Top 10 of 2021

Thanks to another year of Covid-19, one would assume we did nothing exciting, but thankfully that was not our case.  2021 was a full pact year of fun memories.  Once again below (in no particular order) is our 10 favorite things that took place in 2021.

1. Family trip with Nana to Disney World
2. Visited with extended family, Papa and Nana Speckman, CA Klausers and, Grandpa and Grandma
3. Family trip to the National Parks out west for 2.5 weeks
4. Celebrated 16 years of marriage
5. Swam in the Gulf of Mexico
6. Dedicated Maddie to the Lord at church
7. Watched Elyse, Caleb, Kallen, and Ian participate in basketball with Dad being their coaches
8. Kids had in-person education all year while public schools were distance learning
9. The annual Legacy family camping trip
10. Remodeled our main floor, especially our kitchen to have an island that sits all five kids.

Some other fun things that happened this year.

• All seven of us got and survived Covid
• Mom started working at Legacy to be around the kids more
• Caleb graduated from elementary school, started middle school
• Elyse made the JV team for volleyball
• Mom went to FL with her friends while Dad stepped up big time at home with the kids
• Started the hobby of geocaching
• Watched Caleb perform in his class musical while having a part, the snake
• Caleb learned the trumpet, the first instrument played by one of the kids
• Watched all the kids participate in the MANE event, especially fun to see Ian not give up after getting hurt.
• Elyse, Caleb, and Kallen all attended Camp Lebanon, loved it, and grew in their faith
• Swam together as a family in our pool

Well, we made it through 2021 with some tears and lots of laughs, so thankfully off to 2022.

Happy New Year!

Celebrating Christmas

Yesterday we celebrated Christmas at home in the simplest way possible.  It was so relaxing, stress-free, and really enjoyable.  We woke up wearing our annual new Christmas pajamas (kids chose penguins this year), opened stocking stuffers, ate breakfast, finished opening gifts while watching, "The Disney Christmas Parade".  Following that, we ate our simple meal of potatoes, ham, bread, and jello/pretzel dessert.  The rest of the day involved enjoying our new gifts, playing family games, laughing, and thanking God for his birth.  

Merry Christmas

 

Advent Day 24

Attend Christmas Service at Constance Free Church

Advent Day 23

 Create and Act Out a Christmas Story

Today's Advent activity was by far my favorite I have ever done or seen.  I asked the kiddos a while back what would be some fun activities they would enjoy.  All but Caleb mentioned wanting to put on their own Christmas play for Dad and me.  Since we had no plans today, I decided to give it a try today.  The kids were so excited!  Caleb decided to sit this one out, but the other four rocked it.  They decided to do "Mickey's Christmas Carol"; they had props, humor, sadness, and joy throughout the entire play.  They all evenly participated and showed their creativity.  Just wished I would have filmed it for a forever keepsake.  

Advent Day 22

 Eat a Yummy Christmas Chocolate Treat

Advent Day 21

Watch "Mickey's Christmas Carol" in Your Pajamas

Advent Day 20

 Make Christmas Cards for Teachers

Advent Day 19

 Christmas BINGO and Hot Chocolate

Advent Day 18

 Make a Gingerbread House

Advent Day 17

Paint a Christmas Ornament

 

Caleb Turns 11 Years Old

Today Caleb turned eleven.  Not going to lie, it's been a whirlwind of eleven years, but we wouldn't trade him for anything!  We love him so much and enjoy watching him grow up.

Caleb is definitely the child that keeps us on our toes.  He is very inquisitive (has to touch everything and get into everything), independent, crafty, outdoorsy, ornery, and loves anything technology.  

Happy 11th Birthday, Caleb!

Hope you had a great day, and we love you.

Today we celebrated Caleb at home with his meal of choice, pasta, cake, and opened presents.  He chose a basketball/Bugs Bunny theme this year, Space Jam was the compromise of the two.

We also celebrated Caleb turning eleven this past Saturday, he had his two closest friends, Jeremiah and Hawkens over for a playdate, pizza lunch, and ice cream cake. 

Advent Day 16

Attend Elyse's Christmas Choir Concert

Ian Turns 8 Years Old

Today my biggest buddy turned 8!  He was beyond excited for his day.  He even was celebrated at chapel in front of the elementary classes.  It's crazy because he acts like he is ten, but I still feel like he should be turning five, time is going way too fast with him!  Thankfully, he still treasures his nightly mama cuddles and is my biggest advocate.  Love him to pieces and love celebrating him!

Ian can best be described right now as, responsible, kind, lover of Jesus, intelligent, competitive, creative, and dependable.  He still has many same loves as last year and some new ones; they include, crafts (sticker by number books), Legos, games, puzzles, video games, school, and basketball!

Happy 8th Birthday, Ian!

We love you so much

We celebrated Ian very low key today, but just the way he wanted.  We opened gifts and then headed to Pizza Ranch where he wanted to eat his favorites, #1 being corn. 

We also celebrated Ian turning eight this past Saturday, he just wanted his best friend, Zaeden over for a little playdate, pizza lunch, and ice cream cake.  With the help of Kallen, he even decorated his own party that day.  

Advent Day 15

 Christmas Ring Pop

Advent Day 14

 New Christmas Socks

Advent Day 13

Make a Christmas Banner

 

Advent Day 12

 Watch "The Star" (Pizza/Movie Night)

Advent Day 11

 Decorate Christmas Cookies

Advent Day 10

 Complete a Nativity Activity Book

Advent Day 9

Christmas Pancakes Using Cookie Cutters

Advent Day 8

Open a New Christmas Ornament

Opening a new ornament is by far one of the kiddos' favorite Advent activities.  I try really hard to find something that represents them for the year or that they would really enjoy.  Thankfully enough they all loved them this year!

Elyse: coffee (girl is obsessed with Starbucks right now)
Caleb: Bugs Bunny Space Jam (loves Bugs Bunny and playing Legacy basketball)
Kallen: video game controller (self-explanatory)
Ian: lion and art (Ian was the only one I struggled with and I originally found the cheap $3 lion one and thought he was kind of creepy, so I then came across an art one with his name that I thought he'd really enjoy.  Well, he did love the art one, but also enjoyed the lion, so for just this year, I let the lucky kid get two.
Maddie: unicorn floaty (the girl can't get enough of rainbows, unicorns, and swimming)