Christmas Card Out-Takes 2017

Acting crazy

Someone wasn't looking...

...and this time the other one wasn't.

Who even knows what got her so tickled?

Merry Christmas! 

Nutcracker Weekend!

We spent this past weekend in Chicago where we took in a new adaptation of the Nutcracker.  It was absolutely amazing!  The Joffrey Ballet is one of the best we have seen.  
We had a wonderful time!!!!

We had a beautiful view of Navy Pier and the lights of Michigan Ave.

Gracie and I would like to start every morning like this.  And yes, that latte was every bit as good as it looks!

Of course, Lily Grace liked all the gold in the hotel lobby.

Goofing around while waiting on Matt who had to go back up to the room for our tickets.  I kid you not, our family has quite the history with Nutcracker tickets and forgetting them.

Of course, Gracie had to take in the new Apple store before lunch and the show.  She took a turn with the new programable SPK ball. 

We also stopped by Millennium park and snapped a family selfie in the reflection of the bean.

The show was amazing and the props and costumes were beautiful!

Lily Grace started attending the Nutcracker when she was 3.  Each time she collects a new Nutcracker before the show.  We have them from TN, NY, IN and IL.  This year, she was on the watch for one with pink.  We haven't seen one before but..... this year, she found one.  

LG hit a growth spurt this year and she's now almost as tall as the big Lego sculptures in the Lego store...

...and her mama!

Holiday Recital

Lily Grace had her Holiday Recital last Thursday evening.  She did an amazing job!  Her playing was absolutely beautiful!  She did a special arrangement of We Three Kings and again, it was just beautiful!  
We are so proud of you Gracie Cakes!

Gingerbread Remodel

This afternoon with our first snow on the ground and a high of 32 it seemed the perfect afternoon to decorate our gingerbread house.  Now I'm not sure if it's the cold weather, or maybe we were just off our game, but our house ended up looking like it needs a remodel.  We couldn't seem to get things to stick and after we had Matt outline the window swags it went downhill. And guess what?  It was one of the best times we've had decorating a gingerbread house.  We laughed so hard!!!!  And yes, we are displaying that thing with pride, frosted windows and all.  (Who doesn't like a little privacy? ha! ha!) 
Thank you God for this wonderful second Sunday of Advent.  Thank you for family and memories made. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon together as we await your coming.  God is good!  

So Proud!

Lily Grace is really enjoying middle school.  She stays quite busy and involved.  She is excelling and continues to receive straight A's.  Last month, she was honored at a breakfast for receiving High Honors in academics.  We are so proud of her.  
However, nothing could make us more proud and thankful than the email we received this past week.  Lily's principal emailed us to say that she had been recognized for another achievement and attached the following photo.  
One of her teachers recommended her for this award and her certificate reads, "She is a wonderful example of what it's like to be Christ to others.  She is always trying to do nice things for others to help brighten their day."  
Matt and I told Gracie that while we are always proud of her academic achievements, there is no other achievement greater than sharing Christ with others and being the best version of yourself.  We are so very proud of her and thankful for the blessing of a religious education.  Thanks be to God!

Bob is Back!

Bob, our elf, has been visiting us since LG was about 3 and even though Gracie is getting older, we all still have so much fun having Bob visit us.  (And Bob doesn't stress nearly as much now if he forgets to move.) We find it to be a fun way to pass the days until Christmas.  I'm guessing Bob will be around for some time and will perhaps one day journey on to Gracie's house to visit her kids. I know that she and Bob will make a great team. Until then, we all get a good laugh here and there and just enjoy the fun.  

Bob came in on a hot air balloon this year.  

Gracie woke to a balloon tied to her bed and few more down the hall as well as few spelling out Bob.  

He brought Gracie a hot chocolate set she's had her eye on as well as a scavenger hunt to a couple other surprises.  

She had to locate QR labels all around the house, scan them with her phone and follow the clue.  And no, she doesn't have a data plan or phone number of her own.  It's an old iPhone she uses to listen to music and take photos.  She's 11, Bob hasn't completely lost his mind. ha!

Along the way she found a package that included some adorable Family PJ's. 

Another clue lead us to a family silly string fight and boy was that a mess.  Fun but messy...took Matt mere seconds after we finished to whip out a broom and start cleaning. ha!

Gracie Cake's idea of cleaning was a little different.  

After scanning and following clues all over the house, the last clue finally led her to The Ultimate Puzzle.  She has been eagerly trying to solve this thing in math class and wanted one of her own. 

I don't know what it is about the top of the stairs landing and balloons, but Matt and Lily Grace can't help but make up crazy games with throwing balloons and laugh at one another.

Father Augustine

Father Augustine is from Uganda and has been assigned to our parish for two years.  This is actually his first U.S. assignment.  He has about a year left and we are so enjoying having him.  He is very kind and humble. Lily Grace really thinks a lot of him.  So much so, that when given the opportunity to write an article for the school newspaper, she elected to interview and write about Father Augustine.  
I took her to the interview and it was fascinating to hear about life back in Uganda as opposed to here.  We are so very blessed!!!!
Thank you God for the people you send into our lives.

Thankful-Grateful-Blessed!

This past week Gran visited to celebrate Thanksgiving with us.  While she was here, Matt and I took a mini overnight trip to Chicago right before Thanksgiving and it was the first time in 11 years that Lily Grace and I have been apart. There were bets on whether Gracie and I would actually go through with it or not.  In preparation for this overnighter Matt and I actually updated our will.   Yep! It was one expensive date.   (Thank the Lord above for FaceTime and text.) A little nod to you too Steve Jobs. 
While Matt and I enjoyed our time together and Lily Grace enjoyed her time alone with Gran doing the grandparent thing, it in no way compares to the time we spend together as a family.  
You see, Matt and I were together for 10 years before Lily Grace came home and in about 8 short years, it will be just the two of us in the house again.  Matt and I enjoy finding time together here and there, or taking a day off together while Gracie is at school. We don't take those moments alone for granted and try to make the most of them. Those moments mean so much more than if we had planned time away. Time is short.  God has blessed the three of us with one another and honestly, after we compared notes, we all agree that it's so much more fun and meaningful when we're all together.  We laugh and enjoy each other's company and simply cherish being a family.   Even the times when we are on each others nerves are an absolute blessing and a memory made for a lifetime.  So, you can pretty much read that as we don't plan on doing the separate thing again anytime soon unless we have to. 
Special thanks to Gran for taking great care of Lily Grace and visiting.  We had fun playing games and laughing.  We are grateful for your visit.   
Gracie, daddy and I thank you for those big hugs and sweet words, " I missed you and love you," while we were away and when we got home.  You bless our lives each and every day.
Thank you Matty for working so hard for our family and being an amazing husband/father  who lives his faith. We love you!
Thank you good and gracious God for the blessing of family. 

As soon as Gran arrived, Lily Grace couldn't wait to let her open her Christmas present early.  This year, Lily Grace is arm knitting all of her grandparents a chunky throw blanket.  She is doing a great job!  Gran was so surprised.  

Matt and I got a great view of Lake Michigan this visit from our room on the 24th floor of the Ritz Carlton.

We made a stop in Tiffany & Co. for a little Christmas shopping and the tree and wreath were too cute in Tiffany Blue.  We also got a text from Gracie asking for a pink diamond ring size 5.  Needless to say, we did not walk out with one. We sent her a picture of one instead.  😊😊😊

Very cold 

Who looks forward to getting their hands messy in food each year?  This girl!

Gracie and Gran enjoyed some time playing together on the piano.  

A Very Special Birthday!

This past Thursday, I celebrated my 46th birthday.  That's right, 46!  I don't cringe or shy away from it, I'm proud of it.  I have so many blessings to show for 46 years.  
I had quite the special birthday.  Matt and Lily Grace as always, planned and put forth great effort to make me feel special and I most certainly did.  I woke to greetings and gifts to start the day.  

My birthday was also All Souls Day and I attended Lily Grace's all school mass where my sweet girl just happen to have been asked to cantor for the day.  It was truly quite special.  She did a beautiful job.  

I received text, calls, gifts and cards from friends and family throughout the day.  Thank you so much to everyone for making me feel so loved and thought of.  

Matt took off Friday to keep the celebrating going.  We spent a fun day together laughing, getting some odd jobs done and watching for the UPS man.  Oh yes!  The first deliveries for the iPhone X fell on this day and yes, we joined the crazy.  Matt actually got up at 3:00am two week's earlier to order this phone for me and people, we actually cheered when the UPS man turned onto our street.  As you can imagine, we spent the rest of the afternoon playing with talking emojis.  ha!  

After picking Gracie up from school, we enjoyed dinner out to end the day. 

It truly has been a very special birthday.  Matt and Lily Grace you make me feel special each and every day just by being in my life.  I am so very blessed!!!  God is most certainly good! 

With my favorite cantor right before mass

Spending the day with my best friend who's been there for 27 of my 46