TEN!

Ten years have gone by since I first became a Mom. Ten years!  I do remember that day like it was yesterday. Probably because it was the single most painful & wonderful day of my life!

 Each year celebrate my Dad's birthday and Wylie's birthday together. It has become one of our favorite traditions! This year my Dad turned 71 and Wylie celebrated his 10th birthday, also his golden birthday, also the big double digits! We all can remember how big of a deal this was!  It is such a special night for them. So thankful!!

We had to wait a few weeks for Wylie to fit in his friend party. We had to work around basketball tournaments. Finally the last weekend in January we had a night picked out for his buddies to come over and hang out. No theme, no big planning. Just some of his friends over to hang out! They played outside in frozen vortex, had to come in for hot chocolate not long after, played MineCraft, watched football & basketball, played tackle basketball, yes tackle basketball, had pizza and dilly bars! It was a fun night! 

Happy he has such nice school buddies! 

Hoping the next ten years slow down a little….. 

~It's My Life

3rd anual NYE party

I thought Christmas Eve day was long . . . New Years Eve Day is almost equally as LONG and challenging as a parent. "How many more hours 'til the party?" was asked at least a dozen times. As much as I enjoy their excitement for fun traditions and to spend a late night with their friends, I think to myself, "why do I do this?" As soon as our friends start arriving I am immediately reminded of why.               What a great way to end a year!

We played our yearly 2013 Trivia for the adults- the women won again and are 3-0! I can't decide if the guys are really not as on top of it or if they just want the shot the losing team has to take??? Hmmm, that makes me think we might have to make the punishment a little more harsh next year....

From 6pm to midnight the kids ran around, played games, played basketball, knee hockey, did arts and crafts and had a great time! It is so fun to watch them!! 

Some of the sweet & crazy boys!!

Some of the party girls!! 

The annual slot car tournament is a BIG deal at the party. People, mostly the boys (dads too) get serious about winning this tournament! But it is hours of entertainment for participants and fans! The championship race was Alicia vs. Wylie.  It was a close race but Wylie won.  

Another party comes to an end and I am thankful! Thankful for our friends who rang in the new year with us & thankful for my family who encourages me to do this each year! Until next year friends!  Countdown on

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . . . 

Happy New Year!! 

~It's My Life

It's the most wonderful time of the year

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year. First, as a kid I can remember  looking forward to Christmas, then as a teenager/college student it meant basketball season is under way and now as a parent it is pure joy watching the magic through your children's eyes.

December 1st the kids wake up, excitedly, looking for Elfie, our elf, relieved when they find him sitting in the living room. From the excitement of all three kids I realize I have one more Christmas with all three kids believing in the magic of Christmas. YES!!!

The time leading up to Christmas we watch as many Christmas movies as we can, listen to Christmas music non stop, read Christmas books each night and slowly add gifts under the tree. The anticipation & excitement is infectious! We waited til the very last Sunday before Christmas to make our visit to Santa. We don't get our picture taken with Santa but just drop off letters and visit with him. All three of the kids were just glowing after their special talk with Santa. I asked them, "what did Santa say?" and they replied, " we can't tell you." Through out the next few days Tori did spill some of the Santa "secrets." 

Christmas Eve my parents come over each year for a sleep over. We have dinner, the kids open their presents from Grandma & Grandpa and their gifts from each other (they call them the "sibling gifts"). When they go to bed we do santa duties and watch Christmas Vacation with my parents. That movie never gets old. Hilarious! It is so fun to watch them give their gifts that they pick out for each other.... I think that is their favorite part of the night! Before Wylie was even done opening his gift from Tori, she screamed out, "It's a little furby!" She had picked it out a few weeks before and had to keep her present secret and I guess keeping it in for a few more seconds was too tough!! 

Christmas morning here are the kids at the top of the stairs as they wait patiently or not so patiently for Jacques, Grandma, Grandpa and myself.....

Christmas Day was filled with LOVE & presents & Food!! 

~It's My Life