35

Well today the big man of the house turned 35. He reminded me about a bizillion times that he had now moved down in the age brackets when filling out surveys and such. Why is it men hit this "oh my Im really getting old" later than women do? Remember 30, yep I do, it was traumatic. But I am here and that my friends is worth celebrating. So we did just that tonight, celebrated a birthday for a great man in all of our lives!


Yummy golden yellow cake with yummy chocolate buttercream



Now that's my kind of birthday haul. He wanted to the headphones to drown out his nagging wife be able to watch his movies while I sleep.

Tonight was our last night to do anything "family Christmasy" so we went on our annual minivan express. It was a ton of fun, even if it was impromtu and quick!





We went to a few of our favorite places with a stop in between for some hot cocoa. Along the way I punched the kids tickets, just like they do in the movie. It was kind of comical listening to Chase trying to figure out what it was going to say.
Can you figure it out?


Needless to say we have alot of it going around right now!

Earlier in the day was sisters class party and it was a hit! I still get nervous but watching those little kiddos have so much fun is the best!



These were their yummy cupcakes at the party. They were a hit :)

Other than today we have been busy here at home getting ready for Christmas. Lots of present wrapping and baking. I swear if I ever did open a bakery, and I might someday, I am thoroughly prepared for it. I have mastered oven rotation and scheduling of mixing. I am a pro.


Chippy even got in on the cookie action


Ella has become our little budding artist. She brought home her first ceramic ornament and colored our Chippy.





I don't think I will be posting again until after Christmas. I am vowing to focus more time on really being "there" for my kids. No computer, no phone, no facebook, no texts. But being there, in the moment, with them. It seems the nation is going through the same thing I am. This school shooting, for whatever reason, has really affected me. I cry daily for those babies. Packing Ella's backpack Monday morning was one of the hardest things I think I have ever done. I even called Ryan and said would it be wrong of me to just keep her home this whole week. I knew I couldn't but oh my goodness did I want to. I have my vigil some time during the day and sometimes at night. I pick one of those babies we lost to talk to and ask for them to help us all down here cope with their loss. I talked to the principal and cried because I know exactly how much she loves all of her students. It has been hard. But I am a better mom because of this tragedy. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas or holiday break.