Christmas

I'm not really sure what to write about Christmas this year. It was the usual: We all got together at my parents' place, there were too many gifts for my kids and just enough food to keep us all happy. Except this year all 3 of my boys were sick, with my husband surfacing just long enough to open most of his gifts. Fortunately, the rest of the family didn't send us packing.

So, because I have no witty stories to relate, I'm relegated to sharing pictures of my kids with their "stuff". Enjoy. 

Our first Christmas tree and Avery's first Christmas. I must admit, it was fun to finally put all my ornaments up on a tree. They've been waiting for over 10 years...



Nothing to do with Christmas. Just my boys, having fun. And I love the expression on Avery's face.

Basketball has now been added to the list of sports played in this house. Thank you Uncle Mike and Auntie Tara!

Grandma and Grandpa gave Lane a plane, motorcycle and race car that are put together with screws. It came with a regular ole screwdriver and a drill - my tool-loving boy was on cloud nine.

 

Showing off all the new toys. Minus the airplane - that's grandma's.



Grandma showing Avery how his new toy works.

 

Lane trying out his new tools on Auntie Tara. My apologies, my dear.



Lane and his girls. Need I say more?

And that is that. Christmas 2011. It is now 2012 and I'm supposed to be thinking about all the things that I want to change this year. Fat chance. Not that I don't have things I'd like to change and not that I'm not doing them or don't want to talk about them but I'm in the middle of potty-training during the nicest weather I've ever seen for the first week of January. Forgive me. I resolve that the next time I potty-train one of my children, it will be during the coldest cold snap I've ever done seen so that I won't feel like I'm missing out on life. There. I said it. And now I can go do my dishes because I just can't seem to stay ahead of 'em.

Here I am!

Contrary to what you may believe, I did not fall off the face of the planet after going camping with 2 little kids. Life got a little interesting, that's all.

Interesting, as in we got a phone call that my husband was accepted to tech school and we had 2 and half weeks to get ready. School was 5 hours away, we had a house in the middle of renovations and plans already made for what our fall was going to look like. Oops.

Getting ready to move.
Boxes, boxes and more boxes but Rachel and Lane seemed
to still be able to find a spot to read a book.

Four months later, my husband has finished his first semester at school. He'll tell you it was the hardest thing he has ever done. I'd agree. He spent a lot of time at school and there was a lot of stress in our house. But he managed to pull off an 89 average over 30 credit hours. I'm so proud of him.

We have moved five hours south. (After living apart for 2 months. Not recommended. Will not do again.) Our house is in the process of being sold. And we are mostly settled in to our new digs. It was a big change for me to move from a small town (approx. 5000 people) to a small city (approx. 30,000) where I knew no one. I'm surviving. And so are the kids. For the most part. Just don't ask me about my oven.