Last Week in Moments

Christmas Eve. was spent at Scott & Ali's. We've been alternating years hosting with them, and it's always such a great way to start the holiday.


Christmas morning.


Our crazy family all together.


The 2nd annual Boxing Day soccer game at In-Bounds. Got to see some old friends, including Jesse and the kids. Always a great day when we get to see them. Our kids can't get enough of each other either.


We haven't been able to take advantage of Winter Break much. H has had swimming every morning, and C has Wisconsin Fire soccer training every night. But we did have an afternoon free and decided to go rock climbing. Oh my gosh, what a blast! I'm hooked.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day 2016. The boys woke up around 7:00 am. We had a relaxing morning opening gifts and prepping for our families to come over. It is always so great getting everyone together. Lots of laughter and good times. This year was no different. It was a very merry holiday season. Hope yours was too!

Last Week in Moments

Last Friday was Brian's company party, which is always a great time. Here's a scene from the night.


We spent the afternoon on Sunday baking cookies at my sister's house. Yum.


Great Grandma Helen's olive cheese puffs -- always need to have a batch of these on hand during the holidays.


Thankful for a clean house before the holidays -- and for my partner in crime, H. He's such a hard worker, and was a huge help.

Cookie Baking

We spent a great afternoon at my sister's house baking Christmas cookies. We've been doing this several years now, and it's a great way to crank out a bunch of holiday goodies. We may have overdone it this year though. I seriously came home with a million pounds of cookies. My niece had to work most of the afternoon, so couldn't join us until the end. The crazy thing is, next year she'll be in college! Insane. Anyhow, feels good to get those done. Plus, it was a fun day.

Last Week in Moments

Brian, the boys and I went to see the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra play the songs of David Bowie. Tony Vincent was the lead singer -- the entire night was amazing.


The next morning, we had three bucks and a doe in our yard. Once the doe laid down, we knew they would be there awhile. Sure enough, they hung out in our area until dusk. Some was in our neighbors yard. And then they were back again in ours. I've never seen anything like it.


They came pretty close the second visit! Such stunning creatures. The dogs were going nuts though.


Gretel headbutted C. Gretel = 1. C = 0. He's lucky he has his teeth!


Sunday brought a bunch of snow. Brian & H spent most of the day shoveling. Sundays are a good day to get a bunch of snow.


The boys decorated a gingerbread house. Gretel loves it. All of the candy and frosting has now been licked off the front of the house. I should have taken a photo as soon as they finished, because Gretel got to it no more than one hour later. Such a stinker!


Just chillin'. She never sits like this -- she looks like a person. Too funny.


It was so cold this week! I'm talking, January weather. Regardless, H had a swim meet and C had soccer practice. My mom even made it to H's meet! They are really fun to watch. Glad she made it.

Last Week in Moments

These two -- up to no good since 2014.


St. Nick came and paid the boys a visit. They got their usual holiday pajamas, and also some socks, holiday trinkets and chocolates. Even the dogs got a little something.


Reflections of an absolutely gorgeous sunrise.


Powered sugar face. Couldn't resist. She was trying to catch it like it was snowflakes.

Last Week in Moments

The tree is trimmed and the stockings are hung. Time for the holidays!


I didn't hang the advent calendars early this year, so C was getting really nervous I didn't make them this year. He was so excited when he saw it up when he came home from school. Our kids may be 14 and 12, but I love that they still love this.

Last Week in Moments

This summer, C was invited to try out for the Wisconsin Fire -- a program affiliated with the Chicago Fire. After two tryouts, he was thrilled to make the team. Seriously, I've never seen him more excited about something. As part of the program, they get to spend a morning at Toyota Park. They had sessions about soccer tactics, health and played a game against another one of the Fire teams which ended in a tie (0-0). He loved it.

Thanksgiving morning, C & Brian headed over to the soccer club for a little pick-up soccer action. H opted to stay home. He's on the high school swim team, and between that and club soccer, he's wiped out. Anyhow, C & Brian had a blast. Even if Brian is a little bit (ok, a lot) sore.


I started my Thanksgiving at CrossFit with a partner WOD. Typically, there were four people on a team, and one got to rest a bit. I somehow ended up on a team of three, which meant no rest for me. It was fun though, and a great way to start the day. I'm thankful for so many things, but one is definitely this community of people who push me every day in so many ways.


Thanksgiving was spent in Racine at my mother-in-law's house. It was so good, and so relaxing. Our nephew is home for the holiday and brought five of his soccer teammates home with him. We had Scotland, England, the Netherlands and New Zealand represented. Texas too. It was a great day.


Per tradition, on Friday we went and picked out our Christmas tree. Before we did that though, we had to say hello to the chickens that live on the farm. This place is so magical. We went over to my mom & dad's for lunch, then my cousin and his family who are in town from Texas stopped by for a quick visit before we had to part ways. H had a swim meet and C had a soccer game. The soccer boys came and cheered him for that, which kind of made his day. Needless to say, the tree hasn't made it even into the house yet. Thankfully, we have all weekend.


H's very first event at his very first swim meet -- the 50m freestyle. It was an alumni swim meet, so nothing serious and great way to get a feel of what the meets are all about. There were only two people in this particular race (and he came in first). He also raced the 50m butterfly and got disqualified for his kick. He did it though! Not bad for never even attempting that stroke until this past week. Lastly, he raced the 400m freestyle relay. Good stuff. For the past two weeks, he's been swimming 2.5 hours after school every day, and 3 hours starting at 8am on Saturdays. It's grueling, and he's never swam competitively in his life. We are so proud of him.

Last Week in Moments

Staying warm on our first frosty morning last weekend.


C, Brian and I went to the soccer club to kick the ball around a little bit, so I got to break in my Mother's Day gift from the boys. Unfortunately, H was sick all weekend so laid low.


So pretty.


This handsome devil turned 10 years old.


After 6 months without a haircut, I decided it was about time. Got a trim and even some highlights. Starting to see a little silver shine through. Loved seeing my friend Matty at his own salon, which he opened a few months ago.

Last Week in Moments

Last weekend, while Brian and H were at the Packer game, C and I raked leaves. His job was to take them out to the street, and every time, he'd come running around with this tarp flowing in the wind as a giant cape. Everything is an adventure with this one.


Even the dogs joined in the fun. They love playing in the leaves.


This one. Every morning she has about a 30 minute spurt of running around the house, breaking into our bedrooms (she rams into the door), and gathering whatever she can. It's usually stuffed animals, shoes and bras. But once in awhile, she goes nuts over hangers. She may be two years old, but she is still such a puppy.

Last Week in Moments

Brian and I went to our friend Matt's 40th birthday party. It was a costume party (obviously) at Three Lions Pub. We were camp counselors. So much fun.


Trick-or-treating around here is always the Sunday before Halloween. Lame. I still can't get used to it. C met up with a few of his friends and hit the streets. He went as Zlatan Ibrahimovic. H wasn't going to go, but ended up running into a bunch of his friends and quickly went home, put something on and met up with them.


Sorting. What you don't see is the three other boys laying around his room with their piles of candy. It smelled like sweat and sugar in there.


This is my favorite time of year! I went for a run the other day, then took the dogs out for a walk. Came across these amazing colors. I can't get enough of it.


Post-walk picture with my guy. He's starting to wobble more as he walks, and is getting lumpier and bumpier. I want him to stop getting old -- he's the greatest. Even though he still hates getting his picture taken.