Weekend Wrap-Up, Christmas Edition

Our last Christmas celebration was yesterday so I thought I'd post a few pictures and stories from all the rest of our holiday fun. 

Christmas Eve Kent had the day off and we had no other family Christmases to attend.  This is the first time this has happened since we've been married! I was so looking forward to a day home with the fam.  We had cinnamon rolls in the shape of a Christmas tree for breakfast, then the kids were anxious to open gifts, which we did Scavenger Hunt style. 

The kids were so thankful for their gifts from us and their siblings and had fun playing with everything.  One of my favorite memories of the day was that Kylee gave Kael an orange Nerf football, which we promptly started playing with (in the kitchen) and knocked down one of our hanging lights above the island.  Truthfully, I hadn't picked those lights out and I had never liked them anyways.  So we made a family trip to Menards and picked out new lights! They might be my favorite Christmas gift of all! :)

Lunch was PB and J in the shape of a reindeer.  Then I planned to take the big kids to a movie while Kase napped but they wanted to stay home and play with their new stuff, so we did. Later we went for supper at Leaning Tower.

Another highlight of the day was fondue.  I had asked for a fondue pot from my parents and we had never done fondue before but, you guys, it was so much fun.  So many smiles and so much laughter.  It was a good, good day.

Christmas morning, the kids were up bright and early.  Kael reported he woke up at 3:37 and Kylee at 3:57.  Thankfully, they stayed in their rooms until nearly 5:00.  They wanted to wake Kase up so badly but agreed to wait until 5:30 to get him up.  They were so excited to see what Santa had brought!

After playing with their gifts for awhile, we headed to Collins to celebrate with Kent's family. We had such a great day.  The kids were all so excited about their gifts! We really enjoyed spending time with Kent's parents and brothers, too.  A favorite memory of the day was when Kent's brothers and I  (and Kael, for the first five minutes) went on a run around town.

When we got home that night, Kent and I started to unpack things and I told the kids they could watch TV.  Kylee said, "I'd feel much better if I could go organize my new things in my room." Ha! Christmas day wasn't even over and she was ready to get her Christmas bears and Christmas tree out of her room so she could put away her new things! 

Friday morning we ate at Machine Shed with my parents which was a lovely start to the day.  Came back home and spent the day playing with all our new stuff.  Then Kylee asked if she could help me start taking ornaments off the tree so we ended up taking down all the Christmas stuff and Kent even took the lights down outside! It was a big job, and one that I was glad to have done while I had so much good help!

Saturday we had Christmas in Sheffield with my grandparents.  It was a smaller crowd but we had such a nice time.  I failed to get any good pictures but my mom did send me this one. How cute! Kase was so sweaty from running all around but we thought it was pretty sweet how he and Brooklyn matched a little bit. 

Sunday, we had our final celebration in Collins with Kent's grandparents. Another great day there! Lots of good food and a fun exchange game.  The kids all had fun running around together too. 

It was a wonderful year and we have so much to be thankful for.  Looking forward to the rest of the week home with my kids and excited to see what 2015 has in store for us!

Weekend Wrap-Up

It was a fun-filled weekend, you guys.  I love the holidays!!!!

Friday I went to the kids' school parties.  I'm love getting to be a part of these special days.  The excitement is contagious! Friday afternoon and evening was pretty low-key.  Kent fixed a few things around the house, we watched movies and played games. 

Saturday morning we were all up early.  Even for us.  We were all excited for Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's house! It was such a great day.  Everyone was healthy, the food and company were wonderful.  We have so very much to be thankful for.  I didn't do a great job taking pictures but I got a few and the rest are borrowed from my sistah. 

Christmas cuties.  

The littlest boys all gave Grandpa tractors because they play (sometimes a little bit rough) with his other ones.

Kylee is such a giver.  Nothing makes her happier. 

Looking for squirrels. 

So I don't have a great picture of Kael during one of my favorite moments of the day, but I wanted to write about it so I didn't forget.  We play this exchange game that is just so much fun and the gifts are anything and everything! Kael opened up 3 huge bags of chips and his reaction was priceless. He laughed so hard he nearly fell off his chair! He later told me it was one of his favorite gifts of the entire day.  

My loves.

Are you dying at these glasses? All the grandkids got them in their stockings and most of them wore them around for awhile.  Too cute!

I received these giant playing cards in the gift exchange.  Kent's so fun.  He immediately opened them and started up a game! 

Kent (and the other guys) got a fantastic "stocking" gift this year.  My dad filled a tool bag with allllll sorts of "guy" stuff for each of them.  Kent loved it!

We spent the day playing games, eating, laughing, opening gifts.  It was just a perfect day. We even had cheesecake delivered from New York (remember last year my dad surprised us with that New York trip?).  A sweet finish to a lovely day. Thanks Mom and Dad, for everything you did to make it such a special day!

Sunday morning we did a little organizing and tidying while the kids played with all their new toys.  They got some great stuff! Later we met Kent's family and Grandpa John and Grandma Jenny at Jethro's for brunch.  Then they came back here to celebrate.  The kids are always excited to have their uncles in town and we really enjoyed spending time with his grandparents who we don't see that often.

Sunday afternoon I wanted to finish up some last minute gifts while Kent and the kids went for a walk in my parents backyard.  I immediately regretted it, the second I pulled into Target and saw how insanely busy it was.  I got a couple things and got outta there.  We came home and baked cookies for Santa.  A great end to a great weekend!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that my Christmas shopping is done.

I'm thankful that Kase's pacifiers are starting to get holes in them.  I refuse to buy new, so it looks like he'll be ditching the pacifiers sooner than later.  #NotLikeHeSleepsWellAnyway

I'm thankful for our after school party today! All the kids soooo look forward to celebrating together. They started asking me back in early October if they could draw names for our gift exchange.  I can't wait for a fun afternoon! I've got my nails painted like candy canes and I've got my colorful jingle bell earrings on.  I'm so ready to party with my favorite kiddos!

I'm thankful for Kent.  I'm thankful for his hard work that affords this family of ours the luxuries we have.  I'm thankful that he comes home every day from work with a smile on his face and jumps right in to help out with the kids. I'm aware that's a luxury many other moms don't have.  I'm thankful that he chooses to spend his free time coaching our kids' sports. That's certainly a luxury not all other kids have.  I'm thankful that as the holiday bills roll in, we're able to pay them.  Another luxury many other families don't have.  In holidays past, I have let myself become stressed out with all the hustle and bustle because it is hands down Kent's busiest time of year at work, also.  This year, I'm choosing to be thankful that I have a little buddy who enjoys tagging along with me on all the holiday errands. This year I'm letting the kids pick what they want to give their teachers and friends instead of agonizing over the perfect gift.

Happy Thursday, all!

Weekend Wrap-Up

What a great weekend! Friday night we went over to some friends' house to watch the Iowa basketball game.  The game wasn't great, but the company was fantastic. 

Saturday Kylee had plans with friends (see below) and Kael had basketball pictures.  

Kylee planned to go ice skating with her friends but it was too warm out so they ended up getting shakes at Zombie Burger and doing a little window shopping.

Saturday night Kent and I did the Ugly Christmas Sweater thing with our neighbors, AKA some of my most favorite and fun people in the world. Kent's dickie definitely drew some attention.  Another option in addition to wearing an ugly sweater was dressing as a character from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and some of our neighbors went all out-  one even wore the bathrobe out for dinner! We commended his dedication. ;) A great night with friends and a memorable white elephant exchange where Kent's gift was a big hit among the guys.  

Most of the neighbor guys play Fantasy Football together and Kent won the league last year.  So his gift was a framed 5x7 of this picture, holding the belt he won.

Sunday the kids sang at church.  It was a really nice program. Then, we headed to Pella to celebrate with my mom's side of the family.  A great time was had by all. It left me wishing we had more time to get together with our cousins! 

We wrapped up our Sunday evening, in jammies early, watching Miracle on 34th Street.  With our first Christmas celebration under our belt, it feels like Christmas has officially begun! Bring on the fun!

Weekend Wrap-Up

I've got a Kylee-filled post today, folks.

Friday night we went to Ashland Ridge Spirit Night at the girls basketball game. Kylee had been chosen to shoot baskets at halftime! She was so excited.  The kids had fun seeing their friends. 

Saturday morning we headed to Collins- Kylee had been excited to decorate sugar cookies with Grandma Cindy last weekend and we ran out of time so she made sure we fit it in this weekend! She decided it's a new tradition for us. 

The Patterson guys making breakfast.  Towels over the shoulder are a must.

For a two year old, Kase has a surprising amount of experience with a rolling pin.  He helps me make pies all.the.time.

Kylee and Grandma proudly whip up some colorful frosing!

Kael has fun too.

Saturday afternoon Kylee and I went with our friends to the Uptown Christmas event.  The kids got to see Santa and Mrs. Claus and then went on a treasure hunt for a goody bag.  We even got in a horse drawn carriage ride- the weather was beautiful.  Then we had lunch at Leaning Tower- a local favorite.  So fun!

Sunday morning our elf had left us a Gingerbread Village to decorate and no one was more excited than Kylee.  After church, I spent the afternoon shopping then later we picked up a pizza and drove around looking at Christmas ideas, which was totally Kent's idea if you can believe it!

Yesterday, Kylee got chosen to be Mrs. Claus at a Library/Community Theater program. She was equal parts adorable and expressive.  Girl might have an acting career ahead of her! ;)

Hoping to spend the rest of the week finishing up gift shopping.  We have our first of many holiday celebrations this weekend and I'm so excited! 

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for the lady in front of me who passed me a coupon at Michael's today.  People are so kind.

I'm thankful for the lady at Veach's who fixed the zipper on my coat and didn't charge me.  Totally inspired me to pay it forward.

I'm thankful for this handsome dude and for how much fun he had at his concert the other night.

I'm thankful that Kent deals with figuring our insurance each year so I don't have to.

I'm thankful Kase doesn't seem to mind running errands nearly every single day.  'Tis the season!

Happy Thursday, all.

Weekend Wrap-Up

We woke up (early) Friday morning with a sick one.  She came around quickly though! She even felt well enough for a little Black Friday shopping.  She and I went with my mom and dad to a couple stores mid-morning when it wasn't too crazy.  We had a great time. 

It was a beautiful day to play outside and we made the season's first snowmen.

Kylee presented Kent with this "award" for best snowman-making.  

Friday afternoon we loaded up and headed to Toys R Us to get some more ideas for the kids for Christmas then ate dinner out.  When we got home, I stopped by one of my bestie's Gender Reveal party! They have two girls and found out they will be having a boy in May! 

Saturday we kind of bummed around here in the morning, caught up on cleaning and laundry that had been neglected all week.  Did a little grocery shopping, went for a walk, played outside with neighbors- highs were near 60 degrees! Awesome! That afternoon we went to Collins to decorate some Christmas ornaments for gifts for the great-grandparents and also to hang out with Kent's brothers who we don't see nearly often enough.

Crafting!

Crafting that keeps a 9 year old boy's attention over football games on TV? A TOTAL success in my opinion!

So cute!

We took a few family pictures and I was THRILLED with how they turned out!

Saturday night, Kent even got to watch wrestling with his family.  

Sunday morning we stopped by my parents' house, then stopped by my grandma's for a visit then home for Kase's nap.  I shopped for a few more Christmas gifts, then home to play board games by the fire. 

It was a great weekend! I find myself wishing we had long weekends much more often.  I'm already looking forward to Christmas Break!