Catch up....seems like all my posts say that

I let myself get behind again. The other day I tried to figure out why I haven't blogged in so long, and I decided it was because most of my kid quirps end up going in my facebook status instead of creating them into a full-blown blog post. The facebook status is nice when I don't have a lot of time. However, it also is a hindrance because it does not allow me to save it in my 'journal,' or share the entire hilarity of said kids' comments.

I say all of this to say, I hope to be back on the bandwagon in the blog world. I realized I did not post anything about Thansgiving or Christmas! Shame on me. And now, since both holidays are so far removed, no one really wants to read about them, much less me type about them. As stated earlier, I do want to jot down a few things about each so I can remember them in years to come.

Thanksgiving was fantastic as usual! Per our tradition, our great friends, Jon and Stacy, were able to come with their chillins, Lawson and Jordan, to stay a few days and enjoy the festivities. Stacy and I realized our tradition, which feels like started yesterday, is now going on eight years...maybe nine..it's been too long since we've calculated, that I can't even remember now. Either way, it's been a long time. We've been in each other's lives since the summer after Jon and Stacy were married. Our paths have seen ups and downs in our own lives, as well as the lives of others. We all celebrated the announcement of their first child, Lawson, then again with the announcement of Avery's impending birth five months after that. Kenny and I were able to welcome Lawson into the world, then the Stacy's did the same with Avery. A few years down the road, Jordan came along. We were already in Montgomery, but we were so happy to travel to see their new one! Later on, Braden came along, and they helped us celebrate that as well. It's been great to share so many of life's experiences and 'firsts' with another couple who loves the Lord like our family does. It feels like we've grown up together, and now are kids are getting to do the same thing.

Thanksgiving was also fun because Kenny's dad, and brothers, Tom, Jon and Kirk were in town too! Their mom had returned to Colorado to tie up loose ends with their house. I don't even think I've blogged about the fact that Kenny's family has moved here! Kirk is a senior in high school this year, and is going to school where Kenny teaches. It's been fun having family around since we've gone our whole marriage without having any family in town with us.

Of course another favorite part of any Thanksgiving is having tons of other friends around as well. Dawn and Chris were also here, and we got to enjoy their baby, Brady's, first Thanksgiving! Stacy and I ventured out again on Black Friday. I used to not have any desire to do that, but we have now completed two Black Friday operations, and come away with great deals and most of the kids' Christmas presents. We hope to continue that tradition as well!

Let's fast forward to Christmas. We stayed here this year. Normally we do a lot of traveling, but since Kenny's family was here, my parents and brother decided they would come here too! It was such a fun time sharing dinner, movies and great fellowship together. Avery and Braden were so blessed to have both sets of grands, as well as four uncles and one aunt to celebrate with.

I was so behind with things this year that I did not manage to get Christmas cards out. Some of the best pictures I got of the kids were when they were in their pajamas. I guess those would have been our choice to send out, had we printed cards. We also found one family picture in the mix.

Now that I've caught up on November and December, I've realized that January has come, and is almost gone!

I am not one to really make resolutions, but I have decided to have a more positive outlook on life, people, friends, everything! So far so good...of course I've hit my fare share of bumps, but my new attitude has made living much more fun. I challenge everyone to do the same!