December 2015

We'd kicked off the holidays with lots of fun and family traditions!

2012 vs 2015

2013

2014 vs. 2015

December 1st, 2015

Whitney read "The Elf on the Shelf" to Grady next to the Christmas tree as Eric and I finished dinner tonight. Booker is a tricky concept for Grady. This elf shows up with wrapped presents.....but the preschooler can only open one a day?? And has to take turns opening with his sister??!!? Ouch!
Grady wanted to open ALL 23 remaining books this morning....and as I rounded the corner, he came running towards me with tomorrow's book in his hands and a trail of wrapping paper behind him. Oops! It's hard to be three at Christmas! Now, Booker's books no longer reside under the tree, but are safely up higher than G's reach. And Booker's antics tonight might help remind GBass that it's okay to make mistakes (like unwrapping gifts too soon or hanging undies in the kitchen!), and God forgives (and likely faster than big sisters who feel slighted when they learn a book has been opened "against the rules!") 😳 📚 ‪#‎BookerBass‬

We played on Center Court and sadly, lost in three sets, but it was a fun match and I played against a fellow Clemson alum, so it was fun to talk about our Tigers and make plans to play singles in the future :) 

Dec 2nd

These two got their homework done (side note: Grady excitedly grabbed Jessie, James the train, and Jesus for his letter 'J' bag...all by himself...which was nice since I was busy trying to understand my first grader's math.) and asked "Can we cuddle in the couch and watch 'The Grinch'??!! Please!!!"

The. Best.

Well. It's been a great nine years. But it's time to move now.

And of course, Eric Bass won't be home until late tonight.

I dont do lizards.  Tiny dinosaurs.  Not to be trusted. 

My fearless dragon slayer came home to eliminate the lizard situation before he headed out to a meeting :) 

This was going on in our world in early December 2015.  And as the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings approached, I felt sick every morning when I dropped my kids off at their schools.  Those babies were in first grade.  I have a first grader.  I cant even imagine the heartache and anger those parents feel.  I try to blog and FB the stuff going on in our lives, and sometimes its not all rainbows and flowers and Disney and Tiger wins.  Parenting is the hardest job Ive ever had.  I love it and wouldnt trade it for anything in the world.  And I cant imagine my babies growing up in a world where school shootings and mass shootings are routine.  

Makes these "first world problems" feel silly.

I got a front row parking space at Target. Unsupervised and kid-free (at Target?! What?!!?) I went in with the general goal of finding the kids something to wear Christmas Eve. I could've gone astray in many ways as I visited the kids clothes, the women's clothes, the shoes....and yet I left empty handed. Spent $0. Zero. Dollars. Spent.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Bass.

‪#‎SomeKindOfChristmasMiracle‬

By December 4th, we were FINALLY able to play outside without breaking a sweat! 

I told him not to pull every trick outta the bag this early in the game, but he just haaaaad to toilet paper the tree on the fourth night. Now there's an elf in his pocket and half a roll of TP on the tree. 

‪#‎LowerTheBar‬
‪#‎BookerBass‬

My Goddaughter was born in New Jersey this Summer and I have been dying to meet Sammy and see my bestie, Carolyn Katz. Whitney's class has been learning about the symbols of the United States. We've heard about the Liberty Bell, the flag, the White House, etc. She's recently started asking us if we can go see the Statue of Liberty and ice skate in NYC (something I took for granted as a child, living so close to the city), so....because my parents are AWESOME and willing to watch Grady for a long weekend, and my husband knows how much this means to me, THE TICKETS ARE BOOKED! Whitney doesnt know it, but on Christmas morning, she's opening a plane ticket to see Jacklyn, Natalie, and Samantha, and a train ride into NYC next month for Samantha's Christening! smile emoticon
Im praying for enough snow for my Florida kid to get excited, but not too much snow that it strands us in an airport smile emoticon
Im SOOOOO excited!!!!!!!!!!!!

December 4th, 2015

The next several weekends are filled with holiday chaos and fun, so tonight, we declared "Family Movie Night" complete with make-your-own-pizza (Gluten free crust and dairy free "cheese" for the win!), gluten free/dairy free brownies, hot chocolate (thanks Aunt Cindy Immeke Corgan!), marshmallows, and a movie the kids have never seen, but are loving: Shrek! The perfect way to end a week, bring in the weekend, and prepare for the Christmas crazies ahead! 
‪#‎SoBlessed‬ ‪#‎TheDonkeyStillCracksMeUp‬

The heat is almost unbearable nine months of the year. But when we get to have windows and screen doors open at 10pm on December 4th with Christmas lights and pool light glowing from outside, I can forgive 90* July. Sorta.

*Yes, I have a great Christmas wreath for the front door but orange and purple might be the theme of the season......so the flag and wreath stay for now. 🐾💜

We enjoyed our first Christmas celebration of the season with the BassIlleriAvis crew at Daniel and Crystal's house!  The kids LOVED exchanging books, and its always fun to see them get excited about opening books :)

The little cousins :) 

All the Florida cousins :) 

Dean played Santa and handed out the gifts. 

When I met Eric, this kid was four years old.  It feels like last week.  Now he has a college girlfriend and is talking about what he wants to major in (pediatrics).  WHAT!?

LOVE the chaos of the wrapping paper and excited kids!

For real.  Whitney makes the BEST faces when shes opening gifts :) 

Checking out what their cousins got :) 

The adults exchanged t-shirts this year.  LOVED it! 

#BassIlleriAvis

"Mama's gonna snap!"

We had a birthday cake for baby Jesus :) 

It was a great night for big kids and little kids :) 

And Toby :) 

Success! The cup he was in broke, but he remained frozen and the kids thought it was hilarious!)
Booker Bass sure had fun in 2015!!

December 5th

Mimosas and shopping with Aunt Deedeedee

 I. Love. This day. 
Mimosas and shopping and laughs and chipotle with one bestie. And then football and burgers and kids playing and laughter at home with two more besties. 
It doesn't get better than today. 
Go Tigers! 
‪#‎ICantThinkAboutTheGameYet‬ ‪#‎LoveMyTigers‬ ‪#‎Nervous‬

"Go win it all" - 

Yep. That's the plan! #1!!!!!!!!!!!!

So proud to be a Clemson Tiger!

"Goodness Gracious, I'm glad that's over!" 

"I'm looking forward to a pizza party in Death Valley tomorrow!"

"The Good Lord has placed me in Clemson ..."

-Dabo Swinney 

"....God is amazing and I give Him all the glory..."

"I like pepperoni pizza with Sprite on the side...."

-Deshaun Watson

I. Love. Clemson.

And then, we were ready to create our Christmas card :) 

Its a bird! Its a plane!  Its Booker Bass flying from the ceiling fan!! 

December 7th, 2015

As I crawled into bed, Eric said, "Sooooo....Booker...?"

Ugh. 

He went to the kitchen and came back ten minutes later and very proud of himself. 

"He's magic, babe. Magic!"

I've created an elfing monster.

December 8th

We debated for a while. Do we go? Do we watch from our couch? Do we wanna spend the money? And in the end, we realized this might never occur again in our lifetime. The Tigers might never play in a playoff game so close to my home again. So the tickets are purchased!! Mac & Gramps lined up to grandkid sit!! Eric and I are going bowling!!!!! 

Fifty-yard line seats in the nosebleeds and I couldn't be more excited! An awesome way to ring in the new year!!!!!

__________________________________________________________________

I didn't think we could love Whitney's teacher anymore then we already do. But then she sends this message through the class app tonight. Whitney is gonna flip!! I can't wait to pick her up from school tomorrow!!! (And maybe Booker can lay low for a few days...)

THIS is what First Grade should be about! This is how children learn and remember!

After a particularly tragic hair cut experience last year, I am traumatized every time I take the Dude to get his trim.  

This little boy melts my heart and makes me so proud. Finally got his hair cut and lookin' like a tiny Justin Bieber. And since Whitney and Eric enjoy awana together on Wednesday nights, I got to read six Star Wars books (and now actually understand the saga!), and listen to him "read" to me about "A loooong time ago in a far, far away...dere were bad guys. Lots of bad guys." And then a light saber show in his room before he said, "Fanks, Mommy. I love you."

Thanks, Buddy. I love you, too.

‪#‎StrongIsTheForceInThisDude‬ 

‪#‎StarWarsObsessed‬

Another long video that will only be exciting to me (and maybe my mom), but I want to remember his tiny little voice :) 

"No wait, Mommy! I don't wanna take a picture of my hair cut! I just wanna blow you a kiss!!" 😘❤ The. Best.

December 10th

‪#‎BookerFail‬

Eric is at his third (fourth??) "holiday party" of the month (another one next week...), and I'm here with Booker, his mess, and a child who's Shopkins "just wanted to play in the snow...".....I cleaned the floor and the chairs so the dog doesn't get sick from eating too much "snow," but Eric Bass gets to clean the table since Booker is only supposed to make messes on the weekends when two grown ups can monitor the situation. 😡❄👼🏼
‪#‎MommyNeedsAHolidayParty‬ ‪#‎ByMyself‬ ‪#‎BahHumbugBookerBass‬

When Mommy is in charge of ‪#‎BookerBass‬, he doesn't make a mess, doesn't do stunts, and he doesn't require time in the sun to dry out after a run-in with Elsa. But he still gets laughs, delivers a book, and even practices the week's spelling words. 

‪#‎ItsAllAboutBalance‬ ‪#‎TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork‬ 

December 11th

Reading his Star Wars book on the way to school. "Once upon a time, in a gah-yexy far, far away..."

‪#‎TheForceIsStrongInThisDude‬
‪#‎GalaxyIsAToughWord‬

My mom called me from the mall, specifically at the Macy's semi-annual sale, saying there was tons of Star Wars stuff.  Grady and I headed to the mall to meet her....and that lead to Grady walking through the mall in the CUTEST Darth Vader sweatshirt EVER with a big light saber.  Thanks, Mac!!!

He kept stopping at all the mirrors he saw, just to look at himself as Darth.

He wears this sweatshirt EVERY day.  

And this happened.....

I have cool cousins.  I have amazing friends.  But I have the best big brother on the planet.

After a last-minute date night for me and Eric Bass, we picked the kids up from Mac and Gramps and decided to crank some Christmas carols and look at Christmas lights. ‪#‎DarthVaderBass‬ can't hang.

He lives in that sweatshirt.  We hardly saw his face the rest of the month.

BookerBass picked a great spot to watch the Heisman presentation.  Even though Clemson's Deshaun Watson didnt win this year, we are so proud and excited to be part of the Clemson family!

December 12th, 2015

She wanted her curls to come back. The pictures don't do it justice. She looks sooooo cute! And grown up!! 😢😀

December 13th, 2015

I love weekend mornings. ‪#‎DarthVaderBass‬ "I don't know. I just 'feated him!"

‪#‎DefeatDaddy‬
‪#‎LightSaberFight‬

December 14th

Many mornings, as I drop these two precious babies off at school, I think about the mothers of Sandy Hook who said, "I love you! Have a great day!" as they watched their own babies run along to school. Not knowing it would be the last time they'd see their child alive. This morning, as I hugged Whitney and Grady closer, I considered keeping them home today on the three year anniversary. But Darth Vader wanted to go to school and Sister couldn't wait to show off her new haircut. Saying extra prayers for schools and teachers and parents across the country today. 💔

And then this happened:

That terrifying moment when you get an automated call from your daughter's school. And the voice tells you that the child you watched walk into the building this morning is somehow absent and not in her class right now. 

Thankfully, it was just a clerical error and the child who is before "Bass" alphabetically in the system is actually absent. But waiting three minutes on hold while they try to locate my child and figure out what happened? Today, especially?? Ugh. My heart won't stop racing. I had my keys in my hand walking out the door when the secretary finally came back on the phone and said, "Whitney's safe. She's in class. I just spoke with her teacher. She's here."

****************************************************************************************************************

I have a lot to get done today. I tried to get it all done while Grady was at school but I had two last tasks I didn't get to. I really wanted to get them done before we leave to get Whitney. Then. This tiny Darth Vader asked, "Mommy, when you're done wiff dat will you come play light sabers wiff me? Please?"

Everything else can wait. Dropped it all and started an epic light saber fight with the cutest Darth Vader on the planet. I know someday I'll miss him shoving light sabers in our faces and saying, "Here. You be diss one! I'll be diss one. I'll GET yoooou! (Insert cute attempt at a deep voice like Darth Vader). Muahaha!!"

December 15th, 2015

"Bug, what was your favorite part of today?"

"Ummm, ya know, I don't know! I can't pick. It was all good!"

The. Best.

"Grady, what was your favorite part of today?"

"Ummm. Nuffing."

Well then. 

‪#‎WinSome‬ ‪#‎LoseSome‬ 

‪#‎DudeHadACupcakeAtSchool‬‪#‎PrettySureTheSugarHasCloudedHisJudgment‬ 

‪#‎PrincessLeiaBass‬

‪#‎DarthVaderBass‬

****************************************************************************************************************

When Whitney was three, Eric Bass played the role of Peter Pan on a daily basis. He woke "Wendy", brought her on pretend adventures to NeverLand, defeated Captain Hook, and, towards the end, complained that "talking in this high voice kinda hurts Daddy's throat after a while..." But he held strong until that phase ended in Whitney's childhood.

This week, the current three year old in our home has dubbed himself "Darth Vader". His sister is clearly and (mostly happily) "Princess Leia". And Daddy is officially "Boba Fett." Much like the Peter Pan days, Eric is now "in character" from the time he gets home from work until the time the kids are in bed. (He's currently reminding Darth Vader that he can't have his light saber unless he brushes his teeth.)

He may not always watch the kids as closely as I would. They might get hurt on his watch**. He might even get my birthday and our anniversary mixed up most years. He might not be perfect. But he's the best daddy ever. Boba Fett is all mine, y'all.

** Two nights prior to this, Grady wanted to help Eric grill some chicken.  In his attempt to "blow out the flame on the grill", Grady burned his face.  HIS. FACE.  And yet, *I* was the one on FIRE!  Accidents happen.  I get it.  But a face burn from a grill!? C'mon.  So its nice that Eric makes up for those kinds of events that tend to occur on his watch.  Thankfully (for everyone involved), my oils worked their magic and Grady has almost zero sign of the incident.  

And that night:

Aaaaand Eric Bass just told me that, as he said prayers with Grady "Darth Vader" Bass tonight, he said, "...and thank you, God, for keeping us safe today and that Grady got to celebrate his friends' birthdays at school...", and Grady cut in and said, "..and fank you dat mommy made me cupcakes!"

And it's all worth it.

As I was about to leave Grady's classroom this morning, a mom walked in with cookies for a classmate's birthday. I keep special cookies at school for just such occasions, so I grabbed the box of cookies and told his teacher Grady could celebrate with his own cookie. Yeah! I thought ahead! Mom of the year, right?!

And then, I turned around to leave and a dad walked in with the biggest box of cupcakes I've ever seen in my life. The biggest, pinkest, happiest birthday cupcakes ever. And I knew that boxed, planned-ahead cookie wasn't gonna cut it. So I told his teachers I'd be right back and I rushed to the closest Target (thank you for the unnecessary and perfectly timed gift card, Arin Knutson!) and I grabbed a pack of frozen chocolate gluten free, dairy free, nut free, soy free, fun-free muffins and rushed them back to Gradys school. I hoped one would defrost in time for him to watch his classmates eat their pink frosted yumminess.
I thanked God and Eric for the blessing of being able to "stay home" with our kids and was grateful I didn't have a meeting to rush to or a job I had to be at, so I could take the time to run to the store to make sure our kid wasn't gonna miss out.
And three hours later when I returned to pick him up, Grady said, "hi, mommy! Did you make dat cupcake in da kitchen just for me??" I told him I bought it just for him, and that's sorta the same, right?

So tonight, to hear that he thanked God for me and that silly cupcake? Hassle totally worth it.

December 16th, 2015

Whitney's school has outdone themselves! The entire school is celebrating Polar Express Day with jammies and a "ride" through the halls aboard the train, the Conductor Principal and the caboose, Vice Principal. The school was decorated with train tracks on the floors through every hallway, snowflakes hanging from the walls and stairs, and each kid had their ticket punched as they walked through the halls. Classes buddied up and worked together to see who could create the tallest Christmas tree out of gumdrops, marshmallows, toothpicks, and skewers. Then Santa visited each classroom! Whitney's teacher then had their class elf, Magic, tell the students about how Christmas is celebrated in Sweden. The kids had to find Sweden on their world map where they'd already colored and learned about how holidays are celebrated in Mexico, Holland, Italy, Germany, and more! I had tears in my eyes as I get to watch this all through my excited first grader's eyes. THIS is what elementary school should feel like! So grateful for her school. Now...lunch with my favorite girl 

December 17th

Both kids have class parties today. I need a clone. I don't want to miss either one!

And then both kids have dentist appointments. And it'd be nice for my clone to tackle that for me. 

Walked into Gradys party and the kids are all seated nicely, cheesing for the cameras! Then Grady says, "Fank you, mommy! You're here!!" Sooo cute! Then Grady was given three ritz crackers and before I knew it, he said, "wait! Doze aren't for me! I can't have doze!"

I'm sooooo grateful he listens and understands even when grown ups forget about his food issues. So proud of this sweet boy! 
Now I'm rushing to Whitney's gingerbread house party!

Gingerbread party success! Again, Whitney's teacher knocked it outta the park! Kids loved it!

Now, despite being the first ca in car line, I am leaving Whitney at school to celebrate her friend's birthday. Racing back to pick up Grady. Then back to car line to get a sugared-up Whitney to their dentist appointments. And it's 87 freaking degrees. 
‪#‎ShouldaWornShorts‬
‪#‎IWantWinter‬

Eric did an awesome job on our Christmas card again in 2015! 

And Aunt Deedeedee and I got an evening out to see "Sisters"...in a theater....with wine in our purses LOL

"Mommy. I am your Daddy."

Have I mentioned I LOOOVE this age!?

Both kids LOVE Star Wars.  I couldve watched them play like this for hours!

December 19th

Driving to Disney, hoping to see Darth Vader, and both kids were immersed in Star Wars books.

In line to meet Darth Vader and these two are SO excited! 

And Eric and I are over here like, "Kids, what's an At-at?? Are they good guys or bad guys?"
‪#‎MyThreeYearOldUnderstandsMoreAboutStarWarsThanIDo‬

And then.  It happened.

It was intense!  He was sort of intimidating.  He circled us and told Whitney to be mindful of her thoughts, for her thoughts become actions.  W wasnt a fan. lol

Chewie is a new family favorite! Both kids were jumping up and down excited. I'm telling y'all. ‪#‎MagicEveryTime‬

We had gorgeous weather, so we left Hollywood Studios and headed to Magic Kingdom for fireworks!

December 20th

Darth Vader helped us grocery shop at Sam's before we headed over to my parents'.

And the next day, Uncle Jay arrived!!

‪#‎happy‬ 

Brother. Husband. Mom. Dad. Kids. Mom's cooking. Christmas. Football. Mom and Dad bought all the Star Wars movies. One a day. Wine.

Discussing the Star Wars books Mac bought to catch me up on what all the cool kids know.

What happens at Mac and Gramps', stays at Mac and Gramps'.  Right, Darth?

Grady and Uncle Jay fought over the 1980's broken x-wing fighter my parents uncovered in their attic.

Uncle Jay compromised with the three year old, and bought the preschooler a new, updated ship, and he took the relic home to Boston :) 

And in true Mac form, the kids got to open some of their Christmas presents early, and they were SO excited!  Whitney makes the BEST faces when shes opening gifts :) 

Grady didnt want to part with Uncle Jay's beloved x-wing fighter :) 

The kids are having fun with the Star Wars stage they are in, but I think Uncle Jay is enjoying it even more :) 

December 21st, 2015

Nothing beats mom's cooking, but Ruth's Chris is the best steak on the planet. Love this meal and this time each year with my parents and brother and Eric and the best-behaved kids I know 😃 Feeling stuffed and blessed 

One of the shirts Mac got Grady at Macy's :) 

‪#‎DarthGrady‬

Cleared off the train table and now uses it for Star Wars guys and uncle Jay's old x-wing fighter. He has an awesome imagination. And I suspect Thomas the Train (and his 753 train friends) are feeling a little bit like Woody in Toy Story. 
‪#‎ThoseSpaceToysRuinEverything‬
‪#‎FirstBuzz‬ ‪#‎NowDarth‬

Mac and Gramps bought Uncle Jay a BB-8 for Christmas.  All the kids loved it :) 

Eric continued to rock the BookerBass role!

I LOVE Christmas break!  Breakfast in bed with these two LOUD sillies, and Eric got to golf four times!  

While Eric golfed with my parents and brother, I had a board game marathon with Whitney and Grady!

Grady won the first round of Chutes an Ladders and was very pleased with himself :) 

Playing "Life" with Whitney. I landed on twins and she couldn't figure out why I picked one boy and one girl. Then she landed in twins and picked two girls. And then she had to spin for more children...and ended up with triplets! She's over-the-moon excited! Then she bought a $600k house. And she's veterinarian. That's pretty much her dream life.

After choosing the career path, I opted to go to night school and become a teacher instead of a chef. Now I make $100k. As a teacher. Then I got a promotion, wrote a children's book, and set up a school that everyone wants to attend. And I have a daughter and a son.

We are both loving these dream worlds.
‪#‎GameOfLifeIsFunny‬

December 23rd, 2015

Christmas Vacation on TV and Eric putting together a doll house. 

I'm certain this was on my bucket list. I was happy to help, but I know this is the daddy stuff he loves doing. "His eyes were all a glisten'" as he realized the project required a screwdriver! 🔧🔩🛠🏠...and a tape measure!

There was a middle-of-the-night issue getting the larger-than-life doll house into the garage, but with only some minor scrapes to the walls, Eric managed to hide it out there after getting it lodged in the hallway outside Whitney's bedroom.

December 24th, 2015

What happens when your kids' schools don't make reindeer food for Christmas Eve?

Santa's poor reindeer get a gross version involving rice Chex, grits, marshmallows, glitter (

😩

), sprinkles, and Cajun seasoning "because it's red!!"

‪#‎IllPayExtraTuitionForReindeerFoodToBeMadeAtSchoolNextYear‬

‪#‎BecauseGlitter‬

Merry Christmas Eve!

Headed to mass with my parents and brother, grateful for all our blessings and celebrating our Savior's birth!

(We had to make last second wardrobe changes since long pants on G and a long-sleeved sweater dress on W just wasn't gonna work in 84* Florida Christmas 

🎄😥

)

After mass at my parents' church, we headed back to their house for another delicious dinner and more Star Wars :) 

I know I'm not the only mom trying to master the perfect way to wrap a light saber this fine Christmas Eve. 

Thankfully, I have Darth Daddy-O here to save the day, and some George Bailey to save the Building & Loan. 💰

‪#‎WineWrappingCasserolePrepAndItsAWonderfulLife‬ 

‪#‎Traditions‬

‪#‎TeamBass‬

Green for Grady. Red for Whitney. The mother-of-all dollhouses. A blow-up, instant dark side opponent for Darth Grady to light saber battle. (Admittedly a self-serving gift, as this means I can tap-out and not have to play light sabers alllllllllll day long...) and the sweetest puppy Christmas gift who arrived a few months early (and who poses so perfectly!) 🎁🎄🎁🐶😄

It's a wonderful life, y'all!

12:05am on Christmas Day, that's a wrap! Headed to bed!

We had another EXCELLENT Christmas Day!

The night before, the kids were so excited to spread the reindeer food they made!

And the excitement only grew when they woke up the next morning! 

They opened their stockings while we waited for Mac and Gramps and Uncle Jay to arrive.  Its so fun that its the littlest things that light up our kids' faces! 

Last year was the year of Thomas the Train for this Dude.  This year, every single gift he opened on Christmas morning was Star Wars.

Whitney and Grady each bought gifts at their school holiday shops.  Eric got a singing tie to add to his collection, and the rest of us got ornaments and wallets and stuffed animals. I love that my kids picked out stuff with each of us in mind and that they were both SO SO SO excited to give the gifts out.  Whitney especially gets soooo thrilled to watch everyone open what she picked out for them.  And I love that both kids knew the real reason we exchange gifts on Christmas morning! Happy Birthday, Jesus :) 

After the Mommy&Daddy/Santa gifts were opened, Mac and Gramps and Uncle Jay headed home to rest up after an early morning, and we had a great visit with Eric's dad and his wife.

Papa and Ms. Martha each noted that the gifts the kids got were 95% technology-free :) Use your imagination, your brain, and your art skills, kids! :) Love that :) 

The blocks are a big hit!

Whitney somehow inherited her love of art from her Papa :) They played Googley Eyes :) 

The one technology gift, but it involves dance and being active :) 

It was a short but great visit before Papa and Ms. Martha had to head out to the other kids' houses! Its so nice having family so close! 

After the second visit of the day, we cleaned up and wrestled wrapping paper scraps away from BowPeep, and then headed over to Mac and Gramps' house (again!) for leftovers and appetizers and (more!) Star Wars! 

And the kids got to open their gifts from Mac and Gramps and Uncle Jay :) 

Everyone was super excited about Whitney's Princess Leia costume!

Another "they play with it EVERY day" gift :) 

Uncle Jay got to relive a little of his childhood through the eyes of these two Jedi, I think :)

And he quickly learned the design flaw in the stormtrooper mask...

And to end the night and a marathon Christmas Day......Uncle Jay unveiled his last gift to the kids:

Uncle Jay's turn,,,,maybe!

It never gets old

And when we finally got home that night and the kids were in bed, it was time for me and Eric to play the new toys :) 

The next day, Eric went golfing.  Again.  And I got to play the worst boardgame on the planet the Shopkins board game with the kids :)   And I caught up on "Making a Murderer" on Netflix! (Not at the same time.)

And that night we headed to yet another yummy dinner with Mac and Gramps and Uncle Jay :) 

While my brother was here, we got the sad news that his lifelong best friend, Joey (aka Uncle Joey) passed away just before midnight on Christmas Day.  I cant imagine the heartbreak my brother feels, as they were truly best friends.  I met Joey when I was only five years old and he was like a second big brother to me through the years.  Despite a crippling brain tumor, he made the trip from Boston to Florida to meet my kids and see my parents for my kids' first and fourth birthdays.  It was a hectic time (Jay was covering the marathon bombings, but Joey got on the plane without him! We had dozens and dozens of friends and family coming to celebrate the kids! And we were trying to coordinate setting up the party!) but the moments we spent with Joey were calm and funny (always SO funny), and Ill never, ever forget when he stopped me in my mom's kitchen and gave me a hug and told me he was proud of me and that he could tell I "had control of this mom thing" and that I was a "really great mother."  We laughed when I told him, "You sound surprised that I might be good at this!" and he reminded me how impossible I was as a teenager. :) He was one of those genuinely awesome, GOOD people who the world needs more of.  He was only 41.  And it was such a hard mix of emotions to know he was gone.  Sad for his parents and his brother and my brother, and everyone on Earth who knew him.  But what better day to go to Heaven then on the anniversary of the day God sent His only son to meet the world?  Joey isnt in pain or declining in health anymore.  And his spirit lives on in all the people who's lives he touched.  Everyone should have a Joey in their life.

Whitney has had this picture on her bulletin board since we learned of Joey's diagnosis.  Its now on her mirror in her room. :) One of my favorites, for sure. 

I think the kids were a good distraction for my brother.  Im sure Joey wouldve wanted him surrounded by family and happy and golf and wine. :) 

And because it was 88* at the end of December, the kids jumped in the pool!  Well, Grady very briefly dipped into the shallow end, but Whitney jumped in and swam and did tricks :) The water was 80*! 

My cousin plays drums for Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.  It was fun to see him (in the red scarf) sing the National Anthem at the Denver Broncos football game on TV

And Mac and Whitney rocked Disney Just Dance;

And the next day, we took the kids to the movies.  We got in line intending to ask for The Chipmunks new movie, but when the kids saw the Star Wars, The Force Awakens posters outside the theater, they begged to see that instead!  Ummm...YES! Please!?

December 29th

So we arrived at the theater intending to see the new Chipmunks movie, and both kids asked to see Star Wars instead. Ummmm. Yes. And you're the coolest kids ever. Thank you.

And this:

This is how we watched the last 20 minutes of the movie. Which only added to the experience and solidified my opinion that Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the best movie ever. And my kids are the coolest kids ever. We all LOVED it from start to finish! The story, the music, the effects, the comedy, the characters, the BEST.

After the movie, we ran a few errands and these two proved they can have fun ANYwhere!

So we took them out for froyo where they giggled and cracked up and had the best time. :) 

And then.  Once again.  It was GAME DAY!!!!!!!!!

My friend, Christy arrived after a marathon drive from Virginia, and after a super brief visit with my Uncle Scott, his wife, my cousins, and my cousin's kids, we hit the road to Miami!

We had AWESOME seats on the fifty yard line, and after tailgating and getting a quick visit with some of my favorite college friends, we headed into the stadium with perfect weather surrounded by amazing Clemson fans! 

It was a GREAT game and I was SOOO excited to be there!

And my Tigers are going to the National Championship!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE BEST!!!

So December was busy but fun and a huge success!  

And thats a wrap on 2015!! 

Its only day six of the new year, and I already have so many fun things to share and great pics to post.  Im not making any promises, but I hope to stay on top of the blog and my Shutterfly albums this year!