I’m working on my annual holiday letter and going through all of 2017’s blog posts and it’s a lot sadder than I anticipated rereading all the great times we had with dear friends that we greatly miss. I know this happens EVERY time we move and it’s the way of the military life but it still surprises me and never gets easier. NEVER. 💔😥
How hilarious is this? Look at their outfits!
Katie: purple coat, pink pants, purple boots (pink kitty hat)
Sophia: pink coat, purple pants, pink boots (pink bunny hat)
Grannie got us all matching jammies! Well, matching bottoms with shirts with sayings!
Grannie made us scarves!!
Papa being silly!
#snowangels #neighborkids #momtographer
And then I looked out and the kids had multiplied! 🙂
And then it was my dad’s idea for them all to make snow angels!
And then left to their own devices, they buried Owen.
Grannie wanted to do something “Santa-y” this weekend for the kids, so we found a Brunch with Santa… Unfortunately I think it might be the last year to see Santa—neither one wanted to sit on his lap (though honestly, neither has ever loved the idea) but they agreed to stand at his side. They did enjoy the crafts afterwards, though. 🙂
And the cool part? The lego that lights up!! 🙂
And this is where it now lives:
It only took 44 years, a kid who loves Legos, grandparents who were willing to buy the set and the electronics 💗 and a last-minute extra set of tracks to fit around the tree stand… It ended up needing some parental intervention [to get the power hooked up correctly and the tracks in an approximate circle] but Owen did the bulk of it.
Our turkey chef tonight! #infraredfryer #17pounds #50degreesinmichigan #thanksgiving
I thoroughly enjoyed drinking my first wine in two weeks tonight with Dee (Rob’s girlfriend)… But it gave me a headache. Maybe we should have stopped after the first bottle! 😂
And all the leftovers!!
Gramma wanted Katie to check with me if we had enough potatoes for our Thanksgiving Dinner. I said no. I mean really, you can never have too many mashed potatoes.
They’re a bit behind—I started at age 3! They were both excited to sit down and do it. Gramma gave them a quick lesson on how to hold the egg and kistka, but unfortunately both of them forgot and ended up grabbing the hot metal end…which is why you see tears on some of Katie’s close up pics. They both had fun and enjoyed doing two eggs—I was only going to watch but then couldn’t help myself and had to jump in and “do a quick egg” which of course turned into more time than I planned and I ended up sitting there finishing mine while the kids were done and outside playing. 🙂 (Note: The eggs are done but are still at Gramma’s house being varnished so the finished product photo will come later.)
Lots of good stuff to choose from!
It’s deer season and 25° so he had to bundle up in orange.
Apparently shoveling is fun if you’re doing it with cousins and not because a parent asked you to do it.
We didn’t bring snow pants so jammies have to suffice. She didn’t care one bit.
Attack on the living room window!
Cousins Gabby and Robert!
Then, my neighbor and high school classmate. Now, my cousin (well, since 1998).
Everyone was gathered for Aunt Florence’s memorial—and it was the first time our kids met the Hough side of the Schwalm clan. They are lined up by age, with Katie being the youngest at 5 and Gabrielle the oldest at 14.
Then we took a selfie because we haven’t done so in awhile.
This doll used to be Gramma Jean’s when she was little, and then I played with her, and now she belongs to Katie.
First Owen read his Lego book to Enzo and then this happened. Enzo is only four but Owen thoroughly enjoys playing with him.
I had some old eyeshadows I was going to toss but decided to let Katie have them instead. And boy did she have fun. Owen even got into the game…
As you can see there is no such thing as moderation. Six layers later: “Mom, I’m part Anna and part cat!”
And then Sophia came down and got involved.
And daddy even for roped in.
While the boys were away at the game, Katie had a birthday party to go to…and some trick or treating to do. (Our city, for whatever reason, holds Halloween the Saturday before.)
She made me a mask.
The group of birthday trick-or-treaters.
It was a tiny bit insane as they literally made a mad dash from house to house. It was also freezing.
And then they were all tired and cold after only 30 minutes so it was back to the house for a piñata.
A good time was had by all… And Katie even stayed to play and watch a movie so I had the house to myself…
Sophia knew Katie was getting shots this morning so showed up with this. Awwwww.
Jean jacket, jeans, and boots!
Papa sent Katie a letter and it was a word search! She was very excited and ran to the table to do it immediately.
We surprised the kids with a mini road trip to the Jelly Belly factory which is right up the road…And also surprised them with who was also there!
Getting ready for a train ride around the factory floor. It’s really just a warehouse.
Since it is a working factory we had to wear hats—they are very cheap plus I have a big head so it didn’t last long…but I had to keep it on. 😆
We were able to try whatever flavors we wanted. I tried margarita and pancakes and maple syrup. They were both tasty.
We spent about $50 on stupid jelly beans but we had fun. And I can honestly say I don’t need to buy Jelly Belly fudge again (it’s in the freezer so others can try it). 🙂
