Randoms

We are now on our 57th school shutdown due to COVID and it's getting old. This second variant, 'omicron', is WAY less severe and hardly anyone who has been vaccinated is struggling. We feel so bad for our teachers who are stressed to the max and our with our numbers of cases soaring they simply didn't have enough staff to keep the schools open around the MLK holiday. It's also chilly so the amount of time we can be outside is fairly limited and we are stuck inside. And lastly Ady's dance studio isn't complete yet so they had to cancel dance these past 2 weeks. LOTS of at-home time for our kiddos. Good thing we love each other! Ha!

 

Drew // 11 Years Old

 

Oh bud. If I could stop time this is where I'd stop it. You're responsible, helpful, incredibly intelligent (started accelerated math this year!), funny, kind, friendly and most of all I've gotten TONS of random hugs this year which I love from my first born who wasn't a big huger until the past few years. We love you so much, are so proud of you and can't believe you are already 11!!!

For the stats:

Height: 60 inches (89%)
Weight: 81 pounds 8 oz (55%) 
Shoe size: 7.5
Clothes: Large and XL

And for the annual interview:

Favorite color: green
Best friend: I don't have a best, I have many good friends
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite restaurant: Wise Guys
What do you want to be when you grow up: Aerospace engineer
What makes you happy: When I get good grades
Where is your favorite place to go: Florida
Favorite show: Dude Perfect
Favorite sport to play: Golf
Favorite sport to watch: Football

Favorite toy to play with: Xbox

Favorite movie: Back to the Future

Photography Recap

Just so I never forget, I hit my new record down here in Texas after being here 4 years. I had a wonderful year and also upgraded my camera body to a mirrorless Canon r6. I absolutely LOVE it! I also invested in a Synology NAS system to backup everything I own for both my business and personal life and feel so much better about having that! This is a collage I put together of my fall families and it was fun to see all their faces. Cheers to 2022 being an even more amazing year!

 

New Years Eve

We did an early countdown again this year with Gramma and Poppa before heading off to our party! The kids loved the sparkling cider and I loved being with my parents to celebrate for a bit!

Then it was off to a speakeasy that our friends put together! They had a full front door with passcode to enter, a huge bar area for the boys to make our drinks and we had tons of food that we all brought as well as a poker table! By the end of the night it was full on dance floor dancing though... just like we always end up! 

Ady In A Wedding Dress

Mimi asked Ady if she wanted to try on her wedding dress when we were in KC and of course my little fashionista princess wanted to! We had a fun little shoot with it on and she glowed! It was still a bit weird for me and daddy though.... we need another 20 years before seeing her in another one! Ha!

 

Drew's First KU Basketball Game

We are so lucky that Uncle Matt still has connections and can get us tickets to KU games! He was able to get 4 over Christmas break meaning we got to spend the afternoon in Lawrence with Drew and show him around the sights before heading to his first game!!

He was in awe of the Allen Fieldhouse and we found Uncle Matt's sign from when he played!

I asked him several times if he could feel the energy and he just grinned huge! 

Our tickets were SO close you could hear Bill talking to the guys!

So grateful to be back in the Fieldhouse and even more thankful to share it with Drew!!

 

Christmas Eve

Uncle Bean came into town and we did our annual gingerbread and cookie decorating on Christmas Eve Day!

We also had Poppa set up his train again this year since Will loved it so much!

Official Christmas Eve pictures!

And my annual picture reading together in front of the tree...

We always end the night with someone reading Twas The Night Before Christmas and Drew read again this year...