Xander's 14

Just like that, we've had another birthday in our house.  This time my little guy...but not so little anymore!  On his birthday we took a tour around D.C.  It wouldn't have been his first pick on his birthday (not a history buff), but we made sure to go to a museum in which he would love.  Which he did!  We went to the Museum of Illusions for him.  We walked over 7 miles that day going from site to site.  It was a tiring day, but so much fun.

Xander,

It’s hard to believe how fast time has flown. Watching you grow from a little boy into the young man (with a mustache) you are now fills my heart with so many emotions. 

Every step, every milestone, has been a reminder of how much you’ve changed, and yet, you’ll always be my child.

I’m so proud of the person you’re becoming

your kindness

and your strength.

I can’t wait to see where this journey of life takes you.

No matter how old you get, you’ll always be my baby. 

Watching you grow is both a joy and a bittersweet reminder that time is moving too fast.  I hope you have an amazing 14th year, where you'll find joy in more than just the Xbox, ha!

Love, Mom

Instead of cake, he wanted a DQ Blizzard.  

We've never been down to D.C. during cherry blossom time, but somehow we walked right through them.  It was a nice surprise.  

It was a cloudy and cold day.  It took quite awhile to warm back up.  It was nice to get back on the bus to some heat, ha!

Sterling's 13

Sterling is my wild outspoken child.  Oh my.  She's so fun and inquisitive.  I'm not quite sure how time has gone so fast but I'm loving the older she gets.  She's my mini me.  Always on my hip.  Always willing to learn something new.  She's wise beyond her years.  Watching her grow over the years has been joyful.  From being that little girl that's full of curiosity and wonder, to now, a teenager.  I'm proud of the amazing person she's becoming.

Our Fifth Disney Cruise

 We are back from our spring break vacation and some of us had a wonderful time.  This cruise was for the kids' birthday.  My parents also went on the same cruise and it's always a great time being with them.  Four of us had a great time and stayed healthy, however, Sterling and Nick went down fast!  It was wild and I felt so bad for Sterling.  It was a good thing our itinerary changed because of weather.

My favorite view on the cruise app!

Lately

I'm writing this post walking on the treadmill.  I finally bought a treadmill desk attachment.  There's so much work that I do on my computer that I have a hard time dedicating time to walking.  So, no excuses now, I've got a solution.  I'll be able to plan our school week out, menu plan, put together my grocery list, and so much more.

We've been spending our Sundays at basketball.  Yesterday was the last day and we didn't go, ha.  It's been rainy and neither of them felt like playing, so we skipped.  There are only two teams in the league this time and they don't get a break.  We might try a different location next season.

Homemade Heavenly Hunks

A few months ago I found a copycat recipe for the amazingly delicious oatmeal chocolate chip hunks.  I bought all the ingredients, but then never made them.  Until this weekend.  Oh my heavens...these are better homemade!  

I used this recipe.  Trust me.  Buy the ingredients and make them today!  These will be perfect for our upcoming roadtrip.

 I hope you make them and enjoy them as much as my family.

Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Booked

 Just after Christmas we booked our fifth Disney Cruise and very soon we'll be enjoying the warm sunshine instead of this freezing cold winter we've had.  Oh my it's been frigid!  I can't wait for the beaches!  This is the longest we've had snow on the ground since we lived in Nebraska back in 2016!

picture from the Disney cruise website

December things

As Christmas has come and gone and December closes out, we'll going to do an overload picture post for the month.  We had a relaxing month.  Drank lots of coffee, watched a ton of movies, played a few games, and ate a fair share of cookies.  December was good.  Very good.

I started December wrapping all the gifts we had

 

November Home Projects

Hello there!  November gave us a very busy month of inside projects we've been putting off for too long.  The first project took me to the basement to repaint the room that has been a lot.  It's been our school room, game room, movie room, and Sterling's room.  I had to turn the walls back to neutral to prepare it for its next use.  This room is extra large and has six walls to cover paint with.  It took ALL day!