So, I've been thinking about it lately... I post less and less on this blog as the kids get older and life gets busier. I think I am done blogging! For real! And as this year winds down and I approach the nine year anniversary of this blog, I think it's just time to be done. Going forward, I think I will just make annual photo books instead of blog books. And for those of you who are not on Facebook but like to keep up with us, I will post all my favorite pictures on a Flickr site, too. I just won't be writing as much as I have been with the blog. But a picture is worth a thousand words, right?
Anyway, I do feel compelled to wrap up 2015. So brace yourself for one final epic post!! I have a million pictures and videos. I shall do my best.
So I left off a few weeks back, but it's been a very BUSY few weeks (as December often is). Niko started basketball again, which he's been enjoying (and Gus is the one who takes him every Saturday, which I've been enjoying!). And on the 10th, we went to make gingerbread houses at Caryn's house. The very first time I met Caryn was when she invited us to make gingerbread houses less than a week after we moved here in 2011! It's an annual tradition! :)
A few days later, Maya announced that she wanted to bake cookies all by herself. We were planning to go to a living nativity performance at one of the farms back behind us, anyway, and we needed to bring a plate of cookies to share. So I figured, sure... she can do this! And she did! She did a FANTASTIC job, and the cookies were excellent!
We ended up going out to dinner that evening. Afterwards, on a whim, I suggested we might go on a drive to see some Christmas lights. I had heard about a house in Leicester that had an interesting setup, and it looked like it might be fun. And it was a nice night-- relatively warm, no ice or snow. Perfect conditions. So we went!
Somewhere in there, Maya heard back from Santa Claus. She had mailed him a letter at the Festival of Trees, and he wrote back! She was beside herself!!
We also had to make a gingerbread house for the contest at Gus' work. We actually ended up winning second place with our gingerbread chicken coop! :)
And then it was time for the kids' holiday concert at school. They were adorable, as always! The full video is here, if you'd like to see!
And then, BAM! It was Christmas! And it was 60 degrees outside! We had a great time with my parents living so close now. They came for dinner on Christmas Eve, back for presents the next morning, and then for dinner that afternoon. There are advantages to being only ten minutes away!
One of Gus' presents was a small drone. Good thing it was such a nice day-- perfect for flying!
And Maya got me a selfie stick, so we were able to get a group pic at dinner using my phone! :)
The few days after Christmas were pretty quiet. We went to go see the newest Star Wars movie, which all four of us thoroughly enjoyed (but only three of us had shirts, haha! Mine is from 1999...).
And both kids had a great time playing with all their new goodies. Maya was especially proud of this scarf she made for herself using her new loom.
And then , finally, it SNOWED!!! I think we actually broke the record this year for the latest measurable snow in the season. But we finally got some! It wasn't much, and it was VERY icy, but it was enough to play in. And probably enough that we should have cleared the driveway, but it appears to be melting now (a few days later... ha).
And that brings us to today, New Year's Eve. The last day of 2015. And the last post on this blog. It's bittersweet, letting this go, but it will still be here if I ever change my mind. And until then... see you on Flickr! And Happy New Year!!!!
We had a very nice, peaceful Thanksgiving at my parents' house this year. Lots of yummy food and drinks, and everyone ate their fill! I attempted to take a group picture, and it turned out pretty badly. Especially in color! So here is the best version. I will blame all the wine!
As soon as we got home that afternoon, we decorated the tree. I had been chomping at the bit to decorate, and it took every fiber of my being to "respect the turkey" (to quote Niko). I must say, though, that the kids did a fantastic job getting the ornaments up this year. They were careful to make sure they were distributed evenly, and made sure every ornament was secure. They are getting so grown up! How did that happen??
The next day, Black Friday, I went out shopping in the morning with my friend, Caryn. We were already 99% done with our Christmas shopping, so it was an excuse to buy some new clothes for ourselves and get coffee, mainly. We had a great time! I was home before lunchtime, and got all the outside decorations up in the afternoon. I'd say it looks pretty good, inside and out!
On December 1st, we celebrated our four-year "Massiversary." I can't believe it's been four years since we woke up in this house for the first time! In some ways, it feels like a lifetime ago. Other times it feels like it was yesterday. Still, all things considered, and despite being something we could have never anticipated, this move ended up being one of the best things that has ever happened to us. We love it here, and love the four years of memories we have already made. Here's to many more!
And then we got the kids' school pictures for the year. I always feel compelled to buy these for posterity, even though I have thousands of better pictures. But I present to you: their official photos for the 2015-2016 school year!
And some better pictures of those same two goofballs in front of the Christmas tree. :)
That brings us to this weekend, and the Festival of Trees! This is a great annual event in our town. We didn't go our very first year (first WEEK) of living here, but we have been every year since. Santa is there, and you can bring letters to him (and he will write back!).
In addition to Santa, there are rooms filled with beautifully decorated Christmas trees, gingerbread houses, and wreaths. Different people and organizations can buy a spot and design their trees how they wish, with all the proceeds going to to town Historical Society. Our Cub Scout pack had a tree, and the second graders from the kids' school had a wreath. All the kids made these cute little owl finger puppets in art class (our school mascot is an owl). Here is Niko pointing to his owl:
After we admired all of the trees and cast our votes for our favorite ones, the kids turned in their scavenger hunt cards and received little baggies of "reindeer food" to sprinkle outside on Christmas Eve. Then we went home and had a delicious dinner of chili and cornbread before heading back over for the official town tree lighting.
We will likely head back over to the Festival of Trees after lunch today, to go on an antique fire truck ride and maybe listen to the live music. But it's Niko's name day, so he is calling the shots! Cinnamon rolls for breakfast and a local diner for lunch. No complaints here!
