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Monday, December 30, 2024

Christmas 2024

Christmas 2024 backwards to forwards (because that's how they uploaded, and I'm not about to take the time to switch out this many pictures)... 

Today.... lunch with Bailee! She was in town for a dentist appointment, and we were thrilled to meet her for lunch.

 

The day after Christmas JG, Stacey and the boys came to spend the night. We took all the kids to see Ice! at the Gaylord. It was cool, but also seems to get more and more crowded every year. It's unbelievable to think this was Nick's and my first date 19 years ago!! It also may have been our last trip to be Ice! realistically. 

I need to dig out the OG picture. 19 years later... don't miss the dad cap Beck bought Nick at the school Christmas shop.

We did take down our Christmas decorations on the 27th and get the house back in order, which felt pretty incredible. Other than that, we've done a lot of this. Also, Logan has had strep throat, so that slowed us down even more. I've worked on lesson plans, run errands and had a few random appointments. The boys have done some hitting and played with friends, other than that we've been enjoying time at home. 

Christmas Day:

We had a wonderful Christmas filled with the people we love most. It was my favorite Christmas Day in recent memory. We had a nice morning at home- the boys were excited and grateful for their gifts. (Although they called us on Alexa at 6:00 on the dot, which is a little early for my taste). The Christmas chaos was easy to clean up, Nick and I finished watching Family Man, and then my mom came over and he grilled the most amazing steaks of all time, and I set a pretty table with some random things I had around the house, made mashed potatoes and drank a glass of red wine with a sweet little brown helper snoozing in the kitchen. Also, the boys spent the majority of the day outside on a reconnaissance mission in hoodies and sunglasses hunting each other down with their orbeez guns Santa brought them. That night Nick took a nap and the boys and I watched The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Every Christmas Day should be just like this one! It was a great day just being together. 







Logan built his Lego from Grammy and Papa

Everett got his custom glove!

And some drip
Very drippy Christmas


Santa 1 

Santa 2

Santa 3

Santa 4 & 5

Santa did get creative with some stocking stuffers this year!

Christmas Eve: Brunch at Mimi's, Candlelight service at Church, and Ravi's at Grammy and Papa's. I LOVE our traditions!






Basically, we just passed the puppy around all night.











And finally, the Eve of Christmas Eve... we started a new tradition of neighborhood kids' game night. They've all kind of outgrown caroling, and although this was loud and wild, the kids had an absolute blast playing LCR, bunco and pass the present. 





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Happy 13th Birthday Logan!

We officially have a teenager! 

With a phone!!

Logan's 13th birthday was such a fun one! We surprised him that morning with a phone... he has been BEGGGGGGGGING for one for months (years, really). According to Logan he and Zach and one other really weird kid are the only ones at Faith without phones. I don't know if that's actually a fact, but I do know by this point most kids have them. After lots of thought and some research, and attending a technology parent meeting at Faith, Nick and I decided to take the leap. Logan was shocked and thrilled. 

He wanted Einsteins bagels for breakfast, and then we told him we were taking him to Cheesecake Factory (one of his favorite places to eat and one of his favorite types of dessert) for lunch. I had arranged for his 3 Carroll besties and 2 of his Faith besties to be there waiting and surprise him. This was kind of a last minute plan, and I'm so glad it came together. He was shocked, and it was definitely one of the highlights of his entire day. Nick got to the restaurant early with balloons and met the boys there, and when I walked in with Logan, Everett, and Beck, it really was such an awesome surprise. 



Beck and one of his besties


The boys were all so sweet and well behaved. After lunch Nick took Beck home, but Logan was generous enough to let Everett walk around Town Square with him and his friends. (Another first!) They had about an hour- which meant I also had about an hour- which is a real treat, let me tell you. Apparently, they tried to hassle an elf for free Santa pictures, but couldn't make it happen and then looked at Teslas and went to smell cologne. And it's not "apparently" on the cologne, because there was no question about it on the drive home. It took a lot not to drive down 1709 with the windows rolled down. 

That night we ate, yet again, and met Al & Teri, Colin and Mimi for hibachi in Colleyville. It was fun and delicious, albeit salty. 




Logan requested the Ina Garten mocha icebox cake for dessert, which I loved making for him.
The next night Nick took Logan, Zach and Brooks to the Mavs game and to sleepover at our house for one final teenage celebration. It was so much fun celebrating Logan!


Dear Logan,

I am so proud of you and excited that you're officially a teenager! You are such an outstanding young man- you are kind, sweet, responsible, funny and smart. Dad and I are so lucky to have a front seat watching you grow up.

This year I am especially proud at your maturity and adaptability in moving baseball teams and also moving over to Faith. It was a lot of change in a few short months. We have seen you thrive already at Faith, and we are so excited and thankful to be able to have that opportunity. We think it is a great fit for you.

At 13, you love sports, video games (Madden), your family, pets and friends. Girls don't seem to interest you much just yet. You would rather play "MB" (mini basketbal) with your brothers, wiffle ball or basketball. You are so determined and have a great work ethic at whatever you do. You love sweets and junk food, and will eat them as much as you possibly can. You also love a good steak! 

Your best friends are still Brooks, Andy and Owen in Southlake and Zach, Cooper, Jagger and Noah at Faith, although you seem to like almost all of the kids there. School seems pretty easy and enjoyable for you, except for Mr. Ogden's science class which is challenging. You have enjoyed Spanish a lot this year, and Mrs. Bohne is your favorite teacher. 

This year, we are excited to watch you play catcher for the Marauders and also play baseball on the Faith junior high team. We will be up close and personal since I'll be with you at school, and dad will be coaching your school baseball team. I hope you don't get sick of us, and it's as much of a blessing to you as it is to us (or at least one day you think that). 

On your 13th birthday I just want you to know how much I adore you, what an outstanding person I think you are growing into, and that I believe you can do absolutely anything you set your mind to. I also think you're so cute and hilarious and brilliant, but I know that's probably embarrassing. I am so lucky to be your mom! Happy 13th birthday!! I love you.

MOM


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