Merry Christmas!

 We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!  We always have fun, laugh lots and make memories to last.  We are so very blessed.  Family truly is the greatest blessing of all and no gift will ever match it. 

We enjoyed a wonderful meal downtown at Ruth's Chris before Christmas Eve mass.  

Right before the wrapping paper explosion.

We stuff each others stockings and it's always one of our favorite parts of Christmas morning.  I was thrilled with these notepads.  It's the little things you know?  I am a list maker.  These pads are my absolute favorite thing, but it can't be the yellow ones.  Told you, it's the little things.  These two know me so well. 

While it wouldn't fit in her stocking, LG was thrilled to get this big burrito blanket.  I have no idea but she thinks it is the funniest thing. 

Lily and I give Matt a hard time about his dry heels.  As a joke we put foot masks in his stocking.

Of course, Molly got treats.

Each year, Gracie gives Matt golf balls.  However, she personalizes them and Matt is always anxious and nervous as to what she has printed on them.  Needless to say, she didn't disappoint.  Too funny!

Molly with her new toy.

So excited to get a new wedge.

I don't know out of the three of us who was more excited about this gift.  You see, Molly loves to be sneaky and grab the oven mitts when I'm cooking.  The thing is, she also likes to chew them and when we go to use them, we end up getting hot spots where she has chewed them.  I keep complaining about it so Gracie gave me a new set and we have all used them since and commented how nice it is to not fear getting one of those bare spots. ha!

This girl loves green.  You've never seen someone so excited about a new retro green keyboard and mouse.  The kid was actually taking typing test online throughout the day to use it.  

Anytime Tory Burch is involved I'm excited.  

Love this kid to pieces

I got a cute new pair of Birdies, but it's the box that is just so beautiful, you hate to throw it away.

Matt is constantly telling Gracie and I that he's "resting his eyes."  Lily gifted him some socks this year that on the bottom actually say, "I'm not sleeping.  I'm resting my eyes." 

Gracie and Gran gifted Matt a new Patagonia fly fishing pouch.  He was excited to get that thing.  Gracie and I have been kidding him that is' really just a man purse.

Lily was excited to get her own new crossbody that she's had her eye on.

Some of the aftermath

After all that excitement, she's done for the rest of the day!

A Quick Trip South Before Christmas

 We used the week before Christmas to take a quick trip down south to visit family.  

Lily Grace set up an online Secret Santa a few weeks beforehand so we could all draw names.  So with gifts packed and seamless flights, we landed in Pensacola around 8 pm and didn't rest until we were back home in Indiana days later.

We had to fly out of Indianapolis this time.  Gracie played DJ for the two hour ride to the airport and we basically belted out tunes and drove Matt crazy.  

By the time we got to the hotel and got settled, it was pretty late.  It was warm and humid and didn't keep up from a midnight stroll on the beach.

Lily gave us a lesson on using the night feature on the iPhone.  

Matt however, still needs help in the selfie department.  

Light rain and snow back in IN and 75 early morning on Pensacola Beach.  Perfect weather for an early morning walk.

Matt is constantly on me about how I drive.  Gracie and I are constantly giving him a hard time about how slow he drives.  Well, needless to say, when Gracie and I saw these blue lights behind us just two miles away from grandmas and Mr. Cautious himself behind the wheel, we enjoyed every minute of it and laughed our heads off.  Yep! While Matt is busy getting a VERY expensive ticket, Gracie and I are taking selfies with the blue lights flashing.  You can bet he won't be allowed to forget this any time soon.  

Lily Grace kept some cuties entertained. They adore her and the feeling is mutual.  

Secret Santa at grandmas was loud, chaotic and lots of fun!  Gracie did a great job arranging things and it was so much fun seeing who everyone drew.

The tree in the lobby of our hotel was so pretty.  It still seems so odd to me that it's so warm at Christmas.  I complain about living in the cold and snow but I need it to be cold at Christmas. 

These two......

We play corn hole each time we stay at this hole and once again, mama  came out on top. 

Uncle Matt taught Owen how to play chess.

All the kids wanted to sit by Lily Grace so they got a table of their own and it was apparently the fun table. 

We left Florida and headed to Alabama to see my family.  We were supposed to have a party for my Honey's 90th birthday just a couple of weeks before covid hit.  Sadly, she turned 90 and 91 while in lockdown.  We were super excited to finally get to see her.  We didn't tell her we were coming because we wanted to surprise her.  Look at that smile on. her face when she got to Lily Grace.  It is priceless and melts my heart.  

We "broke Honey out" as Gracie says and took her to Grans where we all enjoyed lunch and catching up.  Afterwards, we took her to Wal-Mart.  All through lock up Honey would tell us that when she finally got out, all she wanted to do was go to Wal-Mart.  

We also got to meet Cooper.  He's Grans new pal.  Gracie and I actually found him online.  He's a rescue and the cutest little thing.  Lily and I seriously wanted to dognap that little fellow. 

More cousins in Alabama...Lily Grace was so happy to get to see these two cuties. 

HaPpY 11th Birthday Molly!

 

Hilarious!  I just happen to snap her with her tongue out.  Funny thing is, as she gets older this is the expression we most often see, especially as she sleeps.  
Happy Birthday Molly!  We love you!

Winter Formal

 This past weekend Lily Grace attended Winter Formal.  I can't believe how fast life is passing.  She looked beautiful.  She and several of her friends turned the evening into a big party.  

She's growing up so fast.  

Her sweet friend Jackie came over so they could get dressed together. 

Proud mama and daddy

After getting dressed all the girls met at another friends house for pictures and dinner before the dance.  Heather did a beautiful job of creating a beautiful dinner for the girls.  According to Lily Grace this part of the evening was her favorite.

They enjoyed grilled salmon and steak and again Heather outdid herself with this beautiful Christmas setting. 

Mark Twain Said it Best

 This past week I celebrated my 50th birthday.  I won't lie, I wasn't looking that forward to it. I asked that we not have a party but celebrate as a family.  It didn't have to do with the number, but more about what society makes of the big 5-0, especially for women.  I don't feel half done, or like I'm falling apart, or forgetful.  To be honest, I feel pretty damn great!

I am blessed beyond belief.  I am loved.  I'm not nearly as stupid in my choices as when I was younger.  I'm still learning and trying new things.  I'm confident and more in touch with who I am and what I'm about.  

Mark Twain said it best, "Age is an issue of mind over matter and if you don't mind, it doesn't matter." 

Matt and Gracie spent the week making me feel loved and appreciated.  Thank you for celebrating me and loving me.  You two are the best gifts I will ever receive. 

Thank you to everyone who called, text, sent gifts and cards.  Thank you God for 50 years of life. I am blessed beyond measure. 

Thank you Matt for the beautiful diamond ring.  It is absolutely beautiful and I will cherish it.  It certainly makes my regular manicures sparkle.

Lily and I are Marvel fans.  The new Eternal movie was released this week.  Gracie offered to pay for us to see the premiere on Thursday night for my birthday.  We headed downtown for dinner first and then went to the 9:30 premiere.  It was so late but so much fun! 

This was us leaving the theater at 12:45 am.  Luckily Lily had a field trip to the art museum  the next day with a 2 hour bus ride to Ohio so she could sleep.  We laughed at what loser parents Matt and I looked like letting our kid attend such a late showing with school the next day.  

Lady Saints Named Team of the Week

 After their last home match Monday night, local news came out to feature the girls as this week's Team of the Week!

2021 SAC Champs

 Today was the SAC tournament and the Lady Saints came together as a team to take the win.  All 5 of our girls placed in the top 10.  Lily Grace had a great day and after a nose bleed held her up on the 5th hole, she went on to shoot an 88.  She tied for the lowest score overall and took second based on the score from the handicap hole.  It was a special win for these girls!

Saints Homecoming 2021

The Saints may have lost the football game, but these girls had a great time.

It was a USA theme and they embraced it with face glitter and all.

 

A Fun Match

 

It doesn't get much better than when one of your sweet friends you've made through golf is your opponent for the match.  They may go to different schools and were paired against one another, but they had fun all along the way.