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!