Outings

We had some fun outings during break. I took the boys to Altitude:

The older kids went to a friend's house to watch the series finale of Stranger Things:

This cute foursome went to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the BYU Bowl game:

Logan bought Jason Bulls tickets for Christmas:

 Jason, Ali, Eli, and Jake also went ice skating. Fun times!

College Kids

One of the fun parts of Christmastime is seeing all the college kids home again! Ali was glad to have some of her friends back at church.

The kids got to see their cousins, too, which was so fun.

Merry Christmas Break

We had a wonderful Christmas break. It was nice to have time off to be together, rest, have fun, and think extra about our Savior. 

First up: Spirit Days before Christmas Break (I twinned on accident with Jake's teacher from last year):

As a little boy, Logan was OBSESSED with the "toy papers" that came out at Christmas time. I joked that the catalogues we get now in the mail are the teen version of "toy papers" (this one was from one of his favorite gym gear brands):

Evie and Mistletoe were up to their usual shenanagans (finding them every morning is one of Jake's favorite Christmas traditions):

We saw the movie Home Alone at our favorite playhouse in downtown Aurora. I thought it would be a fun outing (and super cheap- $1 a ticket), but it surpassed my expectations. Seeing this movie I'd seen countless times in a theater with nearly 2,000 people, was so much fun. The sound of all those people cracking up at the funny parts (of which there are many), everyone breaking into applause at certain iconic moments...magical.

Jake helped me with some of my Christmas Advent puzzles.

Of course, we went to our traditional Christmas Church and Christmas Street:

We had our annual Christmas Eve dinner, candle-lit brightly because of all the ways we tried to Light the World all season long, and were thankful to be able to donate at the Giving Machine.

What a wonderful, joyful Christmas Season. I am truly blessed.

Chauffeur and Errand Bud

Eli has done a great job so far with his driving. Having a fall birthday means that more than half of the 10-plus hours he already has under his belt are night hours, but he's taken to it like a champ (and since those first 10 hours are the most nerve-racking for the parents, we are thankful for that). 

With three busy older siblings and a dad working downtown almost every day again, it is a frequent occurrence for Jake to have to ride along with me on drop-offs, pick-ups, and events. He's mostly a good sport about this (as long as he has a book and can control the music).

Crumbl Snowman

Logan worked one night when it was snowing. He and a coworker took a few minutes after they closed to build a snowman:) He's developed great friendships with some of his coworkers, and no wonder when they are so much fun!

Glasses

This cute kid got glasses! He doesn't actually have much of a prescription, but he does have an astigmatism, which may be why he's been getting headaches. The jury is still out on whether he'll keep wearing them, but he was excited to try them and wear them for a few weeks at least. I think they suit him.

Band Concerts and State Scholars

We've been to a couple of band concerts for Ali this fall. It has been weird to think that after seven years of band concerts, we are down to the last few. Ali has certainly grown as a musician over those years.

Both Ali and Logan are Illinois State Scholars, which means that they are in the top 10% academically of all Illinois Seniors, and each had their name on their School's marquee. Way to go, you two!

Wrestling

Eli has been really enjoying wrestling this fall. It was a sport new to all of us, and he said it has all the parts he liked from other sports he's tried (doing something hard, being part of a team), and none of the parts he didn't like (less team pressure so less nerves). He's liked going from knowing nothing about the sport to being able to do it well.

Jason and I have spent a lot of time at meets. Good thing we like each other and Eli!

All Four

Jake has been working on connecting with his siblings- asking about their days and inviting them to do things with him. His favorite thing to do with them is to play Minecraft. Usually, it's just him and one sibling, but sometimes it's all four of them!

Egg Skills

We decided to recreate this picture and have Logan teach another brother how to make scrambled eggs. Five eggs a day and about six years of experience seem like pretty good qualifications to me!

Work and Play

Jason and I make a great team! We worked together for many hours to reupholster our dining room chairs. They are not perfect, but they are 100% better than the torn, uncomfortable seats they were before!

And here we are out on a date! Either at work or at play, I love spending time with my guy!

 

Jersey Day

Two of my favorite people ready for Jersey Day at their school.

Happy Thanksgivig

We had a lovely, low-key Thanksgiving. We hosted Jason's Sister Amy and her husband Steve, along with Jason and Amy's niece Bethany and her husband Quinten, and their baby Oliver (who came to visit from Ohio and stayed with Amy and Steve).

Jake LOVES having littler ones around, but I was pleased by how much my older kids enjoyed Oliver, too. He was quite good entertainment.

I am so thankful for this family of mine. This year has been one for all the feelings, with two seniors. I have been trying (and have so far been successful) to notice, acknowledge, and feel all the lasts without being overwhelmed by them or having too much pressure put on each last thing. I doubt we'll have either of them here next Thanksgiving, which will be so strange, but I want all the changes that are coming for them, too!

The day after Thanksgiving, we decorated our tree all together- another last! I was glad Ali snapped a picture. 

The coming year holds lots of change, but it won't change how thankful I am for my family and the privilege of having a front-row seat to see the growth of these four amazing kids, and for a husband who brings me daily joy.

Northern Lights

One night recently, Ali was at work and sent me pictures of THE NORTHERN LIGHTS! I ran outside and down our street, and sure enough, you could vaguely see some pink in the sky, and it was even more dramatic through our camera lenses. I called out any of my boys who wanted to see (and explained to my neighbor why I was loitering at the end of his driveway). This has in no way checked my bucket list item of seeing the Northern Lights (I want the drama of the whole sky lit up, no camera necessary), but I was glad to see this beauty.

Chick-Fil-A

I love that my kids enjoy spending time together! These two have gone to Chick-fil-A a few times lately (the joys of having a bit of cash now that they work regularly!)

Friends

Eli had a friend over and the two of them cooked homemade fried chicken! It turned out great!

Ali, Eli, and I enjoyed going to the High School's fall play (have I mentioned that as a school employee, I get into plays and sporting events for free? I love that perk!). We love supporting their amazing actor friends (we've known these two since Eli and Mason were two, and Ali and Leah were in Kindergarten!).