Celebrating Kevin's 36th Birthday with our Families

Our little family of 4 decided to take a mini-vacay over Kevin's birthday so that pushed back Kevin's annual birthday dinner at his parents house.  Karen loves cooking one of Kevin's favorite dinners for all of us over Christmas Break to celebrate Kevin.  

To be honest we loved the week delay. Poor Kevin's birthday is 2 days after Christmas.  He always says it's the worst day for a birthday out of the entire year. No one wants to get together. No one wants to eat. No one wants to go out to eat. No one wants to eat cake or dessert. No one wants to buy gifts. It's sad but true. After an entire month of celebrations, parties, and Christmas everyone wants to be at their house sleeping on Dec. 27th.  

Here's our annual timed photo. 

 Lots of help from the sons and nephews with all these candles.

Happy Birthday Kev!  You are the ROCK of our family.  You are my best friend, my #1 cheerleader and encourager, and the spiritual leader of our family. Thank you for your countless sacrifices and your unconditional love.  You are the best! May your 36 year be full of lots of love, memories, and fun times.

Here's a look into our previous birthday celebrations for Kevin!
Number 30!
Number 31! 
Number 33! 

Doing it myself!

We ordered a canvas collage from our annual family photo shoot.  We haven't ordered an entire collage since Zach was 3. Check out this post of how difficult it was to install 3 years ago. We decided it was time to add Will into the mix.  Out last collage is in a very difficult spot over our stairs. So we opted not to move it.  In 2010 we put up some custom vinyls that I loved. You can see that project here.  Unfortunately the letters in the bible verse were starting to peel off so we decided to take down the bedroom vinyls and put the collage up in our room.  Since November these canvas's have sat against our wall in plastic wrap.  I kept waiting for them to align themselves and go up on the wall but they didn't budge. Poor Kevin has been swamped at work. A blessing but it meant that any free time he had he was working on stuff for work.  So one morning I borrowed my inlays laser level and decided I could put it up myself. With the help of 3M command strips I did it!  I did it! I was so proud of myself. The boys were fantastic and played in their rooms while I got it up. When I texted Kevin at the office that it was done he was in complete SHOCK!  

When I texted my inlays that it was done I scared them to pieces. The assumed I did the stairwell all by myself. After a few texts I reassured them I was safe and did the install in our room.  They were relieved! I'm glad thats another project crossed off the list.

Shorty our Elf

My "Aunt" Kelli adopted our elf and gave him to us Dec. 1st, 2007.  We named him Shorty and we cannot wait to see him each year.  I know there is a lot of controversy over the Elf.On.The.Shelf. but for our family we enjoy his presence over the Christmas Season.  We totally celebrate Christmas because it is Jesus' Birthday. Our kids get that but we also enjoy the traditions of Santa and the Elf.  With that said our elf is a lot of fun.  Not really mischievous and sometimes he doesn't move spots because he is tired.  Occasionally he plans a fun return but those are few and far between.  We do notice that when Shorty is present in our house our children sleep in their own beds all night long.  Not sure how he does it but they do.  Now that Shorty has returned to the North Pole the boys are still sleeping in their own beds…ALL NIGHT LONG. THANK YOU SHORTY!  We owe you big time. 

Here are some of our favorite 2013 Shorty Spots….

His return on Dec. 1st 2013

This was Shorty's favorite spot in our tree. He relocated there several times this season.

 When our friends come the 1st weekend in December their elf, Buddy, finds them out our house. It's an annual tradition that Shorty & Buddy bring all the children pajamas.

 Rainbow Loom Elves….What a mess!

 After our 3rd snow day the 4th snow day was a complete unexpected surprise. It was technically an ICE Day but Shorty got a heads up from our school district and announced the day off.

 Shorty must have been talking to other elves because we have seen a lot of Elves on Pint.erest do to the sack races.  So thankful you have creative friends Shorty!

 This was our most favorite Shorty Spot day. "I Mustache you if you have been good"!

 The boys LOVED this surprise!

 Game Day Shorty Spot

 Snowball fight Shorty & Friends

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 And the best for last…the real reason we celebrate Christmas.  Shorty sitting with Baby Jesus.

Our boys miss Shorty and are hoping he makes some impromptu visits during the year to check in on them.

Left Over Christmas Cards

I LOVE CHRISTMAS CARD! LOVE THEM! Yes I used all-caps! That's how much I love them.  I hate throwing away everyones cards. It's expensive to make and send cards and I did not want them to go to waste.

For the past 10 years I have saved them.  I used to scrapbook ALL of them.  Then I realized there was no way that I could keep that up.  Then I just saved ours and scrapbooked that.  Then 7 years ago I had an ah-ha moment. 7 years ago I came up with the thing that I love more.  It's the best of both worlds without all the work of scrapbooking.  I started making Christmas Card Prayer Rings.  Here's what I do…

Go to Craft store and buy a 99 cent Jewelry Choker Necklace…

 Then as the cards are coming in I hole punch the middle of the card.  I display them on our Art Wall through out the month of December. Then in January I hang them on the ring.  I put our card on the front and tie matching ribbons on the ring.  I put the ribbon in between a stack of cards then at the top of the ring. I display each years ring all year round in my house.  Thought the week I will grab a ring of cards and flip through them. As I flip I say a quick prayer for that family and sometimes will text or e-mail that friend to let them know that I was thinking about them on that day.  It's amazing and sad to look back through some of the old card rings because people have passed away, gotten divorced, etc. But it's also exciting to look how families have grown too.  My husband asked what I was going to do with these rings in 15-20 years. Besides display them I am going to use them as High School Graduation gifts or Wedding presents.  I can scan pictures off old cards and make great gifts for Graduation or Weddings…at least that's my idea now.

Like I said I love Christmas Cards!!!

Brothers

Recently we were at our friends Ryan & Becki's house in STL.  They are expecting baby #3…a boy after having 2 girls. We are beyond excited for them!  When we were up at their house over Christmas Break they asked if Kevin would mind moving Elin's furniture into Libby's room.  They are going to turn Elin's room into Baby Paxton's nursery. Of course Kevin did not mind at all.  We had no idea what this move was going to do to our boys.  They instantly wanted to move Will's nursery into Zach's room.  Zach even cried when we told him no.  Honestly I was floored. I always had my own room and if my parents ever suggested that I move into my sisters I would have been upset.  I loved having my own room.  So did my sister. With that said, a week has passed and they are still begging for it.  For the record we will not be moving anything in Will's room into Zach's. Zach's bedroom cannot fit another item in it…furniture, toys, posters, clothing…NADA! It is at max capacity. So the other night we let Will sleep in Zach's bed.  Will is still in his crib.  He has never tried to climb out so we have not converted it.  It was amazing because both boys slept all night long, did not get up, and did not stall at bedtime. 

Before I went to bed I had to snap a pic.  It was breathtaking and heart-warming at the same time.  Not sure how long this will last but we will let them do this every night until it becomes an issue. 

Zach 7 years, Will 27 months

New Years 2014

Somehow being a better blogger is always on my New Years Resolution Lists.  As I was reflecting on last year I realized one of the main reasons I was neglectful on my blog was time. I just felt like I never had time to edit my pictures, download my pictures, and then write a blog entry. However when I look back at my year on the blog I am frustrated because I missed so much.  Since this blog is like my scrapbook I am sad because I did not blog like I used to. So with that said I really am going to work on my blogging more.  Maybe more pics with little explanation…I don't know.  I have set my phone alarm to ding at me every night at 9am to update blog.  Whether it gets done or not at least I will have that little reminder.  This blog is one of the only things I do for me each year. It's totally for me…not for viewers, publicity, readers. Just me so that I can document the best years of our lives with 2 growing boys.  If I don't do it I will not have documentation or visual memories in the future. I think that's why I am sad our 2013 blog book will be the smallest on our shelves.  Only me to blame. So with that said here are my thoughts about 2013:

The Good: 

*Zach was baptized January 6th, 2013…first person in our church baptized for the year.
*Zach had a surgery for possible melanoma in March. God heard our prayers and it was benign.
*Kevin's practice continues to grow.
*Zachary became a very active reader (3rd grade level)
*Will started talking a lot.
*Mommy lost 20lbs between Jan 2012-January 2014…I'd show the before and after pic but I don't want to scare everyone.
*Kevin survived his 1st tax audit with the office with no penalties.
*We started designing our future home with an amazing architect.
*We paid off all of our student loans….HUGE blessing!
*Hilary's uncle survived a heart attack.
*Celebrated 10 years of marriage.
*Travelled to Kansas City, St. Louis, Hot Springs, Branson, Philadelphia, Punta Cana.

The Bad: 
*Grams was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration.  We are praying that God slows the blindness down and that vitamins and treatment will halt this disease.
*Hilary's grandfather, Freddy has had major health issues diagnosed.

The Ugly: 
*Hilary's 28 year old cousin, LaNee passed away unexpectedly November 30th, 2013.


These were just a few of our highlights to 2013.  When we looked back at our family goals for 2013 God blessed us more than we deserved. This year we are praying that we can seek Him more, Give more, Serve more, and Love more.

This year for New Years Eve we opted to stay home with our children.  We never like to go out and eat on NYE because it's overly crowded and terrible service.  Some years we like to ring in the New Year with Friends but this year we just wanted to spend it in our own house with our boys.  We had a fun & comfortable night. Kevin worked until 2…which he has never done before.  In fact I think it is a one time deal. He did not like it and I missed having him help me take down Christmas all day long.


At 3pm Zachary came up with our NYE Plans.
 I thought it would be fun if we put the ideas into balloons.  The boys loved it!

Balloon #1 Make Mini-pizzas (everything in the balloons was already planned Zach didn't realize I put in the already scheduled events in the correct numbered order…sometimes I am a genius)


 Balloon #1 Ticket

 Making Papa Murph's mini pizzas

 The boys couldn't wait to put on the party gear so we did that immediately after dinner. About 5 minutes into wearing the hats and lei's Will took mine off saying he didn't want me to "CHOKE". LOL!

                                                   

 6:00 pm on New Years eve

 Balloon #3 was pray for our year and make personal Goals….Zach made Will's goals to be potty trained and stop sucking his thumb.

Balloon # 4 Eat Dinner
Balloon #5 Family Xbox Sports Competition.  Here's Zach in full gear

 Balloon #6 Eat cookies we made earlier in the day
                                      
Balloon #7 Put on mustaches and take selfless

Balloon #8 Movie Night in Mom & Dad's Bed Smurfs 2

 Balloon #9 HAPPY NEW YEARS! Break out the  Sparkling Grape Juice (The boys thought this was the best thing of the night) and yell HAPPY NEW YEARS (

Party Poppers

                                      
Balloon #10 Brush teeth, Bedtime Devotion, and Good Nights 9:45 pm.!  WE all were sleeping by 10pm.  This might be my most favorite NYE ever!

On New Years Day we slept in then went to Village Inn for Breakfast!  This afternoon we are going to celebrate Kevin's belated birthday with dinner at my in-law's house with both sets of parents & sister's family.  I am in charge of bringing dessert so we are taking VI pies…Kevin's choice.  On the way out the door Zach insisted that we needed New Years Day photos to  show how much they grow through 2014.  Smart Kid!  Then he insisted that Mom & Dad get in a pic too.  Of course I obliged.  

 Happy New Years 2014! May God bless this year with health, happiness, and memories!