December 2022

 And just like that... it is December... WOW. Thankfully it is our favorite time of the year!!! 

Christmas Magic is in full fore at our house as we are prepping for the Holidays. The trees are up - we have one in the living room, one in the bonus room, and little mini trees in the kids room. One of our favorite traditions is looking at all the ornaments and remembering things from childhood and places we have traveled. I love it! 

Our elves have also arrived! Rudy and Elfsa came flying in on a red eye just in time! Blake and Kinsley are so excited to see what all the elves do this year... I am a little nervous to see what all they do! Haha. 

This year we went to the WF Tree lighting and we saw Santa on the same night. The tree was beautiful!!!! And Santa was awesome. Blake LOVES seeing Santa - that is his favorite. He gets so excited to tell Santa all about what the wants and likes. I am pretty sure he would talk to Santa all day/night if we let him! Haha. Kinsley on the other hand didn't want to have anything to do with Santa! She didn't cry - but she held on to Blake so tightly and wouldn't even look at Santa! Hopefully he didn't take it too personally. HAHA! 

One of my favorite things is the Rolesville Christmas Parade. We have the BEST seats in the house as ew sit in Memommy's front yard. Memommy even had a little silly fun watching it with us this year! It is the perfect kick off for the holiday season! 

Not really Christmas related, but Blake had a field trip this month, too! This was his first field trip since COVID and we were so excited. I say WE because of course I tagged along as a chaperone. We went to Tryon Palace to learn all about the first capitol of North Carolina - in Beaufort, NC. It was actually really interesting and it was beautiful! 

It has been a busy month, but of course we made time for our traditional Grinch Day with the Jarrell boys! They came over one afternoon for playing around and also the Jeep Christmas Parade. We got to go see all of the jeeps lit up for the holiday season. It was awesome! And yes, Joyner made an appearance in his Grinch Costume. I am pretty sure our new neighbor thinks we are nuts! Haha. 

Blake had his Christmas piano concert this month. I was so stinking proud of him!!! He has only been playing 6 months and he did this huge thing. He was so nervous but he played without a single mistake. His song was Jolly Old Saint Nicholas. It was a gorgeous night and it was amazing to hear all the talent from these kids! 

We went to Hillridge to see the Christmas lights. I just LOVE it. It is so vast and everything is covered in lights. It is amazing. Kinsley loved seeing it really for the first time too. The kids even found some soapy snow! HAHA! 

Funny moment... Kinsley is in a phase where she hides her paci's and some of her toys. We caught her today in the gifts. Originally I thought she was unwrapping them - nope she was just stashing her paci in a gift. Hopefully nobody gets a paci for Christmas! Oops. HAHA. 

We always try to catch a Christmas show of some type. This year we decided to take Blake to Hip Hop Nutcracker. It was not at all what we thought it would be. We thought it would be like a modern hip hop version of the classic Nutcracker. Instead it was the Classic Nutcracker music... but the people we dancing hip hop moves. They didn't match up at all. Oh well, it was still a fun night out with my guys! Kinsley stayed warm at home with Granny. :)  

We packed in the Christmas traditions and we couldn't forget the Gingerbread houses and reindeer. I swear it gets messier every year. This year candy was everywhere... Kinsley might be to blame for that one. :) 

Nothing beats the faces of Christmas morning! And oh boy was it an adventure!!! Blake got a hoverboard, a mini fridge for his room, legos, and lots of 49ers stuff! Kinsley got a slide, fun toys, and a few clothes! Joyner got a blackstone grill, and I got new running shoes! We all were on the nice list this year! 

2022 did not follow the original plans. It was the theme of "Well, that didn't work out as planned..." BUT the back up plans were all perfect. The important part is that we were all together and THAT is what made it perfect. I am especially grateful for our trips with Memommy to the beach and mountains, bc those a memories that we will treasure forever. On to 2023!!!! 

November 2022

 Blake got into Safety Patrol at his school. This is the first year they are doing it at Richland Creek Elementary School, but Blake remembers seeing his cousin (Jordan) do this at Rolesville Elementary School. He has always wanted to be a part of the Safety Patrol. He had to apply, interview, and show great behavior and grades. I am so proud of him for making the "team". :) He is doing GREAT things and juggling so much with sports, school, piano, and now Safety Patrol. He is just so great and I know I lucked out with him as a son! 

Speaking of awards... I am shocked (and humbled) to share that I am this years 2022-2023 Wake Forest High School Teacher of the Year! I honestly can't believe it! I have been teaching for 12 years at the school and I have given it my ALL! I have had up and down years, but I have pushed through and tried to give it my best for my students. There are many teachers leaving the profession, but I have decided to commit to my 30 years! It is so nice to see that other teachers have noticed my hard work and effort and it is an honor that they voted for me! Now I will get recognized by WCPSS at a banquet in April. :) 

Happy Thanksgiving - we are SO grateful that we have our little family. We are blessed in so many ways. We are healthy, happy, and have all that we need. I tis the simple things in life that we are just grateful for!!! I am so excited about the holidays this year and I am jus t beaming with pride over my family and the love  I have for them! 

We couldn't wait to get a Christmas Tree... it might be the last few days in November, but we are ready for the Christmas Magic NOW!!! :) My two cuties really know how to pick out a good tree. They are the best!!!! 

October 2022

 It's my favorite time of the year (besides Christmas)!!! Bring on all the pumpkins, leaves, and Halloween! I am so excited to decorate and enjoy the Fall traditions! :) 

These cuties... we stopped by the park afterschool today at school and just enjoyed slowing down and being in the moment. Look at those faces... my absolute world!!! I love them so much and I hope they know that every single day. 

One of the big things I do every year for work is Homecoming. I am so grateful that my little family joins in to help me and support me during this crazy week of the school year. We also have a little fun during it too.... 

The kids love the PowderPuff Football Game...

And Joyner and I love the Homecoming Dance! 

A lot of times we are all about Blake's sports and his things. This month we all got to enjoy one of Kinsley's Daycare Carnival events. I am so happy to see my family taking the time to support each other in all of our different things. 

We had our family pictures done this month. I am IN LOVE with how they turned out. Sometimes I wonder how lucky I am to get this beautiful little family of mine. 

My favorite Fall tradition is going to pick pumpkins! This year was fun because it was the first year that Kinsley was able to really have fun with us. Blake loved showing her all the fun at Hillridge Farms! I went there as a kid, and now I get to see my kids enjoy it! 

Look at this little "Boo Thing" 

Blake had his "Day of Awesomeness" at school and I got to volunteer! It was so much fun to see the kids running around and having a blast with all the inflatables. 

This year I think is my FAVORITE trick-or-treat costume selection! We went with the theme of 101 Dalmatians! This might be the last year I can convince everyone to dress up in a common theme, so we went all out!