December 2021

Last post for catching up on 2021! December was busy as usual, but we survived. The month started out on a fun note with Bennett receiving the Student Leader of the Month. They had us surprise him at the award ceremony and then a few days later he got to ride in a firetruck to school. His teacher said that Miles seemed geniunely happy for him

We saw a lot of basketball in December.  The twins got to start their season at the Brashear Shootout. They have a couple new players on the team who haven't really played much basketball before, but Andrew was good about getting them equal playing time. Of course, it was a bit chaotic but they were fun to watch. Ellie's JV team had a little bit of a rough start at the Novinger Tournament losing 2 of 3 and also losing their first home game against Moberly. But they have been improving since, including Ellie who is gaining some self-confidence out on the court. Lincoln's team got off to a good start and has been playing well in their first games in Columbia and Fairfield. Andrew has said many times that it is a good thing I love basketball.

The twins celebrated their 10th birthday in December too! Very exciting day for them. We celebrated their birthday with family on their actual birthday. They wanted Pizza Hut pizza and cupcakes with white icing and no sprinkles. Mark and Cheryl were in town, so they joined us too. And we celebrated with their friends at Leisure World with a bowling party. They had fun playing for a little over an hour, but then the arcade games were calling their names so Andrew gave them $20 worth of quarters and finished their bowling games for them. And instead of presents, we did what we have done for past 10th birthdays and had the kids bring a donation. For the twins, we did the Birthday Pantry for the schools.

Before school broke for Christmas break, they had a couple activities. First up was the Winter Dance. Jackson had a date and attended his first dance ever. He went with Jordan Meng and he said they had a good time. His mom and aunts thought he was the best-dressed one there (they helped me pick his outfit out). They did pictures and dinner at a friends house and then some of them went to Sonic after the dance. Ellie also went to the dance with friends and they got ready at Reese's house. They all looked so pretty. Ellie actually came home from the dance early because the Brimmer's had gotten into town and were at our house, so she wanted to come see them. 

Jackson also had a very small guitar concert. It was at the beginning of the choir concert and they did two Christmas carols on their guitars. I didn't even get any good video or pictures, because once they started, his teacher stood right in front of him. He has really learned to like the guitar though and does a good job with it.

Jackson actually started attending some of the basketball games and it was fun to see him get involved. He even wore my old jersey to the jersey night game. Of course, Ellie was there too and she has also really enjoyed hanging out with her small group and KLife leaders.

Our Christmas celebrations started the week before Christmas when the Brimmers came to down and we had an early Christmas out at Tom and Mary's.  And it was so good to see them all again as it had been so long. Annie and I met up at Scooters one morning and it was good to catch up with her too.

I got to celebrate my birthday multiple times. Leah took me out to lunch at Koch's the day before my birthday and my mom made lasagna and red velvet cake to celebrate that night. Amanda's family were in town for Christmas by then, so they got to celebrate with us too. Then on my actual birthday, Lissy insisting in taking us all out for lunch at Mi Casa and that night, Ellie had a ballgame in Marshall. Sharon rode with me and she gave me some candy from Koch's that she likes. 

I got to meet Heidi at Scooters the morning of Christmas Eve and it is always so nice to be able to spend time with her. Then more family started showing up throughout the day and the festivities began.

Since it was an off year, we did Christmas Eve service at the Crossing and didn't go to Midnight Mass. After dinner at my parents, we came home and let the kids to their sibling gift exchange and Christmas pjs before settling down and going to bed.

I'll admit that not having to stay up super late is nice, but Midnight Mass does still hold a special place in my heart. We told the kids they could get up at 7 the next morning and they were up and ready to go. I asked Lissy if she could come over and take pictures while the kids opened presents. I liked that I didn't have to focus too much on it plus her pictures are always better than mine. But the big reason was I was hoping she would get some good pictures of our big present for the kids-that we are going to Hawaii for Spring Break. Lissy didn't even know and she was as excited as the kids. It was a fun surprise because I think it was something none of them ever imagined we would do. 

After we finished up at our house, we headed over to my parents' house to open presents over there. The kids are always so excited and my parents do such an amazing job with all of it. After opening presents, we had brunch and then eventually made our way back to our house to regroup before heading back over for dinner and the cousin/sibling gift exchange.

Ellie had Carolina and Lola over for a sleepover that night and the boys got to have a sleepover later after we had everyone over for dinner. The kids used their Christmas gift cards to purchase an Oculus and they all had fun with it.

Just as everyone else was heading home, Molly and Brad got into town. They got to celebrate New Year's with us by going to Pear Tree for dinner and to my parents afterwards to ring in the New Year. We would normally stay overnight, but we were actually under a Winter Storm Warning, so we went home after midnight.

And that was the end of 2021. What a year!! So much to be thankful for though.