Christmas 2015

The week of Christmas was extra special because Mimi & Paka were here with us. We enjoyed playing games, talking, shopping and of course eating. And I don't have many pictures of those events, but for memory's sake, we did it all on repeat. 

On Tuesday, Scott, Nate, Lila & I went to volunteer at the St. Louis Area Foodbank. The kids and Scott have been several times throughout the year, but we went as a family this week in honor of Christmas. In a week (or month) that is filled with reminders of how blessed we are, it is a good use of our time to give back. We can't imagine not having food in the cupboards, so it's important that we give our time to help others who find themselves in this situation. 

On Wednesday morning, Lila & I were up before anyone else (except Scott, he was at work), so we drank hot chocolate on the couch and watched a Christmas movie.

Nate played outside in the afternoon. In full costume. I'm sure the neighbors get a kick out of him.

On Wednesday night, we had our nice Christmas dinner since it was the last night Scott would be home in the evening for the week. I used my Aunt Mil's crystal glasses and it felt very fancy.

On Christmas Eve, we went to church, then over to Sarah's parents house for dinner. Cathie & Bob are always so sweet to include us and we have the best time with Thane.

 The crazy cousins!

We got Thane a blow up punching bag. :) Hamil had to blow it up and put water in it so it didn't tip over.

I just laughed. They gave Nate a ball pit when he was little, complete with 152 balls, so now we're even.

I didn't realize Lila was jumping so high. I guess they were all a little excited!

Doing some punching...

When we got home, we did First Gift of Christmas. PJs/slippers and movies.

Then off to bed to wait for Santa! He came and of course they were spoiled.

Scott made Nate a wand rack for all of his Harry Potter wands. It is so pretty.

Scott had to work on Christmas, so we went up to the hospital to visit him in the afternoon. Thanks so much for cooperating with the picture everyone. They are crazy, but they are my crazy!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Nate is TEN!!

Have mercy. Has it really been 10 years!?! Nate's 10th birthday was Sunday, December 20th, 2015. 

Mimi & Paka arrived the day before, so his birthday started off extra special! I made the celebratory pancakes for breakfast and he ate on his special plate.

The TEN YEAR OLD!

And his wild hair. Between the chlorine and the thickness of his hair, it gets a little out of control.

I posted this on Instagram. My how they can change in 10 years.

Nate was so gracious to say it was OK if we went to Old Downtown St. Charles to look around at the Christmas decorations on his birthday. Although I think he had the best time because there were many antique shops. Boy loves him some antiques. He did not get that from me!

Us, with our 10 year old and our 5 year old. That used to seem so far away.

We went to Old Spaghetti Factory for his birthday dinner (Nate's favorite!). I was trying to get a picture of Mimi & her first grandchild but Lila leaned over. I love that I got this of Nate resting his head on her shoulder.

That's better!

Funny thing about Nate is that he doesn't really like birthday cake. So every year we get a cake with characters and it doesn't really get eaten. So this year I asked him if we could just get a cake that he liked. He agreed, so we ordered a red velvet cake and I got some Star Wars decorations to add to it. I think it turned out perfect! And it got eaten!

Opening some birthday gifts...

We were winding down for the night when we heard somebody coming up the stairs. It was a group of carolers from Nate's school and he was so surprised! He was a little embarrassed but loved it too.

Sweet Nate,
It goes without saying that I will never forget that day 10 years ago when you came into our lives. It was a long day, but I was so happy to finally have you with us. I loved you from the first moment I saw you and love you more everyday. You are growing up to be a smart, kind (except maybe to your sister - ha!), thoughtful, creative, and handsome young man.

I know you are going to need us less and less over the next few years, and that makes me a little sad. But I'm so proud of the person you are becoming and know that you'll humor my help for a while. You always do.

Thank you for being an amazing son and brother. Happy 10th Birthday sweet boy, I love you.

Mom

Catching Up - December

I have lots of catching up to do, December has been a busy month!

A few weeks before Christmas, we spent the weekend in Charleston with Nana & Wayne. While on Wayne's watch, I walked outside to find this. It made my stomach turn, but they loved it. Why yes, Lila is still in her pajamas.

We also spent lots of time with Sarah, Hamil & Thane. It is always so nice to see the cousins together.

Since Nana & Wayne were going to be out of town on Nate's birthday, we had a little celebration while we were there. Poor December baby gets Christmas cupcakes for his birthday treat. Thankfully, he doesn't mind and probably would have picked them out himself.

 

A few December miscellaneous...Lila got these reindeer ears at the library and loved them!

The week before winter break, Lila had superhero day at school. We don't own much superhero stuff, so this shirt of Scott's and her soccer scarf as a belt was the best I could do. I think it worked:)

Lila's Nail Salon Party

Lila has never had a friend party for her birthday. We've celebrated with family every year of course, but she has never celebrated with her friends. I knew that planning a party would be tough given that her birthday was on Thanksgiving and we were out of town the weekend before and after. So a few months ago, I asked her if it would be ok with her if we asked 2 friends to go get manicures with us to celebrate her birthday. She said "OH YES!" And I said, "SCORE FOR MOM." 

So the actual party day was a little after her birthday, but it all worked out for everyone. Lila & her friend "I" before their friend "V" arrived. 

The ladies were so nice to Lila & her friends. They all kept saying how cute they were and one of them even came up and gave Lila and hug and kiss. It was very sweet.

They owned the nail salon. The lady did a snowman on one of Lila's fingers and a Christmas tree on the other. It is rock star.

The hardest part was getting them to sit still so their nails could dry. It was a good lesson in beauty takes patience.

After their nails were dry, we headed back to our house for cake and play time. The girls quickly changed into costumes and had the best time playing. Their moms came too and we enjoyed drinking coffee while they played. I said that we will definitely have to do it more often!

Lila has such sweet friends. These three girls have been in the same class for 2 years now. I hope they don't get separated in Kindergarten!

Now that Lila's birthday has finally wrapped up (I feel like we've been celebrating for weeks. Oh wait. We have!), we can move on to thinking about our Christmas baby! A couple very short weeks and our big boy will be 10!