next morning. She safely arrived and swept in to pick up Bluet right before Ilona arrived. Then they made their way over to Marble Falls to meet the rest of us and meanwhile, my Dad & Michael had arrived at the ranch. 

Your takeaway from this? Things are never dull in my family. Never. 

We had a great time at our Thanksgiving over Texas. It wasn't quite what we had envisioned without Emily & Ben there, but it was a relaxing time and all the cousins played very well together.  

We took walks around the ranch and found all sorts of things.

I did not take my big camera, so the iPhone it was. Without Scott to schlep all the things I don't want to, I had to be selective with my packing:)

We made chocolate turkeys with oreos and pretzels.

We listened to Wayne talk about a scorpion that he found in his room the first night we were there. Yes, in his room. Yes, Lila is wearing her Christmas pajamas to Thanksgiving. Yes, I checked our beds every night after this.

Nate and I took a walk by ourselves one afternoon. It was so special. He is so fun to talk to when he is not competing for air space.

There was a waterfall on the property, so we had to visit every day.

The kids and Wayne invented this game where they took all the cushions off the couches and played Pilgrims and Indians. It was hilarious.

Thane loved Nate. If I asked him where Nate was, he would rest his head on his shoulder. Love.

Hanging out watching Elmo. The girls favorite past time:)

These headphones that Scott got Lila before we left were the bomb.

Nate found this piece of rock with a fossil in it. Very very cool.

And then it was time to go home. I seriously can't believe that I took them by myself and we made it thru 2 airports, 2 flights, 4 shuttle buses, and 1 rental car place with 2 carseats and a huge bag in tow. I'm feeling incredibly proud. Of them. And me.

We came back on Saturday evening to avoid the Sunday rush and so that Scott could see the kids on Sunday morning. I was feeling so accomplished that I decided to put up the Christmas tree with this thing in my house. It's workin out well for me. Not. 

Because I had reclaimed my supermom powers, I decided to take the kids to see Frozen on Sunday. It was Lila's first movie and she was awesome! Nate was the supportive older brother suffering through the princess movie. But he laughed a lot too:)

 We hope your Thanksgiving was fabulous. Bring on December!