Ok so I have a lot of catching up to do. We have done a lot in the last couple of months with holidays, traveling, graduation and other activities.
First... Thanksgiving. Jack and I were able to go back to Tennessee for the week of Thanksgiving and see Kyle and my family. My Grandma Barbara passed away earlier that week so Nikki and my mom went out for the funeral and the rest of us stayed in TN. So we were all together only for a couple days but we did a lot. One activity was going to Chattanooga to the Creative Discovery Museum. Jack was able to play in the water, dig in the sand, play instruments and do other fun things that they have. And of course for lunch that day we had Mellow Mushroom Pizza! So good and such a fun day.
When Ethan and Cody got home from their visit to Utah, Ethan and Jack had so much fun playing together. Jack also liked dancing to music, or even dancing without music... as long as someone was dancing with him.
A couple of weeks after Thanksgiving, we went back to TN for Kyle's graduation from Middle Tennessee State University. It was also the time that Kyle and his dad were going to drive our cars to California while our stuff was being shipped. We had a few days before the long drive so we had a little fun. One night we saw the Christmas lights at the Opry Hotel. They put them up every year and it is so neat to see.
On Saturday afternoon was Kyle's graduation! The ceremony was really long and I think even Kyle was getting tired, but it was worth it to see him walk across the stage and accept his diploma. I'm so proud that he's pushed through and made it through to the end. He not only finished, but also graduated with Honors... Cum Laude!
Another night while in TN, all of the boys decorated gingerbread cookies. Well... Ethan and Cody decorated while Jack ate his cookie. They actually did a good job decorating their cookies.
And now we come to.. Christmas! On Christmas Eve I made the dough for cinnamon rolls. It was my first time making them without my mom there to correct my mistakes so I was really nervous about how they would turn out. So on Christmas morning I cooked them up and they were actually really good! Yay! There was even a Jack sized roll so he got to eat one in his new Christmas pajamas.
Since church was at 11 o'clock we had a lazy morning. I got up and baked the cinnamon rolls, we ate and got ready for church. Jack had his new Christmas outfit but with it being so warm outside I think his shirt and sweater were a little too warm for him.
After church we wanted to get a picture of all of the boys in their outfits. Well as you can see, Jack was not very happy about it. But what can ya do. Oh well.
Now that church was over, we came home, had a light lunch, changed, and then...presents! I think Jack was definitely spoiled the most with gifts. But this year he could actually open the gifts himself for the most part and was excited to see what was inside.
The day after Christmas was a beautiful day! Perfect weather to go to the beach. So we packed up and headed out. The water was too cold to get in but it was perfect for sitting and watching the waves.
And now New Year's has passed and it is already 2012. The year 2011 was full of fun events, and also full of challenges. Hopefully this year will be a good one. Our family is certainly blessed and we have seen the Lord's love in our lives. I am so grateful for my family and I would do anything for them. Happy New Year!
