what i loved most

Christmas 2013 is in the books!  i welcome a new year and all that it holds.  there are things that are noteworthy from this wonderful holiday season, however.  on the eve (we think) of the return to normal routine (yes, this was to have occurred a couple days ago, however due to extreme weather conditions we've enjoyed an extended break) i shall take a moment to consider the highlights i loved most....
here are a few~
1. new socks and underwear for all.  love that. so exciting.  i don't know why.
2. warm fires and family movies.
3. slower pace, sleeping in, no schedule or deadlines.  i'm dead tomorrow when the grind resumes.  i might not survive.
4. seeing lots of skating on the ice rink.  a New Year's Eve highlight when many kids had a real game of hockey with their dads~ even two dads as goalies. 
5. time with extended family and friends.  loved this so very much. 
6. sugar cookies, croquettes, oliebollen, and endless other delicious dishes and treats...good thing it's back to the gym this week! :)
7. watching Hudson share several playdates with his friend and special Haitian connection.
8. Christmas Eve service~ remembering Christ in Christmas.
9. puzzling with my girls.
10. yummy Ethiopian coffee under my tree.
11. new games.
12. watching my kids buy for eachother and seeing their excitement in doing so.
13. slush punch.
14. watching my kids enjoy new treasures. 
15. many moments of recognizing how crazy blessed we are....

so, with the tree almost at the curb (currently in the middle of the front yard, for some strange reason), the decorations mostly boxed and tucked in storage, and the Christmas baking dwindling quickly, there is so much to feel overwhelming gratitude for...
in closing, a few pics from the last few weeks.  

 

new pajama pants made by one grandma, slippers made by the other...while sitting by a warm fire...that's the life.

 

contrary to how it looks, Jeff did not get to consume all this bacon with his morning coffee.  he wished...although, don't feel too bad for the man, he had more than his share over the past few weeks. 

 

dear Mrs. N. struck again with Christmas gift bags for all six kids.  she is the sweetest to remember them all.  what's not to love about green Jones soda first thing in the morning??  AJ looks like he's already feeling the sugar buzz...

 

good thing the rink allowed the kids to burn those extra calories away.  here, during a flood, when the night is peaceful and quiet, apart from the occasional howl and cry of coyotes~ for real...Jeff is brave.

 

for now, i better get some sleep.  it's back to waking while it's still very dark...sigh....

happy 2014 to all!