2014 in Review

2014 - Kizoa Video Maker

We had a very busy year full of changes for our family.  In between the transitions and changes, there were practices, lessons, games, races, charity events, work, school, friends, swimming, and a lot of snow.  Josh left active duty military and became a reservist.  He started one job and then got offered another which he accepted.  He went camping with some friends and built a lot of furniture and a tree house.

Megan kept the house running and the kids busy, especially during all the snow we had at the beginning of the year.  She also continued to work at the Y, teaching P.E. and working at different races and events.  She also ran two half marathons this year.

Will finished Kindergarten with a pile of awards from the year.  He played spring and fall baseball as well as lacrosse camp, swim camp, and basketball in the winter.  He won the batting title in the fall and did a triathlon, too.  He ended the year with very little teeth, still waiting for those to show up!

 Kylie swam the year away and completed her first year of preschool and started her 2nd year.  She continues to mother everything around her, especially her baby dolls.  She is starting to read small words and write a lot of words.  Kylie ran her first mile race on New Year's Eve and also did the Turkey Trot with Grammie and Grandpa.

The year was full of ups and downs, but we look forward to what 2015 brings us, with tons of plans already!

Underwater Photos

Will got a digital camera that can go underwater for Christmas, so we headed to the pool today to give it a try.  It's not a very high quality camera and things appear a bit blurry, but the kids had a lot of fun posing underwater.

Mom and Kylie had some swim races and even when trying her best, Mom cannot beat Kylie sometimes.  She is a fast little fish.

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!  The kids surprised us by getting up and simply playing Memory in Kylie's room.  We kept waiting for them to come barging in, but they never did.  Eventually Mom got up to check on them and then they reported that they saw Rudolph's nose outside going from our neighbor's house to our house, so they thought it was still night time.  

We told them it was OK to head downstairs, so we did.  We started with stockings, which always helps keep the dog entertained.  Kylie was in awe of her new dollhouse from Gram, Gramps and Uncle J.  Will was mostly pleased to see Santa rearranged the train tracks like he usually does.  

Kylie took her time opening and enjoying every present while Will opened everything and organized his pile by category.  We had a late breakfast followed by a day of building Legos and magnetic blocks and doing excavation kits, building a rocket to be launched later, caring for dolls and panda bears, and eventually, after a Turkey dinner, watching a movie.  

Christmas Eve

We had a lounge around kind of day today.  It was raining...again.  Will and Mom made the beginning of the cookies while Kylie had some time in the office.

Then she joined us when things got interesting.

We made peanut butter Rudolph faces.  

Kylie did noses, Will did eyes and Mom did antlers.

We played outside in the very very muddy backyard for a little bit and watched some Christmas movies.  We had our traditional pancakes for Christmas Eve dinner.  Then, we showered and set out the goodies for Santa.

The kids posed for a photo in front of the tree, but Tank plopped down right in the middle.

Kylie's Christmas Party

Kylie's class had their Christmas party Friday afternoon.  They swim on Friday mornings so they were all tired, especially Kylie, since she is one of the only kids in her class who SWIMS the entire 30 minutes of the lesson.  She also wasn't feeling herself since she has since been diagnosed with a sinus infection.  Will also has a sinus infection and a "terribly awful" ear infection.  Hopefully they will be back to themselves by Monday.  

Santa visited the class and gave each child a book.  They also performed 3 Christmas carols for the parents.  

Art Buzz Kids

We attended a canvas painting workshop today downtown.  The kids had a blast following the directions to paint their very own Rudolph.

There were only 3 rules at the class.  The first was "There are no such things as mistakes".  That was a very tough rule to swallow for Mr. Perfectionist.  This was a very hard thing for him to do.  Kylie, on the other hand, had a blast and loved unleashing her creativity.

Tree Hunting and Decorating

We've had a bunch of very busy weekends around here, so today was the first day we were able to go get our tree.  It was a nice day for it, too.  

We headed out to our favorite farm to cut down our own tree.  

Kylie was all about the animals on the farm, especially Cesar, the resident dog.  

Will was all business, searching for the perfect tree.

Josh tried to convince the kids to cut it down using teamwork.  

It wasn't going very well.

So, they stood back and convince Daddy to be a bit more hands on.

which left Kylie to declare she would "just get her own"...

But then she didn't want to be left behind...

Or be without Mommy.

Back to visiting the animals and the farm attractions.

Once we got the tree home, we had lunch while it warmed up in the house.  Then, we strung the lights (and went out and bought more lights when we ran out), and finally, after dinner and showers, we put the ornaments on.

It was Will's turn to put the angel on, but he wasn't feeling very trusting being held up there by Dad, so Kylie took over.

The train came out, too.

And now we have one more very busy week before winter break from school and work for Mom and Christmas!