A few firsts!

We woke up Monday morning (January 3rd) to our first snow of 2022.  It wasn't much but the boys were so excited to get all of their snow gear on and head outside for a bit.  They liked collecting the snow while we took Burke for a walk, hoping to make a sizeable snowman for the front yard! haha

For the first time (since probably having Zander), I decided to take a bath!  I used a bath bomb, some foaming bath bubbles and topped it off with an adult beverage!  I sent my sister a text saying, "who am I right now?" I definitely enjoyed relaxing for a bit in the tub while Zack took the boys to basketball practice!  Maybe it will happen more often than once a decade! haha

We are starting to be back in the school routine which means I give you the "first" selfie by Maddox while he waits for the bell to ring!  He loves entertaining himself with mommy's phone while he counts down for the start of school some mornings! haha

Linds and I had our "first" cold run of 2022!  Last Saturday, I ran in shorts and a t-shirt and this morning required a few extra layers!  I love getting to spend time with my sister, no matter the weather!

The boys had their first ever basketball games today!  After trying baseball and soccer, they are giving basketball a try during the winter months.  I will say the weather for this sport is a lot better than some of the outdoor games I have attended for baseball and soccer! haha  It was so fun watching them hustle up and down the court, in the action of every play.  Maddox even contributed some points to his team's score (which his age doesn't keep score but you know what I mean! haha)  Emerson and Maddox are on the same team based on their ages and Maddox is pretty excited he has his Uncle Boomer as his coach.  I love watching the three kids on a Saturday morning with the rest of my family!  It made for a great Saturday!

This week we also had our first "work from home" day due to the inclement weather mentioned above.  Fortunately, the boys didn't have school online.  It was a workday for mommy which meant that I spent most of the day on the computer in online meetings/trainings and trying to knock out some of the back-to-school to-do list before kids came back into the building the next day.  It reminded me of all those days that the boys and I worked from home in the spring of 2020.  This particular day provided a lot of technology time for them and not much academic learning.  I'm praying we stay healthy in 2022 so these work from home days are few and far between... although we have a four-legged pup that enjoyed the extra time with his family members!

Happy New Year 2022!

The Houstons had a fairly quiet week between Christmas and New Year's Day.  We always love the ability to have a "staycation" while Zack is off work and we aren't in school.  On Sunday, I took down the Christmas tree.  On Monday, Zack and I had a "day date" where we spent most of the day cleaning out closets that haven't been touched in the 13 years we have lived in our house.  We did fit in a lunch date at East Coast Wings in between all the work being done.  On Tuesday, we went to Stone Mountain for a hike with all the boys, Burke included!

On Wednesday, we took the boys to the pool at the YMCA and alternated swimming with the kids and getting a 30-minute workout in.  I went to dinner on Wednesday night with some of my co-workers who have the same instructional facilitator job at the neighboring schools.  It was so nice to see them outside of our work commitments.  On Thursday, we took it easy at the house while Zack vacuumed and shampooed all of our carpets!  On Friday, we grabbed lunch at 66 Pizzeria in between Zack getting the grass cut and our outside Christmas lights taken down.  We had friends come over for our annual New Year's Eve celebration.  We partied until about 9:30 p.m.! haha!  We missed the Kennedys who were on their way back from watching Wake Forest win their bowl game in Jacksonville, FL.  

We had our traditional pork and sauerkraut at Grammy and Grandpa's on New Year's Day and enjoyed some time with family before we head back to school and work this week!  It was a great Christmas break filled with productivity and rest!  I enjoyed having this guy home more than he typically is... it was so nice to share the parenting duties and sometimes have moments without parenting duties. ;)  We are testing out his new selfie stick he got for this phone in these pictures below....

I somehow managed to keep up my running pace throughout 2021 and finished out the year with running at least 1,000 miles for 2021.  I am noticing my motivation to run is dwindling so I hope to find other exercise alternatives in 2022 so I can continue to love running like I used to, just with less frequency. ;)

I guess we are officially in 2022.... so let's do this!!  I can't wait to see what this year has in store for the Houstons! :) 

Merry Christmas 2021!

After the travels of last weekend, we had a pretty "low key" week leading up to Christmas.  The boys had pajama day at school.... and of course, I had to document some of their best friends in their pjs!

I was able to get together with some of my friends.... for a night of merriment and pajamas as well!  My shirt says "most likely to eat Santa's cookies"... the group was unanimous that this particular accolade belonged to me... I do love my sweets! ;)

Prior to Christmas, we fit in a swim at the YMCA pool with the Williams family and I cleaned the house so it was ready for all the holiday gatherings, etc.  We also worked on Jesus' birthday cake and cookies for Santa.  During the day on Christmas Eve, we went to see the new Spiderman movie in the theaters... it is the first movie our family of four has seen in the theaters in two years.  I will have to admit that even prior to that, we had watched very few movies in the theaters due to the kids' ages at the time.  

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents' house.  The kids opened up new artwork for their walls.  I just love the verses that each child got!  Eli is attempting potty training this Christmas break (hence the underwear in his picture... haha) and Emerson lost her first tooth while we were together that evening.  We watched "The Grinch" together after eating delicious food!  

We came home to get ready for Santa!  Carrots for the reindeer and cookies and milk for the big guy! ;)  Santa arrived while we were heading off to bed.  I was reading a book with the boys in Maddox's room when we heard his sleigh bells and what sounded like his sleigh landing on our roof!  Zander offered to sleep in Maddox's room so he wasn't scared... it was so sweet!  We woke up on Christmas morning to see that Santa had come!  The boys got new controllers for the Nintendo Switch, two new games for the system and Pokemon cards along with binders to hold all their trading cards.  The boys were very pleased with their presents!

The Bakewells and Kennedys came over for breakfast on Christmas morning.  After everyone left, we took a short nap and then headed to the local tennis courts to play some tennis (Maddox's request).  We went back to Grammy and Grandpa's for Christmas dinner.  It was definitely hard not having Great Grandma for the Christmas festivities.  It has hit me pretty hard that in the last two years, we have lost a whole generation on my dad's side of the family.  This has forced me to attempt to be more present and enjoy the time with family and friends that are still here.  I am equally thankful that Christmas is about celebrating Christ's birth... a reminder that a baby came to save the world, to give us hope and a future!

Isaiah 9:6:  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jeremiah 29:11:  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Celebrating Christmas!

I love working in an elementary school at Christmas time!! It is even more special when your own children are there every day to participate in the festivities as we countdown to Christmas!  I was able to help with Maddox's winter celebration on Friday featuring all things "snow"!! I was responsible for the snow-themed snack.... "create your own snowman".... using sugar cookies, icing, sugar crystals and assorted toppings!  Maddox enjoyed covering his snowman with all the toppings! haha

He also made his very own snow globe, snowflake ornament, polar bear bag and puzzle!

Another perk of being at the same school as my boys.... getting pictures from their teachers!  Maddox was enjoying a run during recess one day!  I just love his energy level when he gets to be outside!

Santa came to visit and Carmen sent me a picture of him visiting Maddox's class! :)

I got a picture with Santa too.... I've been on the nice list this year! ;)

We made our way "back home" this past weekend to celebrate Christmas with Zack's side of the family.  I always love this tradition of spending uninterrupted time with all of his relatives!  It also works perfectly to be home for Christmas morning with our boys as Santa comes to visit which makes for a "win-win" holiday season!  Our nephew, Henry, is getting so big and I loved the extra cuddles we got with him!  He loves Uncle Zack a lot as the three boys were chased around Grannie's house and entertained by Uncle Zack/ a.k.a. Daddy for Z & M! ;)

On Saturday we celebrated Cantrell Christmas with Grannie's side of the family!

On Sunday, we celebrate Christmas with PawPaw, Granny V, Uncle Grant and Sib!  

It is safe to say with all the family members we saw this weekend our boys are well-loved and very blessed to have so many people spoiling them!  I am so thankful for each one!  We came home Sunday afternoon to some mail from the North Pole! The boys were pretty excited they are on the nice list this year!! ;)

On Sunday night, we had the candlelight service at our church.  I always love celebrating the true reason for my favorite holiday.... our Savior being born!  I am so thankful that Jesus came as a baby to save us from a punishment we deserved and a debt we couldn't pay.  May we always remember the reason for the season. ;)

Countdown to Christmas!

 We are officially on the countdown to Christmas with themed dress up days at school, attending the local Christmas parade, visits to see the big guy in red, Christmas performances at church and making Christmas cookies at Grammy's house.  We have been busy the last few weeks soaking in all the fun that this season has to offer!   

As a Christmas present from the Kennedys, we were able to see Disney on Ice!  I hadn't been since the 1980s so I don't think I knew exactly what to expect.  I will have to say it far exceeded any expectations I had with a very impressive show on the ice!  We had a blast!

Photo evidence of our 80's Disney on Ice Experience.... Grandma Marilyn even made it possible for us to get out on the ice!

After Disney on Ice, we went to Seph's 7th birthday party and then to a bonfire at the Williams' house that night!  We fit in a lot of fun activities for the day and enjoyed seeing family and friends along the way!

On Sunday we attended our town's Christmas parade after church.  It was about an hour and a half parade and the boys came away with buckets full of candy.....no joke!

Sunday night we went to Cupcake Cuties to see Santa and tell the big guy our wish lists. The boys were able to put their letters in a mailbox that went with Santa to the North Pole!

One of our school's "dress up" days was "holiday headgear" so the boys and I matched with our Santa hats and black masks! ;)

Maddox is showing off the ornament he made for our school's Christmas tree!

On Wednesday night, the kids performed in our church's children's program.  They had been practicing the songs since August and it was so cool to see the play and choir come together with a meaning message at Christmas time.  Zander had a solo, Maddox had some small group parts with his kindergarten buddies (including "Away in a Manger") and Emerson was the heavenly angel. 

The boys even got new board games from our children's ministry due to their consistent participation this fall.

Earlier today, we made Christmas cookies at Grammy's house... a yearly tradition I always love and one that gets harder each year as we add another cousin who is interested and able to help in the cookie making and decorating fun.  Eli enthusiastically said "cookie" over and over again hoping to eat one prior to them being ready! haha