Thankfully it's all done because we've hit the month running and haven't slowed down a bit.
First up, one of the most fulfilling and rewarding nights of my 38 yrs..
10 years ago I was a 2nd grade teacher and admittedly I had a "class favorite"! Her name is Ashlenn and she shinned from the moment she walked into my classroom. As a 7 year old she was confident, witty, sweet, fun, SMART, athletic and beautiful. She simply stood out
8 years ago, she learned how to play the wedding march on her piano so that she could play it on our wedding day....she did so flawlessly
5 years ago she came to my baby shower along with her mom and sweet, sweet sister
Last week I was honored to present Ashlenn with her senior ring
(all seniors were asked to select a teacher who made an impact in their life to be at the ceremony....Ashlenn choose ME!)
I wonder what our next occasion will be...
I don't think it can top this one!
We TRIED to go to the parade in downtown Fort Worth...
after sitting in traffic for 2 hours I finally yanked the boys out of the truck
to make our way through CROWDS and CROWDS of people and chaos
We finally arrived in a parking lot where we met our favorite friends
Kevin continued to drive around the streets of downtown trying to make his way into a parking garage
An hour later, we gave up on seeing the parade and met Kevin in a restaurant.
We enjoyed a fast and furious dinner with 4 toddlers and 4 stressed out parents
One diaper change in an ally, one phone dropped in a toilet and four hungry kids fed later....we got back in the truck and sat in traffic for another hour before making it home.
It was a great idea, but we'll skip this tradition in the coming years!
We took the boys to Mainstay Farms on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon
the boys enjoyed duck races
bulldozers
mounds of hay
speedracers
not sure who had more fun...
the boys or their daddy!?
They jumped
and played their little hearts out!
This dirty face says it all!
My neighbor co-hosted our annual Polar Express party with me this year
We had 25+ kids and about that many parents nestled in Michelle's home
The kids all came with decorated train boxes which they sat in to watch the movie.
While they sat in their boxes eating from their snack boxes and sipping hot coco...
the adults mixed and mingled!
Surprisingly, they sat through half the movie,
then one by one they left their spot
leaving one lone passenger to close out the movie
It was simply, magical!
Can't wait until next year!
Over the last year, we've bonded and become good friends with two families. Our boys are all the same age, our husbands enjoy hanging out and the ladies, well....we're soul sisters!
Anyway, the B family has a ranch and our boys pretty much think it's paradise!
If you know William, then you're sure to know our boy LOVES bulldozers! His love of bulldozers has just about replaced his love of trains...not quiet, but close!
Put our boy on a bulldozer with Mr. J and you've got one happy W!!
He drove this big blue machine around the pasture and loaded the hay on the front end.
Patrick took over and delivered the hay to the cattle...
it may have been the highlight of their year!
I'm afraid we have some hunters on our hands....AND, I'm more afraid of the fact that Santa may bring our boys their first G-U-N! NICE!!
The boys aimed at targets (boys meaning the toddlers AND the men) all afternoon.
The ladies...well, we took pics, chatted about life and enjoyed watching our boys be boys.
They took a break for shooting to set out duck decals in the pond
William practicing his aim
and Patrick practicing his!
They did a little stick fishing before heading to the deer blind
to see what all the fuss is about in there!
We ended the night eating venison, sitting by a camp fire and relaxing under the stars! PERFECTION!
We started a tradition two years ago which has become a holiday favorite!
Christmas Brunch at City Club
includes:
sitting on Santa's lap
gifts from Santa
Elves turning balloons into candy canes
delicious food and yummy treats
all of which put smiles on our boys faces.
We're enjoying all that December has to offer! Family, fun, friends, grace, goodness, and memories...lots and lots of memories!
Next up
My BFF comes to town, more holiday fun and a little about the HMC!!!
So good to see the fun you guys have been up to! I love that your student honored you...that is beautiful and so are you! And the boys are looking so grown up in that last photo, wow! Hope you guys are having a great new year!
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