Christmas Day 2012

Merry Christmas!  I knew going into nursing that I would have to work holidays and because it was my choice, I try not to complain too much.  That said, it sucks.  I want to be with my family on every holiday just as much as the next person.  This Christmas was so special because I got to spend the whole holiday with my family and enjoy every minute of it!  "Loved it" would be an understatement!  The kids slept in until about 8 Christmas morning and we all went downstairs together to see what Santa had brought us.

Colson is NOT a morning person :)

Baby Sister finally woke up to join the celebration after the big kids were done opening their presents.

My parents came over for a bit before they went to Chicago to celebrate with my mom's siblings.  Alyvia and Colson were super happy to show off all of their presents!

For next winter!

 Earlier in the week Alan decided we needed to make a big meal on Christmas.  So we invited his parents and Grandma over to eat a late lunch with us.  Alan did most of the work and it was delicious, we even used our china for the first time ever (hey, we've only been married 7 years-ha!).

The big kids stayed in their pajamas all day and we ended the night watching Colson's new John Deere movie together :)

This beautiful girl did put her Christmas outfit on :)

It was the perfect holiday for us and I am so thankful that we got to spend it together.  Merry Christmas!!

Twas the Day Before Christmas 2012

I love Christmas Eve, it's easily my favorite day of the year!  I love to see all of our families and celebrate the holiday together.  This year was even better because I didn't have to work the holiday AT ALL!  So Christmas Eve we woke up and headed over to my in-laws house to celebrate.  We had a delicious breakfast and then let the kids rip into like a wild pack of wolves quietly open their gifts :)  They went one by one so everyone could see what they got, and they really did an excellent job!

We hung out at Mamaw and Papaw's house until afternoon and then we went home to get ready for church.  We couldn't attend our church because the service was at 7 pm and we were going to be at my parents house celebrating then.  So we went to Redeemer Lutheran for their 3:30 "Happy Birthday Jesus" service.  It's a nice little service really aimed at children and is perfect for us! Nana and Shane joined us too! After church, we went to my parents house to celebrate Christmas with them, Chris, Anne, Finn, Shane and  Lindsey. 

Colson was really into presents :)

After opening presents and snacks, we headed home.  Colson was exhausted and fell asleep on the way :(  Not Livi though!  She had reindeer food to put outside and cookies to set out for Santa. 

We finally got Alyvia to bed so that Santa could get things ready :)

All ready for the morning!

First Smiles

She decided that the week of Christmas makes her happy :)  They are still few and far between, but she's figuring it out.  We love this sweet babe <3

Wrapping Up 2012

What a whirlwind the end of December has been!  I haven't had a chance to blog in 2 weeks...or when I do I've been too tired :)  So here's our wrap up!

On December 18th, Alyvia had her school Christmas program.  She was very excited to wear her Christmas dress and perform the songs her class had been working on the whole year!

She did an excellent job and looked beautiful :)

On the 20th, we had our first snowfall of the winter and Miss Kendall's first snow ever!

There wasn't too much accumulation, but the wind was crazy!!  Princeville still had school the next day though and good thing because I made 36 "North Pole" cupcakes for Alyvia's class party.

The 21st was Alyvia's last day of school and then we had the weekend to get ready before Christmas!  Sunday the 23rd was our first Christmas at Grandpa & Grandma Cowser's house with the whole Cowser clan.

Kendall was trying very hard to smile for Christmas...it's hard work!

We ate dinner, opened presents and played with our cousins.

We tried to make cookies on Saturday, but my dough was too sticky so I had to throw it out and start over.  On Sunday night we finally rolled out dough and made cookies!

After cookies, the kids headed to bed to get ready for our Christmas eve festivities the next day!

Our tree the night before Christmas Eve

Senseless

If I had one word to describe what transpired at Sandy Hook Elementary School yesterday, that would be it-"senseless".  20 children, ages 6 and 7, and 6 adults who were protecting those children, lost their lives in a school shooting massacre that occurred in a small Connecticut town.  How can that be?  A gunman came into the school and started shooting innocent people, mostly defenseless children.  The details so far are a bit blurry.  No one knows this man's motive.  Will knowing make us feel better?  No.  Will it bring justice for the little lives that were taken?  No.  But it's what we do, search for answers to bring any sort of sense to this tragedy.

As a mother of a kindergartener, I simply can't imagine what these parents are feeling.  It brings tears to my eyes and what feels like a vice in my chest when I simply try.  You send your child to school each morning.  To learn,  to make friends, because it's what you're supposed to do.  It is a safe place....or at least it is supposed to be.  Maybe some of those children in Connecticut were a bit slow Friday morning.  Maybe little "Sally's" mom snapped at her to "hurry up, eat your breakfast or you'll be late".  Maybe little "Jackie" and her mom fought over what clothes she was going to wear.  I know these incidents happen quite often at my house.  I take for granted that my kindergartener will be back at the 3:10 each day and I'll have better moments with her.  Time to 'take back' my irritated words that were spoken in haste.  I doubt any of those children's parents would care if they were running behind ever again or if their kids clothes didn't match if they could just have them back in their arms. 

I wish there was a simple answer to prevent these senseless acts from occurring.  I find myself wondering, "do things like this happen in other developed countries?  Or are we the only country raising people who do these maniacal things?"  From what I have read so far, the person responsible came from a "normal" family.  I imagine his family must be reeling in their own grief, disbelief and misery.  If the answer was only as simple as gun control or the right plan for when this happens (are you kidding, who would plan for this to happen).  School shootings are becoming all too common.  Yesterday it stooped to an all time low-killing small children, babies really, whose lives hadn't truly begun, complete innocents.  What have we done wrong?

Why write this post?  To get things off my brain.  To remind myself to bite my tongue a bit more (even if she is driving me crazy) and always hug my daughter when she leaves for school.  To remember that this may be the next small town to suffer a tragedy, that no one is safe.  To remember the lives taken yesterday and those who so bravely tried to stop it. 

May God be with the victims families and carry them through what must be the worst time in their lives.  

 

Kendall meets Santa

Since Kendall didn't get to go on Santa's wildlife express, we took her to meet Santa on Sunday when he was at Grand Prairie mall.  The same Santa and Mrs. Claus have been there for the past couple of years and I love them!  They are so realistic and the nicest people!  They always take their time with each family and make the kids feel special (and make sure the parents get good pictures!).  They have true Christmas spirit!

He's saying "cheese"...he wasn't thrilled but was a good sport for Santa!

Going over her letter to Santa!

Santa's Wildlife Express

Saturday evening we took our "big" kids to Wildlife Prairie Park to experience "Santa's Wildlife Express".  Kendall stayed at Nana and Papa's house for the first time and got to cuddle all night :) 

After we dropped Kendall off, we were off to our adventure!  Livi was excited to see Santa and Colson was super excited for the choo-choo ride.  We had a little time before our scheduled train ride, so we took some pictures and visited the "rein-donkeys"!

Then it was time to go on our North Pole Zephyr train ride!  Could this kid get any happier?!

Colson just LOVES trains and we just knew he would have so much fun and he did!  The look of pure joy on his face was so worth every penny we spent :) 

We got off the train in Santa's "enchanted forest" and went to see Santa Claus!

After Santa, there was cookie decorating, lots of crafts, hot cocoa (for mommy and daddy) and story time with Mrs. Claus.  We had so much fun!

Colson tried to participate :)

Livi and I ended the night with a illuminated nature walk, Cole was too tired to keep up at that point, poor guy.  We had such a fun family night and I look forward to next year when our Kendall can join us too!