as the year comes to an end...

another year has passed and we are on brink of an all new year.  2013.  this year we decided to make it a relaxing new year's eve.  we had some wet, slushy snow earlier today so we all went outside to shovel and play.  the boys were SOAKED, but had fun nonetheless.  after playing outside, I decided to make dinner a little special for the boys.  we had candlelight, the boys had "fancy" glasses that contained root beer and dessert was ice cream.  it was a great ending to a fantastic year.

boys picking out which wine glass "identifier" they wanted.      all the boys
 


the boys with Mom                                                           this little man was wiped out!  Ni-night



this year was one of the fastest yet.   so much going on for all of us that the weeks just seemed to fly by.  it was a year of sports - trevor in soccer, t-ball and wrestling.  ethan in soccer, coach pitch baseball, football and basketball.  the boys have loved school and are both doing amazing with their reading and school work.   rick's work was ...busy, to say the least!   it was a crazy year for him and things got a bit crazier in november when he applied for a new position within the company.  it is a great opportunity, but change is never simple.  cooper had a year of teeth, growing and learning each day and ear infections.  thankfully, we took care of the ear infections in november by getting tubes.   it has been a blessing!  for me it has been a year of running around and keeping things on track.  it's been fun to help at the school, work with my mops group and keep things in line at home.  home isn't always as "in line" as I wish it would be, but everyone is still happy, healthy and laughing so i must be doing something right ;o)  

the year ahead looks to be no calmer.  with sports, scouts, work, and getting ready for the move to wisconsin, there will be no shortage of things to keep us busy!   we look forward to seeing family more once we are back in wisconsin, but are sad to leave the amazing friends & life we have made here in missouri.  there is a lot to be said for small town living!  but the opportunities and experiences the boys will have in wisconsin will be wonderful.  to know their cousins better, to see family and old friends more, to experience some of the things and places that rick and i did when we were living there.  a whole new set of adventures await us as we settle into our new home.  it will be a tough move, but a good one to make with the ages that our boys are at. 

so with that, farewell 2012.  you have been good to us as a family!  we've had fun.  we've had great experiences and have created many memories this year.  we've stayed healthy.  we've grown as a family of 5 and have settled into our new normal.   welcome 2013.  we hope you treat us well and give us a wonderful, amazing and memorable year to recall come December 31st of next year!

Santa Came to Missouri

Normally, Santa doesn't come to our house in Missouri while we are away.  He waits till we put the cookies & milk out the night we get back from Wisconsin and then he visits us. This year was a bit different... he actually showed up while we were still in Wisconsin to deliver our presents.  The boys were elated the night we got home! 

It was a relaxing evening and Santa was very good to the boys.  He brought them their top 2 picks from their LOOOOONG list of things they wanted.  Trevor received a Wii game (Madden 13) and a Power Ranger toy.  Ethan got a Wii game (Lego Batman) and a Nerf Basketball/Hoop that glow in the dark with the special glasses that come with it. They were both very happy with those gifts and those that Mom & Dad brought ;)

They even had some fun gifts for us that they made at school. Always fun to see their excitement as we open things that are from them.

Merry Christmas!!





our gift from Ethan... a Santa ornament made of popsicle sticks


our gift from Trevor... a snowman made of cotton balls with his head on top :)


Dad got a calendar for 2013 from the boys (and me, too)



                                                                      Cooper said, enough of the presents... I'm tired.

Christmas 2012

Once again we ventured north for the Christmas holiday.  It is always good to be back home with family and friends during this time even if it does take us 14+ hours to get home like it did this time around.  Thankfully we made it back to Missouri in just under 12 hours - a near perfect drive home with the least amount of stops ever taken with 3 kids. 

This year we did the typical family time stuff on Christmas Eve and Christmas day and were able to see some great friends during the week too!  We missed seeing the Thoresen's because of sicknesses(insert very sad face and maybe a few sad tears), but we WILL catch up with them next time we are home.  In addition, to seeing people, the boys were able to bowl their little hearts out (I think they went 3 times), play in the snow, attend a Packer game at Lambeau Field with Rick and his dad, and just have fun!  I did take pictures, but not as many as I normally do for some reason.  Maybe it was the 18 month old child that was ATTACHED to either mom or dad if they were any where in sight.  It was a rough go for Cooper this time - that is, unless Rick or I were no where to be found, then he was happy as could be to play with Grandma & Grandpa! 

Anyway, below and in the next posts are a few pictures of the week.  I am doing them in separate posts for each day or event to make things easier on myself.  Enjoy.  Thank you to everyone for everything during the week while we were home.   We loved being there, seeing all of you and can't wait til we can do it on a more regular basis come summertime!

Cooper is ready to go to WI...he was "helping" me pack

 

Uncle Russ was the only one that Cooper would go by on the first night!  Yay for Uncle Russ

 

Cooper loves to be thrown up and caught - Uncle Russ figured out that trick and was the winner of Cooper's smiles the first night.

Dec 23rd - Go Pack Go

Rick's dad was able to get ticket for the Packer game on Sunday the 23rd of December.  What perfect timing to take two grandchildren that haven't been to a game to their very first one at Lambeau Field!  The boys were so excited and we were just hoping that the weather would hold out for them to go and be comfortable, meaning... warm!

 

It was a perfect day and they had great seats that put them in the sun for part of the game.  In Wisconsin, at Lambeau Field, the sun makes a TON of difference!  They had a blast.  The Pack won by a large number which could make the game a little boring for the adults, but the boys thought it was awesome!

 

Trevor came home to tell me the most exciting part about the game.  He said, in his most excited voice, "Mom, do you know what happened at the game?"  I asked him what happened and he proceeded to tell me that some guy got carted off to jail by the cops!  Yep, that was the first thing he told me about!  Not really a "bad guy", just someone that wanted to be on the field even though they didn't have a uniform on.  :)

 

Thanks, Grandpa for giving the boys a very fun opportunity! 

What a great way to start off the Christmas vacation!!

 

 Lambeau Field

 

Ready for the game

 

Having fun.... Go Pack Go

Christmas Eve 2012

On Christmas Eve we drove around town to take a look at houses and different areas of Green Bay.  Then the boys got a much needed nap and after that we ventured over to Rick's parents' house for our Christmas celebration.  As always it was a great time with them and Russ & Keelie, Brody & Ruari.  The boys had fun with the dart guns.  Chasing each other around the house and the "big boys" even got involved in the shoot out.  Boys will be boys, no matter what age! 

Cooper could only last so long before he passed out on the chair.  it was like a light switch.  One moment he was awake and running around, the next, he was sinking in to the chair and was out like a light.  Christmas is an exhausting holiday for kids, isn't it!?!

Cooper & Ruari relaxin'                                                                Keelie & Trevor


Trevor taking a nice picture                                                   Daddy & his little buddy


  The Grand Kids - Brody, Keelie, Ruari, Trevor, Cooper & Ethan


Russ & the crew                                                     Rick & I with our crew


Trevor watching intently                                                 Brody wondering what's inside


Ethan in shock that the bigger kids got $20                     Trevor's hang-man (sponge) game


Cooper needed a snack before opening his gifts..... look at the fox in my pjs he says


Thanks for Putter Pool, Uncle Russ                                   The non-Packer fan in the house


Ruari opening his Angry Bird game                             Brody loving some new socks from Grandma


  Cathy with some new scents to burn                          Cooper and I hanging out with his new guitar


                             Rick found the perfect shirt for his dad.... "The Squirrel Whisperer"


Cooper found a new favorite truck                                      Russ & Keelie... so sweet


Grandpa with his little baby on his lap      Not sure what was funny, but Cooper slept right through it


Just plain wiped out!!                                              Trev was winding down too... coloring for Keelie



He was OUT COLD...