Winnie's 11th Birthday

Happy 11th birthday to Winnie! She's determined, giving, creative, and funny, and I am proud to be her mom. She chose to celebrate in an unusual way: skip school, go to Walmart to buy drinks for her new mini fridge, make her own cupcakes, eat stromboli for dinner, and have Sarah over.

Back to Goldfish

Emerson started swim lessons again. He was a little nervous but acclimated quickly.

Mina & Emerson

Emerson likes to hug and kiss Mina, so we had to have a chat about asking her first :) She likes him, too, but also always asks where his sisters are.

Celebrating with Friends

On Saturday, Kit's besties Reagan and Kenley, along with Winnie's twinnie Sarah, spent the night. We got Cane's and Crumbl to make the night extra-special. In the morning, all of the kids played an epic game of hide-and-seek while the snow was gently falling.

13!

Happy birthday to my sweetheart, Kit. You are a huge blessing to our lives, showing us how to live life to the fullest! Here's to your teenage years!

Progress

Kit has had to go into the office for two broken brackets, but she heard good news from Dr. Minga. He said he has never seen teeth align more quickly during the first month of braces.

Howdy Partner

January Jottings

This month we have had lots of indoor fun (basement dance parties, board and card games, crafts, and more) and some outdoor play in the snow.

Taking the Tree Down

Taking the tree down is a little less sad when you dress up and blast music.

January 1

On New Year's Day, we played cards (golf), walked Tego, and held our breath until the Buckeyes won the Rose Bowl.

Happy New Year! 2022!

All of us but Kit welcomed in the New Year at the Lubben's. She celebrated with  Reagan and friends. We texted at midnight, and she was impressed I was still awake.

Last Day of 2021

We got in one last grocery trip, haircut for E, craft at the library (owl), walk, basement play, and time to lounge before welcoming in the New Year.

Inside/Outside Playgrounds

We spent quality family time at the Park of Roses (saw deer!) and Graeter's on Bethel Rd.

Gathering with Friends

It sure was good catching up with the Yarns and Meadows.

Christmas with the Kaelbers

We had fun celebrating Christmas with Grandma, Grandpa, Matt, and Molly. A highlight was learning and playing the golf card game.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Kit texted at 5:30 to let us know Emerson was eager to come downstairs. I loved seeing the kids come downstairs with the gifts they had for others. We opened the presents, ate cinnamon rolls, played, painted nails, built Emerson's new desk, attempted a new game, and had breakfast casserole and mimosas for brunch. 

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, Uncle Matt came and made pizzas for us while we attended church. We were delightfully surprised that Emerson was part of a video montage during the service. He said that Rudolph was his favorite Christmas song and answered that he would have brought the baby Jesus baby toys. Molly joined us at the house after work. We finished watching Elf and left out cookies and milk for Santa. At bedtime, the kids decided to have a sleepover in Winnie's room.