We want to wish you and your loved ones peace, joy, and happiness, and especially at Christmastime, as we spend time together and revel in family, love, and unity.
May we all feel gratitude and thankfulness for our blessings.
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes to all!
Here was our week:
Hoping it's not too late to mail her list to Santa!
Friday was the last day of school for Christmas break, heading to class parties
and presents for their teachers.
Kohl with his creation at the Science Center.
Brae and her classmates Emma and Carlissa, ready for their gymnastics Christmas program.
Group shot after their performance.
We met up with the Clarkes for lunch after church.
Mommy opening up an early Christmas present from Daddy!
Daddy/daughter date. Spending some time with the big girl.
She wanted sushi for dinner, and I was happy to oblige.
Late night trip to SuperTarget afterwards for some Christmas shopping for the twins.
It just got silly from there.
Picking up some new threads at Old Navy.
Delivering cards and bubbly to our friends and neighbors.
Back to practicing basketball. Glad we have some courts nearby.
Maddy learning how to properly throw a football…somewhat.
After supper froyo treat at Jojo's.
Enjoying the lights of Old Winter Garden.
Beautiful tree in the center of town.
And then the sugar kicks in...
Working on some Christmas cards. We delivered homemade cookies to our local first responders
to say thank you for all that they do for the community.
First, we got a tour at the Ocoee Fire Department!
Quick stop for a bit at Winter Garden Pizza Company.
Then it was off to see the police.
Note the bad man in handcuffs!
They were hoping for a tour of the police station, but alas, it wasn't offered.
But the receptionist was tickled at our gesture and presents!
Getting the van cleaned up.
Maddy started having a mild fever, so we pushed her on Thieves oil.
Tux watching over the children downstairs.
Took the grandparents out to Buca di Beppo to celebrate Lolo's birthday! Cheers!
Lolo and Braelyn having a Tic Tac Toe match.
Getting serenaded before blowing out his candelabra.
Quote:
Coming out of Publix, we spotted an Audi r8 Spyder convertible, and I started gushing over it. I guess Kohl liked it too:
Kohl: "I want that! I want that for Christmas! Instead of our van!"
Ah yes, this special time when you are constantly being bombarded by marketers, advertising about their special deals on things to get and buy for yourself and your loved ones this holiday season.
Because you deserve it. Because she's worth it. Because they'll love you for it. Because, because, because.
It's no reason I do my best to avoid shopping and retail centers, and especially around this time of the year. 15 years in the industry did me in, and I saw the joy and happiness that were in people disappear because of not getting what they wanted, or stressing out because time was running out on their shopping list.
It shouldn't be about stuff. About getting lots of things. I mean, it's nice and all. But that is not what this season is about.
Rather, a focus on family, time spent together, giving to those less fortunate, gratefulness for blessings received.
You know…Christmas.
Rant over. Here was our week:
Christmas decor at the Science Center.
Kohlden built Tux out of blocks!
Some future engineers??
Wrapping up their routine at gymnastics.
Dinner at the Grodacks with the Z's and Vohwinkels, who were visiting from Texas.
You made the blog Stephanie!! She's one of our loyal blog followers! :)
The men just chilling and catching up.
Group shot of the three families and their children. We've definitely left our mark!
Saying goodnight to Tux.
With the grandparents at church. They came up for the weekend.
Bumped into an old friend from Southern. Jackie and I were in the symphony together!
Took the grandparents to Mount Dora to see the Christmas lights. They had never been there!
About to get their sledding on.
Enjoying a nice frozen mango smoothie.
Having fun on an inflatable raft at the marina.
The grandparents were really impressed by all the lights.
And especially the ones down at the marina!
Hanging with my homie at Costco.
Of course she wanted the princess castle. And of course, it was only $430...
Feeding the fish at the sushi buffet.
Saying goodbye to Mommy for the week. She would be in town but very busy.
We would only see her in the mornings when she dropped them off to school.
Working on getting our Christmas cards out.
Stamped and ready to go!
Whew! We made the last collection time!
Our holiday card this year.
Working on their cards and presents for their teachers.
Maddy was sad about something...
which prompted the other two to try and make her laugh...
but it didn't seem to work on her. I was laughing hysterically!
Pajama day at school on Wednesday!
Weird to pick them up in their pj's. It was like we forgot something important that morning!
Enjoying a lovely afternoon at the park.
Randoms:
Went on a 20 miler with Duncan early Sunday morning.
Nice post ride treat at Axum Coffee in Winter Garden afterwards.
Small adventure for the kids and I Wednesday evening.
Seriously weather, it's December 17!!
Fashioned a towel collar for Tux to keep him licking a small wound on his hind foot.
Quotes:
The kids were putting the Christmas cards together. They each had a job on the assembly line:
Kohl: "I'm done."
Brae: "No, you're not."
Kohl: "This is hard work!"
Brae: "No, it's not."
Kohl: "I'm allergic to hard work!!"
Oh buddy…
Kohlden watching Braelyn practicing basketball at the clubhouse:
Kohl: "Braelyn!! You're gooding at shotting!!"
Maddy saw an avocado pit in the kitchen and said, "What is this? Oh, I know. A guacamole seed."
