Football Fun

Its playoff season. 

This generates a lot of excitement in our house for 2 boys. 

On Sunday Sullivan quietly watched his beloved Seahawks do nothing for 3 and 3/4 quarters. 

Then when they woke up, so did he. 

I cannot explain his loudness and my laughter as they came back to win. 

Superbow Bound. 

Next it was time for Dad's Patriots. 

Jordan has loved the Patriots since long before he and I were, well, 'he and I'. 

And Sullivan loves them too. 

But he told Jordan that he loves the Seahawks more. 

He apologized...but said he couldnt help it. 

The superbowl should be interesting to watch with these two! 

They have no fun together. 

This looks like Jordan took a terrible shot to the chin but it was much softer than it looks. 

I look at this and cant help but smile. 

And this makes me smile too. 

Jordan is not an animal lover. 

He puts up with my cat. 

My cat however, LOVES Jordan. 

He was sitting on my lap here during part of the football game...but had to have a paw on Jordan. 

Adorb. 

The aftermath and New Year's Eve

The days after Christmas were so sweet. 

Jordan had some time off and we truly just rested and played. 

We needed it. And we enjoyed every second. 

SO much game playing!!!!

And football in the house. 

And enjoying all the gifts. 

Apparently this is an important card. 

Snuck in a well-child appt for Torrance. 

She took her Doc McStuffins gear to show the dr. 

Adorable. 

After about a week it was time to return to some sense of normalcy and cleanliness...Because...

We reorganized just in time for New Year's Eve! 

(and then sadly the flu bug hit Jordan)

But these 4 and I had some wild fun. 

Lauren ditched us for her own wild fun with her favorite girls. 

And to wrap up the Holiday fun...Here's Contessa wishing us all a Happy 2015!!!

Extended Dirks' Christmas

We were all recuperated in time for the big Dirks' Christmas later in the weekend. 

Sullivan and Great-grandma Dirks 

Grandma and a lot, but not all of her great-grandkids. 

Craft time. 

And the boys played football...while Tori hoodwinked Ella into some scheme! 

I just love this shot of Jordan and his grandma. 

Christmas Day

Always one of my favorite pictures of the year...sleepy, pajamaed kids. 

LOVE. 

We were planning to spend Christmas Day with Prices and Yoders. 

Shortly after we arrived Jordan took Avery home with the stomach flu. 

The rest of us stayed but in the middle of the night 2 more kids started in on the fun. 

First time in 13 years of parenting that a child has directly hit the carpet...

oh what fun. 

The next day was low key and full of cuddles. 

Sullivan was just pathetic...he didnt talk or move from here all day. 

People, he didnt talk or move. 

Re-read that. 

Sullivan is NEVER, not TALKING, or MOVING. 

He was so sick. 

Tess did not get sick. 

So we played and she is seriously so sweet these days. 

And getting so big. 

She did this all by herself. 

'Mommy, take a picture of me with my Snackeze!'

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we spend with Jordan's family. 

Christmas Eve is magical, I dont care where I am...its magic. 

This Christmas was so so much better than last. 

God's grace was so good to me, bringing a lot of healing over the past year in my grief. 

I didn't realize how low I was last Christmas until this Christmas came and I felt my anticipation and awe for the season and Christ's gift. 

However, Christmas Eve arrived and I was a bit of a mess. 

The Christmas Eve service was hard and I struggled through the night. 

Missing my family, my parents and I think the innocence of being a child. 

But even in that we had a special day and evening celebrating the child in the manger and being with family. God is so good! 

These kids...I know someday I'll look back at this picture and wonder how they could be so little. But right now I stare at this picture and wonder how they can possibly be so big! 

The attempts at group shots with this crew become more laughable each year. 

But boy do they have fun. 

Cousins...some of the best gifts in life. 

With this large group you can imagine gift opening is anything but peaceful! 

Tori was beyond excited. 

And boy does she love Doc McStuffins! 

The annual guitar recital. 

Its pretty fantastic. 

Sugar cookie decorating. 

and eating, one of my kids claims to have eaten 'at least 9' 

We got home late and the kids were asleep when their heads hit their pillows. 

Then Jordan and I settled in for our Christmas Eve tradition that we took from my Dad. 

Watching this...this year we watched 2 different versions. 

Christmas?!

Its almost February. 

I still have Christmas decorations up. 

And no, not snowmen...a nativity and a countdown. 

Honestly, Its not bothering me. 

But my blog neglect was bothering me. 

And apparently some other people...I was getting harassed. 

So, Im back at it. 

We celebrated with our kids the night before Christmas Eve. 

Its my favorite night of the whole year. 

I remember the anticipation of this night as a kid and I can see it now in my kids. 

It makes my heart burst. 

Tess and Tori's big gift was this new Barbie house. 

Lauren and Avery had a blast getting it ready and wrapping the furniture. 

So fun. 

Just a few excited kids waiting for supper. 

Best buds. 

Best buds...most of the time. 

Falstaff was wondering if there were any gifts for him. 

After supper we did our Christmas Eve devotion. 

And then gifts...

These were slippers. 

But she acted like it was something much more exciting. 

I love how sweet and thankful and excited all of my kids are during gift opening. 

Pascal is her favorite Disney character. 

She needed a stuffed one of her own. 

Excitement oozes from this kid every day. 

But on Christmas, forget about it, there is nothing like Sullivan! 

For weeks before Christmas he was asking for a certain video game. 

I could not find it, at least not for a reasonable price. 

The night before gift opening I found it. 

He did not think he was getting it. 

This face made my night. 

The big reveal of the doll house. 

The older kids were so excited to see the little girls' faces. 

so fun. 

Checking it all out. 

We got each other clocks. 

So funny. 

It was a perfect night. 

And I miss Christmas!