Weekend Wrap Up

Feels like our long Christmas break is coming to an end, at least for Darrin and me. We spent Saturday getting the house back in order before having to go back to work tomorrow. Carson was in charge of burning tons boxes and trash from Christmas. We had a fog advisory which is why it looks like that.

Granny and Pa came for a visit so we taught them how to play 7 Wonders.

Today we had our last Christmas celebration. Miles was happy to add more cologne to his collection.

Carson was thrilled when he found out the biggest present was his.

He was happy to add more Nerf guns to his armory. 

Carson also got to hang out with his buddy, Charlie, over the weekend and ride his new go cart. 

Back to work tomorrow, but only for a few days because we are heading to Disney! My mom desperately wanted us to take the boys to Disney so we are making it happen. Signing off with a few more pictures to wrap up Christmas 2025.

Merry Christmas

We spent our Christmas day with just the four of us this year. Christmas Eve was spent with Darrin's family in ugly Christmas attire. 

Playing games is a guaranteed good time for me.

Darrin's brother was able to come in town this year. 

Miles is continuing to gain on his Pa!

Opening their boxes on Christmas Eve is one of Miles' favorite traditions. Somehow it has turned into a second stocking so what's not to love.

Taking this picture is one of my favorite traditions. I need to do a post with these pictures over the years. 

Darrin filled out this book for me and wrapped it up. It was the only gift I didn't know about. I don't cry often, but this got me good. It was immediate tears. I told the boys to take note for their wives one day.

On Christmas Eve, the boys have slept in a fort in our room for years, probably since Carson was out of a crib. It was a good way to keep them from running into Santa. Sadly, since we don't have to worry about that with anyone in our house anymore, they slept in Miles' room last night. They watched Home Alone and we all went to sleep early. 

They took their time getting up this morning. Miles even took a shower before they came to our room to get us. We had been up for a while too. They finally got to opening presents around 7:30. Miles was excited about new golf clubs.

Carson got a BB gun and target. We discovered his gun wasn't strong enough to actually move the target, but you can still hear if it hits it :)

Carson loved getting his own baseball cards since Miles has so many.

Carson will be on a new travel team starting this spring. He got some swag.

Miles got a sweatshirt for his team too and some much needed new baseballs. He's been using the same ones for almost 10 years....and they were used when we bought them!

We bought a new game for Carson called 7 Wonders and it might be the hardest game we've ever played. Actually I know it is. We watched multiple YouTube videos and asked ChatGPT a million questions. We will get it though!

We still have one Christmas celebration left this Sunday. I am going to do my best to get a family picture then!

Sad News

Sad news to share today. My mom passed away on Dec. 7th after a long battle with lung cancer. She has been able to live pretty well with it for a long time, but this year, and the last month specifically, was very hard. A lot of my extra time has been spent taking care of her and just spending time with her which is one reason I haven't been blogging lately. 

I was going to post a bunch of the great pics we have with her, but honestly it was too sad. I haven't let myself dwell much because I want to get through Christmas with some happy times. This is one of my favorite pics of her with the boys, so I'll just end with that. Marmee loved them so, so much.

Some Things Never Change

Carson has always been his happiest, best self when he is outside. Forgive the blurriness, this is a screenshot of a video.

Add rain and he's really happy.

I came home from work today to him playing outside in the rain and mud. He said he was playing outside for 5 more hours because he was having so much fun. 

He gives meaning to the saying a breath of fresh air!

Less Words Wednesday

We got an extra phone so Carson would have a "home phone" if needed. 

He has a few contacts...us and grandparents...and he loves getting texts. 

Carson has an interesting way of organizing his shoes.

I had a yard sale with some friends over the weekend. I enjoyed hanging out with them, but never again. We'll have to find other ways to hang out. I am happy to say my guest room doesn't look like this anymore.

Darrin went out of town again, which meant Carson and I had a sleepover in my room.

I think Carson was a little under the weather last week. I have never seen him have this demeanor at practice. 

Each other's favorite person.

Their travel team has practiced more this preseason than ever before. We'll see how their hard work pays off this weekend! Both boys have tournaments. Go Beast & Top Notch!

Jailbreak night at the football game. I don't care what boys say, they like a reason to dress up.

Miles got his braces off!

Less Words Wednesday

We had a first this weekend. Miles drove Carson to get haircuts for both of them and then they went grocery shopping for Marmee. She said they did a great job!

Working for a living is hard.

Carson is very motivated by the school's 20 book challenge. He read four books in the first week.

We surprised Carson last Friday with a Mexican, the arcade, and a sleepover with his buddy Charlie.

They used their arcade tickets for lighted swords

We rented a lift and trimmed & raised a lot of trees in our yard. It was a major job, but it was much needed and looks so much better.

It might be time for Miles to sit in the front seat and me in the back. He looks so uncomfortable.

Time for fall nails.

Miles learned how to work the lift and went way up in it!